Patents Assigned to Luna Innovation Incorporated
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Patent number: 7154081Abstract: Integral fiber optic-based condition sensors detect conditions of a composite structure, e.g., a coated wire assembly so as to detect damage or conditions that may damage the same. Preferably, at least one optical fiber sensor having a plurality of Bragg gratings written into the fiber at spaced-apart locations along its axial length is integrated into the electrical insulator coating of a wire, wire bundle or wiring harness. The fiber optic sensor may thus be employed to measure the environmental loads on the electrical wiring including stresses from bending, axial loading, pinch points, high temperature excursions and chemical damage. The system is capable of detecting and locating transient conditions that might cause damage to a wiring system or permanent changes in state associated with damage events. The residual stress in the electrical insulator coating of a wire, wire bundle, or wiring harness are used to monitor the evolution of damage by wear or chaffing processes.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2003Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Luna Innovations IncorporatedInventors: Fritz Friedersdorf, Thomas A. Wavering
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Publication number: 20060264547Abstract: Synthetic textile articles (e.g., filaments, fibers, yarns. fabrics and the like) and processes of making the same are provided which include flame-retardant SAP particles. The SAP particles are most preferably hydrated with an aqueous flame-retardant solution. In this regard, the flame-retardant solution may consist essentially of water alone or a water solution containing one or more water soluble inorganic flame retardants. When SAP particles are hydrated with an aqueous inorganic flame retardant solution, the SAP particles may thereafter be dried to remove substantially the water component. In such a manner, the inorganic flame retardant will remain as a dried residue physically entrained within the SAP particles. As such, the SAP particles serve as a physical matrix in which the inorganic flame retardant is homogenously dispersed. The SAP particles may then be chemically or physically affixed to the textile article in an amount sufficient to render the article flame-retardant.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2005Publication date: November 23, 2006Applicant: Luna Innovations IncorporatedInventors: Martin Rogers, Janice Phillips, Bryan Koene
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Publication number: 20060204165Abstract: Light is coupled into two polarization modes of a waveguide, e.g., an optical fiber. The spectral response of Rayleigh backscatter in the waveguide segment for the two polarization modes is measured, e.g., using OFDR, OTDR, OLCR, etc. The autocorrelation of the spectral response is calculated. The spectral (wavelength) shift from a main autocorrelation peak to a side autocorrelation peak, corresponding to one of the two polarization modes of the waveguide segment, is determined. The spectral shift, corresponding to a beat length of the waveguide segment, is multiplied by an average index of refraction to determine a birefringence of the waveguide segment.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2006Publication date: September 14, 2006Applicant: Luna Innovations IncorporatedInventor: Mark Froggatt
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Patent number: 7060636Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a tunable dielectric device comprising: a substrate and an endohedral fullerene encapsulating trimetallic nitride template compound disposed on the substrate. The endohedral fullerene encapsulating trimetallic nitride template compound has a dipole moment that is oriented when a voltage of less than about 5 volts is applied thereto causing a change in the orientation of the dipole moment of the compound. The physical dimension of the compound is essentially unchanged.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2004Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Luna Innovations IncorporatedInventors: Janice P. Phillips, Bryan E. Koene, Steven A. Stevenson, Daniela M. Topasna, Martin E. Rogers
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Publication number: 20060104886Abstract: A method of providing bulk products of pure-chirality single walled nanotubes having substantially one chirality, and bulk products of pure-chirality nanotubes having at least 50% one chirality. By providing bulk products of pure-chirality nanotubes, the electrical conductivity of the nanotubes can be predetermined and can be made more electrically conductive or more semi-conductive, as desired. Also provided are methods of purifying bulk products of multiple chirality nanotubes into pure-chirality nanotube bulk products, as well as methods of identifying chiralities of bulk product nanotubes. Moreover, fluorocarbon surfactant systems capable of solubilizing nanotubes in perfluorocarbon solvents and facilitating purification and processing are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2005Publication date: May 18, 2006Applicant: Luna Innovations IncorporatedInventor: Stephen Wilson
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Patent number: 7042573Abstract: In order to characterize the optical characteristics of a device, a source of light having a variable frequency with a polarization state which varies linearly with frequency is provided as an input to the device under test. The input light is also passed through a known reference path and is added to the light output from the device under test in a beam combiner. The combined light for the frequencies of interest is split into two orthogonal polarizations which are then detected in a spectral acquisition apparatus and supplied to a microprocessor. The spectral measurements are digitized and curve-fitted to provide optical power versus optical frequency curves. Fourier transforms of each of the curves are calculated by the microprocessor. From the Fourier transforms, the four arrays of constants are calculated for the Jones matrix characterizing the device under test.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2004Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Luna Innovations IncorporatedInventor: Mark E. Froggatt
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Patent number: 7018709Abstract: A coated substrate is claimed. The coating, disposed on the substrate, comprises a self-assembled film having at least one bilayer. Each bilayer comprises a polyanion electrolyte layer and a polycation electrolyte layer. The uppermost layer or exposed layer of the coating comprises a fluoroalkyl group. Each bilayer thickness ranges from about 0.1 nanometers to about 20 nanometers. The resulting coated substrate has a low surface energy and is hydrophobic and/or oleophobic.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2003Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Luna Innovations IncorporatedInventors: Janice P. Stevenson, Martin E. Rogers, Daniela M. Topasna
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Patent number: 7017422Abstract: A bond strength tester and method for determining certain bond strength parameters of a bonded component, including a phaselocker, a transducer, a loading device that is capable of applying stress-loads to the bond, a controller for controlling the loading device, a data recording device to acquire data, and a computer device to analyze data calculating certain bond strength parameters.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2004Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Luna Innovations IncorporatedInventors: Joseph S. Heyman, John E. Lynch
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Patent number: 7010182Abstract: A biosensor having enhanced sensitivity to physical or chemical parameters comprises a waveguide and a coating disposed on the waveguide. The coating has a refractive index that enhances the sensitivity of the biosensor to physical or chemical parameters. In a preferred embodiment, the coating comprises at least one dendrimer disposed on the waveguide, wherein the coating has a refractive index ranging from about 1.0 to about 1.5. A method for fabrication of the biosensor is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2003Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Luna Innovations IncorporatedInventor: Charles D. Pennington
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Publication number: 20060013523Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a fiber optic position and shape sensing device and the method of use. The device comprises an optical fiber means. The optical fiber means comprises either at least two single core optical fibers or a multicore optical fiber having at least two fiber cores. In either case, the fiber cores are spaced apart such that mode coupling between the fiber cores is minimized. An array of fiber Bragg gratings are disposed within each fiber core. A broadband reference reflector is positioned in an operable relationship to each fiber Bragg grating wherein an optical path length is established for each reflector/grating relationship. A frequency domain reflectometer is positioned in an operable relationship to the optical fiber means. In use, the device is affixed to an object. Strain on the optical fiber is measured and the strain measurements correlated to local bend measurements. Local bend measurements are integrated to determine position or shape of the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2005Publication date: January 19, 2006Applicant: Luna Innovations IncorporatedInventors: Brooks Childlers, Dawn Gifford, Roger Duncan, Matthew Raum, Michael Vercellino
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Patent number: 6987897Abstract: The present invention is for a fiber optic flow cell. The flow cell comprises a substrate having at least one sample channel and at least one optical fiber channel holder. At least one optical fiber is disposed within each optical fiber channel holder. Each optical fiber has at least one grating wherein each grating is in contact with each sample channel, defining a sensing area. At least one sample port is positioned in an operable relationship to at least one sample channel. Alternatively, at least one sample outlet is positioned in an operable relationship to at least one sample channel. The flow cell may be of a modular design providing a flow cell kit that contains pieces that may be assembled to form custom-made flow cells. The flow cell is used for conducting measurement studies on a sample.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Luna Innovations IncorporatedInventors: Jennifer L. Elster, Mark E. Jones, Charles D. Pennington, Joshua P. Averett
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Patent number: 6898337Abstract: A fiber-optic method for making simultaneous multiple parameter measurements employs an optical fiber sensor having at least one long period grating disposed therein. An excitation is created in the optical fiber sensor wherein a plurality of evanescent field sensing depths result. At least two long period grating signatures are created. When the optical fiber sensor is exposed to at least one material, changes in the material are identified by simultaneously measuring and comparing shifts in each long period grating signature; correlating the shifts to changes in the material; and solving a series of equations that compare changes in the coupling wavelength for a specific loss band. A reactive coating may be applied to the optical fiber sensor proximate to the long period grating such that changes in the reactive coating as it reacts with the material may also be monitored.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2004Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Luna Innovations, IncorporatedInventors: Joshua P. Averett, Jennifer L. Elster, Mark E. Jones, Charles D. Pennington, Roger L. Van Tassell
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Publication number: 20040220313Abstract: Articles and processes are provided whereby flame-retardant SAP particles are incorporated into synthetic resins, especially curable thermosettable resins. The SAP particles are most preferably hydrated with an aqueous flame-retardant solution. In this regard, the flame-retardant solution may consist essentially of water alone or a water solution containing one or more water soluble inorganic flame retardants. When SAP particles are hydrated with an aqueous inorganic flame retardant solution, the SAP particles may thereafter be dried to remove substantially the water component. In such a manner, the inorganic flame retardant will remain as a dried residue physically entrained within the SAP particles. As such, the SAP particles serve as a physical matrix in which the inorganic flame retardant is homogenously dispersed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2004Publication date: November 4, 2004Applicant: LUNA INNOVATIONS INCORPORATEDInventors: Martin E. Rogers, Pascal Deschatelets, Janice P. Phillips