Patents Assigned to National Center for Manufacturing Sciences
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Publication number: 20060277144Abstract: A system and method for allowing simplified electronic transfer of funds in files subject to sender-defined access constraints. In one aspect of the system and method, a digital currency file is transmitted as an attachment to an electronic message. The sender of the digital currency file defines the level of security associated with the file, i.e., what the recipient must provide to access the funds.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2006Publication date: December 7, 2006Applicants: JOVE CORPORATION, NATIONAL CENTER FOR MANUFACTURING SCIENCESInventors: Stephen Ranzini, John Sheridan
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Patent number: 7120606Abstract: A system and method for allowing simplified electronic transfer of funds in files subject to sender-defined access constraints. In one aspect of the system and method, a digital currency file is transmitted as an attachment to an electronic message. The sender of the digital currency file defines the level of security associated with the file, i.e., what the recipient must provide to access the funds.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2000Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignees: Jove Corporation, National Center for Manufacturing SciencesInventors: Stephen Lange Ranzini, John Sheridan
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Patent number: 6283386Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for kinetic spray coating of substrate surfaces by impingement of air or gas entrained powders of small particles in a range up to at least 106 microns accelerated to supersonic velocity in a spray nozzle. Preferably powders of metals, alloys, polymers and mixtures thereof or with semiconductors or ceramics are entrained in unheated air and passed through an injection tube into a larger flow of heated air for mixing and acceleration through a supersonic nozzle for coating of an article by impingement of the yieldable particles. A preferred apparatus includes a high pressure air supply carrying entrained particles exceeding 50 microns through an injection tube into heated air in a mixing chamber for mixing and acceleration in the nozzle. The mixing chamber is supplied with high pressure heated air through a main air passage having an area ratio relative to the injection tube of at least 80/1.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2000Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: National Center for Manufacturing SciencesInventors: Thomas H. Van Steenkiste, John R. Smith, Richard E. Teets, Jerome J. Moleski, Daniel W. Gorkiewicz
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Patent number: 6268569Abstract: A high-performance printed wiring board assembly is disclosed which utilizes a substrate component having a reinforcement material. The substrate has a glass fabric reinforcement embedded in a condensation-reacted and thermally-crosslinked nadic end-capped polyimide resin. There are electrically conductive lamina current pathways directly adhered to the substrate. There are high-temperature soldered or metallurgically bonded connections that electrically join conductor leads of electrical devices to the lamina current pathways.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1999Date of Patent: July 31, 2001Assignee: National Center for Manufacturing SciencesInventors: Daniel Anthony Scola, Richard Thomas Grannells
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Patent number: 6139913Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for kinetic spray coating of substrate surfaces by impingement of air or gas entrained powders of small particles in a range up to at least 106 microns accelerated to supersonic velocity in a spray nozzle. Preferably powders of metals, alloys, polymers and mixtures thereof or with semiconductors or ceramics are entrained in unheated air and passed through an injection tube into a larger flow of heated air for mixing and acceleration through a supersonic nozzle for coating of an article by impingement of the yieldable particles. A preferred apparatus includes a high pressure air supply carrying entrained particles exceeding 50 microns through an injection tube into heated air in a mixing chamber for mixing and acceleration in the nozzle. The mixing chamber is supplied with high pressure heated air through a main air passage having an area ratio relative to the injection tube of at least 80/1.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1999Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Assignee: National Center for Manufacturing SciencesInventors: Thomas H. Van Steenkiste, John R. Smith, Richard E. Teets, Jerome J. Moleski, Daniel W. Gorkiewicz
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Patent number: 6129948Abstract: A high-velocity spray nozzle is used to physically embed conductive particles into the surface of a non-conductive substrate, thereby rendering it electrically conductive. In contrast to existing, chemically based alternatives, the method offers the use of a dry process with no chemical baths and associated environmental concerns; the ability to produce localized modifications, only in areas where actually required; the use of simple materials, such as air and powdered graphite; and a potential cost savings. Methods of modifying localized areas of the underlying substrate are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1997Date of Patent: October 10, 2000Assignee: National Center for Manufacturing SciencesInventors: Howard K. Plummer, Robert C. McCune, Jeffrey H. Helms
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Patent number: 5966804Abstract: A method of manufacturing a high-performance printed wiring board assembly, and the resulting product, utilize a substrate component that has a reinforcement material embedded in a condensation-reacted and thermally-crosslinked nadic end-capped polyimide resin electrically conductive lamina component pathways directly adhered to the substrate component resin and high-temperature soldered or otherwise attached connections that electrically join the conductor leads of included electrical devices to the lamina component conductive pathways.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1997Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: National Center For Manufacturing SciencesInventors: Daniel Anthony Scola, Richard Thomas Grannells
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Patent number: 5872316Abstract: The measurement of ejection tonnage in a die in forming process uses an embedded, in-die sensor and signal filtering methods for a more refined interpretation of the weaker signals associated with die vibrations. In particular, a self-tuning (adaptive) filter, matched to the embedded sensor, is used to reconstruct the stimulus of the die vibrations to reveal otherwise non-measurable knock-out tonnage parameters from the strain signal output by the sensor. Necessary information is obtained by means of a suitable dynamics identification procedure. Information necessary for self-tuning is obtained by means of a suitable die-set dynamics identification procedure.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1997Date of Patent: February 16, 1999Assignee: National Center for Manufacturing SciencesInventors: Ravi Duggirala, Swavik A. Spiewak
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Patent number: 5794696Abstract: An earth contamination site groundwater testing well having a borehole which passes though subsurface soil zones of interest is provided with a probe assembly that is installed in the borehole, that has a core stem which carries spaced-apart flexible disc seals that divide the borehole into different borehole zones that correspond to the subsurface soil zones of interest, and that includes microporous sampler points in the different borehole zones. The groundwater testing well borehole may be formed with a well casing that is afterwards removed while retaining the probe assembly in position.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1996Date of Patent: August 18, 1998Assignee: National Center for Manufacturing SciencesInventors: Thomas Loughborough Gibson, Paul David Chalmer, Abdul Shaheed Abdul
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Patent number: 5659483Abstract: A centralized computer system in communication with a measurement system including a multi-point probe is programmed to analyze a plurality of conductor formations on a particular substrate, store information relating to an electrical characteristic of each conductor formation analyzed, and generate a report including information as to the variance in the electrical characteristic as a function of substrate position. To step through all of the conductor formations on a particular substrate, the computer may either be programmed to move a chuck holding the substrate under test relative to the points of the probe, or the system may include switching means disposed in an electrical path between the points of the probe and the resistance measurement system, enabling the computer to step through all of the conductor formations on a particular substrate by instructing the switching means to select points associated with only a single conductor formation for connection to the resistance measurement system.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 1996Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Assignee: National Center for Manufacturing SciencesInventors: Ronald J. Rhodes, Timothy A. Estes
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Patent number: 5567526Abstract: A cemented tungsten carbide substrate is prepared for coating with a layer of diamond film by subjecting the substrate surface to be coated to a process which first removes a small amount of the tungsten carbide at the surface of the substrate while leaving the cobalt binder substantially intact. Murakami's reagent is presently preferred. The substrate is then subjected to a process which removes any residue remaining on the surface as a result of the performance of the process which removes the tungsten carbide. A solution of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide is presently preferred. A diamond coated cemented tungsten carbide tool is formed using an unpolished substrate, which may be prepared by etching as described above or by etching in nitric acid prior to diamond film deposition. Deposition of a substantially continuous diamond film may be accomplished by reactive vapor deposition, thermally assisted (hot filament) CVD, plasma-enhanced CVD, or other techniques.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 1995Date of Patent: October 22, 1996Assignee: National Center for Manufacturing SciencesInventors: Michael G. Peters, Robert H. Cummings
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Patent number: 5559626Abstract: A resource-sharing system enables multiple work areas to share an energy resource on a real-time, asynchronous basis in order to perform manufacturing processes. A specific embodiment involves a communication and control structure for a distributed laser processing system wherein the work areas, in communication with a cell controller via a cell-level LAN, share high-power lasers through beam multiplexers and optical fibers. The cell controller, typically in communication with a factory information system computer over a factory-level network, receives information relating to processes to be performed in the workareas, and makes this information available to the workareas as a node in the cell-level LAN. With such an arrangement, tools requiring the laser energy within the work areas may be controlled in real time by their associated station controllers, as cell controller need only be responsible for coordinating more global activities.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1995Date of Patent: September 24, 1996Assignee: National Center for Manufacturing SciencesInventors: Ami Kestenbaum, Richard S. Armington
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Patent number: 5422493Abstract: A node switch useful for resource sharing within a network environment incorporating computer control uses opto-electronic isolators and switching devices to route bidirectional communications between a common port and at least two I/O ports on an asynchronous basis. Separate power supplies are used for the ports and the internal circuitry, thus providing signal matching between disparate pieces of equipment. Multiple node switches may be cascaded or "daisy-chained" to provide for flexible switching, depending upon the application.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1993Date of Patent: June 6, 1995Assignee: National Center for Manufacturing Sciences, Inc.Inventors: Ami Kestenbaum, Richard S. Armington
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Patent number: 5320289Abstract: An abrasive waterjet nozzle for intelligent control is illustrated. The invention includes a nozzle cartridge dismountably attached to a holder allowing quick and automatic nozzle changes. Provisions are further included for sensing the condition of nozzle components.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1992Date of Patent: June 14, 1994Assignee: National Center for Manufacturing SciencesInventors: Mohamad Hashish, David Monserud, Steve Craigen
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Patent number: 5236740Abstract: A cemented tungsten carbide substrate is prepared for coating with a layer of diamond film by subjecting the substrate surface to be coated to a process which first removes a small amount of the tungsten carbide at the surface of the substrate while leaving the cobalt binder substantially intact. Murakami's reagent is presently preferred. The substrate is then subjected to a process which removes any residue remaining on the surface as a result of the performance of the process which removes the tungsten carbide. A solution of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide is presently preferred. A diamond coated cemented tungsten carbide tool is formed using an unpolished substrate, which may be prepared by etching as described above or by etching in nitric acid prior to diamond film deposition. Deposition of a substantially continuous diamond film may be accomplished by reactive vapor deposition, thermally assisted (hot filament) CVD, plasma-enhanced CVD, or other techniques.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 1991Date of Patent: August 17, 1993Assignee: National Center for Manufacturing SciencesInventors: Michael G. Peters, Robert H. Cummings