Patents Assigned to The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
  • Patent number: 11906500
    Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for measuring fuel thermal stability, deposit formation rate, and in-situ reactivity via optical methods and as well as methods of making and using same. Applicants' apparatus can deliver the rate and amount of degradation as well as the quantifying and qualifying the chemical species in the fuel on a real time basis during a test. As a result, Applicants' apparatus provides significantly improved performance over the current apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: William K. Lewis, Elizabeth M Craft, Patrick S Walsh
  • Patent number: 11688599
    Abstract: An environmental sensor may acquire data related to flux and energy of charged particles in an environment for using the data to determine, in substantially real time, whether the environment is conducive to an anomaly caused by the charged particles. The sensor may include an electrostatic analyzer structurally configured for charged particle detection, the electrostatic analyzer generating controllable electric fields to provide energy filtering of incoming charged particles, where, after filtering, the charged particles impact a charge multiplier to establish a detectable signal. The sensor may further include a plurality of silicon detector telescopes structurally configured to collectively detect electrons having energy within the range of about 100 electronvolts (eV) to about 5 mega-electronvolts (MeV) and to collectively detect protons having energy within the range of about 2 MeV to about 100 MeV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Government of the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Chadwick Lindstrom, John Ballenthin, David Barton, Joseph Coombs, Scott Kratochvil, David Stiles, Adrian Wheelock, Stephen Quigley, Patrick Roddy, Richard Selesnick
  • Patent number: 11618594
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to telescopic apparatus, systems and methods for daylight imaging of satellites and other objects, a platform/telescope configured for daylight imaging of satellites and other objects, as well as modifications thereto configured to perform specific functions individually and/or in conjunction with other platforms/devices (e.g., radar tracking devices).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Scott P. Milster, Waid T. Schlaegel
  • Patent number: 11552787
    Abstract: A computing device includes an array of addressable elements. Each addressable element is a hardware element that generates a substantially consistent response when interrogated. The device includes a processor coupled to the array of addressable elements and configured to communicate using a communication network. The processor receives a public key, and processes the public key to produce at least a set of addresses. Each address in the set of addresses identifies one or more hardware elements in the array of addressable elements. The processor generates a set of responses by interrogating the one or more hardware elements in the array of addressable elements identified by the set of addresses according to a set of reading instructions, appends the responses in the set of responses to generate a private key, receives an encrypted message and decrypts the encrypted message using the private key to generate an unencrypted message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignees: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY, GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
    Inventors: Bertrand F Cambou, Christopher Robert Philabaum, Donald A. Telesca, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11265151
    Abstract: A computing device includes an array of addressable elements. Each addressable element is a hardware element that generates a substantially consistent response when interrogated. The device includes a processor coupled to the array of addressable elements and configured to communicate using a communication network. The processor receives a public key, and processes the public key to produce at least a set of addresses. Each address in the set of addresses identifies one or more hardware elements in the array of addressable elements. The processor generates a set of responses by interrogating the one or more hardware elements in the array of addressable elements identified by the set of addresses according to a set of reading instructions, appends the responses in the set of responses to generate a private key, receives an encrypted message and decrypts the encrypted message using the private key to generate an unencrypted message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignees: Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of Northern Arizona University, Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Bertrand F Cambou, Christopher Robert Philabaum, Donald A. Telesca, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11085944
    Abstract: An accelerometer includes a vacuum chamber to receive a laser beam and a nanoparticle. The nanoparticle is trapped in an oscillating state in a focus of the laser beam. A processor calculates an acceleration of the nanoparticle based on changes in position of an oscillating nanoparticle. A plurality of photodetectors are spaced apart to identify spatial coordinates of the oscillating nanoparticle. The processor may calculate the acceleration of the nanoparticle based on changes in the spatial coordinates of the oscillating nanoparticle and a frequency of oscillation of the nanoparticle within the vacuum chamber. The nanoparticle may have a diameter of a predetermined size and is trapped in the focus of the laser beam based on a polarizability of the nanoparticle. The diameter of the predetermined size of the nanoparticle may be smaller than a wavelength of the laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Maxwell D. Gregoire, Brian L. Kasch
  • Patent number: 11031753
    Abstract: A broad area quantum cascade laser includes an optical cavity disposed between two sidewalls, the optical cavity including an active region for producing photons when a current is applied thereto, where the optical cavity is subject to a presence of at least one high order transverse optical mode due to its broad area geometry. The broad area quantum cascade laser may also include an optically lossy material disposed on at least a first portion of one or more of the two sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Ron Kaspi, Sanh Luong
  • Patent number: 10715615
    Abstract: Systems and associated methods for dynamic split file distribution of digital content to multiple nodes in a network. A basic flow for each of a collection of method subtypes 1?p (for p between 1 and a total number of distribution nodes in the subnetwork) comprises 1) determining communication paths with the p highest single inter-nodal bandwidths from each of available source nodes to its adjacent distribution nodes; 2) passing the content from the source node(s) along the p highest inter-nodal bandwidths, striking the receiving node(s) from a list of distribution nodes and adding those nodes to a list of source nodes; and 3) repeating 1) and 2) until targeted network nodes receive a respective copy of the passed content. At each completed method flow cycle, each subnetwork subsequently presented to each source node is analyzed to dynamically select and apply a method subtype that is appropriate for that subnetwork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: THE GOVERNMENT OF The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Eachan Russell Landreth
  • Patent number: 10615024
    Abstract: An electrostatic analyzer (ESA) includes a coaxial structure having an outer conductive cylinder, an inner conductive cylinder, and one or more pathways disposed therebetween and extending from a first end to a second end of the coaxial structure. The outer conductive cylinder and the inner conductive cylinder may each be structurally configured to receive a bias voltage for creation of a predetermined electric field therebetween that allows for passage of charged particles with a predetermined energy/charge band along a helical path through the coaxial structure. The ESA may further include an entrance filter on the first end of the coaxial structure that defines a plurality of openings aligned at a predetermined angle thereby limiting one or more fields of view between a pathway through the ESA and the external environment to filter particles, by their trajectory, from entering the pathway for analysis by the ESA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
    Inventors: Patrick Roddy, David Barton, Joseph Coombs, John Ballenthin, John McGarity, Scott Kratochvil
  • Patent number: 10591871
    Abstract: Light reflected from an illuminated object is mixed with a reference beam and sensed at a sensor array of a digital hologram apparatus. Digital hologram data, determined from the sensed light, is dependent upon complex valued reflection coefficients of the object and upon phase perturbations in propagation paths between the object and the sensor array. Reflectance values, which may be dependent upon expected values of the absolute square of the reflection coefficients, and phase perturbations are determined for which a test function is at an extremum, where the test function contains a data fidelity term dependent upon the hologram data from a single hologram, a first regularization term dependent upon the phase perturbations and a second regularization term dependent upon the reflectance values. An image of the object may be formed from the reflectance values and a wavefront of the reflected light may be determined from the phase perturbations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED, BY THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE.
    Inventors: Casey J. Pellizzari, Mark F. Spencer, Charles A. Bouman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10509369
    Abstract: A method of making an atomic vapor source includes positioning a glass base of a vapor cell in a vacuum chamber, providing an alkaline-earth metal in the glass base, and positioning a linear motion feedthrough mechanism adjacent the vacuum chamber in line with the glass base. The method includes sealing and evacuating the vacuum chamber, and positioning, using a linear motion actuator of the linear motion feedthrough mechanism, a glass lid to contact the glass base of the vapor cell to form an optical contact bond therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
    Inventors: Nathan D. Lemke, Christopher J. Erickson, Jordan L. Armstrong, Kyle W. Martin
  • Patent number: 10509370
    Abstract: A vapor cell heating assembly, method, and high temperature optical system including a vapor cell having exterior surfaces; a slide disposed on at least one exterior surface of the vapor cell; a heating element disposed on the at least one exterior surface, the heating element including a frame and a first opening in the frame to pass light through the frame to the at least one exterior surface; and a shell disposed on the vapor cell to hold the slide and heating element to the vapor cell, wherein the shell includes a plurality of structural elements, each structural element disposed on a corresponding exterior surface of the vapor cell and aligned to adjacent structural elements at edges, and wherein each structural element includes a second opening to pass light through the structural element to a respective exterior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
    Inventors: Nathan D. Lemke, Christopher J. Erickson, Jordan L. Armstrong, Kyle W. Martin
  • Patent number: 10495829
    Abstract: A device for the positioning of an optical beam includes a housing and at least four prisms aligned for passing the optical beam therethrough, where each of the at least four prisms is movable relative to the housing. The device may also include one or more positioners engaged with the at least four prisms, the one or more positioners controllable to move the at least four prisms, where movement of the at least four prisms adjusts a position and an angle of the optical beam passed therethrough relative to an x-y plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
    Inventor: Matthew Squires
  • Patent number: 10416609
    Abstract: Light reflected from an illuminated object is mixed with a reference beam and sensed at a sensor array of a digital hologram apparatus. Digital hologram data, determined from the sensed light, is dependent upon complex valued reflection coefficients of the object and upon phase perturbations in propagation paths between the object and the sensor array. Reflectance values, which may be dependent upon expected values of the absolute square of the reflection coefficients, and phase perturbations are determined for which a test function is at an extremum, where the test function contains a data fidelity term dependent upon the hologram data from a single hologram, a first regularization term dependent upon the phase perturbations and a second regularization term dependent upon the reflectance values. An image of the object may be formed from the reflectance values and a wavefront of the reflected light may be determined from the phase perturbations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Casey J. Pellizzari, Mark F. Spencer, Charles A. Bouman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10119266
    Abstract: A sparse-isogrid columnar lattice structure including rigid ring frames connected by a mirrored symmetric double helix pattern comprised of first shell hinge elements in a first helical pattern and second shell hinge elements in a second helical pattern oriented in an opposite direction to the first helical pattern and congruent thereto. The helical axes of the first and second helical patterns intersect the respective centers of the ring frames. The first and second shell hinge elements are configured to stow in a stored energy state when the ring frames are collapsed toward one another along the helical axis, and the first and second shell hinge elements are configured to release the stored energy to deploy to a restored state and extend the ring frames apart from each other along the helical axis when deployed to form a stable rigid axial column in a restored state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Sungeun K. Jeon, Jeremy Banik, Michael Peterson
  • Patent number: 9819320
    Abstract: A coaxial amplifier having at least one electron beam is provided. The amplifier may include a conductive rod, a plurality of parallel discs on the rod, a cathode array for producing at least one electron beam. When a plurality of electron beams are formed they are arranged in an annular configuration around said rod and disks, and directed along said rod and coaxially thereof. A first waveguide may apply electromagnetic wave energy to one end of said disc and rod assembly to induce propagation of said energy along said assembly. A second waveguide may extract the amplified electromagnetic energy from the other end of the disc and rod assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Brad W. Hoff, David M. French
  • Publication number: 20140186551
    Abstract: A method of depositing solder material onto a substrate. The method includes adjusting a pressure within a vacuum chamber, the substrate being supported within the vacuum chamber. A temperature of the substrate is reduced such that the absolute temperature of the substrate is no greater than 20% of a melting temperature of the solder material The absolute temperature is maintained while solder material is deposited onto the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Government of the United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
  • Publication number: 20090170717
    Abstract: The present invention relates to pathogen detection and identification by use of DNA resequencing microarrays. The present invention also provides resequencing microarray chips for differential diagnosis and serotyping of pathogens present in a biological sample. The present invention further provides methods of detecting the presence and identity of pathogens present in a biological sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicants: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Brian K. Agan, Eric H. Hanson, Russell P. Kruzelock, Baochuan Lin, Robb K. Rowley, Donald Seto, David A. Stenger, Jennifer Johnson, Clark J. Tibbetts, Dzung C. Thach, Gary J. Vora, Elizabeth A Walter, Zheng Wang