Patents Assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  • Patent number: 11183626
    Abstract: A magnetostrictive alternator configured to convert pressure waves into electrical energy is provided. It should be appreciated that the magnetostrictive alternator may be combined in some embodiments with a Stirling engine to produce electrical power. The Stirling engine creates the oscillating pressure wave and the magnetostrictive alternator converts the pressure wave into electricity. In some embodiments, the magnetostrictive alternator may include aerogel material and magnetostrictive material. The aerogel material may be configured to convert a higher amplitude pressure wave into a lower amplitude pressure wave. The magnetostrictive material may be configured to generate an oscillating magnetic field when the magnetostrictive material is compressed by the lower amplitude pressure wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Rodger W. Dyson, Geoffrey A. Bruder
  • Patent number: 11174850
    Abstract: A plurality of shape memory alloy tubes (SMTs) of one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) types is configured as an element in a rotary actuator system in a nested manner. In various configurations, the nested SMTs provide one or more modes of multiplication (torque output or angular displacement), rotation reversibility and bias loading. The innovation provides for leveraging the modes for reductions in the rotary actuator system size, weight, or complexity or combinations thereof, or providing improved and more stable actuation capabilities in a given envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Othmane Benafan, Phillip B. Abel, Steven W. Bauman, Darrell J. Gaydosh, Paul A. Solano
  • Patent number: 11131294
    Abstract: A scalable plurality of shape memory alloy (SMA) elements are configured to provide a continuous rotation actuator system. The plurality of SMA elements are coupled to a Ring Gear element, as well as to a Sun Gear element and a provision for thermal cycle return assist of the SMA elements. A plurality of Transmission elements provide for controlled rotary actuation in a desired direction with lock capability that provides for continuous rotary motion even as the SMA elements undergo reciprocating rotary action during their thermal cycling without running into system component rotation limits. The innovation distinguishes over other innovative approaches by way of at least the Ring Gear element, the manner of lock control, and the return assist element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Steven W. Bauman, Othmane Benafan
  • Patent number: 11129546
    Abstract: A portable unit for metabolic analysis includes a manifold in fluid communication with a mouth of a test subject. A conduit extends from the manifold and defines a flow channel through which the breaths of the test subject travels. A carbon dioxide sensor is attached to the conduit. The carbon dioxide sensor includes an intermediate support housing enclosing a volume disposed along the flow channel to define a first part of the flow channel, an inner support housing attached to a first side of the intermediate support housing, a plurality of IR LEDs mounted to an interior surface of the inner support housing, an outer support housing attached to a second side of the intermediate support housing, and a photodetector attached to the outer support housing. The photodetector faces the flow channel and receives IR radiation emitted by the plurality of LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Daniel L. Dietrich, Jeffrey R. Juergens, Mark E. Lewis, Nancy C. Piltch, Michael J. Lichter, Russel W. Valentine, Dale M. Diedrick, Richard D Pettegrew, Peter M. Struk
  • Patent number: 11128293
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for compensating for device property variations across a wafer. The method comprises determining an output of a first device based on an input and determining an output of a second device based on the input. The second device is located at a different position with respect to a center of the wafer than a position of the first device with respect to the center of the wafer. The method further comprises determining a difference between the output of the first device and the output of the second device, the difference arising at least in part from the difference in position of the first and second devices. The method further comprises altering the first device such that the output of the first device based on the input substantially matches the output of the second device based on the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Michael J. Krasowski, Norman F. Prokop, Philip G. Neudeck, David J. Spry
  • Patent number: 11121518
    Abstract: An optical transmitter includes a beam steering system configured to direct an optical beam through a first optical element towards a second optical element. The beam steering system includes an adjustable optical element. The second optical element is susceptible to thermal and vibrational loads that disrupt an alignment between the first and second optical elements. The second optical element includes a main portion configured to direct the optical beam down a propagation path including a communications target. The second optical element also includes a reflective portion configured to direct an alignment portion of the optical beam back to the beam steering system through the first optical element. A detector is configured to receive the alignment portion and generate an alignment signal. A controller is configured to adjust the adjustable optical element based on the alignment signal to counteract the loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Adam C. Wroblewski
  • Patent number: 11088812
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes an RFID interrogator configured for generating an RFID signal, wherein a channel frequency of the RFID signal changes over time; at least one patch antenna; and at least one feed line configured for feeding the signal to the corresponding at least one patch antenna. In another exemplary embodiment, an RFID interrogator configured for generating an RID signal, wherein a channel frequency of the RFID signal changes over time; at least one transmission line; and a diplexer coupling the RFID interrogator and the transmission lines and configured for distributing the RFID signal to each of the antennas or transmission lines, respectively, depending on the channel frequency of the RFID signal generated. The antennas or transmission lines are configured to transmit an electromagnetic wave in response to and at the channel frequency of the RFID signal distributed thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Patrick W. Fink, Gregory Y. Lin, Timothy F. Kennedy, Phong H. Ngo
  • Patent number: 11058990
    Abstract: A system and method for removing one or more predetermined gases from an environment is herein disclosed. An embodiment of the system and method will now be described. A means for conveying a fluid and a means for flowing the fluid is combined with adsorber and desorber sections. The fluid flows in the means for conveying the fluid by the means for flowing the fluid. Comparably, the fluid flows in the adsorber and desorber sections not by the means for flowing the fluid, but rather by capillary action. In the adsorber section, the environment is in direct contact with the fluid. The fluid is capable for adsorbing one or more gases from the environment. The fluid exits the adsorber section and subsequently flows into the desorber section. The desorber section is self-contained wherein an inner portion of the desorber section is not in direct contact with the environment. In the desorber section, the one or more gases are desorbed from the fluid into the inner portion of the desorber section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Tanya K. Rogers, John Graf, Mark Weislogel
  • Patent number: 11062099
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags including a first RFID tag. The first RFID tag is configured to perform RFID tag operations that include acquiring one or more samples using a sensor of the first RFID tag. The RFID tag operations also include writing the one or more samples in a memory of the first RFID tag. The RFID tag operations also include transferring custody of the one or more samples to a first RFID reader on request. The system also includes a plurality of RFID readers including the first RFID reader. The first RFID reader is configured to perform RFID reader operations including reading an identifier from each of the plurality of RFID tags in view of the first RFID reader during an inventory management mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Raymond S Wagner, Patrick W Fink, David S. Hafermalz
  • Patent number: 11047034
    Abstract: Oxide coatings deposited by plasma spray-physical vapor deposition (PS-PVD) can be processed to be mechanically tough (erosion resistant) and electrically conductive at room temperature. The electrically conductive phase contained within the oxide (MO2) coatings is a metastable suboxide (MO) that has not been formed in significant volume under any other known methods. Content of the electrically conductive phase can be varied in addition to the microstructure, which can be columnar, planar, or a combination of the two depending on the processing conditions. Upon exposing the material to moderate temperatures (>300° C.), the metastable phase is further oxidized (to MO2), and the material becomes insulating, but retains its high toughness and microstructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Bryan J. Harder, Michael P. Schmitt, Brian S. Good
  • Patent number: 11033963
    Abstract: A method for making small diameter NiTi metal alloy components, including balls, comprising providing a metal powder comprising nickel, titanium, and a transition metal, consolidating the metal powder into cylindrical rods, and cutting the cylindrical rods into segments. The segments are then machined into spheres slightly larger than the finished ball size diameter. The spheres are heat treated to solutionize and dissolve all phases and subsequently cooled without the need for rapid quenching due to the influence of the transition metal to suppresses the formation of soft phases in the spheres, wherein such soft phases prevent hardening, to achieve a Rockwell hardness of HRC 58-62. Finally, the hardened spheres are polished until the desired finished ball size diameter and surface finish is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Christopher DellaCorte, Fransua Thomas, Malcolm K. Stanford
  • Patent number: 11026859
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for a wearable robotic upper body garment. In an embodiment, an upper body garment or apparatus comprises a shoulder saddle, one or more actuators, one or more flexible tendons, back torso section, front, torso section, torso wrap, and upper arm cuff. The shoulder saddle may be comprised of a yoke and one or more elevated shoulder sections. The one or more elevated should sections may be comprised of a first elevated shoulder section. In an embodiment, the back torso and front torso sections may be structurally connected to the yoke. In an embodiment, the one or more actuators may be structurally connected to either said back torso section or front torso section. In an embodiment, the one or more flexible tendons may be operationally connected to a predetermined one or more actuators and an upper arm cuff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Roger Rovekamp, Christopher Beck, Craig Cornwall
  • Patent number: 11019862
    Abstract: A grasp assist system includes a glove, finger saddles attached to a respective glove finger, one or more tendon actuators, and artificial tendons. The saddles have a rectangular body partially circumscribing a respective glove finger. Each saddle includes end lobes at opposite distal ends of the body. A first end of each tendon is secured to one of the tendon actuators. A second end forms a triple Brummel loop defining a main loop and two anchor loops. The anchor loops are disposed around the lobes. The saddles may form a rounded, double-headed arrow shape that is at least double the thickness of the body. The finger saddles are anisotropic, with different bending strengths depending on the axis, and may be constructed of thermoplastic polyurethane-coated nylon. Flexion and/or contact sensors and a controller, may be used. A method of connecting the tendon actuator to the finger is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Emily R. McBryan, Jonathan M. Rogers, Benjamin J. Peters, Evan Laske
  • Patent number: 11018773
    Abstract: A cascaded modulator system configured to minimize the extinction ratio (ER) of an optical output of an optical transmitter. The cascaded modulator system includes a pulse position modulation (PPM) source connected to a plurality of serially-connected Mach Zehnder Interferometer (MZIs). A variable time delay ?td may be applied to a negative low voltage differential signal (LVDS) driving a second or later MZI of the plurality of MZIs to eliminate or compensate for one or more non-idealities in an electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Nicholas C. Lantz, Jennifer N. Downey, Brian E. Vyhnalek
  • Patent number: 11004802
    Abstract: An integrated circuit chip includes a wide bandgap semiconductor substrate, a plurality of semiconductor electronic components disposed on the semiconductor substrate, an overlying insulating layer disposed on the plurality of semiconductor devices, and a crack barrier laterally displaced from all of the plurality of semiconductor components. The crack barrier is configured to prevent propagation of cracks in the overlying insulating layer. The crack barrier does not conductively connect to any of the plurality of semiconductor electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: David J. Spry, Philip G. Neudeck
  • Patent number: 10977776
    Abstract: A method includes placing an imaging device in contact with a sample, irradiating the sample via an illuminator such that radiation scatters off of the structure, and providing the scattered radiation to a detector to generate a digital video signal. A processor then performs various operations including subtracting a sum of a black state value and a user-defined black level clamping value from the digital video signal to create subtracted image data, substituting negative values in the subtracted image data with a reference value to create modified image data, and amplifying the modified image data by a user-defined gain to create contrast enhanced image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Michael J. Krasowski, Joseph M. Flatico, Phillip P. Jenkins, Lawrence C. Greer
  • Patent number: 10966809
    Abstract: A method and a device for treating dental caries using microwave energy applied directly to teeth at frequencies that are lethal to the bacteria in caries, without being destructive to tooth tissues. The method and a device will have a significant economic and health impact, leading to a reduction in traditional surgical interventions, as well by improving access to care for those with health disparities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
    Inventors: Ivan Stangel, Marguerite A. Sognier, George D. Arndt, Diane L. Byerly, John Dusl
  • Patent number: 10962166
    Abstract: Calibration of a hexapod structure includes measuring a head pose of the hexapod structure relative to a base of the hexapod structure. Calibration of the hexapod structure also includes for each strut, independently increasing a length of each strut by a predefined amount from an original length and repeating the measuring of the head pose relative to the base. Calibration of the hexapod structure further includes for each strut, independently decreasing a length of each strut by a predefined amount from the original length and repeating the measuring of the head pose relative to the base. Additionally, calibration of the hexapod structure includes moving each strut back to the original length, and estimating joint errors for each strut prior to calibrating of the hexapod structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Yong Liu
  • Patent number: 10954152
    Abstract: A supercritical water oxidation-flame piloted vortex reactor has a hydrothermal flame produced within the interior of the reactor fed by a fuel including a waste water stream, and has a subcritical wash stream, including water below its critical point, that creates an upward helical flow in the material within the reactor. The hydrothermal flame and upward helical flow produce within the reactor a supercritical core region, a subcritical outer region around the core region, and a transcritical intermediate region between them. The upward helical flow serves to transfer precipitated ionic compounds out of the supercritical core region, through the transcritical intermediate region, and into the subcritical outer region where they re-dissolve. A processed flow, including purified water, is removed from an upper portion of the supercritical core region by an aspirator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Michael C. Hicks, Uday G. Hegde
  • Patent number: 10931480
    Abstract: A wireless flight sensor system that incorporates a network of wireless sensors all in communication with a sensor gateway, the gateway in turn being in communication with a flight network. The sensor gateway includes a software defined radio (SDR) by which sensors communicate. The SDR is easily reconfigurable to accommodate new wireless technology. The flight network software (FNS) comprises a modular software architecture with a management repository, a traffic manager, a wireless interface controller, and a sensor database. The resulting system is both scalable and easily reprogrammable to accommodate a wide variety of current and future wireless sensing capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Matthew R Waldersen