Patents Assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics & Space
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Patent number: 9985594Abstract: A Gated CDS Integrator (GCI) may amplify low-level signals without introducing excessive offset and noise. The GCI may also amplify the low level signals with accurate and variable gain. The GCI may include a modulator preceding a linear amplifier such that offset or noise present in a signal path between the modulator and a demodulator input is translated to a higher out of band frequency.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2015Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Gerard T. Quilligan, Shahid Aslam
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Patent number: 9975765Abstract: A process for fabricating relatively thin SiC diaphragms may include fast Reactive Ion Etching (RIE) followed by Dopant Selective Reactive Ion Etching (DSRIE). The process may produce silicon carbide (SiC) diaphragms thinner than 10 microns. These thinner, more sensitive diaphragms may then be used to effectively resolve sub-psi pressures in jet engines, for example.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2016Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Robert S. Okojie
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Patent number: 9977848Abstract: Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computations are performed at time increments using structural properties of the nozzle and flow properties of combustion products flowing through the nozzle. Each CFD computation accounts for movement of the wall geometry of the rocket nozzle due to the flowfield. Structural dynamics computations are performed at each time increment using the CFD computations in order to describe the movement of the wall geometry. Mesh dynamics computations at each time increment redefine the flowfield to account for the movement of the wall geometry. The mesh dynamics computations are based on a spring analogy process. The computations are iterated to solution convergence at each time increment with results being output to an output device.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2014Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Ten-See Wang
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Patent number: 9978686Abstract: A process of fabrication and the resulting integrated circuit device is made of patterned metal electrical interconnections between semiconductor devices residing on and forming extremely harsh environment integrated circuit chips. The process enables more complicated wide band gap semiconductor integrated circuits with more than one level of interconnect to function for prolonged time periods (over 1000 hours) at much higher temperatures (500 C).Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2017Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: David J. Spry, Philip G. Neudeck
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Patent number: 9977121Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes an RFID interrogator and an RFID tag having a plurality of information sources and a beamforming network. The tag receives electromagnetic radiation from the interrogator. The beamforming network directs the received electromagnetic radiation to a subset of the plurality of information sources. The RFID tag transmits a response to the received electromagnetic radiation, based on the subset of the plurality of information sources to which the received electromagnetic radiation was directed. Method and other embodiments are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2017Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Patrick W. Fink, Gregory Y. Lin, Timothy F. Kennedy, Phong H. Ngo
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Patent number: 9970914Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with gas detecting sensors. According to one embodiment, a gas sensor includes a metal layer, a barrier interlayer, a substrate layer, a first insulating layer, a conduction path, a contact pad, and a second insulating layer. The conduction path connects the metal layer to the contact pad. The second insulating layer prevents diffusion through the contact pad, the conduction path, or the metal layer. The sensor includes a wire bonded electrical connection to the contact pad such that voltage can be determined and/or applied.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Jennifer Xu, Gary W. Hunter
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Patent number: 9970782Abstract: An angular position sensing system includes a first support with ring-shaped elements disposed thereon and spaced apart from one another in a curvilinear arrangement. Each ring-shaped element includes an electrically-conductive ring and an RFID integrated circuit electrically coupled to its electrically-conductive ring. A second support has an antenna coupled thereto that defines an electrically-conductive path commensurate in size and shape to at least a portion of the electrically-conductive ring. An interrogator transmits a signal to the antenna wherein electric current is generated along the antenna's electrically-conductive path and electromagnetic energy emanates from the antenna. Any ring-shaped element and its RFID integrated circuit energized by the electromagnetic energy generates in response a data transmission for receipt by the interrogator.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Patrick W. Fink, Timothy F. Kennedy, Gregory Y. Lin, Phong H. Ngo, Si Hui Yang
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Patent number: 9964699Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods related to use of hollow core photonic crystal fibers. A system includes a tube and a collimating lens configured in a first end of the tube, wherein a single mode fiber is coupled to a first end of the collimating lens. A second lens is supported by a structure at a second end of the tube, the second lens receiving a first signal from a second end of the collimating lens and outputting a second signal that is coupled into a first end of a hollow core photonic crystal fiber. A first gas tube is configured to introduce gas through the structure into a chamber and a sealant seals at least one of the collimating lens and the structure within the tube. An output signal is received at a detector that catches the entire beam to suppress multiple-mode beating noise.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2015Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministraionInventors: Jeffrey R. Chen, Kenji Numata, Stewart T. Wu
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Patent number: 9944410Abstract: The invention is a system and method of air launching a powered launch vehicle into space or high altitude. More specifically, the invention is a tow aircraft which tows an unpowered glider, with the powered launch vehicle attached thereto, to launch altitude. The powered launch vehicle is released from the unpowered glider and powered on for launch.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Gerald D Budd
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Patent number: 9938023Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable storage devices for a 6U CubeSat with a magnetometer boom. The example 6U CubeSat can include an on-board computing device connected to an electrical power system, wherein the electrical power system receives power from at least one of a battery and at least one solar panel, a first fluxgate sensor attached to an extendable boom, a release mechanism for extending the extendable boom, at least one second fluxgate sensor fixed within the satellite, an ion neutral mass spectrometer, and a relativistic electron/proton telescope. The on-board computing device can receive data from the first fluxgate sensor, the at least one second fluxgate sensor, the ion neutral mass spectrometer, and the relativistic electron/proton telescope via the bus, and can then process the data via an algorithm to deduce a geophysical signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2015Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Charles E. Clagett, Luis H. Santos Soto, Scott V. Hesh, Scott R. Starin, Salman I. Sheikh, Michael Hesse, Nikolaos Paschalidis, Michael A. Johnson, Aprille J. Ericsson
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Patent number: 9940329Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable storage devices for providing a climate data persistence service. A system configured to provide the service can include a climate data server that performs data and metadata storage and management functions for climate data objects, a compute-storage platform that provides the resources needed to support a climate data server, provisioning software that allows climate data server instances to be deployed as virtual climate data servers in a cloud computing environment, and a service interface, wherein persistence service capabilities are invoked by software applications running on a client device. The climate data objects can be in various formats, such as International Organization for Standards (ISO) Open Archival Information System (OAIS) Reference Model Submission Information Packages, Archive Information Packages, and Dissemination Information Packages.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2015Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: John L. Schnase, Daniel Q. Duffy, Glenn S. Tamkin, Mark McInerney, Denis Nadeau, John H. Thompson, Scott Sinno, Savannah L. Strong, William David Ripley, III
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Patent number: 9933687Abstract: An optimized wavelength-tuned nonlinear frequency conversion process using a liquid crystal clad waveguide. The process includes implanting ions on a top surface of a lithium niobate crystal to form an ion implanted lithium niobate layer. The process also includes utilizing a tunable refractive index of a liquid crystal to rapidly change an effective index of the lithium niobate crystal.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2017Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Mark A. Stephen
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Patent number: 9921099Abstract: The present invention relates to a space-based instrument which provides continuous coronal electron temperature and velocity images, for a predetermined period of time, thereby improving the understanding of coronal evolution and how the solar wind and Coronal Mass Ejection transients evolve from the low solar atmosphere through the heliosphere for an entire solar rotation. Specifically, the present invention relates to using a 6U spherical occulter coronagraph CubeSat, and a relative navigational system (RNS) that controls the position of the spacecraft relative to the occulting sphere. The present invention innovatively deploys a free-flying spherical occulter, and after deployment, the actively controlled CubeSat will provide an inertial formation flying with the spherical occulter and Sun.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Joseph M. Davila, Douglas M. Rabin, Nelson Reginald, Qian Gong, Neerav Shah, Phillip C. Chamberlin
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Patent number: 9913414Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus of protecting magnetically sensitive devices with a shield, including: a non-superconducting metal or lower transition temperature (Tc) material compared to a higher transition temperature material, disposed in a magnetic field; means for creating a spatially varying order parameter's |?(r,T)|2 in a non-superconducting metal or a lower transition temperature material; wherein a spatially varying order parameter is created by a proximity effect, such that the non-superconducting metal or the lower transition temperature material becomes superconductive as a temperature is lowered, creating a flux-free Meissner state at a center thereof, in order to sweep magnetic flux lines to the periphery.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: John E. Sadleir
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Patent number: 9906291Abstract: The present invention provides a heterogeneous spacecraft network including a network management architecture to facilitate communication between a plurality of operations centers and a plurality of data user communities. The network management architecture includes a plurality of network nodes in communication with the plurality of operations centers. The present invention also provides a method of communication for a heterogeneous spacecraft network.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Yosuke Nakamura, Nicolas T. Faber, Chad R. Frost, Richard L. Alena
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Patent number: 9881747Abstract: An ink of the formula: 60-80% by weight BaTiO3 particles coated with SiO2; 5-50% by weight high dielectric constant glass; 0.1-5% by weight surfactant; 5-25% by weight solvent; and 5-25% weight organic vehicle. Also a method of manufacturing a capacitor comprising the steps of: heating particles of BaTiO3 for a special heating cycle, under a mixture of 70-96% by volume N2 and 4-30% by volume H2 gas; depositing a film of SiO2 over the particles; mechanically separating the particles; incorporating them into the above described ink formulation; depositing the ink on a substrate; and heating at 850-900° C. for less than 5 minutes and allowing the ink and substrate to cool to ambient in N2 atmosphere. Also a dielectric made by: heating particles of BaTiO3 for a special heating cycle, under a mixture of 70-96% by volume N2 and 4-30% by volume H2 gas; depositing a film of SiO2 over the particles; mechanically separating the particles; forming them into a layer; and heating at 850-900° C.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2016Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Terry D. Rolin, Curtis W. Hill
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Patent number: 9878452Abstract: A system includes a glove, sensors, actuator assemblies, and controller. The sensors include load sensors which measure an actual grasping force and attitude sensors which determine a glove attitude. The actuator assembly provides a grasp assist force to the glove. Respective locations of work cells in the work environment and permitted work tasks for each work cell are programmed into the controller. The controller detects the glove location and attitude. A work task is selected by the controller for the location. The controller calculates a required grasp assist force using measured actual grasping forces from the load sensors. The required grasp assist force is applied via the glove using the actuator assembly to thereby assist the operator in performing the identified work task.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, The United States of America As Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Donald R. Davis, Chris A. Ihrke, Evan Laske
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Patent number: 9878928Abstract: Chemical pretreatments are used to produce usable water by treating a water source with a chemical pretreatment that contains a hexavalent chromium and an acid to generate a treated water source, wherein the concentration of sulfate compounds in the acid is negligible, and wherein the treated water source remains substantially free of precipitates after the addition of the chemical pretreatment. Other methods include reducing the pH in urine to be distilled for potable water extraction by pretreating the urine before distillation with a pretreatment solution comprising one or more acid sources selected from a group consisting of phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, and nitric acid, wherein the urine remains substantially precipitate free after the addition of the pretreatment solution. Another method described comprises a process for reducing precipitation in urine to be processed for water extraction by mixing the urine with a pretreatment solution comprising hexavalent chromium compound and phosphoric acid.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2014Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Dean Muirhead
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Patent number: 9871186Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 13, 2013Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Rodger W. Dyson, Jr., Geoffrey A. Bruder
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Patent number: 9872293Abstract: A sensor network may be configured to operate in extreme temperature environments. A sensor may be configured to generate a frequency carrier, and transmit the frequency carrier to a node. The node may be configured to amplitude modulate the frequency carrier, and transmit the amplitude modulated frequency carrier to a receiver.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2014Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Michael Krasowski