Patents Assigned to USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and space
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Publication number: 20090022977Abstract: A dielectric material includes a network of nanosubstrates, such as but not limited to nanotubes, nanosheets, or other nanomaterials or nanostructures, a polymer base material or matrix, and nanoparticles constructed at least partially of an elemental metal. The network has a predetermined nanosubstrate loading percentage by weight with respect to a total weight of the dielectric material, and a preferential or predetermined longitudinal alignment with respect to an orientation of an incident electrical field. A method of forming the dielectric material includes depositing the metal-based nanoparticles onto the nanosubstrates and subsequently mixing these with a polymer matrix. Once mixed, alignment can be achieved by melt extrusion or a similar mechanical shearing process. Alignment of the nanosubstrate may be in horizontal or vertical direction with respect to the orientation of an incident electrical field.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2008Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Kenneth L. Dudley, Holly A. Elliott, John W. Connell, Joseph G. Smith, Sayata Ghose, Kent A. Watson, Donavon Mark Delozier
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Publication number: 20080319690Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of measuring the temperature of the P-N junction within the light-emitting region of a quasi-continuous-wave or pulsed semiconductor laser diode device. A series of relatively short and low current monitor pulses are applied to the laser diode in the period between the main drive current pulses necessary to cause the semiconductor to lase. At the sufficiently low current level of the monitor pulses, the laser diode device does not lase and behaves similar to an electronic diode. The voltage across the laser diode resulting from each of these low current monitor pulses is measured with a high degree of precision. The junction temperature is then determined from the measured junction voltage using their known linear relationship.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics & Space AdministrationInventors: Byron L. Meadows, Frazin Amzajerdian, Bruce W. Barnes, Nathaniel R. Baker
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Publication number: 20080292392Abstract: A flexure based linear bearing includes top and bottom parallel rigid plates; first and second flexures connecting the top and bottom plates and constraining exactly four degrees of freedom of relative motion of the plates, the four degrees of freedom being X and Y axis translation and rotation about the X and Y axes; and a strut connecting the top and bottom plates and further constraining exactly one degree of freedom of the plates, the one degree of freedom being one of Z axis translation and rotation about the Z axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2007Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministratorInventor: George M. Voellmer
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Publication number: 20080265099Abstract: An annular fairing having aerodynamic, thermal, structural and acoustic attributes couples a launch abort motor to a space vehicle having a payload of concern mounted on top of a rocket propulsion system. A first end of the annular fairing is fixedly attached to the launch abort motor while a second end of the annular fairing is attached in a releasable fashion to an aft region of the payload. The annular fairing increases in diameter between its first and second ends.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2007Publication date: October 30, 2008Applicant: USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Charles J. Camarda, Stephen J. Scotti, Pieter G. Buning, Steven X. S. Bauer, Walter C. Engelund, David M. Schuster
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Publication number: 20080184795Abstract: A wireless sensing system monitors the level, temperature, magnetic permeability and electrical dielectric constant of a non-gaseous material in a container. An open-circuit electrical conductor is shaped to form a two-dimensional geometric pattern that can store and transfer electrical and magnetic energy. The conductor resonates in the presence of a time-varying magnetic field to generate a harmonic response. The conductor is mounted in an environmentally-sealed housing. A magnetic field response recorder wirelessly transmits the time-varying magnetic field to power the conductor, and wirelessly detects the harmonic response that is an indication of at least one of level of the material in the container, temperature of the material in the container, magnetic permeability of the material in the container, and dielectric constant of the material in the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2008Publication date: August 7, 2008Applicant: USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Stanley E. Woodard
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Publication number: 20080061274Abstract: The invention provides polymer blends containing polyhydroxyamide and one or more flammable polymers. The polymer blends are flame retardant and have improved durability and heat stability compared to the flammable polymer portion of the blends. Articles containing the polymer blends are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2007Publication date: March 13, 2008Applicant: USA as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and space AdmInventors: Martha Williams, Trent Smith
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Publication number: 20080046390Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments an autonomic unit transmits an otoacoustic signal to counteract a potentially harmful incoming signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2007Publication date: February 21, 2008Applicant: USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdInventors: Michael G. Hinchey, Roy Sterritt
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Publication number: 20080013598Abstract: Self-Validating Thermocouple (SVT) Systems capable of detecting sensor probe open circuits, short circuits, and unnoticeable faults such as a probe debonding and probe degradation are useful in the measurement of temperatures. SVT Systems provide such capabilities by incorporating a heating or excitation element into the measuring junction of the thermocouple. By heating the measuring junction and observing the decay time for the detected DC voltage signal, it is possible to indicate whether the thermocouple is bonded or debonded. A change in the thermal transfer function of the thermocouple system causes a change in the rise and decay times of the thermocouple output. Incorporation of the excitation element does not interfere with normal thermocouple operation, thus further allowing traditional validation procedures as well.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2007Publication date: January 17, 2008Applicant: USA as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Jose M. Perotti, Carlos T. Mata, Josephine B. Santiago, Peter Vokrot, Carlos E. Zavala, Bradley M. Burns
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Publication number: 20080003103Abstract: To control vortices originating at the tips of a rotor's blades rotating through the air at a revolution frequency f, separation control device(s) are actuated to periodically introduce perturbations into the airflow moving over the blades. The periodic introduction of perturbations is controlled in accordance with a periodic modulating frequency of introduction f0 while the frequency of the perturbations so-introduced is designated as fe. Vortex control is achieved when the periodic modulating frequency of introduction f0 satisfies the relationship nf?f0?fe where n is the number of blades.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2005Publication date: January 3, 2008Applicant: USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics & Space AdministrationInventor: David Greenblatt
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Publication number: 20070287628Abstract: A hydrogenation catalyst including a base material coated with a catalytic metal is made using mechanical milling techniques. The hydrogenation catalysts are used as an excellent catalyst for the dehalogenation of contaminated compounds and the remediation of other industrial compounds. Preferably, the hydrogenation catalyst is a bimetallic particle including zero-valent metal particles coated with a catalytic material. The mechanical milling technique is simpler and cheaper than previously used methods for producing hydrogenation catalysts.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2007Publication date: December 13, 2007Applicant: USA as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdmInventors: Jacqueline W. Quinn, Christian A. Clausen, Cherie L. Geiger, Brian S. Aitken
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Publication number: 20070262835Abstract: A microwave waveguide filter comprises an input waveguide section; an output waveguide section; a plurality of resonator sections disposed between the input and output waveguide sections; and a plurality of coupling sections disposed on either side of each of the resonator sections; wherein the input waveguide section, the resonator sections, and the output waveguide section have at least four fold symmetric quadruple ridge cross-sections and the coupling sections have at least four fold symmetric cross-sections.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2007Publication date: November 15, 2007Applicant: USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Felice Vanin, Edward Wollack
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Publication number: 20070091724Abstract: An optical assembly is formed by one or more piezoelectric fiber composite actuators having one or more optical fibers coupled thereto. The optical fiber(s) experiences strain when actuation voltage is applied to the actuator(s). Light passing through the optical fiber(s) is wavelength tuned by adjusting the actuation voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2006Publication date: April 26, 2007Applicant: USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics & Space AdministrationInventors: Sidney Allison, Qamar Shams, Robert Fox, Christopher Fox, Melanie Chattin
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Publication number: 20070074182Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments, an agent-oriented specification modeled with MaCMAS, is analyzed, flaws in the agent-oriented specification modeled with MaCMAS are corrected, and an implementation is derived from the corrected agent-oriented specification. Described herein are systems, method and apparatus that produce fully (mathematically) tractable development of agent-oriented specification(s) modeled with methodology fragment for analyzing complex multiagent systems (MaCMAS) and policies for autonomic systems from requirements through to code generation. The systems, method and apparatus described herein are illustrated through an example showing how user formulated policies can be translated into a formal mode which can then be converted to code. The requirements-based programming systems, method and apparatus described herein may provide faster, higher quality development and maintenance of autonomic systems based on user formulation of policies.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2006Publication date: March 29, 2007Applicant: USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Michael Hinchey, Joaquin Pena, Roy Sterritt
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Publication number: 20070013371Abstract: A magnetic field response sensor comprises an inductor placed at a fixed separation distance from a conductive surface to address the low RF transmissivity of conductive surfaces. The minimum distance for separation is determined by the sensor response. The inductor should be separated from the conductive surface so that the response amplitude exceeds noise level by a recommended 10 dB. An embodiment for closed cavity measurements comprises a capacitor internal to said cavity and an inductor mounted external to the cavity and at a fixed distance from the cavity's wall. An additional embodiment includes a closed cavity configuration wherein multiple sensors and corresponding antenna are positioned inside the cavity, with the antenna and inductors maintained at a fixed distance from the cavity's wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2006Publication date: January 18, 2007Applicant: USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Stanley Woodard, Bryant Taylor
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Publication number: 20060197405Abstract: A hybrid electromechanical actuator has two different types of electromechanical elements, one that expands in a transverse direction when electric power is applied thereto and one that contracts in a transverse direction when electric power is applied thereto. The two electromechanical elements are (i) disposed in relation to one another such that the transverse directions thereof are parallel to one another, and (ii) mechanically coupled to one another at least at two opposing edges thereof. Electric power is applied simultaneously to the elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2005Publication date: September 7, 2006Applicant: USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Ji Su, Tian-Bing Xu
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Sensing/actuating materials made from carbon nanotube polymer composites and methods for making same
Publication number: 20060084752Abstract: An electroactive sensing or actuating material comprises a composite made from a polymer with polarizable moieties and an effective amount of carbon nanotubes incorporated in the polymer for a predetermined electomechanical operation of the composite when such composite is affected by an external stimulus. In another embodiment, the composite comprises a third component of micro-sized to nano-sized particles of an electroactive ceramic that is also incorporated in the polymer matrix. The method for making the three-phase composite comprises either incorporating the carbon nanotubes in the polymer matrix before incorporation of the particles of ceramic or mixing the carbon nanotubes and particles of ceramic together in a solution before incorporation in the polymer matrix.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2005Publication date: April 20, 2006Applicant: USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Zoubeida Ounaies, Cheol Park, Joycelyn Harrison, Nancy Holloway, Gregory Draughon -
Publication number: 20060062950Abstract: A composite laminate material is supported during the roll press processing thereof by an assembly having: first and second perforated films disposed adjacent to first and second opposing surfaces of a mixture of uncured resin and fibers defining the composite laminate material, a gas permeable encasement surrounding the mixture and the first and second films, a gas impervious envelope sealed about the gas permeable encasement, and first and second rigid plates clamped about the gas impervious envelope.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2004Publication date: March 23, 2006Applicant: USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Luke Catella
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Publication number: 20060057361Abstract: An electroactive material comprises multiple layers of electroactive composite with each layer having unique dielectric, electrical and mechanical properties that define an electromechanical operation thereof when affected by an external stimulus. For example, each layer can be (i) a 2-phase composite made from a polymer with polarizable moieties and an effective amount of carbon nanotubes incorporated in the polymer for a predetermined electomechanical operation, or (ii) a 3-phase composite having the elements of the 2-phase composite and further including a third component of micro-sized to nano-sized particles of an electroactive ceramic incorporated in the polymer matrix.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2005Publication date: March 16, 2006Applicant: USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics & Space AdministrationInventors: Zoubeida Ounaies, Cheol Park, Joycelyn Harrison, Nancy Holloway, Gregory Draughon
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Publication number: 20060025686Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring pressure buildup in a body compartment that encases muscular tissue. The method includes assessing the body compartment configuration and identifying the effect of pulsatile components on at least one compartment dimension. This process is used in preventing tissue necrosis, and in decisions of whether to perform surgery on the body compartment for prevention of Compartment Syndrome. An apparatus is used for measuring excess pressure in the body compartment having components for imparting ultrasonic waves such as a transducer, placing the transducer to impart the ultrasonic waves, capturing the reflected imparted ultrasonic waves, and converting them to electrical signals, a pulsed phase-locked loop device for assessing a body compartment configuration and producing an output signal, and means for mathematically manipulating the output signal to thereby categorize pressure build-up in the body compartment from the mathematical manipulations.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2004Publication date: February 2, 2006Applicant: USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Toshiaki Ueno, Alan Hargens, William Yost
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Publication number: 20050209429Abstract: Main chain thermotropic liquid crystal esters, ester-imides, and ester-amides were prepared from AA, BB, and AB type monomeric materials and end-capped with phenylacetylene, phenylmaleimide, or nadimide reactive end-groups. The end-capped liquid crystal oligomers are thermotropic and have, preferably, molecular weights in the range of approximately 1000-15,000 grams per mole. The end-capped liquid crystal oligomers have broad liquid crystalline melting ranges and exhibit high melt stability and very low melt viscosities at accessible temperatures. The end-capped liquid crystal oligomers are stable for up to an hour in the melt phase. They are highly processable by a variety of melt process shape forming and blending techniques. Once processed and shaped, the end-capped liquid crystal oligomers were heated to further polymerize and form liquid crystalline thermosets (LCT). The fully cured products are rubbers above their glass transition temperatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2005Publication date: September 22, 2005Applicant: USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Theodorus Dingemans, Erik Weiser, Terry St. Clair