Patents by Inventor Adam A. Wilson

Adam A. Wilson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240422943
    Abstract: Various novel heat exchange components which are designed and/or configured to effectively and efficiently dissipate thermal energy (heat) away from a heat source are described. The heat exchange component structures may be a composite formed of two or more distinct types of materials including a thermally conductive material and a solid state (SS) Martensitic transformation (MT) phase change material (PCM). The thermally conductive material may be configured so as to form or provide for: (i) a heat receiving section configured to be in contact with a heat source so as to receive thermal energy from the heat source, and (ii) a thermal energy spreading section configured to pull thermal energy away from the heat receiving section and distribute it into and/or throughout the entire the heat exchange structure, especially, into and/or through the SS MT PCM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2023
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Inventors: Darin J. Sharar, Adam A. Wilson, Andrew J. Bayba, Asher C. Leff
  • Patent number: 12011782
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a laser to form and release an element of an actuator. The method comprising forming an actuator from sheet stock using a laser, where the actuator is three dimensional; releasing an element of the actuator from the sheet stock using the laser; and moving the released part relative to the sheet stock using laser ablation propulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: The Unied States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lazarus, Gabriel L. Smith, Adam A. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20230201972
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a laser to form and release an element of an actuator. The method comprising forming an actuator from sheet stock using a laser, where the actuator is three dimensional; releasing an element of the actuator from the sheet stock using the laser; and moving the released part relative to the sheet stock using laser ablation propulsion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lazarus, Gabriel L. Smith, Adam A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 11602806
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a laser to form and release an element of an actuator. The method comprising forming an actuator from sheet stock using a laser, where the actuator is three dimensional; and releasing an element of the actuator from the sheet stock using the laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lazarus, Gabriel L. Smith, Adam A. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20220381623
    Abstract: Sensor interconnects and supports and methods of making them utilize phonon disruptors for increased thermal resistance while maintaining acceptable electrical signal quality in materials. Phonon disruptors include, but are not limited to, structural features such as interfaces, grain boundaries, and point scattering sites, for example, that are designed to scatter heat carriers while allowing electrons to pass through the material. Some embodiments herein involve designing selected stacks of alternating or sequential material pairs within sensor interconnects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Adam A. Wilson, Darin J. Sharar, Gabriel L. Smith, Cory R. Knick
  • Publication number: 20220373395
    Abstract: Sensor interconnects and supports and methods of making them utilize phonon disruptors for increased thermal resistance while maintaining acceptable electrical signal quality in materials. Phonon disruptors include the use of an electrically conductive alloy material or intermetallic material of at least two or more elements to promote scattering of phonons. These materials are selected to scatter heat carriers while allowing electrons to pass through the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Adam A. Wilson, Dennis L. Waldron, Cory R. Knick, Darin J. Sharar
  • Patent number: 11002759
    Abstract: A scanning probe microscope includes a cantilever structure; and a metallization layer on the cantilever structure. The cantilever structure and the metallization layer expand and contract at equivalent rates upon thermal loading. The cantilever structure and the metallization layer may include matching coefficient of thermal expansion levels. The cantilever structure may include SiN. The metallization layer may include 50 nm of Ti. The metallization layer may include 50 nm of Cr. The metallization layer may include 5 nm of Ti and 45 nm of Ge. The cantilever structure may include no thermally-induced deflections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Darin J. Sharar, Adam A. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20210072283
    Abstract: A scanning probe microscope includes a cantilever structure; and a metallization layer on the cantilever structure. The cantilever structure and the metallization layer expand and contract at equivalent rates upon thermal loading. The cantilever structure and the metallization layer may include matching coefficient of thermal expansion levels. The cantilever structure may include SiN. The metallization layer may include 50 nm of Ti. The metallization layer may include 50 nm of Cr. The metallization layer may include 5 nm of Ti and 45 nm of Ge. The cantilever structure may include no thermally-induced deflections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Darin J. Sharar, Adam A. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20200276672
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a laser to form and release an element of an actuator. The method comprising forming an actuator from sheet stock using a laser, where the actuator is three dimensional; and releasing an element of the actuator from the sheet stock using the laser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Nathan S. Lazarus, Gabriel L. Smith, Adam A. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20200194648
    Abstract: A passive thermal oscillator combines a thermoelectric device and a passive analog electrical circuit to produce a time-oscillating temperature difference. The oscillator makes use of a temperature difference imposed across a thermoelectric device to produce a Seebeck voltage to periodically trigger electrical current to pass through a switch. The periodic electrical current causes periodic Peltier cooling producing a time-oscillating temperature difference across the thermoelectric device. There is no requirement for additional external energy input because the thermal energy generates a voltage that is used as the driving force. The operation is purely passive. So long as there is a temperature difference across the thermoelectric device, then the passive thermal oscillator oscillates. The passive thermal oscillator can integrate multiple energy conversion device technologies to operate cooperatively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Patrick J. Taylor, Jay Maddux, Adam A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 10680152
    Abstract: A passive thermal oscillator combines a thermoelectric device and a passive analog electrical circuit to produce a time-oscillating temperature difference. The oscillator makes use of a temperature difference imposed across a thermoelectric device to produce a Seebeck voltage to periodically trigger electrical current to pass through a switch. The periodic electrical current causes periodic Peltier cooling producing a time-oscillating temperature difference across the thermoelectric device. There is no requirement for additional external energy input because the thermal energy generates a voltage that is used as the driving force. The operation is purely passive. So long as there is a temperature difference across the thermoelectric device, then the passive thermal oscillator oscillates. The passive thermal oscillator can integrate multiple energy conversion device technologies to operate cooperatively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Patrick J. Taylor, Jay Maddux, Adam A. Wilson