Patents by Inventor Alex Woidtke

Alex Woidtke 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).

  • Patent number: 8844298
    Abstract: A sample mounting apparatus for a cryo-cooler is provided having a housing with an outer wall surface for connecting to the cryo-cooler, and an inner wall surface. An inert gas is sealed inside the housing for thermal transfer, and a delicate mount is attached to the inner wall surface of the housing for supporting the sample and substantially preventing vibrations from being transferred to the sample from the cryo-cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: S2 Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Woidtke, Peter B. Sellin, Luke Mauritsen, David Snow
  • Patent number: 8829471
    Abstract: Techniques for spatial spectral holography include a doped crystal comprising Thulium doped into a host crystal of Yttrium Lutetium Aluminum Garnet wherein a concentration of Thulium atoms is less than 3 atomic percent. Techniques further include an apparatus with a source for optical electromagnetic radiation and a cryocooler configured to maintain an operating temperature in a range from about 3 Kelvin to about 6 Kelvin. The cryocooler includes a first optical window. The apparatus also includes a doped crystal comprising Thulium doped into a host crystal of Yttrium Lutetium Aluminum Garnet disposed inside the cryocooler in a position to be illuminated by incident optical electromagnetic radiation derived from the source. The apparatus also includes a detector configured to detect optical electromagnetic radiation emitted from the doped crystal. Techniques include a method for using at least one of the above doped crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignees: Montana State University, S2 Corporation
    Inventors: Kristian D. Merkel, Colton Richard Stiffler, Alex Woidtke, Aaron Traxinger, Randy W. Equall, Zeb Barber, Calvin Harrington, Krishna Mohan Rupavatharam, Charles W. Thiel, Rufus Cone
  • Patent number: 8756941
    Abstract: A cryogenic apparatus is provided having a nested thermally insulating structure, thermal links, a vacuum shroud, and a cryo-cooler. The nested thermally insulated structure holds a sample to be cooled while dampening the external vibrations caused by the cryo-cooler, the surrounding environment or cryo-cooler mounting surface. The thermal link is made of thermally conductive wires which connect the nested thermally insulated structure and the cryo-cooler thereby allowing the apparatus to reduce vibrations inherent in the operation of the cryo-cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: S2 Corporation
    Inventors: David Snow, Michael Chase, Alex Woidtke, Luke Mauritsen, Peter B. Sellin, Kris Merkel
  • Patent number: 8516834
    Abstract: A cryogenic apparatus is provided having a nested thermally insulating structure, thermal links, a vacuum shroud, and a cryo-cooler. The nested thermally insulated structure holds a sample to be cooled while dampening the external vibrations caused by the cryo-cooler, the surrounding environment or cryo-cooler mounting surface. A vacuum plate is removably attached to the vacuum shroud to provide access to the sample chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: S2 Corporation
    Inventors: David Snow, Michael Chase, Alex Woidtke, Luke Mauritsen, Isaac Henslee, Peter B. Sellin, Kris Merkel
  • Patent number: 8307666
    Abstract: A method of rotating a sample for use in a cryocooler, having the steps of mounting a sample in a sample mounting apparatus, the apparatus comprising a housing having an outer wall surface, an inner wall surface, a mount attached to the inner wall surface for supporting the sample, and a motor for rotating the sample, and an exchange gas to provide thermal communication between the moving sample and the inner housing surfaces; sealing the housing by applying a sealant to adjoining parts of the housing such that the joints are air tight; evacuating the housing; adding an inert gas to the housing; sealing the inert gas in the housing; attaching the outer wall surface of the housing to a cryocooler; and rotating the sample by engaging the motor. Also disclosed is a cryogenic apparatus having a sample holder; a cryo-cooler; a thermal link connecting the sample holder and the cryo-cooler; and a motor attached to the sample holder for rotating a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: S2 Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Woidtke, Peter B. Sellin, Charles Thiel, Calvin C. Harrington
  • Publication number: 20100242503
    Abstract: A method of rotating a sample for use in a cryocooler, having the steps of mounting a sample in a sample mounting apparatus, the apparatus comprising a housing having an outer wall surface, an inner wall surface, a mount attached to the inner wall surface for supporting the sample, and a motor for rotating the sample, and an exchange gas to provide thermal communication between the moving sample and the inner housing surfaces; sealing the housing by applying a sealant to adjoining parts of the housing such that the joints are air tight; evacuating the housing; adding an inert gas to the housing; sealing the inert gas in the housing; attaching the outer wall surface of the housing to a cryocooler; and rotating the sample by engaging the motor. Also disclosed is a cryogenic apparatus having a sample holder; a cryo-cooler; a thermal link connecting the sample holder and the cryo-cooler; and a motor attached to the sample holder for rotating a sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Alex WOIDTKE, Peter B. Sellin, Charles Thiel, Calvin C. Harrington
  • Publication number: 20100127148
    Abstract: A sample mounting apparatus for a cryo-cooler is provided having a housing with an outer wall surface for connecting to the cryo-cooler, and an inner wall surface. An inert gas is sealed inside the housing for thermal transfer, and a delicate mount is attached to the inner wall surface of the housing for supporting the sample and substantially preventing vibrations from being transferred to the sample from the cryo-cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Alex Woidtke, Peter B. Sellin, Luke Mauritsen, David Snow
  • Publication number: 20100050661
    Abstract: A cryogenic apparatus is provided having a nested thermally insulating structure, thermal links, a vacuum shroud, and a cryo-cooler. The nested thermally insulated structure holds a sample to be cooled while dampening the external vibrations caused by the cryo-cooler, the surrounding environment or cryo-cooler mounting surface. The thermal link is made of thermally conductive wires which connect the nested thermally insulated structure and the cryo-cooler thereby allowing the apparatus to reduce vibrations inherent in the operation of the cryo-cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: David Snow, Michael Chase, Alex Woidtke, Luke Mauritsen, Isaac Henslee, Peter B. Sellin, Kris Merkel