Patents by Inventor Carl B. Freidhoff
Carl B. Freidhoff 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).
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Publication number: 20230411134Abstract: An apparatus for particle collection is provided. The apparatus includes a magnetic element configured to generate a tapered magnetic ion transport tunnel that collects particles from a local environment, a detector configured to perform one or more measurements of the collected particles, and ion optics configured to transport the collected particles to the detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Vivian W. Ryan, Sameh S. Wanis, Carl B. Freidhoff, Clinton Ung
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Patent number: 11749515Abstract: An apparatus for particle collection is provided. The apparatus includes a magnetic element configured to generate a tapered magnetic ion transport tunnel that collects particles from a local environment, a detector configured to perform one or more measurements of the collected particles, and ion optics configured to transport the collected particles to the detector.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems CorporationInventors: Vivian W. Ryan, Sameh S. Wanis, Carl B. Freidhoff, Clinton Ung
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Publication number: 20210050204Abstract: An apparatus for particle collection is provided. The apparatus includes a magnetic element configured to generate a tapered magnetic ion transport tunnel that collects particles from a local environment, a detector configured to perform one or more measurements of the collected particles, and ion optics configured to transport the collected particles to the detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: Vivian W. Ryan, Sameh S. Wanis, Carl B. Freidhoff, Clinton Ung
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Patent number: 10755827Abstract: An apparatus for radiation shielding is provided. The apparatus includes a first housing element and a first plurality of magnetic elements arranged in a first array on the first housing element. The first array is configured to generate a first tapered magnetic field and, using the first tapered magnetic field, deflect incoming radiation away from a protected element.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2019Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Vivian W. Ryan, Sameh S. Wanis, Carl B. Freidhoff, Clinton Ung
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Publication number: 20200152437Abstract: An apparatus for particle collection is provided. The apparatus includes a magnetic element configured to generate a tapered magnetic ion transport tunnel that collects particles from a local environment, a detector configured to perform one or more measurements of the collected particles, and ion optics configured to transport the collected particles to the detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2018Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: Vivian W. Ryan, Sameh S. Wanis, Carl B. Freidhoff, Clinton Ung
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Patent number: 10319572Abstract: A space ion analyzer in a spacecraft includes an axis and an aperture to receive an ion stream. An ion focuser to focus the ion stream along the axis responsive to a focus voltage, and an ion deflector deflects ions from the axis based on energies of the ions and a deflector voltage difference applied across plates of the ion deflector. A mass spectrometer on a chip (MSOC) directs ions from the ion deflector to an ion detector array responsive to an MSOC voltage difference applied to the MSOC. A focus voltage generator generates the focus voltage as a variable voltage referenced to a spacecraft ground. A deflector voltage generator generates the deflector voltage difference with a controllable magnitude and referenced to the spacecraft ground. An MSOC voltage generator generates the MSOC voltage difference with a controllable magnitude and referenced to a breaking potential controllable relative to the spacecraft ground.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2017Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Carl B. Freidhoff, Clinton Ung
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Publication number: 20190096644Abstract: A space ion analyzer in a spacecraft includes an axis and an aperture to receive an ion stream. An ion focuser to focus the ion stream along the axis responsive to a focus voltage, and an ion deflector deflects ions from the axis based on energies of the ions and a deflector voltage difference applied across plates of the ion deflector. A mass spectrometer on a chip (MSOC) directs ions from the ion deflector to an ion detector array responsive to an MSOC voltage difference applied to the MSOC. A focus voltage generator generates the focus voltage as a variable voltage referenced to a spacecraft ground. A deflector voltage generator generates the deflector voltage difference with a controllable magnitude and referenced to the spacecraft ground. An MSOC voltage generator generates the MSOC voltage difference with a controllable magnitude and referenced to a breaking potential controllable relative to the spacecraft ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2017Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: Carl B. Freidhoff, Clinton Ung
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Patent number: 7875941Abstract: A method of manufacturing a miniature electromechanical system (MEMS) device includes the steps of forming a moving member on a first substrate such that a first sacrificial layer is disposed between the moving member and the substrate, encapsulating the moving member, including the first sacrificial layer, with a second sacrificial layer, coating the encapsulating second sacrificial layer with a first film formed of a material that establishes an hermetic seal with the substrate, and removing the first and second sacrificial layers.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2009Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventor: Carl B. Freidhoff
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Publication number: 20100237446Abstract: A method of manufacturing a miniature electromechanical system (MEMS) device includes the steps of forming a moving member on a first substrate such that a first sacrificial layer is disposed between the moving member and the substrate, encapsulating the moving member, including the first sacrificial layer, with a second sacrificial layer, coating the encapsulating second sacrificial layer with a first film formed of a material that establishes an hermetic seal with the substrate, and removing the first and second sacrificial layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2009Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATIONInventor: Carl B. FREIDHOFF
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Patent number: 7786653Abstract: The present invention provides a MEMS piezoelectric switch that has an articulated unimorph bridge attached to a substrate. The bridge includes a passive layer of zirconia and at least one silicon-based material, an active layer of a piezoelectric material that has a high piezoelectric coefficient, at least one pair of interdigitated electrodes, disposed on the top surface of the active layer and across which the bias voltage is applied, and a top contact electrode. A bottom contact electrode is provided on the substrate, and signals flow through the switch when the top and bottom contact electrodes contact one another.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems CorporationInventors: Carl B. Freidhoff, Silai V. Krishnaswamy
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Patent number: 7767959Abstract: Analysis of solid chemical and biological particles is achieved by a miniature mass spectrometer and apparatus attached thereto for vaporizing or ablating a stream of chemical and biological particles by a pulsed laser and/or pyrolysis heater sub-assembly at atmospheric pressure or, when desirable, in a vacuum. The mass spectrometer includes a collimation chamber, a repeller assembly, an internal ionization chamber, a mass filter and ion separation chamber, a drift space region, and a multi-channel ion detection array so as to permit the collection and analysis of ions formed over a wide mass range simultaneously. The apparatus for vaporizing or ablating includes an output port adjacent the input to the collimation and vaporization chamber so as to maximize the amount of vaporized material being fed into the mass spectrometer.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2007Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventor: Carl B. Freidhoff
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Patent number: 7649171Abstract: Analysis of biological small molecules such as toxins, spores or cells is achieved by miniature mass spectrometer apparatus and apparatus attached thereto for vaporizing and ionizing a liquid sample fed into an evacuated vaporization chamber as an electrospray. The mass spectrometer apparatus includes: a collimation chamber, a repeller assembly, an internal ionization chamber, a mass filter and ion separation chamber, a drift space region, and a multi-channel ion detection array so as to permit the collection and analysis of ions formed over a wide mass range simultaneously. The vaporization chamber includes an output port adjacent the input to the collimation chamber so as to maximize the amount of vaporized material being fed into the mass spectrometer apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2007Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventor: Carl B. Freidhoff
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Patent number: 7638429Abstract: A method of manufacturing a miniature electromechanical system (MEMS) device includes the steps of forming a moving member on a first substrate such that a first sacrificial layer is disposed between the moving member and the substrate, encapsulating the moving member, including the first sacrificial layer, with a second sacrificial layer, coating the encapsulating second sacrificial layer with a first film formed of a material that establishes an hermetic seal with the substrate, and removing the first and second sacrificial layers.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2006Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventor: Carl B. Freidhoff
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Patent number: 7576844Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for detecting aerosols. The systems and methods can be used to detect harmful aerosols, such as, bio-aerosols.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2006Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventors: Peter P. Hairston, Carl B. Freidhoff
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Patent number: 7554663Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for detecting aerosols. The systems and methods can be used to detect harmful aerosols, such as, bio-aerosols.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2006Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventors: Peter P. Hairston, Carl B. Freidhoff
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Publication number: 20090081828Abstract: The present invention provides methods for singulating microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) die from a wafer. A plurality of MEMS devices are formed on the top surface of a wafer, and a plurality of intersecting scribe lanes are then formed, on the bottom surface of the wafer, to define a plurality of dies, each including at least one MEMS device. The intersecting scribe lanes penetrate the wafer to a depth of about 80%, and the wafer is cleaved along the scribe lanes to separate each of the plurality of dies from the wafer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2007Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Carl B. Freidhoff, Silai V. Krishnaswamy, William K. Sterrett
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Publication number: 20090009030Abstract: The present invention provides a MEMS piezoelectric switch that has an articulated unimorph bridge attached to a substrate. The bridge includes a passive layer of zirconia and at least one silicon-based material, an active layer of a piezoelectric material that has a high piezoelectric coefficient, at least one pair of interdigitated electrodes, disposed on the top surface of the active layer and across which the bias voltage is applied, and a top contact electrode. A bottom contact electrode is provided on the substrate, and signals flow through the switch when the top and bottom contact electrodes contact one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2007Publication date: January 8, 2009Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Carl B. Freidhoff, Silai V. Krishnaswamy
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Patent number: 7423751Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for detecting aerosols. The systems and methods can be used to detect harmful aerosols, such as, bio-aerosols.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2006Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventors: Peter P. Hairston, Carl B. Freidhoff
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Patent number: 7402799Abstract: A MEMS mass spectrometer having metal walls connected between a lid and base, with the walls defining a plurality of interior chambers including sample gas input chambers, an ionizer chamber, a plurality of ion optics chambers and a ion separation chamber. A detector array at the end of the ion separation chamber includes a plurality of V-shaped detector elements positioned along two parallel lines and arranged to intercept all of the ionized beams produced in the mass spectrometer.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2005Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventor: Carl B. Freidhoff
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Patent number: 7057170Abstract: A solid state compact ion gauge includes an electron source, a gate electrode, an electron collector, a gas ionizer, an ion anode, and a detector all formed within a cavity of a semiconductor substrate formed of two halves bonded together and having open sides for receiving a gase sample. A sample of gas having multiple gas constituents flows into the cavity from the side where gas molecules collide with electrons flowing from the source to the collector forming ions. The ions are forced under an electric field to the detector which includes a set of detectors for sensing the constituent ions.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2004Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventor: Carl B. Freidhoff