Patents by Inventor Curry Farrior

Curry Farrior 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).

  • Engine and technique for generating an acoustic signal
    Patent number: 8064291
    Abstract: An embodiment of device for generating an acoustic signal in a fluid includes an engine operable to repeat a thermodynamic process to vibrate a membrane of the engine to generate an acoustic signal having more than one period. The thermodynamic process includes heating mass inside a chamber of an engine to generate pressure inside the chamber; in response to generating the pressure, moving in a first direction a portion of a membrane of the engine; removing mass from inside the chamber to decrease the pressure inside the chamber; and in response to decreasing the pressure inside the chamber, moving the membrane portion in a second direction. Because the engine repeats the thermodynamic process, the engine can generate and sustain an acoustic signal for a significant amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: John Rapp, Nicholas John Nagurny, Curry Farrior, Robert J. Howard
  • Engine and technique for generating an acoustic signal
    Patent number: 7944776
    Abstract: An embodiment of a device for generating an acoustic signal in a fluid includes an engine operable to repeat a thermodynamic process to vibrate a membrane of the engine to generate an acoustic signal having more than one period. The thermodynamic process includes heating mass inside a chamber of an engine to generate pressure inside the chamber; in response to generating the pressure, moving in a first direction a portion of a membrane of the engine; removing mass from inside the chamber to decrease the pressure inside the chamber; and in response to decreasing the pressure inside the chamber, moving the membrane portion in a second direction. Because the engine repeats the thermodynamic process, the engine may generate and sustain an acoustic signal for a significant amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: John Rapp, Nicholas John Nagurny, Curry Farrior, Robert J. Howard
  • Engine and technique for generating an acoustic signal
    Publication number: 20080277195
    Abstract: A device for generating an acoustic signal in a fluid includes an engine operable to repeat a thermodynamic process to vibrate a membrane of the engine to generate an acoustic signal having more than one period. The thermodynamic process includes heating mass inside a chamber of an engine to generate pressure inside the chamber; in response to generating the pressure, moving in a first direction a portion of a membrane of the engine; removing mass from inside the chamber to decrease the pressure inside the chamber; and in response to decreasing the pressure inside the chamber, moving the membrane portion in a second direction. Because the engine repeats the thermodynamic process, the engine can generate and sustain an acoustic signal for a significant amount of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: John Rapp, N. John Nagurny, Curry Farrior, Robert J. Howard
  • Engine and technique for generating an acoustic signal
    Publication number: 20080277194
    Abstract: A device for generating an acoustic signal in a fluid includes an engine operable to repeat a thermodynamic process to vibrate a membrane of the engine to generate an acoustic signal having more than one period. The thermodynamic process includes heating mass inside a chamber of an engine to generate pressure inside the chamber; in response to generating the pressure, moving in a first direction a portion of a membrane of the engine; removing mass from inside the chamber to decrease the pressure inside the chamber; and in response to decreasing the pressure inside the chamber, moving the membrane portion in a second direction. Because the engine repeats the thermodynamic process, the engine can generate and sustain an acoustic signal for a significant amount of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: John Rapp, N. John Nagurny, Curry Farrior, Robert J. Howard