Patents by Inventor Donald K. Nichols

Donald K. Nichols 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).

  • Fiber optic accelerometer
    Patent number: 4239963
    Abstract: An inexpensive, light weight fiber optic accelerometer to convert input mechanical motion (e.g. acceleration) into digitized optical output signals. The output of the accelerometer may be connected directly to data processing apparatus without the necessity of space consuming analog to digital interface means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: Rudolf R. August, Virgil H. Strahan, Kenneth A. James, Donald K. Nichols
  • Fiber optic temperature sensor
    Patent number: 4223226
    Abstract: An inexpensive, lightweight fiber optic micro-sensor that is suitable for applications which may require remote temperature sensing. The disclosed temperature sensor includes a phosphor material that, after receiving incident light stimulation, is adapted to emit phosphorescent radiation output signals, the amplitude decay rate and wavelength of which are functions of the sensed temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1980
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Quick, Rudolf R. August, Kenneth A. James, Virgil H. Strahan, Jr., Donald K. Nichols
  • Radiation hardened plated wire for memory
    Patent number: 3959785
    Abstract: A plated bit wire for a plated-wire memory comprising an extra outer plat of non-magnetic copper exterior to the outer-most, magnetic-film layer to a thickness of between 0.25 and 0.5 mils for the purpose of shielding the magnetic layer against high-frequency, transient currents induced by short radiation pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1976
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Donald K. Nichols, Virgil H. Strahan