Patents by Inventor Eric F. Spina

Eric F. Spina 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).

  • Method of forming micro-sensor thin-film anemometer
    Patent number: 6018861
    Abstract: A device for measuring turbulence in high-speed flows is provided which includes a micro-sensor thin-film probe. The probe is formed from a single crystal of aluminum oxide having a 14.degree. half-wedge shaped portion. The tip of the half-wedge is rounded and has a thin-film sensor attached along the stagnation line. The bottom surface of the half-wedge is tilted upward to relieve shock induced disturbances created by the curved tip of the half-wedge. The sensor is applied using a microphotolithography technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Mark Sheplak, Catherine B. McGinley, Eric F. Spina, Ralph M. Stephens, Purnell Hopson, Jr., Vincent B. Cruz
  • Micro-sensor thin-film anemometer
    Patent number: 5576488
    Abstract: A device for measuring turbulence in high-speed flows is provided which includes a micro-sensor thin-film probe. The probe is formed from a single crystal of aluminum oxide having a 14.degree. half-wedge shaped portion. The tip of the half-wedge is rounded and has a thin-film sensor attached along the stagnation line. The bottom surface of the half-wedge is tilted upward to relieve shock induced disturbances created by the curved tip of the half-wedge. The sensor is applied using a microphotolithography technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Mark Sheplak, Catherine B. McGinley, Eric F. Spina, Ralph M. Stephens, Purnell Hopson, Jr., Vincent B. Cruz