Patents by Inventor Gustave C. Fralick

Gustave C. Fralick 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: 10429521
    Abstract: A small, low power, solid state particle counter may be configured to detect radiation. A scintillator may be doped to emit light in a predetermined energy range when impacted by radiation particles. A photodiode attached to or held against the scintillator may be configured to detect the emitted light in the predetermined energy range and output a current proportional to an amount of the emitted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Susan Y. Wrbanek, John D. Wrbanek, Gustave C. Fralick
  • Patent number: 8159669
    Abstract: A particle detector is provided, the particle detector including a spherical Cherenkov detector, and at least one pair of detector stacks. In an embodiment of the invention, the Cherenkov detector includes a sphere of ultraviolet transparent material, coated by an ultraviolet reflecting material that has at least one open port. The Cherenkov detector further includes at least one photodetector configured to detect ultraviolet light emitted from a particle within the sphere. In an embodiment of the invention, each detector stack includes one or more detectors configured to detect a particle traversing the sphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: John D. Wrbanek, Gustave C. Fralick, Susan Y. Wrbanek
  • Publication number: 20110127437
    Abstract: A particle detector is provided, the particle detector including a spherical Cherenkov detector, and at least one pair of detector stacks. In an embodiment of the invention, the Cherenkov detector includes a sphere of ultraviolet transparent material, coated by an ultraviolet reflecting material that has at least one open port. The Cherenkov detector further includes at least one photodetector configured to detect ultraviolet light emitted from a particle within the sphere. In an embodiment of the invention, each detector stack includes one or more detectors configured to detect a particle traversing the sphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: John D. Wrbanek, Gustave C. Fralick, Susan Y. Wrbanek
  • Patent number: 7872750
    Abstract: A particle detector is provided, the particle detector including a spherical Cherenkov detector, and at least one pair of detector stacks. In an embodiment of the invention, the Cherenkov detector includes a sphere of ultraviolet transparent material, coated by an ultraviolet reflecting material that has at least one open port. The Cherenkov detector further includes at least one photodetector configured to detect ultraviolet light emitted from a particle within the sphere. In an embodiment of the invention, each detector stack includes one or more detectors configured to detect a particle traversing the sphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: John D. Wrbanek, Gustave C. Fralick, Susan Y. Wrbanek
  • Publication number: 20090290614
    Abstract: A nano-composite material having a high electrical conductivity and a high Seebeck coefficient and low thermal conductivity. The nano-composite material is capable of withstanding high temperatures and harsh conditions. These properties make it suitable for use as both a thermal barrier coating for turbine blades and vanes and a thermoelectric generator to power high temperature electronics, high temperature wireless transmitters, and high temperature sensors. Unique to these applications is that the thermal barrier coatings can act as a temperature sensor and/or a source of power for other sensors or high temperature electronics and wireless transmitters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: BOARD OF GOVERNORS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, STATE OF RHODE ISLAND NAD PROVIDENCE
    Inventors: Otto J. Gregory, Gustave C. Fralick, John D. Wrbanek
  • Patent number: 6794213
    Abstract: A high temperature anemometer includes a pair of substrates. One of the substrates has a plurality of electrodes on a facing surface, while the other of the substrates has a sensor cavity on a facing surface. A sensor is received in the sensor cavity, wherein the sensor has a plurality of bondpads, and wherein the bond pads contact the plurality of electrodes when the facing surfaces are mated with one another. The anemometer further includes a plurality of plug-in pins, wherein the substrate with the cavity has a plurality of trenches with each one receiving a plurality of plug-in pins. The plurality of plug-in pins contact the plurality of electrodes when the substrates are mated with one another. The sensor cavity is at an end of one of the substrates such that the sensor partially extends from the substrate. The sensor and the substrates are preferably made of silicon carbide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Robert S. Okojie, Gustave C. Fralick, George J. Saad
  • Patent number: 6684695
    Abstract: A mass flow sensor to be mounted within a duct and measures the mass flow of a fluid stream moving through the duct. The sensor is an elongated thin quartz substrate having a plurality of platinum strips extending in a parallel relationship on the strip, with certain of the strips being resistors connected to an excitation voltage. The resistors form the legs of a Wheatstone bridge. The resistors are spaced a sufficient distance inwardly from the leading and trailing edges of the substrate to lie within the velocity recovery region so that the measured flow is the same as the actual upstream flow. The resistor strips extend at least half-way through the fluid stream to include a substantial part of the velocity profile of the stream. Certain of the resistors detect a change in temperature as the fluid stream moves across the substrate to provide an output signal from the Wheatstone bridge which is representative of the fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Gustave C. Fralick, Danny P. Hwang, John D. Wrbanek
  • Patent number: 6647809
    Abstract: A high temperature anemometer includes a pair of substrates. One of the substrates has a plurality of electrodes on a facing surface, while the other of the substrates has a sensor cavity on a facing surface. A sensor is received in the sensor cavity, wherein the sensor has a plurality of bondpads, and wherein the bond pads contact the plurality of electrodes when the facing surfaces are mated with one another. The anemometer further includes a plurality of plug-in pins, wherein the substrate with the cavity has a plurality of trenches with each one receiving a plurality of plug-in pins. The plurality of plug-in pins contact the plurality of electrodes when the substrates are mated with one another. The sensor cavity is at an end of one of the substrates such that the sensor partially extends from the substrate. The sensor and the substrates are preferably made of silicon carbide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Robert S. Okojie, Gustave C. Fralick, George J. Saad
  • Patent number: 6382024
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing a velocity flow profile near a reference surface. A measuring device utilizes a plurality of thermojunction pairs to provide the velocity flow profile in accordance with behavior of a gas relative to a constant thickness strut which stands vertically from the reference surface such that the span is normal to the surface, and the chord is parallel to the surface along the initial flow direction. Each thermojunction is carried on either side of a heater formed on a measuring surface in a constant thickness portion of a strut. Additionally, each thermojunction of a given pair is located at a predetermined height from the reference surface. Gas velocity data obtained from temperature differentials from one side of the heater to the other at each successive height is utilized to generate the velocity and turbulence level profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Danny P. Hwang, Herbert A. Will, Gustave C. Fralick
  • Patent number: 5979243
    Abstract: The instant invention is for a microfabricated sensor system that can measure temperature, principle strain level, and its relative strain orientation simultaneously. It is a multifunctional, small size, low mass, and space saving gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Jih-Fen Lei, Gustave C. Fralick, Michael J. Krasowski