Patents by Inventor Mark O. Kimball

Mark O. Kimball 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).

  • LATERAL SUSPENSION DEVICE FOR MECHANICAL SUPPORT OF SPACEFLIGHT ADR SALT PILL
    Publication number: 20190063794
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to a suspension device for use with a low temperature refrigeration system, such as an adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator. A support ring is included with three spring-loaded tension assemblies equally spaced about the periphery of the support ring in which the tension assemblies each have a pulley, about which is positioned a plurality of bands of material made of a material having a low coefficient of thermal conductivity and high strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: PETER J. SHIRRON, DONALD C. WEGEL, MARK O. KIMBALL, DANIEL S. MCGUINNESS, BRYAN JAMES, MARCELINO SANSEBASTIAN, PETER William BARFKNECHT, NICHOLAS M. GALASSI, RAUL M. MARTINEZ
  • Active gas-gap heat switch with fast thermal response
    Patent number: 10145602
    Abstract: An active gas-gap heat switch may significantly reduce the time required to transition between the open and closed states, reduce the heat require to warm the getter, and reduce the heat that leaks from the getter to the switch body. A thermal interface at one end of the active gas-gap heat switch may include a plurality of fins. A getter assembly may be hermetically attached to the thermal interface and a containment tube may surround and house the plurality of fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Peter J. Shirron, Mark O. Kimball
  • ACTIVE GAS-GAP HEAT SWITCH WITH FAST THERMAL RESPONSE
    Publication number: 20170059262
    Abstract: An active gas-gap heat switch may significantly reduce the time required to transition between the open and closed states, reduce the heat require to warm the getter, and reduce the heat that leaks from the getter to the switch body. A thermal interface at one end of the active gas-gap heat switch may include a plurality of fins. A getter assembly may be hermetically attached to the thermal interface and a containment tube may surround and house the plurality of fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Peter J. Shirron, Mark O. Kimball