Patents by Inventor Qamar A. Shams
Qamar A. Shams 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).
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Patent number: 8671763Abstract: A windscreen is configured for measuring outdoor infrasonic sound. The windscreen includes a container and a microphone. The container defines a chamber. The microphone is disposed in the chamber and can be operatively supported by the floor. The microphone is configured for detecting infrasonic sound. The container is advantageously formed from material that exhibits an acoustic impedance of between 0 and approximately 3150 times the acoustic impedance of air. A reflector plate may be disposed in the container. The reflector plate operatively can support the microphone and provides a doubling effect of infrasonic pressure at the microphone.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2010Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Allan J. Zuckerwar, Qamar A. Shams
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Patent number: 8401217Abstract: The present invention is an extremely low frequency (ELF) microphone and acoustic measurement system capable of infrasound detection in a portable and easily deployable form factor. In one embodiment of the invention, an extremely low frequency electret microphone comprises a membrane, a backplate, and a backchamber. The backchamber is sealed to allow substantially no air exchange between the backchamber and outside the microphone. Compliance of the membrane may be less than ambient air compliance. The backplate may define a plurality of holes and a slot may be defined between an outer diameter of the backplate and an inner wall of the microphone. The locations and sizes of the holes, the size of the slot, and the volume of the backchamber may be selected such that membrane motion is substantially critically damped.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2007Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Qamar A. Shams, Allan J. Zuckerwar
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Patent number: 7962252Abstract: A self-contained avionics sensing and flight control system is provided for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The system includes sensors for sensing flight control parameters and surveillance parameters, and a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. Flight control parameters and location signals are processed to generate flight control signals. A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is configured to provide a look-up table storing sets of values with each set being associated with a servo mechanism mounted on the UAV and with each value in each set indicating a unique duty cycle for the servo mechanism associated therewith. Each value in each set is further indexed to a bit position indicative of a unique percentage of a maximum duty cycle for the servo mechanism associated therewith. The FPGA is further configured to provide a plurality of pulse width modulation (PWM) generators coupled to the look-up table. Each PWM generator is associated with and adapted to be coupled to one of the servo mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2006Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Qamar A. Shams, Michael J. Logan, Robert L. Fox, Christopher L. Fox, legal representative, Melanie L. Fox, legal representative, John C. Ingham, Sean A. Laughter, Theodore R. Kuhn, III, James K. Adams, Walter C. Babel, III
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Publication number: 20110132095Abstract: A windscreen is configured for measuring outdoor infrasonic sound. The windscreen includes a container and a microphone. The container defines a chamber. The microphone is disposed in the chamber and can be operatively supported by the floor. The microphone is configured for detecting infrasonic sound. The container is advantageously formed from material that exhibits an acoustic impedance of between 0 and approximately 3150 times the acoustic impedance of air. A reflector plate may be disposed in the container. The reflector plate operatively can support the microphone and provides a doubling effect of infrasonic pressure at the microphone.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2010Publication date: June 9, 2011Applicants: Space AdministrationInventors: Allan J. Zuckerwar, Qamar A. Shams
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Patent number: 7732998Abstract: A telescoping actuator assembly includes a plurality of cylindrical actuators in a concentric arrangement. Each cylindrical actuator is at least one piezoelectric fiber composite actuator having a plurality of piezoelectric fibers extending parallel to one another and to the concentric arrangement's longitudinal axis. Each cylindrical actuator is coupled to concentrically-adjacent ones of the cylindrical actuators such that the plurality of cylindrical actuators can experience telescopic movement. An electrical energy source coupled to the cylindrical actuators applies actuation energy thereto to generate the telescopic movement.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2006Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Sidney G. Allison, Qamar A. Shams, Robert L. Fox, Christopher L. Fox, legal representative, Melanie L. Fox Chattin, legal representative
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Publication number: 20100118405Abstract: Actuator assemblies are formed by at least one cylinder where each cylinder is formed by at least one piezoelectric fiber composite actuator adapted to have actuation energy applied thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2006Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: United States of America as represented by the Admins of the Ntl Aeronautics and Space AdminsInventors: Sidney G. Allison, Qamar A. Shams, Robert L. Fox, Christopher L. Fox, Melanie L. Fox Chattin
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Publication number: 20090308971Abstract: An airfoil system includes an airfoil body and at least one flexible strip. The airfoil body has a top surface and a bottom surface, a chord length, a span, and a maximum thickness. Each flexible strip is attached along at least one edge thereof to either the top or bottom surface of the airfoil body. The flexible strip has a spanwise length that is a function of the airfoil body's span, a chordwise width that is a function of the airfoil body's chord length, and a thickness that is a function of the airfoil body's maximum thickness.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2008Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: U.S.A as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Qamar A. Shams, Tianshu Liu
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Publication number: 20090277789Abstract: A wireless chemical sensor includes an electrical conductor and a dielectric material on the conductor. The conductor is electrically unconnected and is shaped for storage of an electric field and a magnetic field. In the presence of a time-varying magnetic field, the conductor resonates to generate harmonic electric and magnetic field responses, each of which has a frequency associated therewith. The dielectric material is selected such that it experiences changes in dielectric attributes thereof in the presence of a chemical-of-interest. Shifts from the sensor's baseline frequency response indicate that the dielectric material has been exposed to the chemical-of-interest.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2009Publication date: November 12, 2009Applicants: Space AdminstrationInventors: Stanley E. Woodard, M. Oglesby Donald, Bryant Douglas Taylor, Qamar A. Shams
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Patent number: 7580323Abstract: An optical assembly is formed by one or more piezoelectric fiber composite actuators having one or more optical fibers coupled thereto. The optical fiber(s) experiences strain when actuation voltage is applied to the actuator(s). Light passing through the optical fiber(s) is wavelength tuned by adjusting the actuation voltage.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2006Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdninistrationInventors: Sidney G. Allison, Qamar A. Shams, Robert L. Fox, Christopher L. Fox, legal representative, Melanie L. Fox Chattin, legal representative
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Publication number: 20090022341Abstract: The present invention is an extremely low frequency (ELF) microphone and acoustic measurement system capable of infrasound detection in a portable and easily deployable form factor. In one embodiment of the invention, an extremely low frequency electret microphone comprises a membrane, a backplate, and a backchamber. The backchamber is sealed to allow substantially no air exchange between the backchamber and outside the microphone. Compliance of the membrane may be less than ambient air compliance. The backplate may define a plurality of holes and a slot may be defined between an outer diameter of the backplate and an inner wall of the microphone. The locations and sizes of the holes, the size of the slot, and the volume of the backchamber may be selected such that membrane motion is substantially critically damped.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2007Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: U.S.A. as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Qamar A. Shams, Allan J. Zuckerwar
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Patent number: 7262543Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring performance capacity of a piezoelectric material that may form part of an actuator or sensor device. A switch is used to selectively electrically couple an inductor to the piezoelectric material to form an inductor-capacitor circuit. Resonance is induced in the inductor-capacitor circuit when the switch is operated to create the circuit. The resonance of the inductor-capacitor circuit is monitored with the frequency of the resonance being indicative of performance capacity of the device's piezoelectric material.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2004Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Robert W. Moses, Christopher L. Fox, legal representative, Melanie L. Fox, legal representative, Richard L. Chattin, Qamar A. Shams, Robert L. Fox, deceased
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Publication number: 20070183110Abstract: A damage locating system also provides thermal protection. An array of sensors substantially tiles an area of interest. Each sensor is a reflective-surface conductor having operatively coupled inductance and capacitance. A magnetic field response recorder is provided to interrogate each sensor before and after a damage condition. Changes in response are indicative of damage and a corresponding location thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2007Publication date: August 9, 2007Applicant: National Aronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Stanley E. Woodard, Thomas W. Jones, Bryant D. Taylor, Qamar A. Shams
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Patent number: 7231832Abstract: A system and method are provided for detecting cracks and their location in a structure. A circuit coupled to a structure has capacitive strain sensors coupled sequentially and in parallel to one another. When excited by a variable magnetic field, the circuit has a resonant frequency that is different for unstained and strained states. In terms of strained states, the resonant frequency is indicative of a region of the circuit that is experiencing strain induced by strain in a region of the structure in proximity to the region of the circuit. An inductor is electrically coupled to one end of each circuit. A magnetic field response recorder wirelessly transmits the variable magnetic field to the inductor and senses the resonant frequency of the circuit so-excited by the variable magnetic field.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Stanley E. Woodard, Qamar A. Shams
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Publication number: 20070091724Abstract: An optical assembly is formed by one or more piezoelectric fiber composite actuators having one or more optical fibers coupled thereto. The optical fiber(s) experiences strain when actuation voltage is applied to the actuator(s). Light passing through the optical fiber(s) is wavelength tuned by adjusting the actuation voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2006Publication date: April 26, 2007Applicant: USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics & Space AdministrationInventors: Sidney Allison, Qamar Shams, Robert Fox, Christopher Fox, Melanie Chattin
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Publication number: 20070069083Abstract: A self-contained avionics sensing and flight control system is provided for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The system includes sensors for sensing flight control parameters and surveillance parameters, and a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. Flight control parameters and location signals are processed to generate flight control signals. A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is configured to provide a look-up table storing sets of values with each set being associated with a servo mechanism mounted on the UAV and with each value in each set indicating a unique duty cycle for the servo mechanism associated therewith. Each value in each set is further indexed to a bit position indicative of a unique percentage of a maximum duty cycle for the servo mechanism associated therewith. The FPGA is further configured to provide a plurality of pulse width modulation (PWM) generators coupled to the look-up table. Each PWM generator is associated with and adapted to be coupled to one of the servo mechanisms.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2006Publication date: March 29, 2007Inventors: Qamar Shams, Michael Logan, Robert Fox, Melanie Fox, John Ingham, Sean Laughter, Theodore Kuhn, James Adams, Walter Babel
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Patent number: 7086593Abstract: Magnetic field response sensors designed as passive inductor-capacitor circuits produce magnetic field responses whose harmonic frequencies correspond to states of physical properties for which the sensors measure. Power to the sensing element is acquired using Faraday induction. A radio frequency antenna produces the time varying magnetic field used for powering the sensor, as well as receiving the magnetic field response of the sensor. An interrogation architecture for discerning changes in sensor's response frequency, resistance and amplitude is integral to the method thus enabling a variety of measurements. Multiple sensors can be interrogated using this method, thus eliminating the need to have a data acquisition channel dedicated to each sensor. The method does not require the sensors to be in proximity to any form of acquisition hardware. A vast array of sensors can be used as interchangeable parts in an overall sensing system.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Stanley E. Woodard, Bryant D. Taylor, Qamar A. Shams, Christopher L. Fox, legal representative, Melanie L. Fox, legal representative, Robert G. Bryant, Robert L. Fox, deceased
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Publication number: 20060070450Abstract: A system and method are provided for detecting cracks and their location in a structure. A circuit coupled to a structure has capacitive strain sensors coupled sequentially and in parallel to one another. When excited by a variable magnetic field, the circuit has a resonant frequency that is different for unstained and strained states. In terms of strained states, the resonant frequency is indicative of a region of the circuit that is experiencing strain induced by strain in a region of the structure in proximity to the region of the circuit. An inductor is electrically coupled to one end of each circuit. A magnetic field response recorder wirelessly transmits the variable magnetic field to the inductor and senses the resonant frequency of the circuit so-excited by the variable magnetic field.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2005Publication date: April 6, 2006Applicant: U.S.A. as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Stanley Woodard, Qamar Shams
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Publication number: 20060049833Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring performance capacity of a piezoelectric material that may form part of an actuator or sensor device. A switch is used to selectively electrically couple an inductor to the piezoelectric material to form an inductor-capacitor circuit. Resonance is induced in the inductor-capacitor circuit when the switch is operated to create the circuit. The resonance of the inductor-capacitor circuit is monitored with the frequency of the resonance being indicative of performance capacity of the device's piezoelectric material.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2004Publication date: March 9, 2006Applicant: U.S.A. as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Robert Moses, Robert Fox, Richard Chattin, Qamar Shams, Christopher Fox, Melanie Fox
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Publication number: 20050007239Abstract: Magnetic field response sensors designed as passive inductor-capacitor circuits produce magnetic field responses whose harmonic frequencies correspond to states of physical properties for which the sensors measure. Power to the sensing element is acquired using Faraday induction. A radio frequency antenna produces the time varying magnetic field used for powering the sensor, as well as receiving the magnetic field response of the sensor. An interrogation architecture for discerning changes in sensor's response frequency, resistance and amplitude is integral to the method thus enabling a variety of measurements. Multiple sensors can be interrogated using this method, thus eliminating the need to have a data acquisition channel dedicated to each sensor. The method does not require the sensors to be in proximity to any form of acquisition hardware. A vast array of sensors can be used as interchangeable parts in an overall sensing system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2004Publication date: January 13, 2005Inventors: Stanley Woodard, Bryant Taylor, Qamar Shams, Robert Fox, Melanie Fox, Robert Bryant
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Patent number: 6240785Abstract: A pressure sensor is provided for cryogenic, high pressure applications. A highly doped silicon piezoresistive pressure sensor is bonded to a silicon substrate in an absolute pressure sensing configuration. The absolute pressure sensor is bonded to an aluminum nitride substrate. Aluminum nitride has appropriate coefficient of thermal expansion for use with highly doped silicon at cryogenic temperatures. A group of sensors, either two sensors on two substrates or four sensors on a single substrate are packaged in a pressure vessel.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1996Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: John J. Chapman, Qamar A. Shams, William T. Powers