Patents by Inventor Ralph F. Wuerker

Ralph F. Wuerker 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: 4208582
    Abstract: Isotope separation apparatus consisting of a plurality of cells disposed adjacent to each other in an evacuated container. A common magnetic field is established extending through all of the cells. A source of energetic electrons at one end of the container generates electrons which pass through the cells along the magnetic field lines. Each cell includes an array of collector plates arranged in parallel or in tandem within a common magnetic field. Sets of collector plates are disposed adjacent to each other in each cell. Means are provided for differentially energizing ions of a desired isotope by applying energy at the cyclotron resonant frequency of the desired isotope. As a result, the energized desired ions are preferentially collected by the collector plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1980
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Arnush, Kenneth R. MacKenzie, Ralph F. Wuerker
  • Patent number: 4050035
    Abstract: A laser of the type which generates linearly polarized light and including optical means for self-alignment. Among such polarized lasers are, for example, solid state lasers and particularly ruby lasers, as well as various gas lasers employing Brewster windows. The problem is solved by utilizing a corner reflector in the laser cavity which generates two parallel laser beams. In order to achieve effective laser operation the polarization determining aspect of the laser, that is the crystal axis or Brewster windows, must be so oriented with respect to the corner reflector that the laser beam in passing through the laser is so reflected by the corner reflector that the light will return through the laserable material with the same directon of polarization as that of the original laser beam generated by the laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1977
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph F. Wuerker, Lee O. Heflinger
  • Patent number: 4043674
    Abstract: A spatial filtered Q-switched laser system is disclosed having means to prevent ionization of air in close proximity to the aperture of the spatial filter. A compound lens system having an astigmatic focus is disposed between the laser and the spatial filter for defocusing the light beam emanating from the laser in the vicinity of the aperture of the spatial filter to an intensity below that which produces ionization of air. The preferred construction of the compound lens system as viewed from the laser comprises a cylindrical lens and a pair of positive lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1977
    Inventors: James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Fletcher, Ralph F. Wuerker, Lee O. Heflinger
  • Patent number: 3970390
    Abstract: A multifrequency laser oscillator which generates coherent light of two closely adjacent optical frequencies in rapid succession for recording contour holograms by the double exposure technique. The two light frequencies are selected by an optical intercavity frequency selector which is rotatable to a first position to select one frequency and to a second position to select the other frequency. The described laser oscillators have a ruby lasing medium and lase at the R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 transitions of the ruby resonant fluorescence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1974
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1976
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Lee O. Heflinger, Ralph F. Wuerker
  • Patent number: 3934461
    Abstract: Apparatus and method wherein a photographic plate is doubly exposed by pulsed laser illumination to record successive instants in the history of an object under consideration. The doubly exposed plate is then developed and the photograph or hologram is used to reproduce the object in full three-dimensional detail including subtle changes in the object in the form of interference fringes where the hologram is illuminated with continuous laser illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1976
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Lee O. Heflinger, Ralph F. Wuerker, Robert E. Brooks