Patents by Inventor Robert F. Roman

Robert F. Roman 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).

  • Publication number: 20240079929
    Abstract: A fluid moving apparatus includes an electric motor having a rotor and a stator and a propeller. The rotor rotates relative to the stator on an axis to generate a rotational output. The rotational output is provided to the propeller to power the marine propulsion apparatus. The stator includes one or more coils configured to power rotation of the rotor. The one or more coils extend circumferentially around and can be coaxial on the axis. A portion of a housing of the motor extends into the aquatic environment to facilitate heat dissipation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas F. Janecek, Jeremy Scott Reynolds, Robert J. Lind, Timothy S. Roman, Tyler K. Williams
  • Patent number: 6071595
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for producing a highly-textured surface on a copper substrate with only extremely small amounts of texture-inducing seeding or masking material. The texture-inducing seeding material is delivered to the copper substrate electrically switching the seeding material in and out of a circuit loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Jensen, Arthur N. Curren, Robert F. Roman
  • Patent number: 5711860
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for producing a highly-textured surface on a copper substrate with only extremely small amounts of texture-inducing seeding or masking material. The texture-inducing seeding material is delivered to the copper substrate electrically switching the seeding material in and out of a circuit loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Jensen, Arthur N. Curren, Robert F. Roman
  • Patent number: 4607193
    Abstract: A very thin layer of highly textured carbon is applied to a copper surface by a triode sputtering process. A carbon target 10 and a copper substrate 12 are simultaneously exposed to an argon plasma 14 in a vacuum chamber.The resulting carbon surface is characterized by a dense, random array of needle-like spires or peaks which extend perpendicularly from the copper surface. The coated copper is especially useful for electrode plates in multistage depressed collectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Arthur N. Curren, Kenneth A. Jensen, Robert F. Roman
  • Patent number: 4466242
    Abstract: An improved ion thruster (10) for low specific impulse operation in the 1500 sec to 6000 sec range has a multicusp boundary field (48) provided by high strength magnets (30-38) on an iron anode shell (14) which lengthens the paths of electrons from a hollow cathode assembly (20). A downstream anode pole piece in the form of an iron ring (40) supports a ring of magnets (44) to provide a more uniform beam profile. A cylindrical cathode magnet (46) can be moved selectively in an axial direction along a feed tube (22) to produce the desired magnetic field at the cathode tip (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: James S. Sovey, Vincent K. Rawlin, Robert F. Roman
  • Patent number: 4218633
    Abstract: A source of hydrogen ions is disclosed and includes a chamber having at one end a cathode which provides electrons and through which hydrogen gas flows into the chamber. Screen and accelerator grids are provided at the other end of the chamber. A baffle plate is disposed between the cathode and the grids and a cylindrical baffle is disposed coaxially with the cathode at the one end of the chamber. The cylindrical baffle is of greater diameter than the baffle plate to provide discharge impedance and also to protect the cathode from ion flux. An anode electrode draws the electrons away from the cathode.The hollow cathode includes a tubular insert of tungsten impregnated with a low work function material to provide ample electrons. A heater is provided around the hollow cathode to initiate electron emission from the low work function material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Michael J. Mirtich, Jr., James S. Sovey, Robert F. Roman