Patents by Inventor SERCEL

SERCEL 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: 12327975
    Abstract: A chamber device includes an inner housing including a passage port through which light generated by excitation of laser gas at an internal space thereof passes, an outer housing surrounding at least a part of the inner housing from a lateral side of a travel direction of the light, and a partition wall arranged between the inner housing and the outer housing and fixed to the inner housing and the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2025
    Assignee: Gigaphoton Inc.
    Inventors: Junichi Fujimoto, Takahiro Tatsumi, Kazuki Nagai, Jeffrey P. Sercel
  • Patent number: 12297792
    Abstract: Solar thermal and chemical hybrid rocket configurations for mining and other space applications are disclosed. One aspect is a rocket propulsion system configured to provide rocket thrust, including a solar absorber, a rocket nozzle, and a solar power collection system configured to collect solar energy from the sun, generate an energy beam from the collected sunlight, heat the solar absorber to transfer heat to one or more pressurized propulsive gases, and expel the heated pressurized propulsive gases through a rocket nozzle. A solar absorber can be formed from a granular collection or agglomeration of solids (e.g., of beads), which can be layered with more transparent layer(s) above and more absorbing layer(s) below to create a temperature profile in propellant(s) flowing through the absorber. A hybrid motor can provide an energy (e.g., solar) absorber for absorbing and transferring radiative energy as well as a combustion area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: Trans Astronautica Corporation
    Inventors: Joel C. Sercel, Philip J. Wahl, James G. Small
  • Patent number: 12298042
    Abstract: A factory for manufacturing useful products while orbiting is space uses concentrated solar energy, high vacuum, and the low temperatures available in a space environment. Gyroscopic forces from rotating machinery are carefully controlled. Liquids, gases, and solid minerals are separated from asteroid and lunar regolith resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: Trans Astronautica Corporation
    Inventors: Joel C. Sercel, Philip J. Wahl, James G. Small
  • Publication number: 20250137112
    Abstract: Systems and methods for deposition-based manufacturing and quantum spin separation in space environments are disclosed herein. A method of manufacturing a film in a space environment includes melting a metal in a melting pot using concentrated solar energy and pushing the melted metal through small openings in the melting pot to produce a liquid stream. The method further includes dispersing the liquid stream into liquid drops of the melted metal and depositing the liquid drops onto a mold surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2024
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Inventors: James G. Small, Joel C. Sercel, Craig E. Peterson, Philip J. Wahl
  • Publication number: 20250099443
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are analogs and derivatives of aleutianamine and methods of making the same. Also disclosed herein are methods of treating pancreatic cancer comprising administration of aleutianamine or its analogs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2024
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: Hao Yu, Zachary P. Sercel, Samir P. Rezgui, Jonathan Farhi, Brian M. Stoltz, Scott C. Virgil
  • Publication number: 20250096515
    Abstract: A chamber for a gas laser device includes first and second main electrodes arranged with a longitudinal direction being along a predetermined direction as being spaced apart from and facing each other in the internal space, a window arranged at a wall surface of the chamber, and a first preionization electrode arranged beside one side of the first main electrode. The first preionization electrode includes a first dielectric pipe extending along the longitudinal direction, a first preionization inner electrode arranged in the first dielectric pipe and extending along the longitudinal direction, and a first preionization outer electrode extending along the longitudinal direction, including a first end portion facing an outer circumference surface of the first dielectric pipe, and extending from the first end portion in a direction away from the first dielectric pipe. In a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a first corona discharge angle is an acute angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Applicant: Gigaphoton Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuki NAGAI, Yoichi SASAKI, Jeffrey P. SERCEL, Michael von DADELSZEN
  • Publication number: 20250092785
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus are disclosed for mining the permafrost at the landing sites using radiant gas dynamic mining procedures. The systems can comprise a rover vehicle with an integrated large area dome for cryotrapping gases released from the surface and multi-wavelength radiant heating systems to provide adjustable heating as a function of depth. Various antenna arrays and configurations are disclosed, some of which can cooperate for a specific aiming or targeting effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Joel C. Sercel, Philip J. Wahl, Craig E. Peterson, James G. Small
  • Publication number: 20250052211
    Abstract: Omnivorous solar thermal thrusters and adjustable cooling structures are disclosed. In one aspect, a solar thermal rocket engine includes a solar thermal thruster configured to receive solar energy and one or more propellants, and heat the one or more propellants using the solar energy to generate thrust. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use a plurality of different propellant types, either singly or in combination simultaneously. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use the one or more propellants in both liquid and gaseous states. Related structures can include valves and variable-geometry cooling channels in thermal contact with a thruster wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2024
    Publication date: February 13, 2025
    Inventors: Joel C. Sercel, Philip J. Wahl, Conrad T. Jensen, James G. Small, Benjamin G. Workinger, Samuel Daugherty-Saunders
  • Patent number: 12215926
    Abstract: Systems and methods for fabrication of ceramics from celestial materials using microwave sintering and mechanical compression for space mining applications are disclosed. In one aspect, a chamber for sintering loose mineral material into solid ceramic shapes includes a plurality of zirconia insulting plates configured to clamp the mineral material and forming a cavity in which the mineral loose material is contained, and at least one dipole array configured to generate microwave energy and apply the microwave energy to the mineral material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Trans Astronautica Corporation
    Inventors: James G. Small, Joel C. Sercel
  • Patent number: 12203371
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for mining lunar and Martian polar permafrost to extract gas propellants. The method can comprise identifying a plurality of near-polar landing sites in craters in which the surface comprises permafrost in perpetual darkness, wherein such landing sites have perpetual sunlight available at altitudes of about 100 to 200 m. A mining outpost can be established in at least one of the sites and a high altitude solar array deployed at the landing site using a lightweight mast tall enough to generate near continuous power for the outpost. Systems and apparatus are disclosed for mining the permafrost at the landing sites using radiant gas dynamic mining procedures. The systems can comprise a rover vehicle with an integrated large area dome for cryotrapping gases released from the surface and multi-wavelength radiant heating systems to provide adjustable heating as a function of depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Trans Astronautica Corporation
    Inventors: Joel C. Sercel, Anthony Price Longman, James G. Small
  • Patent number: 12198356
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for the optimized matched filter tracking of space objects are provided. In one aspect, a method of detecting faint objects includes receiving a plurality of telescope images from a telescope imaging system and performing a plurality of computational calculations on the telescope images using a plurality of search parameters to identify one or more objects moving through the telescope images. The number of the computational calculations is reduced by a priori relatively restricting a parameter space of the computational calculations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Trans Astronautica Corporation
    Inventors: Hayden Burgoyne, Robert Jedicke, Joel C. Sercel, Juliana Richter, Peter Stephen Gural
  • Patent number: 12173934
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for directing radiant energy to permanently shadowed or occasionally shadowed regions such as on the floors of craters or in valleys in lunar polar regions to provide illumination, thermal power, electricity, communications, and other services. Embodiments of the systems include reflector elements to provide diffuse illumination, focused illumination, and thermal power, structures to support the reflectors and other elements, communications devices for varied signal types, and methods for installing the system. The structure can be compactly folded and delivered to be automatically installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Trans Astronautica Corporation
    Inventors: Joel C. Sercel, Craig Peterson, Anthony Longman
  • Publication number: 20240405496
    Abstract: A chamber for a gas laser device includes a first main electrode and a second main electrode arranged along a predetermined direction as being apart from and facing each other in the internal space, a window arranged at a wall surface of the chamber and transmitting light from the internal space, and a first preionization electrode arranged beside one side of the first main electrode. Here, the first preionization electrode includes a first dielectric pipe, a first preionization inner electrode arranged in the first dielectric pipe and extending along the first dielectric pipe, and a first preionization outer electrode extending along the first dielectric pipe and including a first end portion facing the first dielectric pipe with a first gap with respect to the first dielectric pipe. At least a part of the first gap is larger than 0 mm and equal to or smaller than 0.9 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Applicant: Gigaphoton Inc.
    Inventors: Yoichi SASAKI, Junichi FUJIMOTO, Jeffrey P. SERCEL, Michael von DADELSZEN
  • Publication number: 20240339797
    Abstract: A gas laser device includes a laser chamber including an opening, an electrical insulating portion blocking the opening, a first electrode, and a second electrode facing the first electrode. The first electrode includes a contact region contacting the surface of the electrical insulating portion, an opposing surface facing the second electrode, and a first curved surface included in a region between the contact region and the opposing surface and convexly curved toward an outer side of the first electrode. In a cross section of the first electrode along a surface extending in a separation direction of the first electrode and the second electrode, the contact region is located on an inner side of the first electrode with respect to the first curved surface, and the first curved surface is a part of a circumference of a circle or an ellipse which does not intersect the electrical insulating portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Applicant: Gigaphoton Inc.
    Inventors: Yoichi SASAKI, Hiroshi UMEDA, Jeffrey P. SERCEL, Michael von DADELSZEN
  • Publication number: 20240328674
    Abstract: A factory for manufacturing useful products while orbiting is space uses concentrated solar energy, high vacuum, and the low temperatures available in a space environment. Gyroscopic forces from rotating machinery are carefully controlled. Liquids, gases, and solid minerals are separated from asteroid and lunar regolith resources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Joel C. Sercel, Philip J. Wahl, James G. Small
  • Publication number: 20240300677
    Abstract: Deployable lunar landing pads for space mining applications are disclosed. In one aspect, a landing pad for deployment on a celestial body includes a deployable surface configured to be stored in a stowed configuration on a spacecraft and be deployed into a deployed configuration on a surface of the celestial body, a landing system configured to land the landing pad on the surface of the celestial body, and a control system configured to control the landing system during landing of the landing pad on the surface of the celestial body and control the deployment of the deployable surface. The deployable surface is further configured to reduce or eliminate scattering of loose material from the surface of the celestial body in the deployed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: Joel C. Sercel, James G. Small
  • Patent number: 12025006
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus are disclosed for mining the permafrost at the landing sites using radiant gas dynamic mining procedures. The systems can comprise a rover vehicle with an integrated large area dome for cryotrapping gases released from the surface and multi-wavelength radiant heating systems to provide adjustable heating as a function of depth. Various antenna arrays and configurations are disclosed, some of which can cooperate for a specific aiming or targeting effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Trans Astronautica Corporation
    Inventors: Joel C. Sercel, Philip J. Wahl, Craig E. Peterson, James G. Small
  • Patent number: 12025078
    Abstract: Omnivorous solar thermal thrusters and adjustable cooling structures are disclosed. In one aspect, a solar thermal rocket engine includes a solar thermal thruster configured to receive solar energy and one or more propellants, and heat the one or more propellants using the solar energy to generate thrust. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use a plurality of different propellant types, either singly or in combination simultaneously. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use the one or more propellants in both liquid and gaseous states. Related structures can include valves and variable-geometry cooling channels in thermal contact with a thruster wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Trans Astronautica Corporation
    Inventors: Joel C. Sercel, Philip J. Wahl, Conrad T. Jensen, James G. Small, Benjamin G. Workinger, Samuel Daugherty-Saunders
  • Publication number: 20240169558
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for the optimized matched filter tracking of space objects are provided. In one aspect, a method of detecting faint objects includes receiving a plurality of telescope images from a telescope imaging system and performing a plurality of computational calculations on the telescope images using a plurality of search parameters to identify one or more objects moving through the telescope images. The number of the computational calculations is reduced by a priori relatively restricting a parameter space of the computational calculations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2023
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Hayden Burgoyne, Robert Jedicke, Joel C. Sercel, Juliana Richter, Peter Stephen Gural
  • Publication number: 20240159076
    Abstract: Pneumatically supported towers for low gravity applications are disclosed herein. In one aspect, an inflatable tower for use in vacuum environments can have a membrane configured to support a load when inflated with an inflation gas to a pressures less than 100,000 pascals and greater than 0.01 pascal. The inflation gas can be chosen to have a sufficiently low boiling temperature at the inflation pressure of the membrane that the gas will not condense to a liquid or solid within a defined range of temperatures in which the tower is designed to operate. The membrane can be configured to be packaged for transport in deflated condition and rolled onto cylinders from which the membrane can be later unfurled and inflated as part of the tower inflation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Joel C. Sercel, James G. Small, Philip J. Wahl, Craig E. Peterson