Patents by Inventor Troy Shane Topham

Troy Shane Topham 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).

  • Mini-cell, on-orbit, temperature re-calibration apparatus and method
    Patent number: 8657487
    Abstract: A method for on-orbit calibration of the temperature sensors of a simulated blackbody is disclosed. The method may include selecting a simulated blackbody traveling in a micro-gravity environment and comprising a sensor, a container positioned proximate the senor and containing a material, and a heat transfer device positioned proximate the at least one container. The heat transfer device may transition the material through a phase change. The temperature sensor may monitor the temperature of the material during the phase change. A correction may be calculated to correct any disparity between the temperature reported by the temperature sensor during the phase change and the known plateau temperature corresponding to that phase change. The correction may be applied to subsequent temperature readings obtained using the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Utah State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Gail Bingham, Troy Shane Topham, Alan Thurgood
  • Mini-cell, on-orbit, temperature re-calibration apparatus and method
    Patent number: 8556501
    Abstract: A method for on-orbit calibration of the temperature sensors of a blackbody is disclosed. The method may include selecting a blackbody traveling in a micro-gravity environment and comprising a sensor, a container positioned proximate the sensor and containing a material, and a heat transfer device positioned proximate the at least one container. The heat transfer device may transition the material through a phase change. The temperature sensor may monitor the temperature of the material during the phase change. Additionally, the state of the material may be measured by displacement of the container to improve the accuracy of the plateau temperature measurement. A correction may be calculated to correct any disparity between the temperature reported by the temperature sensor during the phase change and the known plateau temperature, measured at a threshold state of the material, corresponding to that phase change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Utah State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Troy Shane Topham, Gail Bingham, Harri Latvakoski, Michael Sean Watson, Vern Alan Thurgood
  • Mini-Cell, On-Orbit, Temperature Re-Calibration Apparatus and Method
    Publication number: 20110125444
    Abstract: A method for on-orbit calibration of the temperature sensors of a blackbody is disclosed. The method may include selecting a blackbody traveling in a micro-gravity environment and comprising a sensor, a container positioned proximate the sensor and containing a material, and a heat transfer device positioned proximate the at least one container. The heat transfer device may transition the material through a phase change. The temperature sensor may monitor the temperature of the material during the phase change. Additionally, the state of the material may be measured by displacement of the container to improve the accuracy of the plateau temperature measurement. A correction may be calculated to correct any disparity between the temperature reported by the temperature sensor during the phase change and the known plateau temperature, measured at a threshold state of the material, corresponding to that phase change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Utah State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Troy Shane Topham, Gail Bingham
  • Mini-Cell, On-Orbit, Temperature Re-calibration Apparatus and Method
    Publication number: 20090312976
    Abstract: A method for on-orbit calibration of the temperature sensors of a simulated blackbody is disclosed. The method may include selecting a simulated blackbody traveling in a micro-gravity environment and comprising a sensor, a container positioned proximate the senor and containing a material, and a heat transfer device positioned proximate the at least one container. The heat transfer device may transition the material through a phase change. The temperature sensor may monitor the temperature of the material during the phase change. A correction may be calculated to correct any disparity between the temperature reported by the temperature sensor during the phase change and the known plateau temperature corresponding to that phase change. The correction may be applied to subsequent temperature readings obtained using the temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Utah State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Gail Bingham, Troy Shane Topham, Alan Thurgood