Patents by Inventor William B. Carter
William B. Carter 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: 11141888Abstract: An ordered, 3-dimensional, micro-scale, open-cellular truss structure including interconnected hollow polymer tubes. The hollow micro-truss structure separates two fluid volumes which can be independently pressurized or depressurized to control flow, or materials properties, or both. Applications for this invention include deployable structures, inflatable structures, flow control, and vented padding.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2019Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Christopher S. Roper, William B. Carter, Alan J. Jacobsen, Kevin J. Maloney, Robert E. Doty, Tobias A. Schaedler, Adam E. Sorensen, Andrew P. Nowak
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Patent number: 10513056Abstract: An ordered, 3-dimensional, micro-scale, open-cellular truss structure including interconnected hollow polymer tubes. The hollow micro-truss structure separates two fluid volumes which can be independently pressurized or depressurized to control flow, or materials properties, or both. Applications for this invention include deployable structures, inflatable structures, flow control, and vented padding.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2016Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Christopher S. Roper, William B. Carter, Alan J. Jacobsen, Kevin J. Maloney, Robert E. Doty, Tobias A. Schaedler, Adam E. Sorensen, Andrew P. Nowak
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Patent number: 9546826Abstract: A heat transport structure is provided having a structural microtruss wick with a thermal transport medium associated with the microtruss wick for thermal energy transport by fluid and vapor transport between a heat source and a heat sink.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2010Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: William B. Carter, Adam F. Gross, Keith V. Guinn, Alan J. Jacobsen, David Kisailus
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Patent number: 9527261Abstract: An ordered, 3-dimensional, micro-scale, open-cellular truss structure including interconnected hollow polymer tubes. The hollow micro-truss structure separates two fluid volumes which can be independently pressurized or depressurized to control flow, or materials properties, or both. Applications for this invention include deployable structures, inflatable structures, flow control, and vented padding.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Christopher S. Roper, William B. Carter, Alan J. Jacobsen, Kevin J. Maloney, Robert E. Doty, Tobias A. Schaedler, Adam E. Sorensen, Andrew P. Nowak
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Patent number: 9528776Abstract: A method of exchanging heat between fluids with a heat Exchanger comprising a three-dimensional ordered microstructure material within a shell. The three-dimensional ordered microstructure material has dimensions that allow for large surface area to volume ratios, between 300 and 15000 m2/m3. Alternatively the three-dimensional ordered microstructure may have an open volume fraction between 0.4 and 0.6. The three-dimensional ordered microstructure may be comprised of hollow truss elements and partially filled with a thermally conductive material or a fluid. The Heat Exchanger has a heat transfer coefficient multiplied by the surface area to volume ratio between 3.7*107 and 7*109 Watts per M3K.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Christopher S. Roper, William B. Carter, Alan J. Jacobsen
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Patent number: 9405192Abstract: A method for fabricating a radiation-cured structure is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a first radiation-sensitive material and a second radiation-sensitive material adjacent the first radiation-sensitive material. The first radiation-sensitive material has a first sensitivity. The second radiation-sensitive material has the first sensitivity and a second sensitivity different from the first sensitivity. At least one mask is placed between at least one radiation source and the first and second radiation-sensitive materials. The mask has a plurality of substantially radiation-transparent apertures. The first and second radiation-sensitive materials are then exposed to a plurality of radiation beams through the radiation-transparent apertures in the mask to form a first construct in the first radiation-sensitive material and a second construct in the second radiation-sensitive material. The first construct and the second construct cooperate to form the radiation-cured structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2011Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. Rock, Gerald W. Fly, Yeh-Hung Lai, Keith E. Newman, Alan J. Jacobsen, William B. Carter, Peter D. Brewer, Hung D. Nguyen, Joanna A. Kolodziejska
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Patent number: 9256132Abstract: A method for fabricating a radiation-cured structure is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a first radiation-sensitive material and applying a second radiation-sensitive material to the first radiation-sensitive material. The first radiation-sensitive material has a first sensitivity. The second radiation-sensitive material has a second sensitivity different from the first sensitivity. At least one mask is placed between at least one radiation source and the first and second radiation-sensitive materials. The mask has a plurality of substantially radiation-transparent apertures. The first and second radiation-sensitive materials are then exposed to a plurality of radiation beams through the radiation-transparent apertures in the mask to form a first construct in the first radiation-sensitive material and a second construct in the second radiation-sensitive material. The first construct and the second construct cooperate to form the radiation-cured structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2014Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. Rock, Gerald W. Fly, Yeh-Hung Lai, Keith E. Newman, Alan J. Jacobsen, William B. Carter, Peter D. Brewer
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Patent number: 9229162Abstract: Various implementations and embodiments relate to three-dimensional open cellular diamond micro-truss structures and methods.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Christopher S. Roper, William B. Carter, Alan J. Jacobsen, Tobias Schaedler
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Patent number: 9116428Abstract: A micro-truss based blast protection apparatus. In one embodiment, the blast protection apparatus includes a three-dimensional (3D) ordered truss core between a first face plate and a second face plate. The 3D ordered truss core includes first truss elements defined by first self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a first direction, second truss elements defined by second self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a second direction, and third truss elements defined by third self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a third direction. The first, second, and third truss elements interpenetrate each other at a plurality of nodes to form a continuous material. The first, second, and third truss elements define an open space for providing a densification in response to a force applied to the first face plate and/or the second face plate, and the 3D ordered truss core is self-supporting.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2009Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Alan J. Jacobsen, William B. Carter, Robert W. Cumberland
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Patent number: 9086229Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a mirror structure is provided having a first face sheet having a mirror surface and a side opposite the mirror surface and a three-dimensional ordered cellular microtruss connected with the side opposite the mirror surface of the first face sheet.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2011Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Christopher S. Roper, William B. Carter, Alan J. Jacobsen
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Patent number: 9074090Abstract: A photonic device is provided having a two or three-dimensionally periodic structure of interconnected members with alterable spacing between the members. The structure is composed of a shape memory polymer configured to be thermo-mechanically tunable to display a plurality of optical properties under a series of temperature changes and stress. A method of producing a photonic device based on a shape memory polymer is provided. A mold, having a two or three-dimensionally periodic structure of interconnected components with a characteristic spacing between the components, is infiltrated with a shape memory polymer precursor to form a composite structure. The composite structure is solidified. The mold is removed from the composite structure to form a photonic device as an inverse replica of the mold.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2011Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Tao Xie, William B. Carter, Geoffrey P. McKnight
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Patent number: 9005847Abstract: A method for fabricating a fuel cell component includes the steps of providing a mask having a plurality of radiation transparent apertures, a radiation-sensitive material having a sensitivity to the plurality of radiation beams, and a flow field layer. The radiation-sensitive material is disposed on the flow field layer. The radiation-sensitive material is then exposed to the plurality of radiation beams through the radiation transparent apertures in the mask to form a diffusion medium layer with a micro-truss structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. Rock, Yeh-Hung Lai, Keith E. Newman, Gerald W. Fly, Ping Liu, Alan J. Jacobsen, William B. Carter, Peter D. Brewer
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Publication number: 20150055114Abstract: A method for fabricating a radiation-cured structure is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a first radiation-sensitive material and applying a second radiation-sensitive material to the first radiation-sensitive material. The first radiation-sensitive material has a first sensitivity. The second radiation-sensitive material has a second sensitivity different from the first sensitivity. At least one mask is placed between at least one radiation source and the first and second radiation-sensitive materials. The mask has a plurality of substantially radiation-transparent apertures. The first and second radiation-sensitive materials are then exposed to a plurality of radiation beams through the radiation-transparent apertures in the mask to form a first construct in the first radiation-sensitive material and a second construct in the second radiation-sensitive material. The first construct and the second construct cooperate to form the radiation-cured structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventors: Jeffrey A. Rock, Gerald W. Fly, Yeh-Hung Lai, Keith E. Newman, Alan J. Jacobsen, William B. Carter, Peter D. Brewer
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Publication number: 20150001996Abstract: A reconfigurable bi-stable device includes an elastically deformable panel laterally disposed between and connected to one or more mounting members directly or indirectly connected to opposing ends of the panel, with the panel maintained under compressive force along at least one vector extending between the opposing ends. The compressive force deforms the panel into a one of two stable deformed positions, with the device disposed such that the panel may be moved between each of the two stable deformed positions by application of manual force to one of two opposing faces of the panel. A first shape memory alloy (SMA) or piezo actuator member is connected to the panel, the actuator member being capable of moving the panel from a first one of the two stable deformed positions to a second one of the two stable deformed positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2014Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, William B. Carter, Geoffrey P. McKnight, Andrew C. Keefe, Guillermo A. Herrera
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Patent number: 8921702Abstract: In one possible implementation, a thermal plane structure includes a non-wicking structural microtruss between opposing surfaces of a multilayer structure and a thermal transport medium within the thermal plane structure for fluid and vapor transport between a thermal source and a thermal sink. A microtruss wick is located between the opposing surfaces and extends between the thermal source and the thermal sink.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2010Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: William B. Carter, Peter D. Brewer, Adam F. Gross, Jeffrey L. Rogers, Keith V. Guinn, Alan J. Jacobsen
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Patent number: 8906597Abstract: A method for fabricating a radiation-cured structure is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a first radiation-sensitive material and applying a second radiation-sensitive material to the first radiation-sensitive material. The first radiation-sensitive material has a first sensitivity. The second radiation-sensitive material has a second sensitivity different from the first sensitivity. At least one mask is placed between at least one radiation source and the first and second radiation-sensitive materials. The mask has a plurality of substantially radiation-transparent apertures. The first and second radiation-sensitive materials are then exposed to a plurality of radiation beams through the radiation-transparent apertures in the mask to form a first construct in the first radiation-sensitive material and a second construct in the second radiation-sensitive material. The first construct and the second construct cooperate to form the radiation-cured structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. Rock, Gerald W. Fly, Yeh-Hung Lai, Keith E. Newman, Alan J. Jacobsen, William B. Carter, Peter D. Brewer
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Patent number: 8857182Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting a fluid wherein a pressure difference for causing transport of the fluid to occur is generated by membrane, which may include a network of pores, preferably arranged in artificial leaves, in fluid communication with the fluid and in contact with an environment facilitating vaporization of the fluid via the membrane, the apparatus including a mechanical apparatus for recovering useable energy from the transport of the fluid across the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2010Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Christopher S. Roper, William B. Carter
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Patent number: 8771330Abstract: A personal artificial transpiration cooling system having a transpiration surface with a substrate, a transpiration membrane layer which is spaced from the substrate layer by one or more spacers to define one or more interior fluid flow channels between a first surface of the transpiration membrane layer and the substrate; and a stoma layer disposed adjacent a second surface of the permeable membrane layer, the stoma layer being spaced from the second surface of permeable membrane layer by a predetermined distance to define one or more cavities disposed between pores in the at least one stoma layer and the second surface of the permeable membrane layer. A fluid reservoir is provided in fluid communication with the one or more interior fluid flow channels, while the transpiration surface is configured to be worn by a human or an animal and the fluid reservoir is designed to be supported, in use, by the human or animal wearing the transpiration surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2010Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Christopher S. Roper, William B. Carter
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Publication number: 20140113149Abstract: An adjustable shape memory hold article, and method of adjusting same, are disclosed, where the includes a plurality of shape memory polymer segments having different activation temperatures or a shape memory polymer having a differential between TS and TF of at least 10° C. and no more than 70° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2012Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, William B. Carter, Geoffrey P. McKnight
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Patent number: 8592096Abstract: A separator plate for a fuel cell is provided, including a substrate having a radiation-cured first flow field layer disposed thereon. A method for fabricating the separator plate is also provided. The method includes the steps of providing a substrate; applying a first radiation-sensitive material to the substrate; placing a first mask between a first radiation source and the first radiation-sensitive material, the first mask having a plurality of substantially radiation-transparent apertures; and exposing the first radiation-sensitive material to a plurality of first radiation beams to form a radiation-cured first flow field layer adjacent the substrate. A fuel cell having the separator plate is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. Rock, Yeh-Hung Lai, Keith E. Newman, Gerald W. Fly, Alan J. Jacobsen, Peter D. Brewer, William B. Carter