United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of Nasa

The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the

John R Kolasinski

Shahid Aslam

Nicolas Gorius

Gerard T Quilligan

Daniel P Glavin

Dat Tran

Alexander M Coleman

Peter Chen

Joseph Roch Moszcziewski

Perry A Gerakines

Theodor Kostiuk

Tilak Hewagama

Todd C Purser

The present invention relates to a compact, lightweight, cost-efficient ultraviolet-visible-far infrared (UV-VIS-IR) telescope system, covering the 300 nm to 2500 nm (0.3 μm to 2.5 μm) spectral range, based on a fast focal-ratio, reflective optics design, and an optical coupling interface appropriate for COTS spectrometers, commensurate with about 1U-2U CubeSat payload volume.

Carbon nano-tube polymer composite mirrors for CubeSat telescope

An apparatus for measuring vapor partial pressures of water and carbon dioxide includes a pair of infrared (IR) sources and a pair of quad filter detectors are placed opposite to one another such that the vapor partial pressures of water (HO) and carbon dioxide (CO) is measured and quantified in a short pathlength gas cell.

Compact non-dispersive infrared gas analyzer

An apparatus include one or more DACs and a resistor divider are configured to generate a variable bias voltage Vwith respect to a CM voltage V. The CM voltage Vis applied to a cathode of one or more thermopiles or a negative input of one or more amplifiers to prevent saturation and over range of one or more low voltage readout amplifiers and one or more ADCs.

Thermopile bias method for low voltage infrared readout integrated circuits

An assembly for supporting a fiber optic termination or connector in a centrifuge and comprising a cylindrical body member having a top portion adapted to receive the ferrule body portion of a fiber optic termination or connector and a bottom portion for receiving a cylindrical piston/sealing unit. The piston portion of the piston/sealing unit includes a compressible tip which is adapted to a butt up against the outer end of the ferrule body portion of the fiber optic termination or connector. A cylindrical end cap fits over the upper end of the body member for holding the fiber optic termination in place on the body member and causing a seal to be formed between the termination or connector and the upper portion of the body member adjacent the compressible tip of the plunger. The parts, when fitted together, are placed in a centrifuge which is operated for a predetermined spin cycle, so as to cause any bubbles in the uncured liquid adhesive to be vented outwardly from the termination through the end cap. Subsequent removal of the fiber optic termination or connector from the centrifuge and assembly is 'bubble free' and ready to be joined with an optical fiber which is inserted in the ferrule end of the termination or connector.

Adhesive bubble removal method and apparatus for fiber applications

A fiber optic connector polishing fixture assembly for supporting a terminus of a fiber optic cable before a polishing surface. The assembly comprises: a fiber optic polishing fixture adapted to support the terminus before the polishing surface; a fixture support connected to the fixture for supporting the fixture before the polishing surface; and an adjustable connection between the fixture and the fixture support having user accessible adjustment controls for allowing a user to operate the controls to shift the fixture and fixture support relative to one another for substantially eliminating an apex offset of the terminus with respect to the polishing surface.

Fiber optic connector polishing fixture assembly

An assembly for supporting a fiber optic termination or connector in a centrifuge and comprising a cylindrical body member having a top portion adapted to receive the ferrule body portion of a fiber optic termination or connector and a bottom portion for receiving a cylindrical piston/sealing unit. The piston portion of the piston/sealing unit includes a compressible tip which is adapted to a butt up against the outer end of the ferrule body portion of the fiber optic termination or connector. A cylindrical end cap fits over the upper end of the body member for holding the fiber optic termination in place on the body member and causing a seal to be formed between the termination or connector and the upper portion of the body member adjacent the compressible tip of the plunger. The parts, when fitted together, are placed in a centrifuge which is operated for a predetermined spin cycle, so as to cause any bubbles in the uncured liquid adhesive to be vented outwardly from the termination through the end cap. Subsequent removal of the fiber optic termination or connector from the centrifuge and assembly is &ldquo;bubble free&rdquo; and ready to be joined with an optical fiber which is inserted in the ferrule end of the termination or connector.

Adhesive bubble removal method and apparatus for fiber optic applications

An elongated fixture handle member is connected to a fixture body member with both members having interconnecting longitudinal central axial bores for the passage of an optical cable therethrough. The axial bore of the fixture body member, however, terminates in a shoulder stop for the outer end of a jacket of the optical cable covering both an optical fiber and a coating therefor, with an axial bore of reduced diameter continuing from the shoulder stop forward for a predetermined desired length to the outer end of the fixture body member. A subsequent insertion of the fixture body member including the above optical fiber elements into a chemical stripping solution results in a softening of the exposed external coating thereat which permits easy removal thereof from the optical fiber while leaving a desired length coated fiber intact within the fixture body member.

Growing community of inventors

Greenbelt, MD, United States of America

John R Kolasinski