William J Robbins

US Patent:

20020038990, Apr 4, 2002

Filed:

Aug 17, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/932872

Inventors:

Garnett Horner - Hampton VA, US
John Teter - Hampton VA, US
William Robbins - Achilles VA, US
Benjamin Copeland - Carrollton VA, US

Assignee:

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

International Classification:

H01L041/04

US Classification:

310/363000, 310/364000, 310/365000

Abstract:

The present invention includes a method of fabricating a piezoelectric composite device comprising steps of (a) disposing a first layer of electrically non-conductive film over the first layer of tape; (b) disposing a first electrically conductive lead over the first layer of electrically non-conductive film; (c) disposing a piezoelectric wafer over the first electrically conductive lead and the first layer of electrically non-conductive film; (d) disposing a second electrically conductive lead over the piezoelectric wafer; (e) disposing a second electrically non-conductive film over the second electrically conductive lead and the wafer, wherein the layers of electrically non-conductive film, the electrically conductive leads, and the wafer form a laminate assembly; and (f) consolidating the laminate assembly at a predetermined temperature and pressure. The present invention also comprises a highly flexible piezoelectric composite device made by a thermoplastic process that consolidates the laminate assembly and forms a hermetic seal.

US Patent:

53257200, Jul 5, 1994

Filed:

Oct 7, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/138046

Inventors:

Allan J. Zuckerwar - Newport News VA
William E. Robbins - Achilles VA
Glenn M. Robins - Gloucester VA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

G01L 708
G01M 900

US Classification:

73756

Abstract:

A method for providing a perfectly flat top with a sharp edge on a dynamic pressure sensor using a cup-shaped stretched membrane as a sensing element. First, metal is deposited on the membrane and surrounding areas. Next, the side wall of the pressure sensor with the deposited metal is machined to a predetermined size. Finally, deposited metal is removed from the top of the membrane in small steps, by machining or lapping while the pressure sensor is mounted in a jig or the wall of a test object, until the true top surface of the membrane appears. A thin indicator layer having a color contrasting with the color of the membrane may be applied to the top of the membrane before metal is deposited to facilitate the determination of when to stop metal removal from the top surface of the membrane.

US Patent:

52006107, Apr 6, 1993

Filed:

Jun 3, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/894504

Inventors:

Allan J. Zuckerwar - Newport News VA
Frank W. Cuomo - East Providence RI
William E. Robbins - Achilles VA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

H01J 4014

US Classification:

25022721

Abstract:

A fiber optic microphone is provided for measuring fluctuating pressures. An optical fiber probe having at least one transmitting fiber for transmitting light to a pressure-sensing membrane and at least one receiving fiber for receiving light reflected from a stretched membrane is provided. The pressure-sensing membrane may be stretched for high frequency response. Further, a reflecting surface of the pressure-sensing membrane may have dimensions which substantially correspond to dimensions of a cross section of the optical fiber probe. Further, the fiber optic microphone can be made of materials for use in high temperature environments, for example greater than 1000. degree. F. A fiber optic probe is also provided with a backplate for damping membrane motion. The backplate further provides a means for on-line calibration of the microphone.

US Patent:

51460831, Sep 8, 1992

Filed:

Sep 21, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/586369

Inventors:

Allan J. Zuckerwar - Newport News VA
Frank W. Cuomo - East Providence RI
William E. Robbins - Achilles VA
Purnell Hopson - Seaford VA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

H01J 4014

US Classification:

25022721

Abstract:

A fiber optic microphone is provided for measuring fluctuating pressures. An optical fiber probe having at least one transmitting fiber for transmitting light to a pressure-sensing membrane and at least one receiving fiber for receiving light reflected from a stretched membrane is provided. The pressure-sensing membrane may be stretched for high frequency response. Further, a reflecting surface of the pressure-sensing membrane may have dimensions which substantially correspond to dimensions of a cross section of the optical fiber probe. Further, the fiber optic microphone can be made of materials for use in high temperature environments, for example greater than 1000. degree. F. A fiber optic probe is also provided with a backplate for damping membrane motion. The backplate further provides a means for on-line calibration of the microphone.