Timothy F. Kennedy - Houston TX, US Patrick W. Fink - Missouri City TX, US Andrew W. Chu - Houston TX, US Gregory Y. Lin - Friendswood TX, US
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC
International Classification:
H01Q 15/02
US Classification:
343909, 343915
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods for enhancing the gain of a wireless signal are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the apparatus can include a screen comprised of one or more electrically conductive regions for reflecting electromagnetic radiation and one or more non-conductive regions for permitting electromagnetic radiation therethrough. The one or more electrically conductive regions can be disposed adjacent to at least one of the one or more non-conductive regions. The apparatus can also include a support member disposed about at least a portion of the screen. The screen can be capable of collapsing by twisting the support member in opposite screw senses to form interleaved concentric sections.
Extended Range Passive Wireless Tag System And Method
Patrick W. Fink - Missouri City TX, US Timothy F. Kennedy - Houston TX, US Gregory Y. Lin - Friendswood TX, US
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC
International Classification:
H04Q 5/00 H01L 41/107 H01Q 19/00
US Classification:
340 104, 310313 R, 3405727, 342 7, 342370, 343754
Abstract:
A passive wireless tag assembly comprises a plurality of antennas and transmission lines interconnected with circuitry and constructed and arranged in a Van Atta array or configuration to reflect an interrogator signal in the direction from where it came. The circuitry may comprise at least one surface acoustic wave (SAW)-based circuit that functions as a signal reflector and is operatively connected with an information circuit. In another embodiment, at least one delay circuit and/or at least one passive modulation circuit(s) are utilized. In yet another embodiment, antennas connected to SAW-based devices are mounted to at least one of the orthogonal surfaces of a corner reflector.
Dickey Arndt - Friendswood TX, US Diane Byerly - Seabrook TX, US Timothy Kennedy - Sugar Land TX, US Gregory Lin - Friendswood TX, US Patrick W. Fink - Missouri City TX, US Billy G. Smith - Houston TX, US
International Classification:
A61L 2/12 A61M 39/08 H05B 6/72 H05B 6/68
Abstract:
A method for decontaminating a tube includes positioning an antenna at least partially within the tube. The tube is positioned at least partially within a living body. The method also includes decontaminating the tube by causing the antenna to emit electromagnetic waves having a frequency from about 10 GHz to about 100 GHz for a time duration that is less than or equal to 60 seconds. The electromagnetic waves cause a temperature of the living body proximate to the tube to increase from about 0.1 C. to about 3 C. so as to not substantially damage the living body.
Dickey Arndt - Friendswood TX, US Diane Byerly - Seabrook TX, US Timothy Kennedy - Sugar Land TX, US Gregory Lin - Friendswood TX, US Patrick W. Fink - Missouri City TX, US Billy G. Smith - Houston TX, US
International Classification:
A61L 2/12 A61M 39/08 H05B 6/68 H05B 6/72
Abstract:
A system for decontaminating a tube includes a signal generator configured to generate a signal. The system also includes an antenna configured to receive the signal from the signal generator. The antenna is configured to be inserted at least partially into a tube that is positioned at least partially within a body. In response to receiving the signal from the signal generator, the antenna emits electromagnetic waves that at least partially decontaminate the tube. The electromagnetic waves have a frequency from about 10 GHz to about 100 GHz. The electromagnetic waves cause a temperature of the body proximate to the tube to increase less than about 3 C. over a time duration that is up to 40 seconds.