University of Texas Patents

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/2152/74529

This collection was created as part of a 2019 pilot project completed by graduate student, Chia-Hui Liu. Patent information from UT Austin creators was scraped from the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) database and added to Texas ScholarWorks. The intention was to provide an overview of the types of patents created at the university. This collection is not intended to be comprehensive or to replace a patent search with the USPTO.

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 1194

Materials and methods for enhanced photocatalyzation of organic compounds with palladium
(United States Patent and Trademark Office, 1993-03-16) Adam Heller; Heinz Gerischer; Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
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Synchronization circuit for parallel processing
(United States Patent and Trademark Office, 1993-03-09) Lipovski, G. Jack; Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
An apparatus and method for synchronizing parallel processors utilizing a lookahead synchronization circuit is provided by the present invention. A five gate logic circuit is formed as a cell and this cell can serve as a node in a tree logic operation circuit. The tree is capable of realizing a variety of fetch-and-operation, priority and operation-and-broadcast primitives and the cell can serve in a carry circuit of a binary adder. The tree may be pruned at any point and the circuit will continue to function for those nodes remaining in the tree. Processing elements are attached to leaf nodes of the tree. The present invention is capable of realizing the fetch-and-exclusive-OR, fetch-and-add, fetch-and-AND, fetch-and-OR, fixed priority schema, round-robin priority schema, hogging priority schema, swap, data exchange, broadcast, shift-function, broadcast-from-the-root, AND-and-broadcast, OR-and-broadcast, minimum-and-broadcast, maximum-and-broadcast, exclusive-OR-and-broadcast, fetch-and-minimum, and fetch-and-maximum primitives. The circuit affords significant power in synchronizing parallel processors utilizing simple cells configured in a tree structure.
Method and apparatus for improving performance of AC machines
(United States Patent and Trademark Office, 1993-02-23) John S. Hsu; Herbert H. Woodson; Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
A method and apparatus for improving the performance of polyphase AC machines. The polyphase AC machines are excited both with a fundamental frequency and with an odd harmonic of the fundamental frequency. The fundamental flux wave and the harmonic flux wave will travel at synchronous speed in the air gap. This facilitates redistributing the flux densities in the machine and thereby increasing the total flux per pole in the machine.
Method and apparatus for spinning projectiles fired from a rail gun
(United States Patent and Trademark Office, 1993-02-23) William F. Weldon; Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
A method and apparatus for imparting a spin to a projectile fired from a railgun. A projectile which is rotatable within the barrel of the railgun, and which includes a conductive element, is caused to pass through a magnetic field, causing the projectile to rotate. Preferably, the magnetic field will be established by a solenoidal magnet which is coaxial with the path of the projectile.
Method and construction for control of current distribution in railgun armatures
(United States Patent and Trademark Office, 1993-02-02) William F. Weldon; Herbert H. Woodson; Glen C. Long; Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
An electromagnetic railgun having a layer of low conductivity material along the rails to interface with the armature as the armature is propelled along the rails. The low conductivity material has been found to permit rapid current penetration between the layer and armature, thereby inhibiting undersirable high current density formation along the trailing edge of the armature. Advantageously, inhibiting the high current density formation permits use of a solid armature at velocities exceeding on kilometer per second. Preferably, the layer is composed of graphite or a graphite/copper mixture. A layer of copper or other high conductivity material is preferably laminated to the low conductivity graphite layer to reduce the overall railgun circuit resistance. In the preferred embodiment, the layer of low conductivity material increases in thickness from the breech to the muzzle to decrease railgun circuit resistance.
Method of producing parts by selective beam interaction of powder with gas phase reactant
(United States Patent and Trademark Office, 1993-01-26) Harris L. Marcus; David L. Bourell; Udaykumar Lakshminarayan; Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
A method and apparatus for selectively sintering a layer of powder to produce a part comprising a plurality of sintered layers. The apparatus includes a computer controlling a laser to direct the laser energy onto each layer of the powder to produce a sintered mass corresponding to a cross-section of the part. For each cross-section, the aim of the laser beam is scanned over a layer of powder and the beam is switched on to sinter only the powder within the boundaries of the cross-section. Powder is applied and successive layers sintered until a completed part is formed. Also disclosed is a method of forming a part by interaction of material in the powder layer with reactants in the surrounding atmosphere, at locations of the powder irradiated by the energy, or laser, beam. The reaction may be nitridation, oxidation or carburization of the powder, with the product being a chemical compound of one or more constituents in the powder with one or more gases in the atmosphere. Alternatively, reduction of the powder may be so enabled by the energy beam so that a metallic phase product is formed at the irradiated locations. Particular benefits of the invention include the densification of the material of the part as a result of the reaction, and the ability to form high temperature materials by way of a relatively low temperature process.
Catalyst and plasma assisted nucleation and renucleation of gas phase selective laser deposition
(United States Patent and Trademark Office, 1992-12-08) Harris L. Marcus; Guisheng Zong; W. Richards Thissell; Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
A method and apparatus for selectively depositing a layer of material from a gas phase to produce a part comprising a plurality of deposited layers. The apparatus includes a computer controlling a directed energy beam, such as a laser, to direct the laser energy into a chamber substantially containing the gas phase to preferably produce photodecomposition or thermal decomposition of the gas phase and selectively deposit material within the boundaries of the desired cross-sectional regions of the part. For each cross section, the aim of the laser beam is scanned over a target area and the beam is switched on to deposit material within the boundaries of the cross-section. Each subsequent layer is joined to the immediately preceding layer to produce a part comprising a plurality of joined layers. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a gas phase is condensed on a surface and a laser beam is used to selectively evaporate, transform, activate or decompose material in each layer. A catalytic environment can be created proximate or upon the target area to ensure that initial nucleation and renucleation layers are receptive to substantially rapid and uniform growth of gas phase material at the target location. The catalyst can be placed on the initial substrate layer and/or upon successive layers as the layers are being deposited on the outer surface of the evolving part.
Process for preparing expanded porphyrins: large porphyrin-like tripyrroledimethine-derived macrocycles
(United States Patent and Trademark Office, 1992-11-10) Toshiaki Murai; Jonathan L. Sessler; Gregory W. Hemmi; Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
" The present invention involves a novel tripyrrole dimethine-derived ""expanded porphyrin"" (texaphyrin), the synthesis of such compounds, their analogs or derivatives and their uses. These expanded porphyrin-like macrocycles are efficient chelators of divalent and trivalent metal ions. Metal complexes of these compounds are active as photosensitizers for the generation of singlet oxygen and thus potentially for inactivation or destruction of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1), mononuclear or other cells infected with such virus and tumor cells as well. A variety of texaphyrin derivatives have been produced and many more are readily obtainable. Various metal (e.g., transition, main group, and lanthanide) complexes with the texaphyrin and texaphyrin derivatives of the present invention have unusual water solubility and stability which render them particularly useful. These metallotexaphyrin complexes have optical properties making them unique as compared to existing porphyrin-like or other macrocycles. For example, they absorb light strongly in a physilogically important region (i.e. 690-880 nm). These complexes also form long-lived triplet states in high yield and act as efficient photosensitizers for the formation of singlet oxygen. These properties, coupled with their high chemical stability and appreciable solubility in polar media such as water, add to their usefulness. "
Sublimating and cracking apparatus
(United States Patent and Trademark Office, 1992-10-20) Ben G. Streetman; Terry J. Mattord; Craig W. Farley; Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
A sublimating and cracking device which may be used to produce a collimated beam of molecules from a solid source. The device includes an elongated sublimating tube and an elongated cracking tube adapted to be axially oriented off axis to each other. The sublimating and cracking tubes are interconnected and heated in use.
Sapphyrins, derivatives and syntheses
(United States Patent and Trademark Office, 1992-10-27) Jonathan L. Sessler; Michael John Cyr; Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
The present invention involves, in addition to many unique substituted sapphyrins, a novel method for synthesizing sapphyrins with good efficiency and high yield. An improved 9-step synthesis of substituted sapphyrins, e.g., the two C.sub.2 symmetric sapphyrins, compounds 2 and 4 of FIG. 1C, is described herein. This synthesis involves as an important step the condensation between a tripyrrane diacid and a diformyl bipyrrole. The key tripyrrane component is prepared in three high-yield steps from readily available pyrrolic precursors and the bipyrrole portion is prepared in four steps from ethyl 3-methyl-4-methylpyrrole-2-carboxylate in roughly 33% yield overall.
Selective laser sintering of parts by compound formation of precursor powders
(United States Patent and Trademark Office, 1992-10-20) Harris L. Marcus; David L. Bourell; Wendy L. Weiss; Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
A method and apparatus for selectively sintering a layer of powder to produce a part comprising a plurality of sintered layers. The apparatus includes a computer controlling a laser to direct the laser energy onto the powder to produce a sintered mass. The computer either determines or is programmed with the boundaries of the desired cross-sectional regions of the part. For each cross-section, the aim of the laser beam is scanned over a layer of powder and the beam is switched on to sinter only the powder within the boundaries of the cross-section. Powder is applied and successive layers sintered until a completed part is formed. Preferably, the powder comprises a plurality of materials having different dissociation or bonding temperatures. The powder preferably comprises blended or coated materials, including precursor materials which are formed into a mass at the irradiated locations, and which either react due to the laser thermal energy or in a later heat treatment to form a compound with properties different than the precursors. Examples are disclosed wherein a compound is formed which has a significantly higher melting point than that of one or more of the precursor powders.
Current limiting device for overcurrent protection
(United States Patent and Trademark Office, 1983-09-20) William F. Weldon; Herbert H. Woodson; Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
A current limiting device for use with a circuit breaker in an electric power system utilizes mutual inductance variation between movable windings to limit current to safe levels. In the device, first and second coil windings are electrically connected for current flow therethrough and magnetically linked for mutual inductive coupling. The effective inductance of the connected coil windings is functionally related to the relative physical positioning of the coil windings. The coil windings are movable relative to one another, so as to provide for variation in the effective inductance of the two coils. Structure is provided for disposing the coils in an initial relative positioning, the structure being yieldable to a force produced between the coils due to a predetermined magnitude of current flow through the coils. The force produced between the coils acts to change the relative positioning of the coils, increasing the effective inductance, and thereby limiting the current therethrough. In an alternative arrangement, movement of the coils to designated positions of relative placement due to a predetermined magnitude of current flow therethrough may be utilized to open a set of electrical contacts or to trigger a conventional circuit breaker interrupting the circuit.
Method of producing parts and molds using composite ceramic powders
(United States Patent and Trademark Office, 1992-09-15) Harris L. Marcus; Udaykumar Lakshminarayan; Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
A method and apparatus for selectively sintering a layer of powder to produce a part comprising a plurality of sintered layers. The apparatus includes a computer controlling a laser to direct the laser energy onto the powder to produce a sintered mass. The computer either determines or is programmed with the boundaries of the desired cross-sectional regions of the part. For each cross-section, the aim of the laser beam is scanned over a layer of powder and the beam is switched on to sinter only the powder within the boundaries of the cross-section. Powder is applied and successive layers sintered until a completed part is formed. Preferably, the powder comprises a plurality of materials having different dissociation or bonding temperatures. The powder preferably comprises blended or coated materials, including precursor materials which are formed into a mass at the irradiated locations, and which either react due to the laser thermal energy or in a later heat treatment to form a compound with properties different than the precursors. Examples are disclosed wherein a compound is formed which has a significantly higher melting point than that of one or more of the precursor powders. A ceramic part, such as a mold for investment casting, may be formed according to the method, where a first material (e.g., ammonium dihydrogen phosphate) has a melting point sufficiently low that it is melted so as to bind the second material (e.g., alumina). Subsequent heat treatment enables chemical reaction of the two materials to form a ceramic (e.g., aluminum phosphate) capable of withstanding high temperatures.
Railguns with current guard plates
(United States Patent and Trademark Office, 1992-08-18) William F. Weldon; Joseph H. Beno; Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
An electromagnetic projectile launcher or railgun capable of withstanding hundreds or thousands of shots. The railgun features a current management system having guard plates which act to reduce peak rail current densities while also maximizing projectile velocity. Guard plates can be used in either square or round bore designs and can be powered by either a single or separate power supply from that of the rails.
High calcium chemically defined culture medium
(United States Patent and Trademark Office, 1992-06-30) Rebecca J. Morris; Susan M. Fischer; Thomas J. Slaga; Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
A high calcium chemically defined animal cell culture medium including vitamins A and D and a fatty acid or its ester. The medium is particularly adapted for the primary or secondary culture of epithelial cells. However, the medium may be utilized for establishing and maintaining cell lines, in partic PAC BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The United States government may have rights in this patent because of relevant developmental work supported by Research Grant No. CA43278 from National Institutes of Health.
Chemoprevention of electrophilic damage by mercaptopurine analogs
(United States Patent and Trademark Office, 1992-06-09) Michael C. MacLeod; Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
Analogs of 6-mercaptopurine have been found to enhance the detoxification of various electrophilic toxicants in vivo, while having minimal cytotoxicity themselves. This property allows such compounds to act as scavengers for electrophilic toxicants, thereby preventing the cellular damage caused by such toxic agents.
Photodynamic activity of sapphyrins
(United States Patent and Trademark Office, 1992-06-09) Anthony M. Harriman; Jonathan L. Sessler; Bhaskar G. Maiya; Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
The present invention includes a method to produce singlet oxygen from molecular oxygen generated by reaction with a sapphyrin compound excited at an absorbing wavelength to form a triplet species. Specifically, the sapphyrin compound is an alkylated sapphyrin, most preferably diprotonated 3,8,12,13,17,22-hexaethyl-2,7,18,23-tetramethylsapphyrin. Generation of the triplet species may be accomplished in an organic solvent, of which the most preferable solvents are chloroform, methanol or acetonitrile. Also encompassed within the present invention is a method to selectively produce singlet oxygen in an aqueous environment. A sapphyrin compound is incorporated within a membranous vesicle, the vesicle is illuminated with exciting light and the resultant excited triplet state sapphyrin compound reacts with molecular oxygen to produce singlet oxygen. Singlet oxygen was not generated external to the vesicle where the sapphyrin compound is present in an aqueous medium.
Techniques for detecting insect contamination of foodstuffs
(United States Patent and Trademark Office, 1992-06-02) Burkholder, Wendell E.; Kitto, G. Barrie; Quinn, Frank A.; Board of Regents, The University of Texas System; The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
The present invention involves approaches to the detection of insect contamination of foodstuffs such as grain, for example. These approaches involve the detection of biological substances characteristic of insects. One such approach is an assay for the insect exoskeleton material, chitin. This test is particularly suited to the detection of live or dead specimens of the adult or egg stages of insects and for insect parts. Another type of assay uses an immunological approach to the detection and quantitation of an insect-specific protein such as the insect muscle protein, myosin or components thereof, for example. This type of test is well suited for detecting all stages of insect development from egg to adult, whether live or dead. It should also provide an assay system that correlates well to the current insect fragment assay.
Sublimating and cracking apparatus
(United States Patent and Trademark Office, 1992-01-14) Ben G. Streetman; Terry J. Mattord; Dean P. Neikirk; Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
A furnace having a sublimating section, a cracking section oriented off axis to the sublimating section, and a valve for controlling flux between the sections. The valve includes an annular plug having at least one longitudinal slot. The plug is retractable from a fully closed position where the slot is completely covered, to a fully open position where the slot is completely exposed. The slot becomes increasingly exposed as the plug is moved from the fully closed position to the fully opened position, thereby increasing flux from the sublimating section to the cracking section.
Processes for removing acid components from gas streams
(United States Patent and Trademark Office, 1992-03-31) Gary T. Rochelle; John C. S. Chang; Charles B. Sedman; Theodore G. Brna; Claus Jorgensen; Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
The present disclosure relates to improved processes for treating acid gases to remove acid gas components therefrom. Processes in accordance with the present invention include preparing a calcium silicate hydrate sorbent in the form of a semi-dry, free-flowing powder, and treating the gas with the powdery sorbent, such as by injecting the sorbent into a stream of the gas. The powdery sorbents may be prepared by slurrying/drying or pressure hydration techniques. Examples disclosed herein demonstrate the utility of these processes in achieving improved acid gas-absorbing capabilities in both lab-scale and pilot plant studies. Additionally, disclosure is provided which illustrates preferred plant design configurations for employing the present processes using conventional dry sorbent injection equipment. Retrofit application to existing plants is also addressed.

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