The invention is an acoustically-tuned optical filter for use in optical spectrometers as analystical instrumets. It holds promise as a field instrument for pollution detection and control, and it has the ability to monitor many components of a rapidly flowing fluid. A product brochure describes the invention as an Acousto-Optic Tunable Optical Filter, TOF 100. This is all solid state device which has the unique capability of changing its optical transmission in accordance with the frequency of an applied electrical signal. It is thus possible to electrically tune the color or wavelength of a light source. Traditionally, this has been accomplished with ruled gratings and prisms which are moved mechanically to sort out different colors from a light source. The TOF not only has the advantage of no moving parts, but it can scan a light source very rapidly, in one or two thousandths of a second, simply by applying an electrical signal whose frequency is swept. The TOF consists of a solid interaction medium typical of a single crystal, into which has been launched an acoustic wave. Under proper conditions the sound wave may be made to switch the polarization of a very narrow spectral component of a multicolor light beam which is passed through the medium so as to propagate collinearly with the acoustic wave. By virtue of one polarization switch, the narrow spectral band may be separated from the primary light beam, thereby giving the filter its unique wavelength selection capability. Sound waves are propagated into the medium by means of a piezoelectric transducer, bonded to the interaction crystal, and excited by an rf signal. The center wavelength of the optical passband is inversely proportional to the frequency of the electrical signal. It is reported that the invention provides a cost reduction and improved performance chararteristics over comparable monochromators. At maturity, it is expected that the component will sell in both the domestic and the world markets at a rate in excess of several million dollars a year. Title of Invention: Electric Current-Producing Cell. Waiver Recipient: Honeywell, Inc. Waiver Number: W-298, W-299. Waiver Granted: August, 1965. The invention is licensed to Philips, Eindhoven which first used the invention in a commercial product in January 1977. The invention uses SO2 to solubolize the salt in the electrolyte for deep sea long life primary active batteries. About $750,000 of Honeywell money has been spent in development of products covered by the invention. Title of Invention: Wideband Digital Pseudo-Gaussian Noise Generator. Waiver Number: W-1566. Waiver Granted: October, 1974. The invention is licensed to Micro, Incorporated of Phoenix, Arizona whose major products is Testing Instruments. Commercialization of the invention has continued since its first use in January 1975. The licensee reports that improved Logic Testing Systems utilizing the invention have been made available to its customers. The licensee reported expenditures of about $50,000 as follows: 50 percent for technical development, 40 percent for production facilities, and 10 percent for marketing and sales promotion. US PATENT OR APPLICATION NO CONTRACTOR'S REFERENCE TYPE OF CONCERN (Please check, if applicable) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION 1. To what extent has the invention been developed, technically, for commercial application (e.g., Fully developed, largely undeveloped, etc.)? 2. Has the invention been licensed? (Check one) a. YES (If "yes," identify all domestic and foreign licensees and their Major Product or Service) 3. Has the invention been used in a commercial process, product, or service? (Check one) O a. YES b. NO (1) Briefly describe in the space below the application of the invention in such process, product, or service b. NO (Indicate your estimate of the probability that your company, or licensee, will use this invention in the future by expressing as a percentage, i.e., 10, 20, etc.) (2) %; Year likely to occur. Describe in the space below what additional effort is required to make the invention ready for Answer items 3a(2) or 3b(2) here. (Use separate sheets, if necessary.) NASA FORM 1393 MAR 76 PREVIOUS EDITION IS OBSOLETE. PAGE 1 OF 2 PAGES If the answer to question 3 is "No," what effort has been made toward further development, promotion, and commercialization of the invention in the past year, or since your last report" Indicate what effort is expected during the next year. b. If no further effort is expected, explain why. 5. What benefits have been realized, or are expected, from the use of this invention (Cost reductions, items sold, domestic and foreign sales in dollars, etc., state also any intangible benefits)" 6. What private funded costs (Actual or estimated) have been incurred in an effort to date to evaluate and develop this invention to commercial status (Express in dollars, if possible, otherwise, figures such as man-hours expended will be helpful? b. If the invention is not in commercial use, please give an estimate of the anticipated future costs of development and commercialization. 7. On separate sheet list by number, date and country, any patent applications, or issued patents on the subject invention that have not yet been reported to NASA. |
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