PETITIONER: TRW, Inc.

CONTRACT: NAS 3-6280

STATEMENT OF FACTS: The Petitioner, TRW, Inc., is a contractor of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, under Contract NAS 3-6280. The petition was made for waiver of title of the United States in an invention entitled "Reinforced Thermal Shock-Resistant Ceramics," described in an attachment to the petition. The invention was made by David N. Crump, an employee of the Petitioner, in the performance of work required under the aboveidentified contract, and in the manner specified in Section 305(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, as determined by the Administrator. The petition was considered by the Inventions and Contributions Board on January 24, 1967.

The Board, having duly considered the allegations and claims of the above-identified petition, expressly makes the findings required under Section 1245,106(b) of the NASA Patent Waiver Regulations (1966), (which Section, in its entirety, is hereby expressly incorporated by reference), and concludes that the invention does not fall within the enumerated proscriptions of the cited Section. The reasons for the Board's findings are stated below, corresponding in each case to the respective criterion set forth in each subsection.

SECTION 1245,106(b)(1). The invention relates to a material for the reinforcement of an oxide matrix, and was made under a program involving a detailed study of new and improved material systems suitable for use as throat inserts in liquid rocketpropellant thrust chambers. The goal of this study was to provide throat inserts offering advantages such as reduced erosion rates; greater resistance to severe chemical environments; ability to withstand

extremely high temperatures for extended durations; capability to perform successfully when subjected to engine duty cycles of varying durations; increased resistance to thermal shock; and prevention of the ejection of inserts from the nozzle. Thus, the invention is not directly related to a Governmental program for creating, developing, or improving products, processes, or methods for use by the general public at home or abroad.

SECTION 1245.106(b)(2). Reinforced thermal shock-resistant ceramics made in accordance with the subject invention contain tungsten-rhenium alloys. An apparently novel feature of the invention is the utilization of certain unique properties of these alloys to effectively resist thermal stresses and prevent continuous fracture in the oxide matrices during high-temperature processing and application. Tungsten-rhenium alloys will not be required by Governmental regulations for use by the general public at home or abroad,

SECTION 1245.106(b)(3). The invention relates to the reinforcement of oxide materials with a tungsten -3%- rhenium alloy. It is clear that such thermal shock-resistant ceramics are not directly related to the public health or public welfare.

SECTION 1245,106(b)(4). The invention is in the field of technology of metallurgy. This field is highly developed, as is evidenced by the numerous alloys and metalhardening processes currently in use. The Petitioner states that it has acquired a great deal of experience in this field, by virtue of its privately-sponsored R&D effort concerning oxide materials. In addition, it is pointed out that TRW has sponsored

an independent effort that includes work with tungsten-rhenium wire reinforced oxides to further improve and develop the potential for commercial application of oxide materials in high-temperature oxidizing environments. It is clear therefore that the Government has not been the principal developer of the metallurgical field, and that the acquisition of exclusive rights would not confer on TRW a preferred or dominant position.

The Board further expressly finds, as required by Section 1245.106(c), that, in view of the Petitioner's plans and intentions, waiver of title would be an effective incentive to bring the invention to the point of practical application at the earliest practicable date. More specifically, the Petitioner states that:

(a) TRW plans, as a part of its continuing IR&D efforts, to do related work to the subject invention in the area of reinforced ceramic composites; these efforts are to be directed toward commercial application in the area of jet-engine vanes for aircraft jet-propulsion engines. Funding for Fiscal Year 1967 will be provided for work on reinforced ceramics, and will, to an extent that will be influenced by the decision on this waiver request, include work on reinforced oxides.

(b) Although the benefits derived from improved properties resulting from the concept covered by this invention have been proved by laboratory tests and actual performance tests on prototype hardware for rocket nozzles, it would be necessary to perform additional development effort in order to apply these materials to other parts,

(e) TRW is cognizant of the value of patent protection for its products and proces ses, and takes this matter into consideration in its planning of IT&D activities. The grant of this waiver petition would provide an incentive for a more active and thorough development program.

On the basis of all the above-enumerated findings, the Inventions and Contributions Board concludes that the interests of the United States would best be served by waiving title under Section 1245,106 of the NASA Patent Waiver Regulations of June 1, 1966, and therefore RECOMMENDS THE GRANT OF THE PETITION.

PETITIONER: CONTRACT: INVENTION:

Litton Systems, Inc.

NAS 9-1278

Waist Joint

STATEMENT OF FACTS: The Petitioner, Litton Systems, Inc., is a contractor of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, under Contract NAS 9-1278. The petition was made for waiver of title of the United States in an invention entitled "Waist Joint," described in an attachment to the petition. The invention was made by James L. May, an employee of the Petitioner, in the performance of work required under the above-identified contract, and in the manner specified in Section 305 (a) of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, as determined by the Administrator. The petition was considered by the Inventions and Contributions Board on November 3, 1966.

The Board, having duly considered the allegations and claims of the above-identified petition, expressly makes the findings under Section 1245.106(b) of the NASA Patent Waiver Regulations (1966), (which Section, in its entirety, is hereby expressly incorporated by reference), and concludes that the invention does not fall within the enumerated proscriptions of the cited Section. However, it finds that waiver is precluded by Section 1245.106(c). The reasons for the Board's findings are identical with those expressed in Waiver No. W-542.

Litton Systems, Inc.

PETITIONER:
CONTRACT: NAS 9-1278
INVENTION: Hip Joint

STATEMENT OF FACTS: The Petitioner, Litton Systems, Inc., is a contractor of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, under Contract NAS 9-1278. The petition was made for waiver of title of the United States in an invention entitled "Hip Joint," described in an attachment to the petition. The invention was made by Charles J. Breslin, an employee of the Petitioner, in the performance of work required under the above-identified contract, and in the manner specified in Section 305(a) of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, as determined by the Administrator. The petition was considered by the Inven

tions and Contributions Board on November 3, 1966.

The Board, having duly considered the allegations and claims of the above-identified petition, expressly makes the findings under Section 1245.106(b) of the NASA Patent Waiver Regulations (1966), (which Section, in its entirety, is hereby expressly incorporated by reference), and concludes that the invention does not fall within the enumerated proscriptions of the cited Section. However, it finds that waiver is precluded by Section 1245.106(c). The reasons for the Board's findings are identical with those expressed in Waiver No. W-542.