Earl Clarence Collins

US Patent:

48462241, Jul 11, 1989

Filed:

Aug 4, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/228065

Inventors:

Earl R. Collins - La Canada CA
Wilbur J. Marner - Arcadia CA
Naresh K. Rohatgi - Pomona CA

Assignee:

California Institute of Technology - Pasadena CA

International Classification:

F15C 116

US Classification:

137810

Abstract:

Fluidics flow control of a multiphase supply using a cylindrical chamber is achieved by introducing the supply flow radially into the chamber. The supply flow exits through a port in the center at the chamber. A control fluid is then introduced tangentially about 90. degree. upstream from the supply port. A second control fluid port may be added about 90. degree. upstream from the first control fluid port, but preferably two sets of supply and control ports are added with like ports diametrically opposite each other. The control fluid flows against the circular wall of the control chamber, which introduces a vortex in the flow of the supply flow that decays into a spiral path to the exit port in the center of the chamber. The control flow rate may thus be used to control the spiral path, and therefore the supply flow rate through the exit port.

US Patent:

49324918, Jun 12, 1990

Filed:

Mar 21, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/326815

Inventors:

Earl R. Collins - La Canada CA

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

B62D 55028
B62D 610

US Classification:

180 932

Abstract:

A rough terrain vehicle is described which includes auxiliary wheels that can be deployed to avoid overturning the vehicle when turning while traversing a slope, to climb an embankment or the like, and to right the vehicle when it is overturned. The vehicle includes a pair of front and rear primary wheels, and a pair of auxiliary arms having inner ends pivotally mounted on the front wheel axes and outer ends that carry auxiliary wheels. A motor can turn the arms to move the auxiliary wheels from a stowed position about halfway between the front and rear wheels and above the ground, to a second position against the ground to stabilize the vehicle. The arms can be turned more than 180. degree. to move the auxiliary wheels in front of the front primary wheels to help climb an embankment. The primary wheels can be mounted at the end of primary arms, so when the primary arms are turned they not only move the primary front wheels but also the inner ends of the auxiliary arms.

US Patent:

42262887, Oct 7, 1980

Filed:

May 5, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/903240

Inventors:

Earl R. Collins - La Canada CA

Assignee:

California Institute of Technology - Pasadena CA

International Classification:

E21D 1000

US Classification:

175 62

Abstract:

Apparatus for use in a borehole or other restricted space to bore a side hole into the strata surrounding the borehole, including a flexible shaft with a drill at its end, and two trains of sheathing members that can be progressively locked together into a rigid structure around the flexible shaft as it is directed sidewardly into the strata.

US Patent:

44211830, Dec 20, 1983

Filed:

Apr 1, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/249895

Inventors:

Earl R. Collins - La Canada CA

International Classification:

E21B 304
E21B 1720

US Classification:

174114

Abstract:

Apparatus is provided for penetrating boreholes in oil wells. The apparatus includes a shaft rotatable by power means. First means may be operatively associated with the shaft and a rod to obtain a rotation of the rod by the shaft. Second means obtain a linear movement of the rod at each instant in accordance with a load imposed upon the rod at that instant. The second means may include means providing a slippage between the rotary movements of the shaft and the linear movements of the rod in accordance with the load on the rod. Third means are operatively coupled to the rod and are adaptable in configuration and position in accordance with the configuration of the bore hole to be penetrated. The third means may include an outer casing, a flexible boom movable within the outer casing and resilient means disposed within the flexible boom and movable within the outer casing. Means may rotate the resilient means in accordance with the rotation of the rod.

US Patent:

48391212, Jun 13, 1989

Filed:

Oct 21, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/921574

Inventors:

Earl R. Collins - La Canada CA

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

B28B 120
B29C 6700

US Classification:

264114

Abstract:

A system is provided for molding a slurry containing particles in a solution of solvent and binder, which enables the close control of the production of a tape with particles of a high density. A rotor forms a chamber with a cylindrical molding surface, and a conduit carries the slurry from the outside to the surface while the molding surface rotates to use centrifugal force to force particles against the molding surface. The chamber is substantially closed to avoid the uncontrolled loss of solvent, and a means is provided for venting the chamber to remove solvent therefrom after the slurry has been molded into a tape. A container lies within the chamber and holds solvent prior to casting the slurry, to create a solvent-containing environment within the chamber.

US Patent:

45057109, Mar 19, 1985

Filed:

May 13, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/494544

Inventors:

Earl R. Collins - La Canada CA

International Classification:

A61M 700

US Classification:

604891

Abstract:

A drug dispensing device for in-vivo implantation has a diaphragm defining a movable wall of a container for drug fluid, the diaphragm being moved by expanding gas volumes differentially activated by electric heater means controlled by a calendar-clock to induce drug fluid through a constant flow valve in one wall of the container and into the living organism, discretely, or continuously over a period of time or at intervals controlled by the clock. The container is refilled with fresh drug by injection through the skin and a puncturable seal valve while the diaphragm is actuated in a reverse direction by heater activation. The dispensing program can be changed externally by electromagnetically coupled signals; the controller batteries can be similarly recharged by external coupling to a power source. Freshness of the drug and the size of the container determine the time between refills.

US Patent:

51493390, Sep 22, 1992

Filed:

Mar 11, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/667712

Inventors:

Earl R. Collins - La Canada CA

Assignee:

California Institute of Technology - Pasadena CA

International Classification:

B03C 100

US Classification:

55 6

Abstract:

A rotary particulate separator for removing particulates from a pressurized gas stream such as that emanating from a reactor vessel is disclosed which precharges the particles in the gas stream, and then utilizes the charge on the particles to induce them from the main flow path through an airblock and into the rotary particulate separator. The rotor of the rotary particulate separator has polarized plates which use a first charge opposite that on the charged particles to attract the particles as they enter the rotation chamber, and then use a second charge of the same polarity as the charge on the charged particles to release the particles into a control gas flow vortex which draws the particles radially inwardly into an exit aperture contained in the center of one of the rotor segments and out from the device. Pressure letdown devices are used to drop the pressure of both the control gas flow exiting the separator with the particles and the cleaned gas stream.

US Patent:

47214627, Jan 26, 1988

Filed:

Oct 21, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/921573

Inventors:

Earl R. Collins - La Canada CA

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

F27D 500
B25B 1100

US Classification:

432253

Abstract:

A vacuum hold-down is described, for holding a thin film workpiece while it undergoes large temperature changes and corresponding dimensional changes, which permits creep of the workpiece to avoid damage thereto while still holding it on a support surface. The support surface has a multiplicity of holes arranged in a plurality of zones. The vacuum is repeatedly interrupted at the holes lying at different zones while it continues to be applied at the other zones, to permit creep of the workpiece at a zone when vacuum is not applied thereto.