Michael L Brest

US Patent:

20070090606, Apr 26, 2007

Filed:

Oct 20, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/255432

Inventors:

Bradley Ross - Los Olivos CA, US
Michael Brest - Goleta CA, US
Sunder Rajan - Anaheim CA, US

International Classification:

F25B 9/00
F16J 15/00

US Classification:

277500000, 062006000, 277585000

Abstract:

Provided is a low friction, self-lubricating sleeve for use with a reciprocating piston in the compressor and/or the expander subsystem of a cryogenic cooler or other compressor type system. The sleeve is bonded to an outer surface of the piston, thereby positioning the sleeve between the piston and an inner wall of a piston cylinder. The sleeve is manufactured using a polyetheretherketone base material, as well as varying percentages of carbon and/or polytetrafluoroethylene fillers. The sleeve may include a dry lubricant such as graphite or molybdenum disulfide, and may extend for all or part of the length of the piston. The sleeve demonstrates negligible wear over thousands of hours of use in the cryogenic cooler, thereby minimizing system gas blow-back and maximizing system efficiency/performance.

US Patent:

20100132381, Jun 3, 2010

Filed:

Feb 1, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/698051

Inventors:

Bradley A. Ross - Los Olivos CA, US
Michael L. Brest - Goleta CA, US
Sunder S. Rajan - Anaheim CA, US

Assignee:

RAYTHEON COMPANY - Waltham MA

International Classification:

F25B 9/14
F16J 9/28

US Classification:

62 6, 92248

Abstract:

Provided is a low friction, self-lubricating sleeve for use with a reciprocating piston in the compressor and/or the expander subsystem of a cryogenic cooler or other compressor type system. The sleeve is bonded to an outer surface of the piston, thereby positioning the sleeve between the piston and an inner wall of a piston cylinder. The sleeve is manufactured using a polyetheretherketone base material, as well as varying percentages of carbon and/or polytetrafluoroethylene fillers. The sleeve may include a dry lubricant such as graphite or molybdenum disulfide, and may extend for all or part of the length of the piston. The sleeve demonstrates negligible wear over thousands of hours of use in the cryogenic cooler, thereby minimizing system gas blow-back and maximizing system efficiency/performance.

US Patent:

20110253895, Oct 20, 2011

Filed:

Apr 16, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/762161

Inventors:

Richard N. Mullins - Goleta CA, US
Michael L. Brest - Goleta CA, US
Kenneth L. McAllister - Goleta CA, US

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Waltham MA

International Classification:

G01J 5/00
G02B 26/02

US Classification:

2503381, 359227

Abstract:

According to one embodiment, an optical device includes a variable aperture mechanism configured on a structure having a radiation detector that receives radiation through an aperture of the variable aperture mechanism. The aperture is selectively movable from a first position to a second position in which the aperture has a different size relative to the aperture in the first position. The structure is configured with one or more magnets that function with one or more magnetically permeable members configured on the variable aperture mechanism to hold the variable aperture mechanism in at least one position using a magnetic force between the magnets and magnetically permeable members.

US Patent:

20190360865, Nov 28, 2019

Filed:

Aug 12, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/538055

Inventors:

- Waltham MA, US
Michael L. Brest - Goleta CA, US
Mark C. Elbogen - Santa Barbara CA, US
Christopher J. Cobb - Goleta CA, US
Daniel W. Rinehart - Goleta CA, US
Jason S. Graham - Goleta CA, US

International Classification:

G01J 5/06
G01J 5/08

Abstract:

An apparatus includes a top surface configured to couple to a variable aperture mechanism (VAM), where the top surface has an opening configured to align with an aperture of the VAM. The apparatus also includes a bottom portion configured to couple to a cooled object and a contact portion configured to couple to a strut, where the top surface, bottom portion, and contact portion form a continuous body. The apparatus further includes a plurality of baffles within the continuous body, where each of the baffles has an opening configured to align with the aperture of the VAM. In addition, the apparatus includes a reinforcement ring comprised in or within the continuous body and disposed to be aligned with the strut when the strut is coupled to the continuous body.

US Patent:

20180292265, Oct 11, 2018

Filed:

Apr 10, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/483219

Inventors:

- Waltham MA, US
Michael L. Brest - Goleta CA, US
Mark C. Elbogen - Goleta CA, US
Christopher J. Cobb - Goleta GA, US
Daniel W. Rinehart - Goleta CA, US
Jason S. Graham - Goleta CA, US

International Classification:

G01J 5/06
G01J 5/08

Abstract:

An Infrared Detector Dewar system includes a housing and an infrared detector. The system also includes one or more strut members coupled on a first end to the housing. The system further includes cold shield coupled to the infrared detector and to a second end of the one or more strut members. The cold shield includes a reinforcement ring aligned with the one or more strut members. The cold shield is formed by forming a support member having disc encased by a support ring. The support member is positioned within a mandrel such that the reinforcement ring is disposed to align with a strut position. The cold shield is then formed by electroplating copper over the mandrel and at least a portion of the support member, and then by removing/dissolving all aforementioned mandrels.

US Patent:

20140360293, Dec 11, 2014

Filed:

Nov 22, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/088176

Inventors:

- Waltham MA, US
Michael L. Brest - Goleta CA, US
Wallace H. Sunada - Los Angeles CA, US

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Waltham MA

International Classification:

F16H 21/18

US Classification:

74 49

Abstract:

A drive mechanism including a rotary actuated motor configured to rotatably drive a drive arm between a first position to a second position and an actuator responsive to movement of the arm, wherein the actuator is thermally isolated from the arm in both the first position and the second position to create a thermal barrier. The drive arm is configured to engage and advance the actuator between the first position and the second position, while remaining physically spaced from the actuator in the first position and the second position. The drive arm includes a recess such as an opening, wherein the actuator has a member configured to reside in the recess and remain thermally isolated from the arm in both the first position and the second position. In one preferred embodiment, a shutter of an imaging device is positioned in response to the actuator, which shutter remains thermally isolated from the motor and arm. Other devices may be driven as well, such as switches.

US Patent:

20140361713, Dec 11, 2014

Filed:

Jan 31, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/170276

Inventors:

- Waltham MA, US
Thomas J. Kostrzewa - Goleta CA, US
Eric T. Hughes - Santa Barbara CA, US
Michael L. Brest - Goleta CA, US
Eric J. Griffin - Ranchos Palos Verdes CA, US
Jerry Hershberg - Torrance CA, US

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Waltham MA

International Classification:

H02P 7/06

US Classification:

318 9

Abstract:

A drive mechanism configured to drive a thermally isolated actuator between two positions. The drive mechanism includes a rotary actuated motor configured to rotatably drive a motor member, and a drive member coupled to the motor member and having a drive arm configured to responsively move from a first position to a second position upon rotation of the motor member. An actuator is responsive to movement of the drive arm moved from the first position to the second position. A drive circuit is configured to generate a pulse width modulated (PWM) drive signal configured to controllably drive the motor, the PWM drive signal having a first duty cycle configured to advance the drive arm from the first position, and having a second duty cycle different than the first duty cycle as the drive arm approaches the second position. The drive signal may be removed before the drive arm engages a hard stop. The drive mechanism may comprise at least one sensor configured to determine a position of the drive arm proximate the first position and proximate the second position. The actuator is thermally isolated from the drive arm in both the first position and the second position.

US Patent:

20140363149, Dec 11, 2014

Filed:

Jan 31, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/170237

Inventors:

- Waltham MA, US
Eric J. Griffin - Rancho Palos Verdes CA, US
Michael L. Brest - Goleta CA, US
Kenneth L. McAllister - Goleta CA, US

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Waltham MA

International Classification:

G03B 9/08

US Classification:

396449

Abstract:

A device operable in a ultra-high vacuum and in a cryogenic environment. The device has bi-stable solenoid motors configured to drive a shutter assembly defining an aperture having a first shape when the motors are each disposed in the respective first position, and wherein the aperture has a second shape when the motors are each disposed in the respective second position. Actuators responsive to the motors are thermally isolated from the cryogenic shutter assembly except when the motors position the shutter assembly to change a shape of the aperture. The device is suitable for use in FUR and other thermally sensitive devices.