Skip menu navigation PTMT Listing of Viewable Reports > U.S. Government Patents Report Table of Contents > U.S. Government Institution Listing > This Page

U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
Electronic Information Products Division
Patent Technology Monitoring Team (PTMT)

U.S. Government
Utility Patent Grants,
Calendar Years 1969-2004

- this report has been prepared with support from the National Science Foundation -

BREAKOUT BY TECHNOLOGY CLASS -
PATENTS DISTRIBUTED BY CALENDAR YEAR OF GRANT

NUMBER OF UTILITY PATENTS ASSIGNED ANNUALLY TO
U.S. GOVERNMENT ENTITIES

- Explanation of Data -

Rank Ordered Listing of Technology Classes Receiving 1 or More Utility Patents During the Period

This Table Displays Patent Counts By Technology Class
For Patents Granted To The Following U.S. Government Entity:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

( count of patent grants, as distributed by calendar year of grant )
( technology class is determined by the primary patent classification - see 'Explanation of Data' )

This table displays annual patent counts for the selected U.S. Government entry.
Counts of granted patents are either distributed by the year of patent grant
or by the year of patent filing.
Class Class Title PRE_1984 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Total
073 Measuring and Testing 187 18 11 6 8 8 7 9 9 7 13 9 10 9 9 7 7 2 4 8 8 8 364
244 Aeronautics 110 5 6 6 6 8 15 8 10 8 10 7 4 0 0 6 5 2 4 3 2 2 227
520 Synthetic Resins or Natural Rubbers (includes Classes 520-528) 50 9 17 8 8 2 6 7 6 13 12 11 9 6 6 4 6 7 7 5 2 3 204
250 Radiant Energy 85 5 3 2 4 2 2 4 1 5 8 8 8 4 4 6 1 3 0 4 2 4 165
356 Optics: Measuring and Testing 72 3 4 10 6 1 1 5 3 6 5 1 1 3 0 2 6 4 2 0 6 3 144
324 Electricity: Measuring and Testing 68 2 3 0 2 2 4 4 0 7 3 6 1 2 6 3 4 3 4 2 4 1 131
060 Power Plants 76 4 3 2 0 2 3 1 2 2 4 4 2 1 1 0 3 3 7 8 1 0 129
428 Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles 50 3 4 2 4 2 2 4 0 5 1 3 4 5 2 5 3 4 1 1 0 2 107
359 Optics: Systems and Elements 43 1 3 2 2 0 1 4 8 3 1 2 0 2 3 0 3 1 2 3 4 2 90
342 Communications: Directive Radio Wave Systems and Devices (e.g., Radar, Radio Navigation) 45 6 4 1 0 1 5 2 4 0 2 1 0 0 0 2 2 1 2 1 4 2 85
128 Surgery (includes Class 600) 49 0 1 0 0 0 3 1 2 1 0 1 1 1 4 1 1 3 2 3 2 6 82
427 Coating Processes 27 5 3 1 0 0 0 0 2 4 5 1 4 2 2 3 4 1 1 1 0 1 67
219 Electric Heating 26 1 1 2 3 2 4 2 4 3 3 9 2 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 66
327 Miscellaneous Active Electrical Nonlinear Devices, Circuits, and Systems 57 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 65
343 Communications: Radio Wave Antennas 39 0 1 1 0 2 1 1 0 0 1 3 2 2 2 1 0 1 2 0 1 1 61
136 Batteries: Thermoelectric and Photoelectric 41 2 3 2 1 0 0 0 3 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 59
435 Chemistry: Molecular Biology and Microbiology 23 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 1 3 0 1 2 4 5 5 0 2 0 2 59
310 Electrical Generator or Motor Structure 32 3 1 0 3 0 0 3 1 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 5 57
318 Electricity: Motive Power Systems 33 5 1 3 2 0 0 2 3 1 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 56
340 Communications: Electrical 27 3 0 2 2 0 0 1 0 1 0 4 1 3 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 3 52
532 Organic Compounds (includes Classes 532-570) 12 2 3 4 4 3 5 2 2 0 3 3 2 1 3 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 52
062 Refrigeration 25 1 1 0 2 1 4 0 1 2 1 1 2 1 0 0 2 0 1 4 1 0 50
156 Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture 25 0 0 0 3 1 1 1 0 1 3 1 1 3 2 2 2 2 1 0 1 0 50
165 Heat Exchange 21 0 3 1 2 6 4 4 1 2 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 50
348 Television 29 1 1 0 0 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 49
374 Thermal Measuring and Testing 23 0 3 0 1 0 1 1 2 3 0 3 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 6 49
264 Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating: Processes 15 1 0 1 0 1 2 2 3 1 2 1 2 2 1 2 4 1 3 1 1 1 47
438 Semiconductor Device Manufacturing: Process 22 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 2 0 3 1 0 0 3 0 1 2 0 3 0 2 44
372 Coherent Light Generators 17 3 1 1 2 0 1 2 1 3 1 3 2 0 0 2 0 2 2 0 0 0 43
137 Fluid Handling 29 0 1 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 41
228 Metal Fusion Bonding 25 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 1 1 1 0 1 0 2 1 0 2 41
029 Metal Working 22 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 0 2 0 2 1 2 0 1 2 40
429 Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing Apparatus, Product, and Process 22 0 2 2 0 0 0 2 1 1 1 3 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 40
257 Active Solid-State Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-State Diodes) 15 1 0 1 1 1 3 1 4 2 1 3 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 38
403 Joints and Connections 3 2 3 2 0 0 1 5 2 3 6 4 3 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 37
204 Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy 18 5 3 3 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 36
422 Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing 17 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 1 3 0 0 1 1 0 2 2 0 1 1 35
341 Coded Data Generation or Conversion 27 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 33
375 Pulse or Digital Communications 19 0 1 0 3 0 0 2 3 0 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 33
074 Machine Element or Mechanism 19 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 2 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 32
315 Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices: Systems 22 1 1 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 32
330 Amplifiers 26 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 32
331 Oscillators 18 1 3 1 1 2 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 32
361 Electricity: Electrical Systems and Devices 21 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 31
363 Electric Power Conversion Systems 27 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 31
708 Arithmetic Processing and Calculating (Electrical Computers) 24 0 2 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 31
117 Single-Crystal, Oriented-Crystal, and Epitaxy Growth Processes; Non-Coating Apparatus Therefor 5 1 2 2 1 2 4 1 2 4 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 29
277 Seal for a Joint or Juncture 14 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 1 3 29
205 Electrolysis: Processes, Compositions Used Therein, and Methods of Preparing the Compositions 17 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 27
701 DP: Vehicles, Navigation, and Relative Location (Data Processing) 4 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 3 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 2 4 2 4 2 27
333 Wave Transmission Lines and Networks 21 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 25
700 DP: Generic Control Systems or Specific Applications (Data Processing) 4 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 5 2 5 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 25
188 Brakes 10 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 2 2 1 3 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 24
378 X-Ray or Gamma Ray Systems or Devices 10 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 2 3 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 24
382 Image Analysis 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 2 3 1 2 1 2 1 1 0 0 2 1 2 24
239 Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing 13 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 23
384 Bearings 17 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 23
423 Chemistry of Inorganic Compounds 8 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 1 0 1 3 0 0 0 2 23
455 Telecommunications 16 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 23
702 DP: Measuring, Calibrating, or Testing (Data Processing) 6 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 2 1 1 0 1 2 1 3 23
706 DP: Artificial Intelligence (Data Processing) 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 6 3 4 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 23
002 Apparel 13 2 0 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 22
033 Geometrical Instruments 16 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 22
052 Static Structures (e.g., Buildings) 9 1 2 2 2 3 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 22
417 Pumps 10 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 3 1 0 0 0 22
416 Fluid Reaction Surfaces (i.e., Impellers) 13 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 21
714 Error Detection/Correction and Fault Detection/Recovery 10 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 1 2 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 21
148 Metal Treatment 6 0 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 4 0 20
307 Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems 15 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20
434 Education and Demonstration 12 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 20
294 Handling: Hand and Hoist-Line Implements 2 0 0 0 1 3 1 4 0 3 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 19
248 Supports (e.g., for holding articles, etc.) 11 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18
313 Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices 11 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 18
415 Rotary Kinetic Fluid Motors or Pumps 9 0 2 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 18
210 Liquid Purification or Separation 5 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 0 3 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 17
385 Optical Waveguides 5 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 2 0 2 0 0 1 1 0 17
436 Chemistry: Analytical and Immunological Testing 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 17
072 Metal Deforming 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16
126 Stoves and Furnaces 11 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16
285 Pipe Joints or Couplings 8 0 0 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 16
370 Multiplex Communications 10 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 16
439 Electrical Connectors 11 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16
703 DP: Structural Design, Modeling, Simulation, and Emulation (Data Processing) 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 4 0 0 4 0 0 2 16
251 Valves and Valve Actuation 7 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 15
252 Compositions 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 2 15
376 Induced Nuclear Reactions: Processes, Systems, and Elements 13 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15
411 Expanded, Threaded, Driven, Headed, Tool-Deformed, or Locked-Threaded Fastener 4 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 2 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 15
414 Material or Article Handling 8 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15
419 Powder Metallurgy Processes 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15
181 Acoustics 9 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14
623 Prosthesis (i.e., Artificial Body Members), Parts Thereof, or Aids and Accessories Therefor 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14
089 Ordnance 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 13
323 Electricity: Power Supply or Regulation Systems 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13
367 Communications, Electrical: Acoustic Wave Systems and Devices 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 13
377 Electrical Pulse Counters, Pulse Dividers, or Shift Registers: Circuits and Systems 12 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13
501 Compositions: Ceramic 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 3 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 13
604 Surgery (Medicators and Receptors) 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 13
607 Surgery: Light, Thermal, and Electrical Application 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 4 1 1 1 13
106 Compositions: Coating or Plastic 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 12
123 Internal-Combustion Engines 5 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 4 0 0 0 0 12
365 Static Information Storage and Retrieval 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12
398 Optical Communications 5 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 12
606 Surgery (instruments) 5 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 12
329 Demodulators 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 11
360 Dynamic Magnetic Information Storage or Retrieval 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11
216 Etching a Substrate: Processes 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 10
220 Receptacles 7 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 10
396 Photography 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10
420 Alloys or Metallic Compositions 5 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 10
442 Fabric (Woven, Knitted, or Nonwoven Textile or Cloth, Etc.) 5 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10
096 Gas Separation: Apparatus 6 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9
102 Ammunition and Explosives 6 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 9
180 Motor Vehicles 5 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9
345 Computer Graphics Processing and Selective Visual Display Systems 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 9
424 Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions (includes Class 514) 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 1 1 1 9
713 Support (Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems) 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 9
075 Specialized Metallurgical Processes, Compositions for Use Therein, Consolidated Metal Powder Compositions, and Loose Metal Particulate Mixtures 5 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8
149 Explosive and Thermic Compositions or Charges 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 8
174 Electricity: Conductors and Insulators 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8
381 Electrical Audio Signal Processing Systems and Devices 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 8
502 Catalyst, Solid Sorbent, or Support Therefor: Product or Process of Making 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 8
118 Coating Apparatus 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
320 Electricity: Battery or Capacitor Charging or Discharging 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 7
336 Inductor Devices 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
338 Electrical Resistors 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 7
366 Agitating (e.g., of articles and materials) 5 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 7
425 Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating: Apparatus 6 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
505 Superconductor Technology: Apparatus, Material, Process 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 7
710 Input/Output (Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems) 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 7
092 Expansible Chamber Devices 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 6
139 Textiles: Weaving 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6
200 Electricity: Circuit Makers and Breakers 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6
297 Chairs and Seats 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6
351 Optics: Eye Examining, Vision Testing and Correcting 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6
408 Cutting by Use of Rotating Axially Moving Tool 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6
475 Planetary Gear Transmission Systems or Components 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 6
004 Baths, Closets, Sinks, and Spittoons 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5
065 Glass Manufacturing 2 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5
081 Tools 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 5
091 Motors: Expansible Chamber Type 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0