Patents Represented by Attorney John L. Forrest
  • Patent number: 5454048
    Abstract: A new type of fully-multiplexed imaging device is described for use at wavelengths where efficient focal plane array detectors are unavailable. It shares some properties in common with the familiar technique of cycle-redundancy (i.e. Hadamard transform) imaging, but many of its features and capabilities are unique. Some of these characteristics are, first, the new approach employs image encoding masks that are both transmitting and reflecting, thereby increasing optical efficiency, and second, the technique requires only 2.sqroot.N encoding masks to image a field of N pixels, a dramatically smaller number than that needed (.about.2N) by traditional methods. Dual complementary inputs are used for first-order passive rejection of radiation background interference. The resulting image spatial resolutions along two coordinate directions are completely independent of each other. The measured image is formed by a convergent tiling of the image plane, quite unlike conventional raster scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: David S. Davis
  • Patent number: 5442364
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a radar beam emitted by a radar sym. The invention produces improved high resolution ground mapping by aligning the antenna isogain or isonull lines with the ground radial lines. The antenna axis is rolled by an angle determined from the geometric principles of the unit vectors along the ground radial lines. A new azimuth pointing angle is then computed and implemented. A new azimuth beamshape, azimuth beamwidth and azimuth beam spoiling factor are also computed and implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Henry E. Lee, Martin J. Decker, Stephen Warejko
  • Patent number: 5440481
    Abstract: A Process for analyzing full-text is provided for identifying often-repea, high user interest, word phrases in a database. Often-repeated, high user interest, word phrases are defined as pervasive theme areas (PTAs). The process also allows the relationship defined as connectivity among the various PTAs to be identified. In addition, phrases that are in proximity to the PTAs and which are strongly supportive of the PTAs are identified. Numerical indices, figure of merit, and user defined thresholds are used to quantify relations between PTAs and among PTAs and phrases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Ronald N. Kostoff, David L. Miles, Henry J. Eberhart
  • Patent number: 5428951
    Abstract: An improved technique for the active control of various combustion devices. This improved technique employs a flame kernel pulse actuator which produces periodic flame kernels by a spark ignition of a stoichiometric air and fuel mixture upstream of the combustion chamber. The discrete flame kernels are convected in a duct of premixed fuel and air which produce discrete pressure oscillations due to the energy release as each discrete flame propagates. Because the source of the energy release is essentially a chemical reaction, the flame kernel pulse actuator is able to produce a substantial amount of energy release even at the high operating pressures which are often encountered in many operational environments. These pressure oscillations may be adjusted to suppress or augment any combustion induced pressure oscillations as well as act to modulate the mixing layer between the fuel and air, thus controlling the downstream combustion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventors: Kenneth Wilson, Klaus Schadow, Robert Smith, Ephraim Gutmark
  • Patent number: 5422713
    Abstract: A method for rotationally aligning two bi-refringent waveguides, a single -refringent waveguide and a polarizing fiber or Ti-indifused fiber, and a bi-refringent waveguide and a proton exchange integrated optical chip. The method employs a scanning Michelson interferometer, an ELED light source and an appropriate arrangement of an input polarizer, and output analyzer, necessary coupling lens and a display means for visually observing coherence characteristics of the waveguides during alignment. An Advantest analyzer which contains a scanning Michelson interferometer and display means is used in a preferred embodiment optical arrangement. A set of mathematic relationships applicable to the alignments addressed by the invention is provided. Alignment accuracy as low as .delta..congruent.0.18.degree. is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: The United states of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Michael D. Bramson
  • Patent number: 5419024
    Abstract: An improved method of producing a controlled fragmentation warhead case by mbedding an expanded metal liner on the interior surface of a casing for a warhead or other ordnance device. The process of embedding an expanded metal liner into the casing during the forming of the casing produces a controlled fragmentation grid on the interior surface of the casing. The improved method of producing a controlled fragmentation warhead case is particularly suitable for weapon systems employing large, unitary warheads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Robert A. Koontz, Kenneth R. Hayes
  • Patent number: 5410357
    Abstract: A scan converter processes an input video signal having a fixed number of an lines per frame, a horizontal synchronization rate and a vertical synchronization rate on an input video line to produce an output video signal having a predetermined number of scan lines per frame and a selected number of pixels per line on a video output line. The scan converter locks to the vertical synchronization rate of the input video signal to make the output video signal have a vertical synchronization rate equal to the vertical synchronization rate of the input video signal. The output horizontal rate is determined by multiplying the vertical synchronization rate by the predetermined number of scan lines per frame in the output video signal. The input horizontal synchronization rate is multiplied by the selected number of pixels per line to produce a WRITE pointer signal for writing input picture lines into a memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: James L. Rieger, Sherri L. Gattis
  • Patent number: 5379699
    Abstract: An igniter for solid fuel rockets in which hot gases from an initiator are hanneled to drive a piston against a reservoir of combustion modifying fluid, like ethylene glycol, so as to spray the fluid onto the propellant grain just before ignition. After the piston moves, the hot gases escape the igniter as to ignite the propellant directly or through an intermediate main ignition charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Paul T. Johnsen, Alfred O. Smith, Robert B. Dillinger
  • Patent number: 5376594
    Abstract: Process for preparing a high temperature superconductor such as yttrium bum copper oxides, by dissolving suitable proportions of hydrolyzable salts, oxides, or organometallic compounds of yttrium, barium and copper in an acid pH-controlled water-containing organic solvent such as methanol, and subjecting the resulting solution to ultrasonic energy or to an oxidation-reduction reaction, preferably while passing oxygen under a positive pressure through the solution, and precipitating a hydrolyzed precursor material. Such precursor material is then heated or annealed at temperatures between about 300.degree. C. and about 600.degree. C., also preferably in the presence of flowing oxygen, to produce the desired high temperature superconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Josephine Covino-Hrbacek
  • Patent number: 5371257
    Abstract: The new compound diisopropyl stibine is prepared by reacting an diisopropyl antimony halide with a hydride or deuteride transferring agent. The reaction is preferably carried out below about 0.degree. C., in an inert atmosphere, under darkened conditions. The diisopropyl stibine is used as a precursor in forming antimony-containing semiconductor material by chemical vapor deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Inventor: Robert Gedridge, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5369485
    Abstract: An accelerometer or seismometer has an elastic disk bearing a mass distributed peripherally around the disk. The disk is supported for flexure and for isolation from mounting strain by a stob centrally through the disk. The accelerometer or seismometer has a pair of flat spirals of optical fiber, each spiral being fixedly attached to a corresponding disk side so that disk flexure lengthens a spiral on one disk side and shortens a spiral on an oppositely facing disk side and so that temperature differences between the spirals are minimized. The pair of spirals are connected as legs of a fiber optic interferometer so that the interferometer provides an output corresponding to the flexure. Several of the disks and asociated pairs of spirals may be coaxially mounted to provide increased sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Thomas J. Hofler, David A. Brown, Steven L. Garrett
  • Patent number: 5365338
    Abstract: An error compensated Mach-Zehnder Interferometer wavelength sensor integrd fiber optic chip for scale factor correction of fiber optic gyroscopes. A 90.degree. twisted optical fiber polarizer couples the light from a point in the gyroscope optical fiber circuit where light is found to have traversed the optical sensing coil of the gyroscope in both directions to the input of the fiber optic Mach-Zehnder Interferometer. The light output of the interferometer is converted to electrical signals which are used to servo lock the peak depth of phase modulation of the interferometer and provide a digital output corresponding to the wavelength change sensed by the gyroscope. Temperature and input power variations otherwise adversely affecting the gyroscope performance are thus compensated. Gyro resolution is maintained to within 1.ANG. without temperature stabilization or output conditioning over the entire temperature range of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Michael D. Bramson
  • Patent number: 5362098
    Abstract: A device for providing crash protection to people aboard a land, air, sea space vehicle. A crash sensor mounted on the vehicle is used to sense a crash, impact or jarring motion. Data from the crash sensor is then transmitted via wireless communication by a signal transmitter to a signal receiver mounted on a harness worn by a crew member or passenger. When a crash signal is received, inflation mechanisms inflate inflatable bladders mounted on the harness, thereby protecting the person wearing the harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Frederick C. Guill
  • Patent number: 5361703
    Abstract: A burster for rupturing a casing containing an active explosive or propelt material of an ordnance device to prevent cook-off has an inert and thermally expansible material in an enclosure defined by a wall fixed to the casing so that thermal expansion of the inert material exerts on the wall a force to rupture the casing and vent the active material. The wall may have a stress riser groove to promote rupture at a predetermined location on the casing, and the volume of the inert material at ambient temperature may be less than the volume of the enclosure so that rupturing force is not exerted until a selected venting temperature is approached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Moyle L. Braithwaite
  • Patent number: 5361710
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for actively controlling a combustion process such as a waste incinerator by means of a spatial and temporal synchronized injection of fuel. The improved method and apparatus employs an active control system which controls the intentional formation of large scale, coherent vortices and the synchronized injection of the fuel supply at various locations relative to the formation of the vortices. The preferred apparatus comprises an actuator or similar structure that is adapted for producing and stabilizing discrete, large scale vortices in a combustion device. In addition, another device controls or modulates the injection of the fuel into the vortices at the optimal location and timing relative to the vortex cycle. As applied to an incinerator, this method can be optimized to ensures that the fuel and waste are introduced into the highest temperature locations, were extended residence times are obtained by trapping the fuel and waste inside the vortices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Ephraim Gutmark, Klaus C. Schadow, Timothy P. Parr, Donna M. Hanson-Parr, Kenneth J. Wilson, Robert A. Smith, Richard A. Stalnaker
  • Patent number: 5359746
    Abstract: An apparatus for spanning the distance between a fixed first platform and a ovable second platform includes a ramp; a first pivoting junction located between one end of the ramp and the fixed first platform, and a second sliding junction located between the other end of the ramp and the movable second platform. The first pivoting junction accommodates pitch, roll and heave motion between the fixed platform and the ramp and the second sliding junction accommodates elevation changes between the fixed platform and the movable platform. Means are provided to dampening the motion of the ramp. Other means are provided to limit the side to side movement of the ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Patrick R. Kane, Billie R. Karrh, Kit Mack, Samuel J. Oppedisano
  • Patent number: 5351553
    Abstract: A flywheel tensile testing apparatus for viscoelastic materials is used for high-rate tensile testing to determine the mechanical properties such as the initial modulus, the stress-strain characteristics, energy at break, and void formation of energetic materials such as solid propellants and plastic bonded explosives under deformation rates in excess of 20,000 inches per minute. The tensile tester is comprised of a plurality of support trestles which are mounted on a common base. A flywheel and a light weight engagement wheel are mounted for rotation on the support trestles. A clutch and rotor assembly is located between the flywheel and the light weight engagement wheel so that when the clutch is engaged, the stored energy of the flywheel is transferred to a rotor assembly which in turn drives the light weight engagement wheel. The flywheel is driven by a variable speed motor. The activation of the clutch and rotor assembly are preferably performed in response to an electronic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Inventors: Albert H. Lepie, R. Allen Boyack, Frank E. Hudson, Larry D. Sawyer
  • Patent number: H1367
    Abstract: A wire assault weapon warhead preferably for breaching barbed-wire barrics in a battlefield at standoff distances, has a cylindrical shaped projectile having a domed nose cone and a rear bulkhead sized so as to allow the warhead to be fired from a Shoulder-Fired Multi-Purpose Assault Weapon or a similar weapon. The warhead includes a fragmentation tube that fragments upon the detonation of an explosive charge and the fragments expelled into the wire of the barricade sever the wire and breach the barricade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Louie A. Allen, Jr., Tucker T. Yee
  • Patent number: H1385
    Abstract: An integrated circuit chip for application in a computer for performing h speed arithmetic operations in hardware has hardware for forming a system clock processor circuit, a timer circuit, a program counter and branching circuit; an interrupt processor circuit formed in the chip; an interrupt address random access memory, mathematical computation circuitry and an internal data random access memory. The mathematical computation circuitry includes a circuit for performing combined division and square root operations. The integrated circuit operates on a fixed instruction set and provides the means for performing instruction and operand look-ahead to permit execution of each instruction in a single clock cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Karl D. Stickel, Sam T. Tuey, Michael J. Gibeault
  • Patent number: H1410
    Abstract: A single-input single-output control system includes an H.sub..infin. controller having an input for receiving an command input signal and an output for producing an output signal, an electro-mechanical (E-M) actuator connected in series with the H.sub..infin. controller and having an input for receiving the output signal from the H.sub..infin. controller and an output for producing an output signal representative of an action taken by the E-M actuator, and a feedback loop connected in series with the E-M actuator and the H.sub..infin. controller for transferring the output signal of the E-M actuator to the input of the H.sub..infin. controller for combining with the command input signal and inputting an error input signal to the H.sub..infin. controller. The H.sub..infin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Gerald A. Hartley