Patents Assigned to General Atomics
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Patent number: 11350034Abstract: Some embodiments provide enhanced resolution imaging systems comprising: a mounting; an electro-optical image capture system; an angular jitter sensor system; an illumination source system; and an image capture control circuit is configured to: receive ling of sight displacement sensor data; obtain, during the capture frame, an angular displacement of the image capture system and monitor when the detected angular displacement of the image capture system, based on the sensor data, is beyond an angular displacement threshold envelope; and activate exposure of the image capture system to illumination, during the capture frame, when the detected angular displacement of the image capture system is within the angular displacement threshold envelope, and control a level of exposure of the image capture system to illumination, during the capture frame, when the detected angular displacement is not within the angular displacement threshold envelope.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2020Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Patrick R. Mickel, Matthew C. Cristina, Jason A. Paxton
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Patent number: 11317026Abstract: Some embodiments provide enhanced resolution imaging systems. These systems comprise: a mounting configured to secure with a vehicle; an electro-optical image capture system configured to sequentially obtain a series of frames per second; and a first jitter compensation system comprising: an angular velocity sensor system to detect velocity of change of line of sight angular displacement of the image capture system; and an image capture control circuit is configured to: receive, in real-time, angular velocity data from the angular velocity sensor system; identify, during the frame, when an angular velocity is less than an angular velocity threshold; and activate, during the frame, exposure of the image capture system to illumination for at least one of: at least a minimum integration period of time during the frame, and while the angular velocity is less than the angular velocity threshold during the frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Drew F. DeJarnette, Patrick R. Mickel, Matthew C. Cristina, Jason A. Paxton
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Patent number: 11279501Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a satellite control system that exhibits improved stability and increased efficiency by implementing a non-linear dynamic inversion inner-loop control algorithm coupled with an eigen vector outer-loop control algorithm. Thus, the attitude determination and control system (ADACS) may operate using commands to rotate directly about an eigen vector. Additionally, the outer-loop control system includes a feed-forward control element to enhance pointing accuracy when tracking moving targets.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2018Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: General AtomicsInventor: John Benton Derrick, II
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Patent number: 11279225Abstract: Fuel isolation systems, apparatuses and methods are described. In some embodiments, a system comprises a fuel tank, a fuel pump, an engine, a firewall, a fuel line from the fuel tank to the engine, a connector coupled inline with the fuel line on a cold side of the fuel line, a normally closed valve coupled to the connector, an air feed line coupled to an ullage of the fuel tank and to the valve. In the event of an engine fire condition, a control unit outputs signaling to turn off the fuel pump and open the valve to introduce air from the ullage into the fuel line. The introduced air provides a siphon break in the fuel line such that the fuel cannot be siphoned and the only fuel that can pass the firewall is the remaining fuel in the fuel line downstream of the connector and the introduced air.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2020Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: GENERAL ATOMICS AERONAUTICAL SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Jason B. Newlin, Brett C. Bonner, Graham Feasey
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Patent number: 11264728Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for selecting, at an antenna reflector, electromagnetic waves with a certain polarization and frequency and rejecting electromagnetic waves with different polarizations and/or frequencies. In one aspect, a directional antenna includes a shaped reflector surface with a series of conforming layers attached to the surface. The layers include a reflecting layer that causes reflection of electromagnetic waves at a specific frequency and polarization. Underneath the reflecting layer is a frequency selective surface (FSS) layer that absorbs electromagnetic waves not at the specific frequency or polarization which pass through the reflecting layer. Underneath the absorbing layer is a conductive layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Neil Bringuier, John D. Fanelle
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Patent number: 11211199Abstract: An apparatus and method for winding electrical coils (electromagnets) is described. A self-propelled and self-referencing winding vehicle uses features on a winding bobbin to guide the direction and/or orientation of the vehicle, while laying electrical conductor material (e.g., high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tapes) as it traverses the bobbin. The vehicle may wind electrical coils with complex shapes. In some embodiments, the self-propelled, self-referencing (SPSR) vehicle may perform other magnet fabrication and assembly procedures.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2021Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: GENERAL ATOMICSInventors: Carlos Paz-Soldan, Andrew Benson, Paul Beharrell, Daniel Mullins
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Patent number: 11164121Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for facilitating task assignments and communications. A task defining interface is provided on a user device associated with a task team member. Tasks are defined with a task request comprising a task identifier associated with a target location, a task instruction identifier comprising a first symbol followed by a task instruction, and a plurality of task team member identifiers each comprising a second symbol followed by a user handle, wherein the task instruction specifies one or more characteristics of the first task to be performed at the target location. The system is further configured to display tasks associated with a user account based on task team member identifiers and automatically communicate, via the task view interface, each of the one or more task instruction identifiers associated with the task record to each task team member associated with the task record.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2018Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Justin W. Snider, Jonathan H. Brothers, Edwin D. Kimzey, Jr., Darren R. Moe, Chad W. Nanney, Kurt W. Reindel, Chen Li
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Patent number: 11106936Abstract: Point clouds of objects are compared and matched using logical arrays based on the point clouds. The point clouds are azimuth aligned and translation aligned. The point clouds are converted into logical arrays for ease of processing. Then the logical arrays are compared (e.g. using the AND function and counting matches between the two logical arrays). The comparison is done at various quantization levels to determine which quantization level is likely to give the best object comparison result. Then the object comparison is made. More than two objects may be compared and the best match found.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: General AtomicsInventor: Zachary Bergen
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Patent number: 11087891Abstract: Exemplary pellets can be used for magnetic fusion devices for mitigating plasma disruption. In some embodiments, the pellets may be cryogenically cooled that may cause a rise in the electrical conductivity of the pellets. A high conductivity of the pellet can screen out the plasma's magnetic field from the interior of the pellet. The screening out of the plasma's magnetic field can slow the ablation rate of the pellet which may allow for deeper pellet penetration and a better suited spatial profile of deposited material for proper mitigation of the plasma disruption. In some other embodiments, the pellets may not be cryogenically cooled.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: General AtomicsInventor: Paul Brownlee Parks
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Patent number: 10987871Abstract: A system for manufacturing a thermoplastic object may include a robotic arm configured to dispense thermoplastic material, a support apparatus, a computing device and an imaging system. The imaging system may scan thermoplastic material dispensed by the first robotic arm and create a three-dimensional scan model. The model may be compared to a computer model profile to determine if the dispensed material requires adjustment. If the dispensed material requires adjustment, the computing device may adjust the robotic arm or the support apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2018Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Adam Jason Jones, Paul Edward Sherman, John Angely Geriguis
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Patent number: 10968325Abstract: A method of making large ultrathin free-standing polymer films without use of a sacrificial layer includes the steps of providing a substrate, applying a polyelectrolyte material to said substrate, applying a polymer material onto said substrate and onto said polyelectrolyte material, and directly delaminating said polymer material from said substrate and said polyelectrolyte to produce the ultrathin free-standing polymer film.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, General AtomicsInventors: Michael Stadermann, Salmaan H. Baxamusa, William C. Floyd, III, Philip E. Miller, Tayyab I. Suratwala, Anatolios A. Tambazidis, Kelly Patricia Youngblood, Chantel Aracne-Ruddle, Art J. Nelson, Maverick Chea, Shuali Li
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Patent number: 10967959Abstract: A folding trailing arm landing gear assembly having a main fitting configured to couple to a hinge positioned at a proximal end; a swing arm rotatably coupled at a proximal end to a distal end of the main fitting; a shock coupled at a distal end to a distal end of the swing arm; a bellcrank coupled at a distal end to a proximal end of the shock, and coupled at a proximal end to the main fitting; and a wheel coupled to the swing arm.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2017Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael Joseph Allwein, Caleb Andrew Bartels, Brian Michel Shamblin, James Edward McMillen
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Patent number: 10919794Abstract: A method having steps of placing a glass sheet having a front surface, a reverse surface and a thickness onto a sacrificial substrate; directing a beam from a laser at the front surface and through the glass sheet; pulsing the beam at a frequency of between 10 kHz and 30 kHz, and at the sacrificial substrate; moving the beam across the glass sheet at a rate of between 30 millimeters per second and 90 millimeters per second; ablating the sacrificial substrate with the beam; generating a superheated vapor in response to the ablating of the sacrificial substrate; and ablating the reverse surface of the glass sheet with the superheated vapor, whereby the glass sheet is cut.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2017Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: GENERAL ATOMICSInventors: James Ross MacDonald, Esteban Balarezo Bagdy, Mark Aoraha Cacause, Jeffrey James Trial
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Patent number: 10777872Abstract: Systems and devices are disclosed for implementing a low profile antenna that can be mounted on various platforms or vehicles without significantly changing the appearance of the platform or vehicle. The disclosed technology can be used to construct low profile antennas to reduce the antenna thickness while maintaining high efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2017Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: GENERAL ATOMICSInventors: John Robert Glabe, Daniel George Laramie
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Patent number: 10727774Abstract: A multi-level high-speed adjustable speed drive has a plurality of modular multilevel, 3-phase inverter bridges, wherein the multilevel, 3-phase inverter bridges operate with fundamental frequency, f, wherein the multilevel, 3-phase inverter bridges include at least three levels, wherein the multilevel, 3-phase inverter bridges operate in Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) mode with 9 to 21× or operating in Fundamental Frequency Mode (FFM), wherein inverter commutation frequency equals the fundamental frequency, wherein the multilevel, 3-phase inverters operate with split phase such that one group is displaced from the other by an angle, ?=60°/q, wherein the phase displacement of a harmonic component of order n between groups, ?n is n?/q; a high-speed polyphase motor with phases arranged in q 3-phase groups; and electromagnetic means for blocking selected groups of harmonics while passing components at fundamental frequency, f, wherein the electromagnetic means includes coils carrying motor current linked by a magnType: GrantFiled: March 11, 2016Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: General AtomicsInventor: George Thomas Santamaria
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Patent number: 10688464Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to methods of inhibiting corrosion in reaction chambers configured for hydrothermal reaction of feeds containing a heteroatom. An embodiment of such a method comprises providing a feed stream comprising a phosphorus-containing material, an alkali metal compound, water, and a corrosion-inhibitor. The embodiment additionally includes introducing the feed stream and oxidant into a reactor chamber and oxidizing the phosphorus-containing material at an oxidation temperature greater than about 374° C. and an oxidation pressure exceeding about 25 bar, wherein the reactor chamber has inner surfaces comprising a material that corrodes when in contact with a phosphorus compound within the reactor. The embodiment additionally includes selectively reacting the corrosion-inhibitor with phosphorus within the reactor, thereby precipitating in the reactor chamber a phosphorus-containing solid inorganic compound.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: GENERAL ATOMICSInventors: Glenn Thomas Hong, Kevin William Downey
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Patent number: 10645291Abstract: Some embodiments provide enhanced resolution imaging systems comprising: a mounting; an electro-optical image capture system; an angular jitter sensor system; an illumination source system; and an image capture control circuit is configured to: receive ling of sight displacement data; obtain, during the capture frame, an angular displacement of the image capture system and monitor when the detected angular displacement of the image capture system, based on the LOS angular displacement data, is beyond an angular displacement threshold envelope; and activate exposure of the image capture system to illumination, during the capture frame, when the detected angular displacement of the image capture system is within the angular displacement threshold envelope, and control a level of exposure of the image capture system to illumination, during the capture frame, when the detected angular displacement is not within the angular displacement threshold envelope.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2018Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Patrick R. Mickel, Matthew C. Cristina, Jason A. Paxton
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Patent number: 10586654Abstract: A method for making a glass dielectric capacitor may include providing a plurality of foil sheets, cutting each of the plurality of foil sheets with a laser beam by melting each of the plurality of foil sheets, forming a respective smooth foil edge on each of said plurality of foil sheets during the cutting, providing a plurality of glass sheets, and stacking the plurality of foil sheets in alternating layers with the plurality of glass sheets.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: GENERAL ATOMICSInventors: James Ross MacDonald, Esteban Balarezo Bagdy, Mark Aoraha Cacause, Mark Allen Schneider
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Patent number: 10447406Abstract: Magnetic antenna techniques and devices are disclosed for operating at an RF or microwave frequency by using a magnetic antenna structure having a spatially varying property that varies spatially from one location to another location in at least a portion of the magnetic antenna structure. Such a spatially varying property can be reflected in various ways, e.g., a spatially varying geometry profile in part of or the entirety of the magnetic antenna structure, a spatially varying antenna material property in a spatially uniform geometry or a spatially varying geometry. The disclosed technology also provides magnetic antenna structures based on splitting the componentry for transmission and reception so that each can be individually optimized.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: General AtomicsInventor: Mark William Covington
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Patent number: 10446933Abstract: Magnetic antenna techniques and devices are disclosed for operating at an RF or microwave frequency by using a magnetic antenna structure that is configured to have a spatially varying property that varies spatially from one location to another location in at least a portion of the magnetic antenna structure. Such a spatial varying property can be reflected in various ways, e.g., a resonator located in part of the magnetic antenna structure, or a spatially varying geometry profile in part of or the entirety of the magnetic antenna structure.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2018Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: General AtomicsInventor: Jonathan Neil Bringuier