Patents Assigned to Litton Systems, Inc.
  • ENHANCED NIGHT VISION GOGGLE ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20040042086
    Abstract: A system (S) for combining multi-spectral images of a scene includes a channel (18) for transmitting a scene image (10) in a first spectral band. A separate, second detector (22) senses the scene in a second spectral band. The second detector (22) has an image output that is representative of the scene. A display (28) displays an image (12) in the second spectral band. A beam mixer (30) combines the image output (10) in the first spectral band with the displayed image (12), and conveys the combined multi-spectral images to an output (32) for a user (U).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: LITTON SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy R. BEYSTRUM, Michael D. WATERMAN, William R. BORYSHUK, Antonio V. BACARELLA, Timothy B. HOGAN, Rodney L. DOSTER
  • MODULAR CERAMIC OXYGEN SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20040042944
    Abstract: An oven insert (110) for a gas generating system of the type that includes heating elements, heat exchanger, a gas generating module (22), an air inlet, and a product gas outlet, includes a furnace enclosure member formed with a plurality of interior chambers. The interior chambers (112) are adapted for holding at least one gas generating module (22). The interior chambers (112) each have an opening (122) formed an exterior face (124) of the furnace enclosure member (110). The openings are spaced along a central axis (126) of the face (124) of the furnace enclosure member (110).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: LITTON SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Scott R. SEHLIN, Timothy C. PHILLIS
  • Microchannel plate having input/output face funneling
    Publication number: 20040032193
    Abstract: A microchannel plate (P) for receiving photoelectrons includes a plate-like substrate web (W) formed from a plurality of micro-tubules (10) of a single type of cladding glass (12) and defining a pair of opposite faces (14a and 14b). The substrate web (W) further includes a plurality of microchannel passages (16) extending between the opposite faces (14a and 14b) and having openings (18a and 18b, respectively) in both of the opposite faces (14a and 14b). The microchannel openings (18) have funnel-like entries or openings (20) formed in the substrate web (W) with at least one of the opposite faces (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos J. Batista, Michael J. Iosue
  • Method and system for manufacturing a photocathode
    Patent number: 6692209
    Abstract: A system (10) for manufacturing a photocathode includes a housing (12) having a first end and a second end. The first end of the housing (12) is operable to be coupled to a vacuum chamber (22). The system (10) also includes a drive support (20) disposed within the housing (12). The system (10) includes a shaft (14) disposed within the housing (12) and a ladder (16) coupled to the shaft (14). The ladder (16) includes at least one rung (140) to retain the photocathode. The system (10) further includes a drive system (18) supported by the drive support (20) within the housing (12). The drive system (18) is coupled to the shaft (14) and is operable to translate the shaft (14) relative to the housing (12) to position the rung (140) of the ladder (16) at a predetermined location within the vacuum chamber (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Pruet, David G. Couch
  • Hybridized lead-salt infrared radiation detectors and methods of formation
    Patent number: 6690012
    Abstract: A hybridized Lead-Salt infrared radiation detector includes a focal plane having a substrate and a sensitized, delineated Lead-Salt layer upon the substrate, the delineations forming a plurality of sections in a two-dimensional array. The detector also includes electrical contacts for each of the sections and a common grid between the sections. The detector further includes a layer of conductive barrier material on each electrical contact, a layer of passivating material on each section, and a layer of fusible conductive material on each layer of conductive barrier material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Niels F. Jacksen, Jeffrey G. Tibbitt, Michael A. Sepulveda
  • Method and system for gating a power supply in a radiation detector
    Patent number: 6690098
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for gating a power supply. A gating command terminal is capacitively coupled to an on/off switch. A gating command signal is provided at the gating command terminal. The gating command signal is operable to activate the on/off switch. An off signal is generated at an output terminal of the on/off switch in response to an off state of the on/off switch being activated. An on signal is generated at the output terminal in response to an on state of the on/off switch being activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Saldana
  • Laminate electrical interconnect system
    Publication number: 20040018776
    Abstract: An electrical connector having a laminate structure and multiple parallel grooves is described. The laminate structure is electrically conductive and is coated with an electrically non-conductive material. Each groove has a signal carrying path which is advantageously surrounded by the laminate structure, thereby forming a type of Faraday cage around the signal carrying path and creating a completely shielded electrical path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenny Padro, Robert D. Godburn, William Keller
  • Leakage free ceramic films for porous surfaces
    Publication number: 20040018377
    Abstract: A porous ceramic substrate structure (10) having an interior portion (12) formed with an outer surface (14) is porous to at least one selected gas (16). A first ceramic coating layer (18) is applied to the outer surface (14) of the ceramic substrate structure (10) in a suspension state. The first ceramic coating suspension (20) has a desired level of viscosity for application to the substrate and is formed with a ceramic electrolyte powder and at least one organic additive. A second ceramic coating layer (22) is applied to the outer surface (14) following application of the first coating (18). The second coating (22) is initially applied after the first coating (18) and in a suspension state. The ceramic layers (18 and 22) substantially prevent gas leakage through the outer surface (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhonglin Wu, Scott R. Sehlin
  • Asymmetric bidirectional flow device
    Patent number: 6681807
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving a flow of fluid and restricting the flow through a device are described. The apparatus includes an insert having a shaped surface including at least one through-hole located off-center. The shaped surface may be a bell-shaped curve in cross-section. The method includes supplying a flow of fluid to one side of the apparatus, redirecting a portion of the flow of the fluid onto itself, and directing the flow to the at least one through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary N. Byrd
  • ASYMMETRIC BIDIRECTIONAL FLOW DEVICE
    Publication number: 20040007277
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving a flow of fluid and restricting the flow through a device are described. The apparatus includes an insert having a shaped surface including at least one through-hole located off-center. The shaped surface may be a bell-shaped curve in cross-section. The method includes supplying a flow of fluid to one side of the apparatus, redirecting a portion of the flow of the fluid onto itself, and directing the flow to the at least one through-hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary N. Byrd
  • Self-energizing brake
    Publication number: 20040004406
    Abstract: A self-energizing brake for a motor has a moving brake section, including a brake friction material located on a portion of a face thereof perpendicular to its axis of rotation which is automatically urged toward a brake mating surface upon the motor coming to a stop, thereby automatically energizing the brake, and which is automatically urged away from the brake mating surface upon the motor beginning its rotation, thereby automatically de-energizing the brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: LITTON SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Robert Gene Zambelli
  • Method and system for gating a sensor using a gated power signal
    Patent number: 6674062
    Abstract: A system (300) for gating a sensor (118) includes a detector (120) that detects light and outputs a signal (102) corresponding to the light. A control unit (334) receives the signal (106), and enables and disables a power supply (314) in response to the signal (106) to generate a gated power signal (316). The power supply (314) outputs the gated power signal (316) to a sensor (118) sensing the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy E. Ostromek, Joseph P. Estrera, Antonio V. Bacarella
  • Deployable oxygen charging system
    Publication number: 20040000351
    Abstract: A gas cylinder charging system includes (1) at least two gas inlet ports and (2) at least two gas outlet ports, (3) a gas compressor having an input port and an output port, where the input port selectively receives gas from a gas inlet port and selectively transfers the gas to a gas outlet port, and (4) a controller, receiving status signals and transmitting control signals, and connected to and controlling the gas compressor. A method aspect of filling a gas cylinder using the described cylinder charging system further including an input/output selector valve for selecting one of the gasses to transfer to the gas cylinder, includes the following steps. A gas cylinder is connected to one of the cylinder connectors. A user manipulates the selector valve selecting the gas to be transferred to the gas cylinder and activates the cylinder charging system filling the gas cylinder with the selected gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tuan Q. Cao, Steven D. Jinks
  • EVENT SYNCHRONIZATION FOR DETECTOR SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20030234870
    Abstract: An event synchronizing apparatus E for an image intensification camera system C for gathering image data includes an image intensifier 348 for amplifying received light 312. A relay optic assembly 316 is coupled between the image intensifier 348 and a digital image sensor 350, such as a CMOS or CCD device. Digital logic 352 is used to process or output an image or related data 334. An event detector 340 digitizes an input signal 342 from an illumination source 338 and generates an electrical output synchronization signal 346 in response to the input optical signal 342. The image intensifier camera C derives imaging and control information for the synchronization signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: LITTON SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy E. OSTROMEK, Timothy B. HOGAN, Antonio V. BACARELLA, Jeffrey C. SHORT, Jerry D. PORTER
  • Wedge-shaped microresonator and associated microlaser assembly
    Patent number: 6668004
    Abstract: A wedge-shaped microresonator is provided that can be mounted proximate one or more wedge-shaped electro-optic components in order to construct a densely packed microlaser assembly. The wedge-shaped microresonator has first, second and third side surfaces. The wedge-shaped microresonator includes a passive Q-switch proximate the second side surface and an active gain medium proximate portions of the first and third side surfaces. The wedge-shaped microresonator also includes a reflective surface proximate each of the first, second and third side surfaces. At least one of the reflective surfaces is partially reflective, however, to then permit emission of laser signals. In addition to the wedge-shaped microresonator, a microlaser assembly is provided that also includes at least one wedge-shaped electro-optic component for receiving and modifying the laser pulses emitted by the wedge-shaped microresonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Lee Peterson
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MOUNTING A DETECTOR
    Publication number: 20030231410
    Abstract: A system (S) for mounting and aligning a detector (D) about an observation instrument (10) includes a first detector (12) movably coupled to the observation instrument (10) off an axis of observation centerline (14) for the observation instrument (10). A retainer (16) is mounted with the observation instrument (10) to secure the first detector (12) to the observation instrument (10). The retainer (16) permits rotatable movement of the first detector (12) about the axis of observation centerline (14). The retainer (16) also preferably includes an attachment point (20) for mounting the first detector (12) to the retainer (16). The first detector (12) should be adjustable at least about an axis (22) essentially perpendicular to the axis of the observation centerline (14) for the observation instrument (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: LITTON SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy E. OSTROMEK, Timothy B. HOGAN, Jeffrey C. SHORT, Antonio V. BACARELLA, Jerry D. PORTER, Allan B. LEWIS, Rodney L. DOSTER, Robert F. LUND
  • System for multi-sensor image fusion
    Publication number: 20030231804
    Abstract: A method and system for fusing image data includes an electronic circuit (L) for synchronizing image frames. An adaptive lookup table unit (302a, 302b) receives the image frame data sets and applies correction factors to individual pixels. The size of an image is then scaled or otherwise manipulated as desired by data formatting processors (312a and 312b). Multiple images communicated within parallel circuit branches (P1 and P2) are aligned and registered together with sub-pixel resolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: LITTON SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Antonio V. BACARELLA, Timothy E. OSTROMEK, Timothy B. HOGAN, Jeffrey C. SHORT, Gabriel H. DENK, Robert F. LUND
  • INGAAS IMAGE INTENSIFIER CAMERA
    Publication number: 20030231245
    Abstract: An InGaAs Image Intensifier (“I2”) Camera (C) detects and forms an image (310) to be viewed. An InGaAs photocathode Image Intensifier (312) is used to pass an amplified signal (316) from a screen (320). The InGaAs image intensification tube (312) is optically coupled (328) to an imaging device (322) for passing output light. The output light (316) from the InGaAs tube (312) is transformed by an electronic circuit (322) producing a desired signal output (324). The signal output (324) from the electronic circuit (322) may be further enhanced into an enhanced signal output (310). The enhanced signal output may be formatted into a form for viewing or may be saved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: LITTON SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Antonio V. BACARELLA, Timothy E. OSTROMEK, Timothy B. HOGAN, Rodney L. DOSTER, Jeffrey C. SHORT, Joseph P. ESTRERA
  • IMAGE INTENSIFICATION CAMERA
    Publication number: 20030230707
    Abstract: An image intensification camera system (C) for gathering image data includes an image intensifier (310) for amplifying received light (312). A relay optic assembly (316) is coupled between the image intensifier (310) and a digital image sensor (318), such as a CMOS or CCD device. Digital logic (322) is used to process or output an image or related data (334).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: LITTON SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy B. HOGAN, Antonio V. BACARELLA, Timothy E. OSTROMEK, Jeffrey C. SHORT, Rodney L. DOSTER
  • Fluid flow rate selector
    Patent number: 6662668
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a flow rate selector having a high flow position and a low flow position. The flow rate selector has a flow selector knob having a web. The web has a flat surface. At least two seals are mounted on the flat surface of the web. A retaining piece has two orifices of differing cross-sectional areas. The flow selector knob is rotatable relative to the retaining piece such that at least one seal can be aligned with either of the orifices to prevent fluid flow there through while allowing fluid flow through the other orifice. Cover 656 has conical outside diameter that seals against chamber in 654. This protects chamber 720 from foreign particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lyle Berkenbosch, Sammy K. Mickelson