Patents by Inventor Curtis J. Harkrider

Curtis J. Harkrider has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10236995
    Abstract: A system includes a detector array having a plurality of level detectors to monitor an optical input signal. Each level detector of the detector array operates in a different operating range, and each operating range for each level detector has a different saturation level and a different cutoff level based on a power level of the optical input signal. A controller monitors the plurality of level detectors of the detector array to detect a present power level for the optical input signal by selecting the operating range that is associated with the level detector operating between its saturation level and its cutoff level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Featherston, James M. Cicchiello, Curtis J. Harkrider, Christopher A. Archer, Frederick D. Bean
  • Publication number: 20170048003
    Abstract: A system includes a detector array having a plurality of level detectors to monitor an optical input signal. Each level detector of the detector array operates in a different operating range, and each operating range for each level detector has a different saturation level and a different cutoff level based on a power level of the optical input signal. A controller monitors the plurality of level detectors of the detector array to detect a present power level for the optical input signal by selecting the operating range that is associated with the level detector operating between its saturation level and its cutoff level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: JOHN FEATHERSTON, JAMES M. CICCHIELLO, CURTIS J. HARKRIDER, CHRISTOPHER A. ARCHER, FREDERICK D. BEAN
  • Patent number: 9537580
    Abstract: A system includes a detector array having a plurality of level detectors to monitor an optical input signal. Each level detector of the detector array operates in a different operating range, and each operating range for each level detector has a different saturation level and a different cutoff level based on a power level of the optical input signal. A controller monitors the plurality of level detectors of the detector array to detect a present power level for the optical input signal by selecting the operating range that is associated with the level detector operating between its saturation level and its cutoff level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: John Featherston, James M. Cicchiello, Curtis J. Harkrider, Christopher A. Archer, Frederick D. Bean
  • Publication number: 20150171957
    Abstract: A system includes a detector array having a plurality of level detectors to monitor an optical input signal. Each level detector of the detector array operates in a different operating range, and each operating range for each level detector has a different saturation level and a different cutoff level based on a power level of the optical input signal. A controller monitors the plurality of level detectors of the detector array to detect a present power level for the optical input signal by selecting the operating range that is associated with the level detector operating between its saturation level and its cutoff level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: JOHN FEATHERSTON, JAMES M. CICCHIELLO, CURTIS J. HARKRIDER, CHRISTOPHER A. ARCHER, FREDERICK D. BEAN
  • Patent number: 7557979
    Abstract: A beam-steering element made of a more optically-active material, potassium tantalate niobate, with an improved diffraction efficiency, having a plurality of electrode layers and one electro-optic crystal layer interposed between every two adjacent electrode layers. Each electro-optic crystal layer and the electrode layer adjacent thereto have an aspect ratio of about 1:1. The electrode layers and the electro-optic crystal layers are interposed between two substrates. Preferably, the substrates are transparent to an incoming beam to be modulated by the electro-optic crystal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Cicchiello, Curtis J. Harkrider, Kenneth E. Kreischer, David A. Gallagher
  • Publication number: 20080259435
    Abstract: A beam-steering element made of a more optically-active material, potassium tantalate niobate, with an improved diffraction efficiency, having a plurality of electrode layers and one electro-optic crystal layer interposed between every two adjacent electrode layers. Each electro-optic crystal layer and the electrode layer adjacent thereto have an aspect ratio of about 1:1. The electrode layers and the electro-optic crystal layers are interposed between two substrates. Preferably, the substrates are transparent to an incoming beam to be modulated by the electro-optic crystal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: James M. Cicchiello, Curtis J. Harkrider, Kenneth E. Kreischer, David A. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 7411724
    Abstract: A beam-steering element made of a more optically-active material, potassium tantalate niobate, with an improved diffraction efficiency, having a plurality of electrode layers and one electro-optic crystal layer interposed between every two adjacent electrode layers. Each electro-optic crystal layer and the electrode layer adjacent thereto have an aspect ratio of about 1:1. The electrode layers and the electro-optic crystal layers are interposed between two substrates. Preferably, the substrates are transparent to an incoming beam to be modulated by the electro-optic crystal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Cicchiello, Curtis J. Harkrider, Kenneth E. Kreischer, David A. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 7058277
    Abstract: A target illuminating system is provided for steering a scan optical beam and reducing the size of an optical output aperture. The system includes an array of scan beam outlets being selectively operative to receive and project a point source of scan beam radiation along an optical path. The system also includes a collimating element being disposed along the optical path. The collimating element is operative to receive the point source of scan beam radiation and to output the collimated scan optical beam in a desired coarse direction corresponding to a selected one of the scan beam outlets. The scan optical beam defines a scan exit pupil which is substantially coincident with the optical output aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis J. Harkrider, Ronald B. Jones
  • Patent number: 7057787
    Abstract: An electro-optic crystal based beam-steering device preferably based on KTN, having a first deflector and a second deflector. The first deflector has a pair of substrates each having a plurality of first electrode lines extending along a first direction and a plurality of electro-optic crystal modulators interposed between the first electrode lines. The second deflector has a pair of substrates each having a plurality of second electrode lines extending along a second direction and a plurality of electro-optic crystal modulators interposed between the second electrode lines. The first direction is orthogonal to the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Cicchiello, Curtis J. Harkrider