Patents by Inventor John M. Holford

John M. Holford 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: 9797987
    Abstract: A frequency correction for frequency difference of arrival geolocation of transmitted target signals may be provided. A frequency of a target signal may be determined at a first collector based upon a first reference timebase source. A frequency of the target signal may be determined at a second collector based upon a second reference timebase source. An observed frequency of a reference carrier signal based upon the first reference timebase source may be determined at the second collector based upon the second reference timebase source. A relative timebase error between the first collector and the second collector may be calculated based upon a difference between the intended frequency of the reference carrier signal and the observed frequency of the reference carrier signal. A corrected frequency difference for the target signal may be calculated based upon the relative timebase error and a proportional scaling factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Zeta Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Holford, James M. Williams, Michael E. Glidewell
  • Publication number: 20140104108
    Abstract: A frequency correction for frequency difference of arrival geolocation of transmitted target signals may be provided. A frequency of a target signal may be determined at a first collector based upon a first reference timebase source. A frequency of the target signal may be determined at a second collector based upon a second reference timebase source. An observed frequency of a reference carrier signal based upon the first reference timebase source may be determined at the second collector based upon the second reference timebase source. A relative timebase error between the first collector and the second collector may be calculated based upon a difference between the intended frequency of the reference carrier signal and the observed frequency of the reference carrier signal. A corrected frequency difference for the target signal may be calculated based upon the relative timebase error and a proportional scaling factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Zeta Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Holford, James M. Williams, Michael E. Glidewell
  • Patent number: 7418324
    Abstract: A look-ahead detection system (LADS) that actively controls the suspension of at least some of the seats in a watercraft to drastically reduce the shock and/or vibrations experienced by passengers within the seats caused by waves, other water conditions and/or the bending of the craft as it travels through the water. The look-ahead detection system utilizes downward-looking sensors to help the system predict when the craft will strike the water and how strong the impact will be. That is, the look-ahead detection system uses the sensors to look forward in time and down in space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: VSSL Commercial, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm A. Swinbanks, David E. Simon, John M. Holford, Francis (Frank) M. Napoletano, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7113384
    Abstract: A dynamic degaussing system includes a magnetic field sensor for generating a sensor signal in response to a sensed magnetic field. The magnetic sensor is coupled to a controller that produces an output signal based on the sensor signal. The controller may include feedforward and feedback control loops. The output signal of the controller controls a magnetic field generator which generates a magnetic field so as to attenuate the sensed magnetic field. According to one aspect of the invention, a vessel is provided with a reduced magnetic signature and a control system for controlling magnetic fields about a podded electric motor. The control system employs feed-forward and feedback control in tandem. The control system may be dynamically adapted to changing physical characteristics of the motor. Control signals are generated in response to sensed or predicted magnetic fields internal to, or external to, the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: VSSL Commercial, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm A. Swinbanks, Christopher E. Ruckman, John M. Holford
  • Patent number: 6974006
    Abstract: A multi-sensor, multi-actuator control system for controlling vibration in a mechanical structure. The system employs feedforward and feedback control strategies in tandem. Outputs from adaptive feedforward and modal feedback control loops are added to each other. The control system may be dynamically adapted to the changing physical characteristics of the controlled structure. For example, the plant transfer function estimates for the feedforward unit and the gain for the feedback unit may be calculated as functions of sensed physical parameters (location, mass, etc.), and the plant transfer function estimates may be dynamically modified to reflect time-varying feedback control gains. If desired, the control system may be used to cancel low frequency vibrations (<20 Hz) in industrial processes. The actuators may be formed of electromagnets, fixed armatures and interposed flux sensors. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the robust actuators are sealed so as to be impervious to fluids and dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: VSSL Commercial, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Ruckman, John M. Holford
  • Publication number: 20040042150
    Abstract: A dynamic degaussing system includes a magnetic field sensor for generating a sensor signal in response to a sensed magnetic field. The magnetic sensor is coupled to a controller that produces an output signal based on the sensor signal. The controller may include feedforward and feedback control loops. The output signal of the controller controls a magnetic field generator which generates a magnetic field so as to attenuate the sensed magnetic field. According to one aspect of the invention, a vessel is provided with a reduced magnetic signature and a control system for controlling magnetic fields about a podded electric motor. The control system employs feed-forward and feedback control in tandem. The control system may be dynamically adapted to changing physical characteristics of the motor. Control signals are generated in response to sensed or predicted magnetic fields internal to, or external to, the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Malcolm A. Swinbanks, Christopher E. Ruckman, John M. Holford
  • Publication number: 20020088678
    Abstract: A multi-sensor, multi-actuator control system for controlling vibration in a mechanical structure. The system employs feedforward and feedback control strategies in tandem. Outputs from adaptive feedforward and modal feedback control loops are added to each other. The control system may be dynamically adapted to the changing physical characteristics of the controlled structure. For example, the plant transfer function estimates for the feedforward unit and the gain for the feedback unit may be calculated as functions of sensed physical parameters (location, mass, etc.), and the plant transfer function estimates may be dynamically modified to reflect time-varying feedback control gains. If desired, the control system may be used to cancel low frequency vibrations (<20 Hz) in industrial processes. The actuators may be formed of electromagnets, fixed armatures and interposed flux sensors. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the robust actuators are sealed so as to be impervious to fluids and dust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Christopher E. Ruckman, John M. Holford
  • Patent number: 5708470
    Abstract: An optical monitoring system maps high aspect ratio regions of space using an imaging or viewing device that has a field of view with a low aspect ratio and a plurality of mirrors positioned and arranged relative to the imaging device and the region of space such that the plurality of mirrors directs the image of the region of space to the imaging device in a plurality of segments. Each of the segments is smaller than the field of view of the imaging device and all segments fit together in the field of view of the imaging device such that all of the region of space is mapped and monitored by the single imaging device. The present invention eliminates the need for several imaging devices to monitor high aspect ratio regions of space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Condor Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Holford