Patents by Inventor Robert F. Riggs

Robert F. Riggs 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: 5017793
    Abstract: An optically driven signal generator utilizes optical switches having a common output port and input ports alternately coupled to first and second potentials of opposite polarities. Optical pulses, with interpulse periods commensurate with a desired output frequency, sequentially operate the switches so that electrical signals of opposite polarities are alternately coupled to a common output port in a manner to establish a continuous electrical signal at a frequency that is commensurate with the interpulse periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Sperry Marine Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Halsey, Robert F. Riggs, Lawrence H. Gilligan, David W. Gerdt
  • Patent number: 4822991
    Abstract: A generator of short electromagnetic pulses utilizes a photoconductive switch having metallic strips on a substrate with a gap separation therebetween. A timing circuit provides an electrical signal to the input of the photoconductive switch and a trigger to an optical source causing a short burst of optical energy to illuminate the gap between the metallic strips, thereby causing the photoconductive substrate to provide a low impedance path between the metallic strips and coupling the electrical signal to an output terminal of the photoconductive switch for the duration of the optical pulse. A filter coupled to the output terminal of the switch, via an impedance matching section, selects a signal frequency band for further transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Sperry Marine Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Riggs, Lawrence H. Gilligan, James D. Halsey
  • Patent number: 4063240
    Abstract: An electronic docking system utilizing a multiplicity of sensing subsystems to derive and display docking parameters during the docking operation is disclosed. The parameters displayed include bow and stern velocities ship's velocity perpendicular and parallel to the jetty and ship's orientation to the jetty during the docking maneuver. Parameters are derived from data gathered by sensors that include a receive only monopulse and a receive only doppler system which determine the angular position of a selected reference location aboard the ship and a signal with a frequency representative of the ship's velocity from a signal radiated from a beacon antenna aboard the ship. Range measurements are accomplished by utilizing baseband pulse radar systems capable of determining range to accuracies in the order of one foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1977
    Assignee: Sperry Rand Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Isbister, Robert J. Klepach, Robert F. Riggs, Terry A. Tucker