Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Alain L. Bashore
  • Patent number: 6337475
    Abstract: A thermal silhouette target including a high emissivity surface, a conductive layer, a heating coil, an insulative layer and a direct voltage source. A thermal zeroing silhouette target device further includes a mask with a zeroing grid and a pair of contacts for electrical connection to a direct voltage current source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Robert L. Migliorini
  • Patent number: 6335526
    Abstract: An infrared sensor system technique for fusing sensor outputs for display to a user, including sensor outputs from an internetted system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Stuart B. Horn
  • Patent number: 6330920
    Abstract: A mine stripper with numerous plow blades that rotate as they dig deeper to achieve an equilibrium depth of about nine inches and a basket that presses against the top of these blades to receive dislodged mines while sifting away attached soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Christopher J. Wanner
  • Patent number: 6318271
    Abstract: A fuse igniter adapter assembly that adapts various fuse cord sizes to a firing device for ignition by a primer. The assembly includes a hub subassembly, four retaining blades, a circular slide element, a circular cap element, a spring, and a snap ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Lawrence D. Clark
  • Patent number: 6282030
    Abstract: An eyepiece lens assembly including a collecting lens, glass spherical cemented doublet, a plastic singlet, and a glass spherical singlet. The assembly provides over 30 degrees extended field of view, a greater than 30 mm eye relief, under 5% distortion, a substantially telecentric focal plane, and weighing under 6 ounces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: John M. Hall
  • Patent number: 6282301
    Abstract: Target detection using algorithms is based on the adaptive real-time endmembers selection from hyperspectral image data. New pixels are correlated with prestored clutter endmembers to obtain subsequently detected target and clutter pixels and then suppressing the latter, leaving about 10% of the image as targets. Targets are then reduced in number by size filtering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Hanna T. Haskett
  • Patent number: 6274868
    Abstract: FLIR kits are provided comprising optical and related components which can be commonly used for both navigational and targeting scenarios. Such components include a common detector interface, imaging optics, scanner, interlacer, filter wheel, and thermal reference sources with integrated chopper/rotator assembly, all of which when assembled form a stand-alone imaging sensor when combined with a common associated electronics subassembly. The kits are integrated into standard navigational and targeting platforms of the type found on the AH-64 Apache and RAH-66 Comanche attack helicopters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: John M. Hall, Richard A. Wright
  • Patent number: 6257262
    Abstract: There is provided herein a three-dimensional structure for camouflaging edifices having a large roof area from effective identification and targeting by aerial observation. The structure is light in weight, has minimal bulk, and is relatively easy to transport and deploy. The structure is comprised of a light weight metal frame having structural bar members arranged in substantially parallel horizontal and vertical arrays when assembled. The bar members are connected to each other by hinges so that the structure may be readily collapsed (lowered) or raised quickly and on short notice. The structure is deployable and retractable (i.e., may be raised or lowered) with the camouflage cover placed over the frame. A fabric cover imbued with camouflage patterns and colors on its exterior side is draped over the frame. Windup cables, pulleys and winches or cranks allow for the raising or lowering of the structure from the ground or other remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: George Anitole
  • Patent number: 6259088
    Abstract: A modified night vision image intensifier device providing an enhanced viewable scene with greater than 60 degrees FOV utilizing a modified tube assembly including: a curved photocathode, curved micochannel plate and phosphor screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: A. Wayne Antesberger
  • Patent number: 6252565
    Abstract: An opto-mechanical configuration for direct laser scanned retinal imaging is described. The concept uses simple geometric properties of an ellipse in a reflective optical delivery system which allows a small scanned laser beam to create a two dimensional video image directly on the retina of the human eye. The system is best suited for use in head-mounted display applications where light weight is a priority.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: John M. Hall
  • Patent number: 6246307
    Abstract: A magnetically activated switch includes a flexible metallic strip on the inside of a sealed encasement, having first and second ends. The first end provides for an electrical contact and extends through the wall of the sealed encasement, with the strip being firmly secured by the wall of the encasement at the exit point, leaving the second end unsupported and having a magnetic responsive element attached. A first dipole magnet is coupled to the flexible metallic strip and located within the sealed encasement, intermediate the first and second ends. Second and third dipole magnets are diametrically opposed and separate to each other where each of the second and third dipole magnets are fixedly coupled to the inside surface of the sealed encasement. Two electrical terminals coupled respectively to the second and third dipole magnets extending through the sealed encasement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Melvin H. Friedman
  • Patent number: 6246517
    Abstract: A lens assembly for near infrared comprising two double convex elements separated by two double concave elements. The first element being the most durable, the center elements being the least expensive and the last element having the greatest focussing power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: John M. Hall
  • Patent number: 6226044
    Abstract: A field synchronization system of a field detect circuit adaptable for use with non-standard output digital data of forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensors. Timing signals and digital data from a FLIR sensor are utilized and there is outputted a vertical and horizontal signal output. A bypass circuit allows for the optional bypass of frame grabber generated field index circuitry so that an external field index signal is utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Curtis M. Webb
  • Patent number: 6222261
    Abstract: A hybrid microelectronic circuit formed from two or more chips of different electronic materials and having a preformed barrier layer having at least a nanostructured plastic/ceramic layer between the chips and preferably including a thin layer of an aerogel also.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Stuart B. Horn, Elizabeth H. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6202531
    Abstract: A mine destroyer round in the shape of a hollow aerodynamic disk containing explosively formed projectiles that fire toward the ground. A powered means such as a catapult or a mortar tube containing a contact explosive is used to launch the round over a mine field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: William G. Comeyne
  • Patent number: 6199469
    Abstract: A device for weight counterbalance of compensating equilibrators of a TOW weapons system substituted in place of a launch tube. A ballast weight rest on a platform and further includes a centering element, with support and bracing structure, so that the device is releasably coupled to an existing missile launch tube interface of the TOW.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Robert E. Nystrom
  • Patent number: 6181261
    Abstract: An airfield hazard automated detection device having a radar for scanning the airfield for obstacles and an automated target recognition system, operably connected to the radar, for comparing the images of the scans of the obstacles to images of known potential hazards and for instructing a directed imaging system to verify the potential hazard by scanning the potential hazard and indicating the result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: James R. Miles, Jr., Robert L. Monroe
  • Patent number: 6118578
    Abstract: An infrared afocal lens assembly for providing an observed magnified IR ie scene with a field of view and a substantially less temperature dependent performance. The assembly includes a collecting lens, focusing lens subassembly movable along the optical axis to provide range focus, an intermediate focal plane, an eyepiece lens subassembly, and an aperture stop. A wide field of view lens subassembly may be used on the optical axis. All lenses are made of either GaAs or ZnS, and all lenses are single lenses only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: John M. Hall
  • Patent number: 6099744
    Abstract: A fabrication technique for a test sample to characterize pyroelectric and erroelectric thin films for use in uncooled infrared focal plane arrays operated at a nominal 60 Hz. Most layers are patterned by a lift off technique, and those layers that are not lifted off are chemically etched or ion milled. The pyroelectric layer is thermally insulated from the substrate by a thick film layer of ZrO.sub.2. The pyroelectric layer is sandwiched between metal layers to form a capacitor. Direct measurement of the voltages between the capacitor plates, and of the temperature of these plates, results in a direct measurement of thin film temperature responsivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of Americas as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Donna J. Advena, Conrad W. Terrill
  • Patent number: 6069358
    Abstract: A technique for internal forward looking infrared (FLIR) system detection laser pulses. For scanning systems image pixel output of each frame is sampled as image data which is used to determine a pattern of saturated image pixels. The pattern of saturated image pixels is compared to predetermined laser pulse patterns and is then analyzed to determine if a laser pulse was detected. For staring systems, the patterns are compared to previous and following frames to determine if short lived large changes occur to determine if a laser pulse was detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Thomas M. Colandene, Jaime Sonstroem