Patents Represented by Attorney Howard G. Garner
  • Patent number: 6062141
    Abstract: A donor charge detonator is disclosed which has a donor charge case for caining a main explosive with means for initiating the main charge of explosive. The case design comprises a plurality of flutes formed around the outer surface of the case, and the plurality of flutes comprise valley members or grooves separated by peaks between successive grooves. The grooves and peaks of the flutes function after initiation of the main charge of explosive to cause the formation of particles from the donor charge case and the resulting explosive force to follow along the valleys of the flutes thereby forming a plurality of jets similar to linerar lines whereby the resulant shock is enhanced in a specific direction. The resulting force and the resultant shock are transferred at a higher magnitude because of the jet effect of the fluted configuration of the donor charge case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Robert E. Betts
  • Patent number: 5932833
    Abstract: The fly over homing guidance system for terminal homing missile guidance is fire and forget missile guidance method wherein on board target sensing tracks the target and guides the missile to the target, but instead of being guided to a direct impact as is conventionally done, the missile is guided toward a precise distance over the top of the target, intentionally avoiding impact. A second sensor on the missile detects the leading edge of the target, such as the turret of a tank. The warhead is then fired down onto the top of the target as the missile is guided or directed over it. Further, the shot line of the warhead is substantially perpendicular to the top of the target, maximizing lethality. This allows the use of the same angle of attack and warhead for all modes of target engagement and thus maintains high lethality for every firing scenario.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Ricky K. Hammon, Monte K. Helton
  • Patent number: 5781301
    Abstract: A substantially cylindrical symmetrically wound coil for a fiber optic rotation sensor, having a flat cylindrical disc, with a central aperture, disposed in the center of the coil. A continuous optical fiber of substantially uniform cross section having two substantially symmetrical segments extends through the aperture. A spirally wound first fake of a first segment of the fiber is disposed on one side of the disc in a helical spiral extending from the inner diameter of the aperture of the disc to its outer circumference in closely spaced spiral loops. A spirally wound first fake of a second segment of the fiber is disposed on the other side of the disc in a helical spiral extending from the inner diameter of the disc to its outer circumference in closely spaced spiral loops. A first connecting portion of the first segment of the fiber extends from the outer circumference of the one side of the disc across the outer circumference of the disc and the first fake of the second segment of the fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Paul B. Ruffin
  • Patent number: 5740287
    Abstract: An optical switch in a one-dimensional multilayer dielectric stack having a photonic band gap, composed of at least two groups of layers of dielectric material whose operating wavelength is near the edge of said photonic band gap. At least one layer of each of the groups is composed of a nonlinear c.sub.3 dielectric material, which creates an intensity-dependent shift in the location of the band gap and produces a dynamical change in the transmissive and reflective properties of the multilayer dielectric stack in response to changes in the intensity of light or the transmittance of electromagnetic radiation passing through the multilayer dielectric stack. The width of the photonic band gap is determined by the differences between the refractive indices of the nonlinear dielectric material and that of the other layers of dielectric material in the multilayer dielectric stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Michael Scalora, Jonathan P. Dowling, Charles M. Bowden, Mark J. Bloemer, Michael D. Tocci
  • Patent number: 5716032
    Abstract: An automatic landing system for guiding an unmanned aerial vehicle along a predetermined path to a predetermined point on the ground. The system includes an image processing means resident in the motion compensation processor that computes aerial vehicle parameters. The computed parameters are altitude, changes in altitude, changes in pitch and yaw angles, roll angle and changes thereto, and changes in cross range and down range position. These computations are based on the movement of elements in the video of an imaging sensor onboard the aerial vehicle. The motion compensation processor also measures the distance (in pixels or picture elements) between two beacons placed a known distance apart on either side of the apparent touchdown point. A recovery control processor uses these parameters to compute both desired and actual altitude as a function of range from the vehicle to the apparent point of touchdown and to provide offset error in azimuth from the desired flight path to the landing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Pat H. McIngvale
  • Patent number: 5413027
    Abstract: A reactive armor box for protecting armor surfaces comprising a base for achment to the armor surfaces, a plurality of walls extending from the base at an angle to provide an enclosed space, a plurality of explosive cassettes disposed within the enclosed space and supported and contained within the walls, and a top, attached to the walls to contain the cassettes in the enclosed space, which has radar absorbing characteristics for absorbing radio waves of the radar to avoid detection of the protected armor surface and to protect the armor surface from projectiles utilizing radio frequency guidance seekers. The top and the entire structure of the box on the invention may be formed of a light weight composite material which has the radar absorbing characteristics or the box may be formed of conventional metals with only the top surface of the box being formed of the radar absorbing materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Larry C. Mixon
  • Patent number: 5398439
    Abstract: A receptacle for receiving expended brass casing ejected from a weapon having an ejection port as the weapon is discharged. The invention comprises a hollow receptacle which is appended to the weapon with a shell casing receiving port in communication with the ejection port of the weapon for receiving shell casings ejected therefrom. The invention includes readily releaseable attaching means to permit easy emptying of the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Clyde R. Harless
  • Patent number: 5265185
    Abstract: A method of fabricating composite optical channel waveguides in electro-ocal polymers. An electrically conductive substrate is coated with an ultraviolet epoxy resin which is cured by subjecting the composite to an ultraviolet light. Another layer of ultraviolet epoxy resin is applied and developed into a predetermined waveguide configuration by selective curing. The uncured epoxy is removed with a solvent which does not effect the cured ultraviolet epoxy resin. A non-linear polymer is coated over the composite and a gold electrode is deposited on its upper surface for poling purposes. After poling, the gold electrode is removed and an upper cladding is applied along with the device electrode. The invention also provides a novel waveguide as produced by the method. Where a simple waveguide is desired, the steps of applying the gold film, poling, heating, and acid etching the gold film may be omitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Paul R. Ashley
  • Patent number: 5235461
    Abstract: An optical correlator system for encoding a complex optical image onto a erent beam of light such as a laser and comparing it with a reference complex image. One embodiment of the invention encodes phase only information of the complex image onto the coherent beam of light by means of a liquid crystal television receiver. The light beam is passed through the liquid crystal television receiver, whose pixels are manipulated to provide phase information concerning the image. A second embodiment of the invention encodes both phase and amplitude components of a complex image onto the coherent beam of light such as a laser beam. Either or both encodings are utilized in the optical correlator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: James C. Kirsch, Don A. Gregory
  • Patent number: 5179246
    Abstract: A laser actuated thru-bulkhead initiator for transmission of detonation within the initiator without destroying the pressure integrity of the initiator and the seal of the pressure vessel in which the initiator is installed comprises a body portion having an aperture extending throughout the length thereof. This aperture provides an optical path from a laser source to a detonable explosive material positioned within the aperture. The body portion provides a housing for retaining in a first section of the aperture, a primary window element, an attenuator for an explosive shock wave, a second window element, and an explosive material within the aperture and the optical path. A second section of the aperture of the body portion which extends from the outer surface of the second window performs the function of receiving the explosive shock wave energy dissipated from an explosive force released by the detonable explosive composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Robert E. Betts, Samuel Zeman
  • Patent number: 5140418
    Abstract: A system for quantitatively evaluating resolution and image quality of dees which produce images or images produced by such devices. A charge coupled device (CCD) camera is disposed in a position to view a standard resolution test pattern displayed or produced by an imaging device and generates a video signal in response to the images viewed by the CCD camera. The video signal is modified by a custom image analysis circuit to provide 1) a video signal with a blanked region of interest and 2) triggering pulses to measure light intensity variations of this region using an oscilloscope. The easily moved, highlighted region of interest within the video image viewed on a monitor is digitized by the oscilloscope to provide quantitative data representing the imaging device's ability to faithfully reproduce detail at various spatial scales. A series of standard resolution patterns are measured and a modulation transfer function is fitted to the level of light modulation of individual resolution targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Lorenzo A. Rivamonte
  • Patent number: 5111689
    Abstract: Testing apparatus for testing and evaluating the performance of laser seeking warheads for missiles under simulated weather conditions. The testing apparatus includes a support for supporting the warhead seeker and a laser for generating a laser beam, and for directing it towards the seeker. The laser beam extends through a diffusion screen which is interposed between the seeker support beams and the laser for diffusing the laser beam. A collimating lens is interposed between the diffusion screen and the seeker support for collimating the diffused laser beam and for directing the collimated laser beam onto the warhead seeker. A background illuminator is provided with an operating position between the diffusion screen and the collimating lens for simulating background lighting comparable to various weather conditions. The intensity of light generated by the background illuminator is varied by either individual rheostat controls or by a microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Elisa R. Towry
  • Patent number: 5110368
    Abstract: A transmitting device for transmitting a plurality of spatially separate laser beams over a single fiberoptic glass monofilament, for conveying a plurality of signals without multiplexing. Means are provided for generating a plurality of laser beams, each of which are directed into the core of the fiberoptic monofilament of glass at a different angle to the longitudinal axis of the monofilament. Each of the beams also exits from the exiting end of the monofilament at different angles. Those inserted at an angle of the longitudinal axis exit in a conical annulus having the same angle as the angle in which the beam was originally inserted into the monofilament. Means are provided for intercepting each of said signals as they exit from the exiting end of the monofilament and converting them into electrical energy or extracting data therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: William F. Otto, Miles E. Holloman, Debbee J. Jordan
  • Patent number: 5078333
    Abstract: An optical position sensor for a winding apparatus for winding an optical lament onto a rotating bobbin having means for controlling the winding angle of the filament. The invention comprises a winding angle sensor surface which is rectangular and divided into two surfaces by a diagonal line extending across the path of the filament being wound. The invention includes computer means for receiving signals from each of the halves of the sensor surface for calculating the position of the shadow of the filament crossing over the sensor surface. the sensor head includes means for generating light uniformly on the opposite side of the said filament from said sensor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Troy L. Hester
  • Patent number: 5073780
    Abstract: This method can be used either as an independent radar system or as an adct to an existing radar system, after suitably modifying the existing system, and will provide a cooperative, Radio Frequency passive, identification system for either stationary or moving targets. The system uses suitable devices that will mechanically vibrate as a transponder mechanism as an attachment to stationary or moving targets. A sideband analyzer is used to identify the viberation pattern in the radar return, and therefore, identifies the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Thomas A. Barley, Pierre M. Alexander, Gustaf J. Rast, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5072111
    Abstract: An optical time domain reflectometer calibration system for use with an optical time domain reflectometer to check for accuracy of the optical time domain reflectometer in absolute and relative distance measurements as well as for attenuation measurements and receiver linearity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Gary D. Gilino
  • Patent number: 5048773
    Abstract: A curved grid fin that is constructed of strips of thin gauge metal such as teel honeycomb secured together in a grid pattern with the honeycomb structure enclosed around a periphery thereof by a thin support structure that is secured thereto in a conventional manner and with a base structure secured to the thin support structure to provide a fin that is designed to be mounted on a missile to provide a fin structure that can control or guide a missile as well as provide a breaking or deceleration means for control of a missile or payload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: William D. Washington, Thomas L. Killough, Pamela F. Booth, Billy J. Walker
  • Patent number: 4976789
    Abstract: A power transmission device for transmitting electric power optically to ote locations. The device includes a laser for generating a laser light beam and a optical glass monofilament having a glass core and a outer cladding layer designed to convey the light beams directed into one end of said monofilament to the other end thereof. Means are provided for directing the laser beam into the receiving end of the monofilament at a predetermined angle which causes the light beam to exit from the other end of the monofilament at the base predetermined angle in a conical annulus of light. A conical reflector is disposed within the conical annulus of light exiting from the exit end of the fiber optical monofilament and has a surface that intercepts the light beams within the conical annulus and reflects them along a different path. Disposed around the conical reflector is a plurality of photovoltaic cells in a position to intercept the reflected light beams and to convert the light beams to electric current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Miles E. Holloman, Debbee J. Jordan, William F. Otto
  • Patent number: 4931803
    Abstract: An electronically steered phased array antenna system. The system includes phased array radar antenna having a microwave phased shifter for inserting a predetermined amount of path delay into each of the radiated elements of the antenna. It also includes a beam steering controller connected to the microwave phase shifter which is adapted to control the phase shifter according to predetermined parameters relating to the antenna to maximize its performance. An electronically erasable programmable read only memory device is disposed on the antenna itself for storing the predetermined parameters relating to the antenna. The memory device is connected to the controller and by inputting its data into the memory of the controller converts the controller from a generic device to a dedicated controller for the antenna in question. The memory device can be reprogrammed without removing it from the antenna for changes in the antenna configuration data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Steve R. Shimko
  • Patent number: H792
    Abstract: This invention relates to a mainlobe jamming cancellation system which can e used to allow a radar to detect targets even when relative motion exists between the jammer and the radar platform. In particular, this invention relates to a mainlobe canceller that utilizes a main antenna and one or more widely spaced auxiliary antennas in conjunction with one or more phase locked loops (PLL), to automatically align the jamming signals received by the several antennas. The alignment is necessary to realize a high degree of jammer cancellation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Probal K. Sanval, Richard M. Davis