Patents Represented by Attorney Jacob N. Erlich
  • Patent number: 4671604
    Abstract: A wavelength dependent, tunable, optical time delay system for electrical signals having a conversion/tuning unit for converting an incoming electrical signal into an optical signal as well as selectively varying the wavelength of the optical signal; a single-mode, high dispersion optical fiber for receiving the optical signal and through which the optical signal propagates at a speed dependent upon its wavelength; and a detector/converter for converting the optical signal back to an electrical signal. By utilizing a separate preselected electronic control-signal fed to the conversion/tuning unit, the wavelength of the optical signal entering the fiber can be varied over a preselected wavelength band of interest. By selectively varying the wavelength of the optical signal, the electrical signal can be effectively and rapidly time delayed as desired in response to the electronic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Richard A. Soref
  • Patent number: 4671605
    Abstract: A length dependent, optical time delay/filter device for electrical signals having a single integrated optical switching circuit and only two optical time delay components connected thereto. The optical time delay components are each made up of a plurality of optical fibers of varying lengths. Depending upon which fibers an optical signal (converted from an incoming electrical signal) passes through determines the time of travel of the optical signal through the device. This optical signal is then converted back into an electrical output signal which is, as a result thereof, time delayed/filtered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Richard A. Soref
  • Patent number: 4668317
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for repairing damaged tapered radar radomes. The method comprises the steps of preparing the damaged skin layers, affixing corresponding patches thereto and trimming same, where only the radome skin has been damaged, and, when both skin and core have been damaged, includes preparing the damaged skin layers and core, affixing an oversized repair core section in said prepared core, trimming the repair core section to an appropriate local configuration, affixing repair patches to the prepared skin layers and trimming same. An apparatus in practice of the present invention comprises a support affixable to the surface of the radome, at least one circumferential track device coupled to the support, at least one meridional track device coupled to the circumferential track device, and a router carriage assembly coupled to the meridional track device. A particular router device capable of precision vertical adjustment to 0.0005" is also disclosed for practice with the above apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Howard E. Snyder
  • Patent number: 4662860
    Abstract: A telescoping low vibration pulling mechanism for use in Czochralski crystal growth apparatus, comprising a broached bushing which defines an internal circumference of teeth therein, which teeth cooperate with complimentary teeth defined on the circumference of a splined shaft. The bushing is coupled to a motor drive via a hollow tube and the splined shaft, couplable to a seed shaft and an elevation assembly, telescopes through said bushing within said hollow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Gerald W. Iseler, Brian S. Ahern
  • Patent number: 4661019
    Abstract: An apparatus for laying and burying wire underground having a cutter unit, a tow bar affixed to the front of the cutter unit and a drag plate affixed to the rear of the cutter unit. The cutter unit includes a blade which cuts a slit in the ground into which the wire is layed as the cutter unit is moved over the ground. The drag plate contains a weight and is utilized to repack earth over the slit made by the cutter unit thereby completely burying the wire underground. Motive power for the wire laying/burying apparatus is provided by any suitable vehicle to which the tow bar is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Inventor: Christopher M. McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 4654469
    Abstract: A bellows assembly to house and shield an electrical cable, and a connector attached thereto, from the effects of an electromagnetic pulse. The assembly includes: an expansible and contractable cylindrically shaped, flexible, bellows-like component made of magnetic material, having open ends, and with convolutions along its surface perpendicular to the axis of its length; a rigid transition cover made of magnetic material, having two apertures shaped to permit the passage of the electrical cable and connector attached thereto, positioned at one end of the bellows-like component; and, a spring-type clamp to attach the transition cover, at one of its openings, to one end of the bellows-like component. The other end of the bellows-like component is grounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1970
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Gaylord I. Bowman, Frank J. DePhillipo
  • Patent number: 4639075
    Abstract: A distortion free fiber optic system having a single-mode optical fiber utilized in combination with a semiconductor material mounted in optical alignment therewith. Although it is preferable for the semiconductor material to be adjacent the input end of the fiber, it may, in the alternative, be placed adjacent the output end of the fiber. For appropriate distortion free propagation of a beam of electromagnetic radiation through the optical fiber, the semiconductor material must be receptive to the wavelength of the electromagnetic beam. This can be accomplished by either matching the semiconductor material to the wavelength of the beam or tuning the source of the electromagnetic beam to the excitonic-polariton resonance of the semiconductor crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Michael M. Salour, Gustav W. Fehrenbach
  • Patent number: 4635552
    Abstract: A unique signal, safe and arming device for preventing the inadvertent detonation of an ordnance, having an initiator barrier disk and an ignitor barrier disk situated adjacent respective opposite open ends of at least one transfer tube containing an initiator therein. The barrier disks are interconnected to move in synchronism with each other from a first position blocking the ends of the transfer tube to a second position unblocking the ends of the transfer tube. A maze-like slot is located within the ignitor barrier disk and a peg operably engages the maze-like slot. While the ignitor barrier disk moves from its first position to its second position under the control of preselected signals, the peg moves radially within the slot also under the control of preselected signals. This arrangement requires the proper input signals for the appropriate movement of both the peg and ignitor barrier disk in order to permit activation of the initiator to take place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Stanley D. Battle
  • Patent number: 4631635
    Abstract: A vibration isolated cold plate assembly having a cold plate cover and a base interconnected together by means of a pair of elongated, rectangular-shaped elements made of elastomeric material. The elongated elements form therebetween a channel through which a coolant flows in communication with a plurality of cooling fins which are secured only to the undersurface of the cold plate cover. Electronic components are mounted on the upper surface of the cold plate cover and are held thereon in a vibration isolated environment while simultaneously having any excess heat dissipated therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Richard T. Dolbeare
  • Patent number: 4629379
    Abstract: A bifurcated adapter pallet system for providing an interface between the U.S. Department of Defense 463L configured carrier and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) container. Each adapter has mounting faces to attach to an ISO container at the container corner fittings and 463L tongues for restraint by 463L equipment. The ISO/463L adapter pallet facilitates efficient and appropriate tiedown and transportation of ISO cargo by means of vehicles equipped with the 463L handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Foster R. Harris, Martin S. Traister
  • Patent number: 4624411
    Abstract: A self-propelled, rotary liquid atomizer having a feed tube and a rotor operably connected at the bottom thereof. The feed tube is hollow and is affixed to the inlet line of a pressurized liquid source. This liquid source is not only atomized but serves as the motor force for the atomizer. A plurality of slits are formed at the bottom of feed tube and they are juxtaposed a plurality of cup-like openings and holes formed in the rotor. As the liquid under pressure is passed through the feed tubes it exits from the slits at the bottom of the feed tube and impinges upon the cup-like openings within the rotor to cause the rotation thereof. This high speed rotation causes the rotor to act as a fly wheel spinning at such high speed that it increases the momentum of the liquid forcing it up and along the walls of the rotor and out through the openings therein. As the liquid reaches the openings at the top of the rotor, it is sheared into fine droplets and sprayed/atomized at 360.degree. around the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Inventor: Vann Y. Won
  • Patent number: 4624388
    Abstract: Devices for protecting an edge weld of a thin metal bladder, which is positioned within a rigid walled tank, against a cavitation-induced collapse where the configuration of the interior surface of the bladder at the edge weld is in the structural form of a cavity which is horn-like in shape. One such device is a backing made of hard and ductile material which is interposed between and is in contact with the exterior surface of the bladder and the interior surface of the rigid walled tank at a location adjacent to the edge weld of the bladder. Another is a T-shaped ring disposed internal of the bladder, with the normally vertical leg of the T-shaped ring inserted into the horn-like cavity, and with the normally horizontal leg of the T-shaped ring positioned across the cavity ad in contact with the interior surface of the bladder at a location adjacent to the cavity. Even further, a hard material is fixedly positioned in the horn-like shaped cavity, thereby filling the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Yi M. Chang, James R. Fenwick
  • Patent number: 4623245
    Abstract: A process/system of generating density pseudocolor encoding with three primary colors using a white-light optical processor. Spatial encodings are made with positive, negative and product positive and negative photographic image transparencies and the pseudocoloring is obtained by color filtering of the smeared Fourier spectra. The technique is extremely versatile and economical to operate such that it offers a wide range of applications. Since coherent sources are not utilized, the color coded images are free from coherent artifact noise. Consequently, the system incorporating the method of the present invention can be computer controlled and is extremely effective in perceiving optical images as well as being extremely economical and reliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Francis T. S. Yu
  • Patent number: 4617512
    Abstract: A capacitance measuring device having an astable multivibrator, a monostable multivibrator, a metering circuit and an overrange circuit. The astable multivibrator generates a repetitive series of evenly spaced pulses which are received by the monostable multivibrator to which a capacitor of unknown value is connected. Each of the pulses initiating a voltage output in the monostable multivibrator which remains in the high state for a length of time linearly proportioal to the value of the unknown capacitor. Thereafter, the voltage output of the monostable multivibrator reverts to the low state and remains at the low state until it receives the next one of the repetitive pulses. The metering means averages the high and low states of the voltage output and provides a pair of average voltage readings indicative of capacitance value of the unknown capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Inventor: Joseph L. Horner
  • Patent number: 4614466
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for repairing damaged tapered radar radomes. The method comprises the steps of preparing the damaged skin layers, affixing corresponding patches thereto and trimming same, where only the radome skin has been damaged, and, when both skin and core have been damaged, includes preparing the damaged skin layers and core, affixing an oversized repair core section in said prepared core, trimming the repair core section to an appropriate local configuration, affixing repair patches to the prepared skin layers and trimming same.An apparatus in practice of the present invention comprises a support affixable to the surface of the radome, at least one circumferential track device coupled to the support, at least one meridional track device coupled to the circumferential track device, and a router carriage assembly coupled to the meridional track device. A particular router device capable of precision vertical adjustment to 0.0005" is also disclosed for practice with the above apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Howard E. Snyder
  • Patent number: 4611816
    Abstract: A cargo handling system having three major components: (1) a plurality of loading jack assemblies, (2) a plurality of stationary jack assemblies, and (3) a tow bar. The loading jack assemblies are of a novel construction so as to be removably mounted upon a cargo to be loaded or unloaded from the cargo bay of an aircraft or if desired onto a flat bed trailer truck. During the loading and unloading procedure a plurality of uniquely constructed stationary jack assemblies are utilized in conjunction with the loading jack assemblies so as to aid in the loading and unloading operation. By use of the combination of removable loading jack assemblies and stationary jack assemblies, cargo can be quickly loaded and unloaded into and from a minimum of space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Martin S. Traister, James R. Fay, Charles E. Becher, John M. Calligeros, Foster R. Harris, Kevin M. Powderly, Joseph M. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 4603515
    Abstract: A vacuum blast adapter for removing corrosion from the booster wells of bombs and the like which includes a cylindrical body portion having a vacuum tight seal at its forward end for engaging the outer surface of the bomb. An air/abrasive carrying line is sealably inserted through the rearward end of the body portion to guide the abrasive into the bomb booster well. An observation window is provided at the top of the adapter and a funnel collector is positioned at the bottom to collect the used abrasive which is carried away by a vacuum line. An overhead spring suspension system facilitates the movement of the adapter to successive aligned bombs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Robert L. Gilmore, George E. Lander
  • Patent number: 4602552
    Abstract: A zero adhesion system whereby a protective missile launch pad is held against an EPM-coated missile skin surface having an intermediary cloth sheet thereinbetween. The pad comprises a steel sheet having perforated cleats defined therein, which sheet is affixed to the underside of the pad and releasably bears against the intermediary cloth sheet. This arrangement operates such that the protective missile launch pad is freely released from the missile at launch without adhesion to the EPM-coated missile skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Joseph N. Steinmetz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4598469
    Abstract: A double pinch-push contact insertion end-effector for performing contact insertion on a universal basis. End-effector comprises a front jaw assembly which is moveable relative to a rear jaw assembly. Each jaw assembly comprises a pair of jaws, where each pair is individually actuable to effect contact insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Mark S. Weixel
  • Patent number: H225
    Abstract: A harness formation end-effector comprising a housing disposed for cooperable receipt and retention of a removable tool tip, wherein the tool tip may take the form of a contact insertion tool tip or a crimping tool tip or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Mark Weixel