Patents Represented by Attorney John E. Holford
  • Patent number: 6577454
    Abstract: An objective lens assembly for use in an image intensifier over the 0.6 to 0.9 micron spectral bandwidth resulting in a F# within a range of 1.0 to 1.5 and a field of view within the range of 35 to 45 degrees. The assembly includes an air-spaced doublet, a right angle fold prism for bending the optical axis 90 degrees to a reoriented optical axis, two lens subassemblies, and a field flattening lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventor: John M. Hall
  • Patent number: 6556614
    Abstract: A laser cavity assembly for high power optical range-finders consisting of two rods of lasing material co-axially mounted on a thin substrate of the same or thermally equivalent material, selected end-faces of the rods being bonded to layers or wafers of optical materials chosen from a group consisting of materials used in Q-switches, filters, matching transformers, linear polarizers and reflecting mirrors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventors: John E. Nettleton, Bradley W. Schilling, Dallas N. Barr
  • Patent number: 6512332
    Abstract: A photon pump for a laser with a switch added to prevent capacitor discharge after the laser reaches maximum florescence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: John E. Nettleton
  • Patent number: 6411435
    Abstract: A refocusing device for an optical image display consisting of back-to-back optical eyepieces and other optical elements that creates at least one additional displaced optical image and permits reverse viewing through optical imaging systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: John M. Hall
  • Patent number: 6373865
    Abstract: A subassembly for a high powered light pumped, Q-switched and linearly polarized laser with an optical parametric oscillator, the subassembly consisting of two or three rod shaped elements having precisely ground endfaces with selected coatings mounted on a special pallet that at least partially aligns the optical axes of the elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Inventors: John E. Nettleton, Bradley W. Schilling, Dallas N. Barr
  • Patent number: 6341551
    Abstract: A technique for integrating detection and neutralization of land mines that can be used for both mine breaching and mine clearing. A land mine is sensed with multiple sensors to determine a mine signature with corresponding range and azimuth. Mine type and mine emplacement which correlates to the mine signature is determined, and a neutralizer type and configuration is determined which correlates to the mine type. A neutralizing magazine is selected for the neutralizer type and configuration. The selected neutralizer is configured, loaded, launched, and armed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Inventor: William G. Comeyne
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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