Patents Represented by Attorney Willard M. Graham
  • Patent number: 4271707
    Abstract: An ultrasonic phased array imaging system having a received signal encoding and correlating system. Pulse echoes picked up by each of the plurality of transducers are passed by a timed gate signal only during a predetermined time interval when a return signal from a focal point is expected to arrive. The return signal is also encoded by a chirp waveform. All gated chirp signals are fed to a dispersive transversal filter where their sum occurs simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Lakin
  • Patent number: 4240043
    Abstract: An electrically excited gas laser having a dual-purpose electrode configuration. Two long parallel metal electrodes on opposite sides of the gas volume are almost totally enclosed in a dielectric body material. A raised projection of each electrode, at opposite body ends, is in direct contact with the laser gas. A conventional pulse generator is connected to the electrodes. When a pump pulse is applied, a transverse glow discharge is initiated which rapidly gives way to a main longitudinal discharge. In an alternate arrangement, the electrodes comprise several discharge sections in series along the laser body, connected in electrical parallel to the pulse generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Dietmar E. Rothe
  • Patent number: 4233605
    Abstract: A Doppler radar signature simulator decoy for protecting a helicopter under attack by hostile weapons which home in on a Doppler radar return signal from the helicopters rotors. The decoy returns a strong radar signal which duplicates a relatively weaker signal emitted from the helicopter rotors, leading hostile weapons to the decoy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Coleman
  • Patent number: 4232381
    Abstract: A noise-cancellation scheme in a system receiving acoustic information signals, where the system is carried in a vehicle having self-generated engine noise. An engine rotation sensor generates pulses driving a synchronous type filter device which passes only the engine noise frequency and its harmonics. The latter signal is then subtracted from the total input signal having information and noise combined. One filter circuit comprises a phase-locked loop with a multiplying counter whose output goes to a multiplexer having a plurality of grounded capacitors connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventors: Lyle V. Rennick, Julian W. Macias
  • Patent number: 4221962
    Abstract: A radiation carrier such as an optical glass fiber is embedded in a body of material such as a laminated composite panel with the free ends of the fiber extending to or beyond the edges of the structure so that radiation such as light can be directed through one end of the carrier and measured at the other end thereof, to monitor and detect the presence of moisture in the interior of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1980
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory T. Black, Robert A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4192476
    Abstract: A mechanism for positioning an aircraft rudder and brake pedal to accommodate the pilot. The present invention provides a means whereby aircraft rudder and brake cables adjustments are not disturbed when the assembly is repositioned anywhere within the adjustment range of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1980
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Leroy R. Byers
  • Patent number: 4181910
    Abstract: A hand-carried and self-contained receiver and indicator for producing a signal when the presence of pulsed (or pulsed doppler) radar operation is detected, either in a broad band containing all the common radar pulse frequencies, or in a limited band whereby those outside the band are rejected. A simple biconical horn antenna is provided at one end of a very short coaxial line leading to a broadband detector. From the detector, a flexible transmission line connects to the remaining receiver circuitry containing, in one mode of operation, an amplifier, a limiter, a retriggerable multivibrator and an audible beep type of tone generator driving an earphone. In another mode of operation, the retriggerable multivibrator is replaced by a dual tuned circuit having a substantially restricted bandwidth for passing only a desired pulse frequency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1980
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Allan B. Hitterdal
  • Patent number: 4181277
    Abstract: A variable span wing in which a movable wing segment is externally mounted to slide along the trailing edge of the stationary main wing. The movable wing segment is extended beyond the span of the main wing at subsonic flight and retracted to the same span at supersonic flight. Extension (or retraction) on one side only provides roll control. Retraction subsonic speeds is utilized to achieve improved ride qualities and a reduction in wing loads at high load factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1980
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Heinz A. Gerhardt
  • Patent number: 4178596
    Abstract: An active radar augmentation system in a drone target aircraft, for the purpose of decreasing damage to the target. The system includes a receiving antenna in the nose, an amplifier, and a rear mounted transmitting antenna, connected by suitable cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1979
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Robert P. Rowlett
  • Patent number: 4177404
    Abstract: A plurality of photodetectors in a single line exposed to a field of view transversely across the complete region of a glow discharge volume. The detectors are connected in an electronic circuit to trigger a crowbar device across the power supply circuit providing the voltage producing the discharge when any one detector receives an optical input substantially greater than normal, thereby preventing damage to the discharge electrodes due to arcing across the glow discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1979
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald G. Eguchi
  • Patent number: 4148597
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for molding structural parts from fiber reinforced plastic composite. The apparatus is comprised of a rigid container, one or more pads of silicone rubber housed inside the container to exert pressure on the part, and one or more expandable diaphragms housed inside the container to control the pressure exerted on the part by the pads. The method used to mold a complex-shaped part from fiber reinforced plastic composite material is to lay up the part on the pads and place the pads, together with the part, between the diaphragms which are housed in the container. The container is then closed and placed in a temperature control chamber and the diaphragms connected to an external pressure control system, after which the part is cured by increasing the temperature of the chamber to the curing temperature of the part, while at the same time controlling the pressure exerted on the part by controlling the pressure in the diaphragms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1979
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: George E. Larsen
  • Patent number: 4146200
    Abstract: An auxiliary flaperon control is pivotally mounted on the trailing edge of each wing of an aircraft between the outboard control surfaces and the fuselage and in close proximity to the tail of said aircraft; the auxiliary flaperon controls being operable relative to the outboard control surfaces to induce supplementary aerodynamic forces on the aircraft tail to thereby augment the effectiveness of aircraft lateral and directional control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Angelo Borzachillo
  • Patent number: 4143369
    Abstract: An antenna diversity switch for IFF radar equipment not having such a switch incorporated in it. This new diversity switch requires no modification of the existing IFF components. The blanking pulses generated by the IFF system when an interrogating signal is received are used to trigger a monostable multivibrator which stops a free-running flip-flop controlling the switching between two antennas so that the antenna connected at that time remains connected. When the blanking pulses stop, i.e., the interrogating signal is too weak to be received, the monostable multivibrator is returned to its untriggered condition which allows the flip-flop and its controlled antenna switch to resume switching between the antennas. Suitable timing controls are provided to switch antennas at the desired rate and to keep the diversity switch connected to a receiving antenna for a desired delay time after the received interrogating signal ceases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1979
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Herman W. Ayers
  • Patent number: 4120998
    Abstract: A composite structure capable of withstanding multidirectional stress loads in general and in particular high tension and compression loads transmitted to an aircraft center fuselage by wing loading. The structure is essentially a beam formed by inserting two stepped metal end caps into the ends of a graphite/epoxy B-staged tubular strut and subsequently laying-up multidirectional and unidirectional fibers to provide a structure which is in turn cocured and results in a unitized composite wing trunnion structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1978
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Nejat A. Olez
  • Patent number: 4094750
    Abstract: A process for depositing an oxide layer on a titanium surface in preparation for adhesive bonding, the oxide layer being cathodically deposited in a solution containing isoproponol and a metal salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1978
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Jack D. Mackey
  • Patent number: 4093349
    Abstract: A mirror for high power lasers comprising a high reflectivity superlattice surface formed of a copper-gold alloy on a copper base, and the method of making the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1978
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: George J. Mills
  • Patent number: 4052494
    Abstract: A method and apparatus utilized in forming a hemispherical shape from a cast thermoplastic acrylic resin sheet or the like, dyeing the inside surface of the hemisphere to provide a uniform color density or a color density variation increasing from light to dark from the horizon to the zenith point of the hemisphere, heating the hemisphere to its forming temperature, causing it to revert to a flat sheet, and reverse forming the hemisphere to have the dyed surface on the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1977
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventors: Peter P. Garrigan, Alfred A. Gordon, Walter W. Watson
  • Patent number: 4034372
    Abstract: A system for programming the radar return signal from an airborne target carrier to gradually increase its frequency and attenuate its amplitude timed with respect to the launching of a target from the carrier, the target having its own fixed radar return, so that the velocity gate of the doppler tracking radar of a missle fired at the carrier will be smoothly handed off from the carrier to the target when the target is launched from the carrier. The programming equipment comprises timed serrodyne modulation of a traveling wave tube phase shifter to control the frequency change, and a controlled attenuator to reduce the amplitude of the returned "reflected" signal, together with necessary timing controls, the operation of the system being initiated by a command signal to launch the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1977
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Donald Lee Margerum
  • Patent number: 4023845
    Abstract: A vacuum lifter in the form of a pair of saucer-shaped clamps securing between them a segmented, resilient, thin metal sealing ring surrounding a vacuum chamber defined in the underside of the lifter. The clamping surfaces of the lifter are angularly disposed in such a way that the sealing ring engages the surface of a part to be lifted at a shallow angle. Suction is applied to the underside of the lifter creating a vacuum which draws the sealing ring segments together into substantially airtight formation around the lifter vacuum chamber sealing the underside of the lifter from atmosphere and causing the lifter to adhere to the surface engaged thereby while the part is lifted and conveyed from one location to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1977
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Fred H. Schnebly
  • Patent number: 4017908
    Abstract: A sea/land survival, sport, or work garment and self-contained, stowable combination radar-reflective/high visibility hood and large area scarf interconnected for quick deployment by the visor of the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1977
    Inventor: Edward L. Murnane