Patents Assigned to Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation
  • Patent number: 4528669
    Abstract: A laser radar transmitter (2) has, associated with a single active lasing region (11) and preferably in the same laser cavity (1) therewith, an amplitude modulator (21) and a frequency modulator (25), which may simultaneously place continuous AM and continuous FM on a single output beam (7). Amplitude modulator (21) is preferably an EO crystal having a high EO coefficient, low loss, and field-induced birefringence. Frequency modulator (25) is preferably an EO crystal having a high EO coefficient, low loss, and a field-induced index change. Applying a d.c. driving voltage to the AM crystal (21) and an a.c. driving voltage to the FM crystal (25) produces an output beam (7) having FM. Applying an a.c. driving voltage to the AM crystal (21) produces an output beam (7) having AM, independently of whether FM is added by means of applying an a.c. driving voltage to the FM crystal (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Hoyt A. Bostick, Carl J. Buczek
  • Patent number: 4525689
    Abstract: A dynamic electronic switch (10) having n inputs (2) and m outputs (4), where n and m are any positive integers. The electromagnetic signal on any given input (2) may be switched onto any number of outputs (4), but any given output (4) may have no more than one input signal switched thereonto at any given time. Switching nodes (8), comprising at least one switching diode (11, 13, 15) and a directional edge coupler (17) embedded between two parallel ground planes (9, 1) in a planar mother board (5), perform switching at each intersection of an input (2) and an output (4). Each output (4) is mounted on a planar dielectric summer board (6) positioned orthogonal to the mother board (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Wagner, Michael J. Serrone
  • Patent number: 4523728
    Abstract: In a guided moving warhead (1) which can be a missile or a projectile containing a long rod penetrator (3), alignment wings (5) keep the rod (3) in alignment with the warhead's velocity vector, thus maximizing its destructive potential. Two pairs of wings (5) are coupled to the rod (3) by means of a two-axis gimbal (7). One pair of wings (5) pivots along one axis of the gimbal (7) while another pair pivots about a second orthogonal axis. Aerodynamic forces cause the wings (5) to align with the relative wind, and as a result, the rod (3) aligns with the warhead's velocity vector as desired. Orthogonal components of crossflow acting upon the wings (5) can be compensated out by means of gearing the shafts (11, 15) which connect the wings (5) with the gimbal (7). In the case where warhead (1) is a missile, it is often necessary to negate the lift force imparted by the wings (5) during early low velocity stages of flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation
    Inventor: Alson C. Frazer
  • Patent number: 4521855
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus estimating yaw error and roll and yaw disturbance torques from measured roll error and yaw momentum on a continuous on-orbit basis in an orbiting satellite. The information thus obtained can be used to continuously correct for the yaw error by means of, for example, activating a magnetic torquer. Two control loops are used in this invention, a fast loop to damp nutations by changing momentum wheel speed, and a slow loop of the Luenberger observer variety. The latter is a yaw error correction loop which also serves to unload yaw momentum. The satellite in which the invention was first incorporated is of the type having three momentum wheels, all situated in the plane orthogonal to the roll axis. In normal operation, two wheels, each having major momentum component along the pitch axis and minor momentum component along the yaw axis, are operable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Lehner, Kenneth L. Lebsock
  • Patent number: 4521783
    Abstract: A short-focus microwave reflector is located a short distance away from the feed horn and is positioned to reflect the beam of microwave radiation away from the feed axis and toward a large primary reflector antenna for transmission. A conical shield extends from the feed horn to the secondary reflector, joining them together as a unit and preventing sidelobe radiation. The beam of radiation emerges from the shield through an aperture in the sidewall thereof. The short focus of the secondary reflector causes the beam to be focussed approximately at the plane of the aperture, such that the beam diameter is small and the aperture can also be small, reducing stray radiation from the shield structure. Diffraction at the edges of the aperture is reduced by a radially surrounding choke structure which further suppresses sidelobe radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence G. Bryans, Kenneth R. Goudey, William F. Nickerson
  • Patent number: 4518967
    Abstract: A leaky waveguide slotted traveling wave antenna having several elongated nonresonant slots (2) oriented with their long axes substantially orthogonal to the direction of propagation within waveguide (1) filled with a dielectric material having a dielectric constant greater than 1. The length (m) of each slot (2) gradually increases as one traverses the waveguide (1) along the direction of propagation, whereas the width (W) of the wall of the waveguide (1) in which the slots (2) are cut gradually decreases as one traverses the waveguide (1) along the direction of propagation. Any angle of radiation between 0.degree. and 135.degree., including endfire and broadside radiation, can be achieved. The width (w) of each slot (2) and the inter-slot spacing (d) can vary; the increase in slot length (m) can be non-uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation
    Inventor: Charles W. Westerman
  • Patent number: 4515082
    Abstract: A cover (1) for protecting the surface (23) of a lens (3) disposed at the rear surface (21) of a guided projectile (7) is fabricated of Teflon or other soft material. Lens (3) faces rearward to receive guidance signals used to keep projectile (7) on a chosen path. Cover (1) protects lens surface (23) from combustive gases and particulates generated during projectile (7) firing, but must be removed shortly after firing to permit lens (3) to receive its guidance signals. Cover (1) comprises at least one vacated chamber (15) for receiving, via holes (17), high pressure combustive gases during firing. Subsequent to firing, the greater pressure within chamber (15) compared with the pressure surrounding cover (1) produces a net force of removal between cover (1) and projectile (7), causing cover (1) to be removed therefrom as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation
    Inventor: Vito F. Pizzurro
  • Patent number: 4506312
    Abstract: A closed-loop system for precisely regulating the speed of an electrically driven rotating body. A tachometer rotor, mechanically linked to the rotating body, is provided with p "teeth " around its periphery. A sensor produces a pulse signal upon passage of each of these teeth, to generate a cyclical tachometer signal having a frequency p times the frequency of rotation. A tachometer counter counts this signal and produces a single output pulse after every n.times.p pulses from the sensor, such that the same one of the p teeth is responsible for triggering each of the successive output pulses, and variations in spacing between teeth do not cause variations in the period of the counter output. A high frequency clock is counted by a second counter, which transfers its count to a storage register and resets upon each pulse from the tachometer counter, such that the count held by the storage register is a continuously updated, highly accurate digital representation of the period of the rotating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Fred N. Chan, Ernest E. Wuethrich
  • Patent number: 4503434
    Abstract: A lossless and matched dual mode network (10) in which the maximum voltage amplitudes (a, b, and c, respectively) appearing at three output ports (11, 12, 13), are preselected and are arbitrary subject only to the constraint that the sum of the squares of any two elements of the set (a, b, c) must be equal to or greater than the square of the third element of this set. The set of complex voltages (A, B, and C, respectively) appearing at the three output ports (11, 12, 13) when an input signal is applied to one of the input ports (1 or 2) is conjugate with the set of output voltages (AA, BB, and CC, respectively) appearing at the three output ports (11, 12, 13) when an input signal is applied to the other input port, which is isolated from the initially selected input port (1 or 2). The network (10), which may be used as a feed network in an antenna (25) system, e.g., as an even/odd mode network, comprises three 90.degree. couplers (31, 32, 33 ) and three phase shifters (41, 42, 43).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation
    Inventor: Howard H. Luh
  • Patent number: 4500170
    Abstract: An actuator (1) for mechanically supporting a structure such as an optical or radio telescope reflector (3). The actuator (1) is free to precess about a pivot point (C) which is fixed with respect to the supporting cell structure (9). This can be accomplished by gimballing the actuator (1) using vertical (13) and horizontal (17) trunnions. This gimballing arrangement permits radial and axial excursions of each actuator ball (29) to compensate for gravity vector variations as the reflector (3) is moved to point towards its target, and to compensate for thermal expansion variations between the reflector (3) and cell (9). Fine axial position adjustments are accomplished by a rotating nut (43) or a rotating screw (63) configuration in conjunction with a stepper motor (47 or 67). Motor (47 or 67) can receive its commands from a real-time closed loop system sensitive to axial position or axial load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation
    Inventor: Ernest C. Montesanto
  • Patent number: 4499471
    Abstract: A reconfigurable dual mode network (10) in which the maximum voltage amplitudes (a, b, and c, respectively) appearing at three output ports (11, 12, 13), are preselected, reconfigurable, and arbitrary subject only to the constraint that the sum of the squares of any two elements of the set (a, b, c) must be equal to or greater than the square of the third element of this set. The set of complex voltages (A, B, and C, respectively) appearing at the three output ports (11, 12, 13) when an input signal is applied to one of the input ports (1 or 2) is conjugate with the set of output voltages (AA, BB, and CC, respectively) appearing at the three output ports (11, 12, 13) when an input signal is applied to the other input port, which is isolated from the initially selected input port (1 or 2). The lossless and matched network (10), which may be used as a feed network in an antenna (25) system, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation
    Inventor: Howard H. Luh
  • Patent number: 4494408
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring and controlling potential residual stress relief mechanisms in composite epoxy resin materials. Passive and injected, or active, acoustic signals originating in or propagated through a specimen material during the formation process produce signatures identifiable with known residual stress relief mechanisms. Real-time control of material temperature and external pressure during formation in response to acoustic signals measured or observed in relation to desired acoustic signature minimizes formation of undesired material properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. DeLacy
  • Patent number: 4489293
    Abstract: A ceramic resonator element having high Q, high dielectric constant, and a low temperature coefficient of resonant frequency is enclosed within a cavity to form a composite microwave resonator having reduced dimensions and weight as compared to a simple cavity resonator. A pair of tuning screws extend into the cavity along orthogonal axes to tune the structure to resonance along these axes at frequencies near the fundamental resonance of the ceramic element. Several such cavities can be formed in a short length of waveguide by the use of transverse partitions at spaced intervals and coupling between cavities can be accomplished by using simple slot, cross or circular irises. In each cavity, a mode-perturbing screw is positioned along an axis 45.degree. from each of the orthogonal tuning screws, such that resonance along either of the orthogonal axes is coupled to excite resonance also along the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation
    Inventor: Slawomir J. Fiedziuszko
  • Patent number: 4487813
    Abstract: Method for growing HgCdTe (15) upon a CdTe substrate (5) using a HgTe source (3) and close-spaced vapor phase epitaxy (CSVPE). A processing temperature T of between 520.degree. C. and 625.degree. C. is employed over a processing time t of between approximately 1/4 and 4 hours. The thickness A of the grown HgCdTe (15) is a linear function of processing time t. The mole fraction x of cadmium in the HgCdTe (15) is a linear function of temperature T and an exponential function of the mole fraction y of mercury in the source (3). The lower the relative amount of mercury in the source (3), the greater the relative amount of mercury in the end product (15), and vice versa. Any crystal plane and any axial orientation of the CdTe substrate (5) can be used without affecting the rate of growth of the HgCdTe (15), the single crystal nature of the HgCdTe (15), or the mirror-like finish of its surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. Kay
  • Patent number: 4485740
    Abstract: A coupling assembly for joining a guidance module housing to a bulkhead of a guided missile. The coupling assembly includes a plurality of levers extending through slots in the housing and bulkhead of the guided missile with a plurality of threaded fasteners extending through the levers and engaging a plate member integral with the housing. The threaded fastener is torqued to impart a pivoting motion to the lever about a fulcrum integral with the plate such that axial directed forces are transferred from the outer periphery of the lever to the housing which is forced to abut the bulkhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1984
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation
    Inventor: Harold O. Boss
  • Patent number: 4483065
    Abstract: Disclosed is a seal which provides effective hermetic sealing of insulated metallic feedthroughs in metallic containers. The device has particular applicability in the fabrication of pressurized metal/gas battery cells such as those used in spacecraft. A conductive terminus protrudes through a metallic vessel which may be pressurized. It is desired to maintain electrical separation between the terminus and the wall of the vessel by means of a dielectric, which is compressed between the terminus and a metallic boss to provide a hermetic seal. The compressive force is applied radially outwardly by means of drawing a nondeformable pin through a hollow cylindrical barrel constituting the terminus, thereby slightly deforming the barrel and grossly deforming the dielectric. The pin may be either pulled out of the barrel from within the vessel or pushed into the barrel from outside the vessel, but in each case force is applied radially outwardly in a gradual, relatively frictionless fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1984
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Theodore O. Meyer, Gerrit van Ommering
  • Patent number: 4480233
    Abstract: At least two oscillators (20) are power combined using planar transmission lines, e.g., microstrip, stripline, or suspended substrate. A portion (42) of each oscillator (20) is preferably implemented in suspended substrate while an impedance matching portion (24) is preferably implemented in microstrip. Each oscillator (20) comprises a two-terminal negative-resistance active device power source (22) such as a negative resistance diode. The sources (22) are all operated in phase in the even mode. Stabilizing resistors (8) connect adjacent oscillators (20) to keep the sources (22) in phase. A diplexer (29, 33) within each oscillator (20) isolates the RF output (and RF input when injection locking is employed) from the individual DC biases used for sources (22), controls out-of-band impedances, and isolates oscillators (20) from each other. The outputs of the oscillators (20) are summed at a common junction (12) via planar transmission line spokes (10) having equal lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1984
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation
    Inventor: Peter A. Juul
  • Patent number: 4473796
    Abstract: This circuit measures both the resistance and the capacitance of the parallel RC circuit that is the equivalent of any substantially non-inductive two-port device. Thus, the circuit can measure any resistance, capacitance, RC network, or diode, including photovoltaic diodes. The invention uses an operational amplifier, an audio A.C. oscillator and a voltage measuring device such as a digital RMS voltmeter. The resulting apparatus is small, inexpensive, accurate, and easy to operate. The resistance is measured with the audio oscillator set for a low frequency (such as 70 Hz); the capacitance is measured when the audio oscillator is set at a high frequency (such as 20 KHz). The resultant values can either be calculated using simple formulas or can be displayed directly using an analog or digital circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1984
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation
    Inventor: Donald B. Nankivil
  • Patent number: 4470709
    Abstract: A device and method for optimizing the weight and/or the heat transfer (conduction) capability of a heat transfer cylindrical sleeve. The sleeve is designed to fit around a cylindrical heat source. One particular application for this invention is where the heat source is a battery such as a metal gas battery in a satellite (where weight savings is important). Two sets of functional relationships are generated showing the relationship between the thickness of the sleeve at its top and bottom, an "area factor" (which is directly proportional to its heat transfer capability), the material thermal conductivity, and its volume per unit length (which is directly proportional to its weight). One can specify the desired heat transfer capability of the sleeve and optimize (minimize) its weight. Conversely, one can specify the desired weight for the sleeve and optimize (maximize) its heat transfer capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Charles W. Koehler, Gerrit VanOmmering
  • Patent number: 4468738
    Abstract: A composite address resolution scheme is used in a distributed processing computer communications system. Many parallel processors are connected together via a multi-processor intertie bus, which serves to communicate data from any processor to any other processor. Resolution of control among several competing processors which desire access to the bus is resolved directly on the bus. The processors are online replaceable; and the system fails soft. Each processor contains resolution logic which enables simultaneous parallel resolution by any number of processors. The resolution is performed on the basis of a composite logical address (CLA) which originates within each processor. The CLA can contain non-unique priority information as well as unique logical location information. The bus is awarded to the processor exhibiting the lowest CLA. The resolution is performed starting with the most significant bit or bits and working downward towards the least significant bit or bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Assignee: Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley W. Hansen, John D. Terleski, Mark D. Whaley