Patents Assigned to General Dynamics
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Patent number: 6895795Abstract: A method of processing a billet of metallic material in a continuous manner to produce severe plastic deformation. The billet is moved through a series of CSPD dies in one operation to efficiently produce a billet characterized by a controlled grain structure. The long billets of metal stock are moved along the processing path through the CSPD dies with plural sets of pinch rolls which grip the billet and push it into the entry channel of the dies. Other sets of pinch rolls pull the billet from the exit channel of the dies.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2002Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: General Dynamics OTS (Garland), L.P.Inventors: Prabir K. Chaudhury, Raghavan Srinivasan, Srinath Viswanathan
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Patent number: 6898350Abstract: Techniques are used to determine when interfering beams of light are precisely aligned at the core of the fiber when a laser interferometer is used to burn diffraction gratings into optical fibers. Two alternative methods are disclosed for performing this function, namely, refraction of the UV fluorescence through the fiber onto a paper or screen, and alternately interrupting the left and right UV beams, then directly observing the fluorescence pattern of the UV beam on the fiber core to determine alignment.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2003Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Inc.Inventors: Amber Iler, Alex Klooster
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Patent number: 6896443Abstract: A vehicle barrier (20) includes an upper barrier member (22), a lower barrier member (24), and a plurality of linking members (28A, 28B, 30A, 30B). The plurality of linking members extend between the upper and lower barrier members other than parallel to a median of the barrier, leaving one or more large gaps in the barrier effective so that a vehicle tire overriding the lower barrier member and any lower portion of any linking member will encounter such a gap and, thereby be unable to draw the barrier beneath the vehicle to drive over the barrier. The linking members may be disposed at angles between about thirty to about sixty degrees relative to the median as measured with the barrier in an unfurled condition. The vehicle barrier (20) may also include a median member (26) extending along the median of the barrier.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2000Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: General Dynamics Ots (Aerospace), Inc.Inventors: John N. Ousterhout, Kenneth L. Tacke
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Patent number: 6882158Abstract: A device for measuring the AC voltage drop across a series of connections under load with no direct electrical contact to the conductors. The presence of a substantial resistance at series contacts is indicative of a series arcing fault. The device comprises a capacitive probe for clamping to the outer insulation layer of the wire to sense a first voltage at a first node. The device further comprises a floating high-impedance meter having a ground reference coupled to the source of common-mode voltage at a second node, the floating high-impedance meter being adapted to measure a voltage difference between the two nodes and being further adapted to indicate the presence of the series fault when the measured voltage exceeds a predetermined level.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2002Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: General Dynamics OTS (Aerospace) Inc.Inventor: Frederick K. Blades
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Patent number: 6880780Abstract: A fin cover release and deployment system designed for high G forces of gun-launched missiles. In one embodiment, a pyrotechnic actuator drives actuator arms to first release and eject the fin slot covers, followed by deployment of the fins radially outward to the steering position. Following complete ejection of the covers, the fins are driven outwardly by cam surfaces along the latch arms, followed by a spring and wedge mechanism installed interiorly of the fin steering shaft to lock the fins in the fully deployed state. In another embodiment, a motor and rotating threaded shaft replace the pyrotechnic actuator.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2003Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Craig Perry, Richard W. Schroeder, Allan A. Voigt
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Patent number: 6879545Abstract: A woven fiber protection cable assembly for use in an optical fiber hydrophone module. The assembly comprises an elastic woven fiber strap with at least one tube attached to one or more sides of the strap in a sinusoidal pattern. The strap at a first end and longitudinal middle portion is substantially aligned with the central axis of the hydrophone module. Two layers of the strap are fastened together in the longitudinal middle portion, and the first end of the strap comprises a loop. The two layers at the second end of the strap are spatially separated and on opposite sides overlap a fiber transition segment, around which one end of the tube is coiled. The elongation of the strap causes the period of the sinusoidal pattern to increase without imparting damaging stress to the optical fiber.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2003Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Inc.Inventors: Donald A. Cooke, Kenneth M. McGovern
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Publication number: 20050068543Abstract: The present invention is directed to an optical grating sensor configured to detect a phase change in light passing though the system due to a binding event caused by an analyte. The grating sensor may include a light source that may be, for example, a coherent light source. The invention may also include a first diffraction grating having a first period. A micro-electrical mechanical system (MEMS) may be displaced from the first diffraction grating and may be configured to modulate the light received form the coherent light source. An analyte recognition material may be disposed on the surface of the first grating. A detector may be configured to receive light form the coherent light source after the light has been diffracted from the first diffraction grating and modulated by the MEMS. In another embodiment of the present invention, the grating sensor may be configured to operate in two modes. The first mode may be a mode the detect a phase change in the light due to a binding event.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2004Publication date: March 31, 2005Applicant: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Inc.Inventor: David Angeley
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Patent number: 6873285Abstract: An along-track alignment and formatting system (ATAFS) formats synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data to align and format signals from scatterers in a scene to achieve an ideal data format in the along-track dimension in which such ideal data format leads to improved image quality of an image based on the SAR data and/or reduced computational burden for generating an image based on the SAR data. Two aspects of the ATAFS include: 1) the division of data stabilization into two distinct steps; and 2) the along-track (or slow-time) migration of signal support of scatterers as a function of their along-track location. A suite of SAR image formation algorithms use the ATAFS in conjunction with conventional signal processing stages to transform input coherent signal data into a complex image with image quality and geometric accuracy commensurate with the inherent information content of the input data.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2003Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Inc.Inventors: Walter G. Carrara, Rondal S. Goodman, Mark A. Ricoy
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Patent number: 6870997Abstract: A fiber splice tray for connecting optical fibers between hydrophone modules, allowing each module to be independently assembled. The tray houses the optical fiber in a small space envelope, and allows positioning of a spliced fiber along a straight portion of an internal groove. The internal groove has alternate paths for housing the fiber. The internal groove comprises two opposing parallel sections and two arcs at both ends of the parallel sections, making two continuous looped alternative fiber paths. The internal groove may further comprise two sections that are alternatives to the parallel sections and that cross each other in the middle of the tray. The various alternative fiber paths make it possible to position a splinted optical fiber splice or splice sleeve, which cannot tolerate a bend in the path, in a straight section of the groove.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2003Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Inc.Inventors: Donald A. Cooke, Kenneth M. McGovern
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Patent number: 6863239Abstract: A fluid conduit is provided for use in a hydraulic actuating system for controlling an instrumentality disposed on a rotating portion of a machine. The fluid conduit transports pressurized fluid between a fluid source disposed on a non-rotating portion of the machine and the instrumentality and comprises a rigid tubular member formed in the shape of a helix having at least about 2 revolutions and a non-constant pitch length. The ends of the tube are adapted to be sealingly connected between the fluid source and the instrumentality. The fluid conduit is used, for example, in an apparatus and system for controlling a hydraulic actuator mounted on a rotating blade.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2003Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Inc.Inventor: Gregory W. Terpay
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Patent number: 6865334Abstract: A termination assembly for use in an optical hydrophone module, comprising a module oil seal and an optical fiber seal. The termination assembly is used at the ends of modules and provides a means for filling individual modules with fill fluid. A module oil seal comprises a cylindrical wall defining a cavity, with one end substantially closed and the other end open. An annular face plate on the open end makes a seal dividing a coupling and a clevis. A check valve is mounted to an orifice that passes through the substantially closed end of the module oil seal. Optical fibers pass through the substantially closed end and the optical fiber seal is provided around the optical fiber that passes therethrough. The fiber seal fits snugly in a module oil seal opening. Both components serve to provide a seal that can withstand high pressures and maintain optical fiber integrity.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2003Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Inc.Inventors: Donald A. Cooke, Kenneth M. McGovern
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Patent number: 6857370Abstract: A primer assembly including an ignition element assembly, a primer head assembly and a tubular body, is presented. The primer head assembly has an exterior diameter and an internal chamber containing the ignition element assembly. The tubular body has an open head end, a closed tail end and a wall defining an internal chamber. The internal chamber of the tubular body contains an ignition charge and the head end includes an internal diameter for receiving the exterior diameter of the primer head assembly. When the primer assembly is assembled, the tubular body encloses the primer head assembly and the primer head assembly seals the internal chamber. In one embodiment, the tubular body is a one-piece, seamless metallic tube having a wall of a thickness of about 0.150 to 0.160 inch and, preferably, about 0.155 inch.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2003Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Inc.Inventor: Herbert D. May
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Patent number: 6856008Abstract: The present invention provides a number of techniques for laminating and interconnecting multiple high-layer-count (HLC) substrates to form a multilayer package or other circuit component. A solder bump may be formed on the conductive pad of at least one of two HLC substrates. The solder bump preferably is formed from an application of solder paste to the conductive pad(s). An adhesive film may be positioned between the surfaces of the HLC substrates having the conductive pads, where the adhesive film includes an aperture located substantially over the conductive pads such that the conductive pads and/or solder bumps confront each other through the aperture. The HLC substrates then may be pressed together to mechanically bond the two substrates via the adhesive. The solder bump(s) may be reflowed during or after the lamination to create a solder segment that provides an electrical connection between the two conductive pads through the aperture in the adhesive film.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2003Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Inc.Inventors: Deepak K. Pai, Ronald R. Denny
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Patent number: 6854394Abstract: Tracer visibility of APFSDS projectiles can be enhanced through a combination of increased steady state spin rate, reduced muzzle obscuration, and optimized airflow over the stabilizing fin geometry of the sub-projectile. The preferred means to increase steady state spin rates of the sub-projectile is to incline or deflect the fin blade tip portion, creating a larger, hotter burning, tracer plume.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2003Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Guy H. Henry, Donald E. Dillard, Rao Yalamanchili, Dennis J. Conway, Rick D. Wright, Gary C. Fleming, Alan N. Cohen, Roger E. Joinson, Gene Venable, Thomas Doris, Albert S. Tatka, Jr.
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Patent number: 6838950Abstract: A voltage-controlled oscillator in which a tunable resonator (102) having a first port (132) and a second port (106) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the tunable resonator is a series resonating circuit having low driving and load impedances. A power gain element (108) is coupled to the first port and the second port, and an output port (110) is coupled to the power gain element and the second port. The first impedance at the first and second ports is less than approximately ten ohms. The voltage-controlled oscillator is capable of generating a signal at the output port of greater than approximately half a watt.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2002Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: General Dynamics Decision Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael N. Pickett, Robert H. Bickley
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Patent number: 6836507Abstract: A symbol synchronizer (100) is provided for a software-defined communications system (10). The symbol synchronizer (100), when integrated into either a pre- or post-detection diversity signal combiner (108, 208), enables highly accurate signal synchronization with minimal added system complexity. The symbol synchronizer (100) includes a single complex sliding window matched filter (102) for filtering an input digital signal with a match filtering function based on predetermined signal transfer function characteristics to average out receiver noise from the signal. A signal delay bank (84) includes a plurality of delay blocks each for delaying the digital signal filtered by the single matched filter for a predetermined number of samples. A complex correlator (88) correlates the digital signal filtered by the single complex sliding window matched filter (102) and delayed by the complex correlator (88) with a correlator reference signal, and selects an index of a path having a peak correlator value.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2000Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: General Dynamics Decision Systems, Inc.Inventors: Carl Steven Gifford, John Eric Kleider, Jeffery Scott Chuprun, Chad S. Bergstrom
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Publication number: 20040257275Abstract: A method and system for detecting GPS interference is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a method for detecting interference in a Global Positioning System comprises the steps of receiving at least one satellite signal from one or more satellites in a Global Positioning System; identifying a noise floor value from the at least one satellite signal; identifying an interference signal based on the noise floor value; determining an interference value for the interference signal from the noise floor value wherein a level of the noise floor value corresponds to a level of interference; and providing the interference value to at least one user for informing the user of the interference signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2003Publication date: December 23, 2004Applicant: General Dynamics Decision Systems, Inc.Inventors: David Moon Yee, Clinton Charles Hepner, Jeffrey Dean York
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Patent number: 6830177Abstract: The present invention comprises cost-effectively manufactured, electrically conductive and mechanically compliant micro-leads and a method of utilizing these compliant micro-leads to interconnect area grid array chip scale packages (“CSPs”) to printed wiring boards (“PWBs”). The preferred method includes orienting a plurality of conductive compliant micro-leads, secured to one another in parallel with tie bars and tooling, to align with a corresponding pattern of conductive pads located along the surface of an area grid array CSP. The compliant micro-leads are electrically connected and mechanically secured to the corresponding connecting surfaces of the area grid array CSP. Next, the securing tie bars and the tooling are removed. The opposite ends of the conductive compliant micro-leads are then oriented to align with a corresponding pattern of conductive surface pads on a PWB.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2002Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: General Dynamics Information Systems, Inc.Inventor: Deepak K. Pai
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Publication number: 20040246688Abstract: The present invention provides a number of techniques for laminating and interconnecting multiple substrates to form a multilayer package or other circuit component. A solder bump may be formed on the conductive pad of at least one of two or more substrates. The solder bump preferably is formed from an application of solder paste to the conductive pad(s). Adhesive films may be positioned between the surfaces of the substrates having the conductive pads, where the adhesive films include apertures located substantially over the conductive pads such that the conductive pads and/or solder bumps confront each other through the aperture. The two or more substrates then may be pressed together to mechanically bond the two or more substrates via the adhesive films. The solder bump(s) may be reflowed during or after the lamination to create a solder segment that provides an electrical connection between the conductive pads through the aperture in the adhesive films.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Applicant: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Inc.Inventors: Deepak K. Pai, Ronald R. Denny
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Patent number: 6829229Abstract: A signal calibrator (14) for a software-defined communications device (10) that enables device communications signals to be transmitted in a manner that maximally decouples the calibrator (14) from the device hardware (40), and that simplifies the design and reduces the cost of the communications device (10). The calibrator (14) includes a software modulator (16) for generating a nonstop stream of samples including zero valued samples and non-zero valued waveform bursts, and a software demodulator (18) connected to the software modulator (16) via a closed loop feedback path (20) that receives a nonstop stream of samples. The non-zero valued samples create radio emissions. The software demodulator (18) is for determining a timing error of the transmission sample and for transmitting a timing error correction value to the software modulator (16) via the closed loop feedback path (20).Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2000Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: General Dynamics Decision Systems, Inc.Inventors: Keith Charles Palermo, Mike Francis Durkin