Patents Assigned to Litton System, Inc.
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Patent number: 5349179Abstract: A night vision device with a holographic reticle ordinarily provides a user with all image of a night time scene unimpaired by any reticle pattern. Such a reticle pattern can interfere with night time observations, or may be distracting to the user. Consequently, the utility of the night vision device for use by observers is improved. However, when the holographic reticle is activated, the user is provided with a clearly visible reticle pattern superimposed on the night time scene. The reticle pattern may be used, for example, to estimate ranges to objects observed, or to aim a weapon.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1993Date of Patent: September 20, 1994Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.Inventor: Roland M. Morley
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Patent number: 5347359Abstract: Phase errors that occur when a dithered ring laser gyroscope enters its deadband are measured, and a correction is applied to the output of the ring laser gyroscope to compensate for these phase errors. The counterpropagating beams in a ring laser gyroscope are heterodyned to produce a pair of quadrature heterodyne signals that indicate the angular output of the laser ring laser gyroscope. The phase angle error between one of the heterodyne signals and either the sum or difference of the separate beam intensities is determined, The phase angle error signal is used to produce a control signal for adjusting the output of the ring laser gyroscope to correct for errors introduced at or near turnarounds in the dither cycle.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 1987Date of Patent: September 13, 1994Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Hutchings, Edward Kanegsberg, Sheridan W. Hammons, Daryl C. Stjern, deceased, Edmund W. Rusche, legal representative
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Patent number: 5347119Abstract: A night vision device with an infrared light usable for covert signaling and reading as well as for illumination of exceedingly dark areas where sufficient ambient light does not exist for the night vision device to provide a view of the area, includes a singular dual-action control switch which allows an operator of the night vision device to operate all of the functions of the device with a singular control. These functions include momentary illumination of the infrared light for signaling and for "quick look" purposes, such as for updating a user's knowledge of map coordinates, for example. The control circuit also allows the infrared light to be maintained on for area illumination, for example, until the user purposely turns it off.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1993Date of Patent: September 13, 1994Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.Inventor: Clifford Connors
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Patent number: 5344720Abstract: A bistable single crystal magneto-optic film of preselected coercivity is described. The film is readily switchable and is characterized by a substantially square shaped hysteresis loop. The film properties are attributed to controlled introduction in the film of defects of predetermined size and distribution. Defects of from about 0.4 .mu.m to about 4.0 .mu.m present in numbers per cm.sup.2 of from about 10 to about 10.sup.6, with optimal distribution falling in the range of from about 100 to about 1000, are described. Also described are methods of achieving the required defect size and distribution utilizing procedures such as ion bombardment, particle abrasion/deposition, laser ablation or annealing of the film or substrate upon which the film is supported. Devices in which the films can be used to advantage, such as flaw detecting, imaging and microwave processing, are described.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1991Date of Patent: September 6, 1994Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.Inventors: Roger F. Belt, John B. Ings
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Patent number: 5345241Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing on-board corrections to the computed navigation variables of an inertial system on an aircraft while flying over a body of water. Onboard instruments, including a barometric altimeter and a radar altimeter, measure the vertical distance of the aircraft above an ellipsoidal model of the earth and above the body of water respectively. An on-board computer calculates the differences between such heights over a plurality of points along the path the aircraft travels over the water as indicated by its inertial navigation system. The differences are compared with a map of the undulation of the geoid encompassing the region to determine the deviation of the navigated course from the true course. Appropriate corrections to the aircraft's inertial system may then be made to reduce error.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1992Date of Patent: September 6, 1994Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.Inventor: James R. Huddle
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Patent number: 5339464Abstract: An adapter is provided for enabling the use of night vision goggle having a plug-type mounting connector and a spring biased latch, with a head mounting assembly having a plate-type receiving carriage. The adapter comprises a housing having a plug-type receptacle which is configured to receive the plug-type mounting connector and a bar capable of engaging the latch. The adapter also comprises a mounting plate which is integrally formed to the hosing and configured to engage the plate-type receiving carriage. The plug-type mounting connector is secured within the plug-type receptacle by an engagement between the latch and the bar. The plug-type mounting connector is capable of selective disengagement from the plug-type receptacle by manual manipulation of the latch.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1992Date of Patent: August 23, 1994Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.Inventor: Amotz Dor
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Patent number: 5337143Abstract: A triaxial gyro system includes a loop controller for generating a multiplexed digital biasing waveform. The controller receives the multiplexed outputs of the three gyros in digital form from an analog-to-digital converter. The loop controller is arranged to generate a digital waveform for multiplexed driving of the phase modulators associated with the three gyros. Within the loop controller, the multiplexed gyro outputs are independently processed in such a way that a biasing waveform is generated which permits sequential driving of the phase modulators without any need for resetting buffer cycles.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1992Date of Patent: August 9, 1994Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.Inventors: John G. Mark, Daniel A. Tarzartes
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Patent number: 5336900Abstract: A laser rangefinder apparatus is provided which includes a laser transmitter for transmitting a coherent light pulse exhibiting one of two different wavelengths over an optical path to a target. The particular wavelength of the laser light pulse is selectable by the user between two different wavelengths. The transmitted light pulse is reflected from the target as a reflected pulse and travels back to the laser rangefinder over the same optical path. The reflected light pulse is provided to a laser receiver including a fiber optic interface which supplies the pulse to a fiber optic interface cable. The fiber optic interface cable supplies the reflected pulse to a wideband photodetector to form a single channel capable of sensing each of the two wavelengths. The single channel configuration of the rangefinder dramatically reduces the parts count of the rangefinder as compared with prior rangefinders.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1993Date of Patent: August 9, 1994Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.Inventors: Rodney E. Peters, Michael G. Croteau
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Patent number: 5334260Abstract: A no-clean, low-residue, rosin-free foam flux solution is described which comprises a cosolvent system free of volatile organic compound solvents which is comprised of (i) at least about 90% by weight demineralized water based on total weight of the flux solution and (ii) from about 1% by weight to about 5% by weight based on total weight of the flux solution of a non-volatile organic solvent forming a cosolvent with said demineralized water, said nonvolatile organic solvent having a boiling point above about 190.degree. C. and a vapor pressure below 0.1 millimeters Hg at 25.degree. C.; a fluxing agent present in an amount from about 1% to about 4% by weight based on total weight of the soldering flux, said fluxing agent comprising at least two carboxylic acids selected from the group consisting of C.sub.2 -C.sub.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1993Date of Patent: August 2, 1994Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.Inventor: Krystyna Stefanowski
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Patent number: 5333214Abstract: Apparatus for suppressing the bias errors induced by the Faraday effect in the output of a sensor coil exposed to a magnetic field. Arrangements are formed at two leads of the sensor coil for compensating the bias shifts. One of such arrangements comprises at least one loop of optical fiber for compensating the effect induced by the magnetic field component oriented transverse to the axis of the sensor coil while the other comprises at least one loop oriented at a predetermined pitch angle for compensating the effect induced by a magnetic field component along the axis. In each case, a predetermined degree of twist of a preselected fiber twist mode is imposed upon the compensator loop for creating a counteracting, corrective Faraday effect. Cross-coupling does not occur between the two compensators as their twist rate perodicities are unequal.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1993Date of Patent: July 26, 1994Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.Inventors: Sidney X. Huang, Ronald J. Michal, Ralph A. Patterson, George A. Pavlath
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Patent number: 5332948Abstract: An electron beam focusing system is provided within a microwave amplification tube formed from a plurality of magnetic polepieces interposed by non-magnetic spacers. The tube has an axially disposed beam tunnel which permits projection of the electron beam therethrough. A magnetic field is induced in the tube having lines of flux which flow through the polepieces along a magnetic axis. Heat formed within the circuit flows through the spacers to an external planar surface along a thermal axis, which is non-coincident with said magnetic axis. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of the tubes can be combined into a common system for focusing a plurality of electron beams. The tubes within the common system share heat sinks which attach to the planar surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1992Date of Patent: July 26, 1994Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.Inventors: Richard B. True, Alan J. Theiss, Douglas B. Lyon
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Patent number: 5332947Abstract: An integral polepiece RF amplification tube for amplifying a millimeter wave RF signal is provided which has a laminate structure comprising a plurality of magnetic and non-magnetic conductive plates which are alternatingly and integrally formed together. The tube has substantially planar surfaces, which permit the attachment of a heat sink thereto. The non-magnetic plates each have a slot which provides a resonant cavity, and a portion of the magnetic plates have a notch which couples the cavities. A magnetic field induced into the tube provides focusing to an electron beam projected through a tunnel which passes through each of the cavities. The amplification tube can be configured for use as a coupled cavity traveling wave tube or a klystron.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1992Date of Patent: July 26, 1994Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.Inventors: Alan J. Theiss, Douglas B. Lyon
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Patent number: 5332945Abstract: A Pierce electron gun is provided having a cathode, a focusing electrode surrounding the cathode, and an anode disposed a fixed distance from the cathode and having an opening therethrough. The electron gun has at least one grading electrode disposed between the focusing electrode and the anode. The grading electrode controls shape of equipotential lines of an electric potential difference provided between the anode and the cathode, to purposely reduce field gradient levels formed by the electric potential difference. The grading electrode further has a double radial bend having an inner radial curve of a first radius and an outer radial curve of a second radius.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1992Date of Patent: July 26, 1994Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.Inventor: Richard B. True
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Patent number: 5331401Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling dither in a multiple gyro system. Each gyro is driven at a distinct nominal frequency. The resulting gyro motions are measured, then demodulated to determine their cross-axis frequency content. Virtual drive signals are generated in light of the cross-axis interactions, then combined with the nominal drive frequencies in such a way that the measured cross-axis effects, resulting in either signal intermodulation or block coning, are nulled.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1985Date of Patent: July 19, 1994Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.Inventors: John G. Mark, Ray D. Dykeman, Daniel A. Tazartes, William B. Ware
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Patent number: 5331459Abstract: A night vision system usable as either a helmet mounted or face mask mounted monocular, or as a pocketscope, comprising an optical portion having an objective lens, an eyepiece, and an image intensification apparatus for intensifying a received image intermediate the objective lens and the eyepiece, a control housing affixed to the optical portion and having internal circuitry for powering the optical portion, and an apparatus for selectively mounting the monocular in an operational position adjacent to a desired one of an operator's eye and being rapidly switchable between the eyes.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1991Date of Patent: July 19, 1994Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.Inventor: Amotz Dor
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Patent number: 5329349Abstract: A method for tuning a sensor coil for a fiber optic gyroscope. The coil is initially wound in a known pattern. One end of the fiber of the wound coil is then adjusted relative to the other end so that a known differential is obtained that effectively displaces the midpoint of the winding pattern. The coil is then attached to an interferometer test apparatus and performance measured. After successive observations a "trimmed" coil is obtained of acceptable performance characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 1993Date of Patent: July 12, 1994Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.Inventors: Ralph A. Patterson, John D. Wilde
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Patent number: 5327094Abstract: A crossed-field amplifier is provided which has an anode and a cathode creating an electric field across a magnetic field formed in an interaction area. A field emitter is disposed within a slot formed on an outer surface of the cathode. The field emitter emits an electron current in response to the electric field to provide priming electrons for improving the start up time of the amplifier. The electron current produced by the field emitter has been shown to initiate secondary emissions of electrons from the cathode to reduce irregular start-up or "jitter" typically experienced with the amplifier at low pulse repetition frequencies. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a thermionic emitting filament is disposed in a space between adjacent anode vanes of the amplifier. The filament emits electrons in response to an external power source. A portion of the emitted electrons tend to impact the anode vanes, creating x-rays which impact the cathode surface to initiate secondary emissions of electrons.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1992Date of Patent: July 5, 1994Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.Inventors: J. Rodney M. Vaughan, Kenneth F. Ramacher, Edward M. Doyle
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Patent number: 5325173Abstract: A dithered ring laser gyroscope is mounted upon a support, and a pickoff is positioned between the gyro and the support to produce signals representative of rotation angle between the support and the gyro. A correction means is used to subtract out the effect of the dither from the output signal to the gyro. The correction means includes feedback means in the correction-producing apparatus. That feedback means includes tracking compensation for both gain and phase variation of the pickoff and pickoff electronics. To prevent constant or slowly varying signals from affecting the operation of the apparatus, the invention uses a differentiator or a high pass filter between the compensated output signal and the feedback loops.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1990Date of Patent: June 28, 1994Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.Inventors: Daniel A. Tazartes, John G. Mark
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Patent number: 5323227Abstract: A ring laser gyroscope having four independent gain regions each of which drives only one of four modes lasing within the cavity. A non-planar cavity of four intersecting segments of equal lengths is formed within a frame. Versions are disclosed for exciting plasmas therein by both d.c. and r.f. means. By selectively applying localized magnetic fields of differential strengths (by means of both permanent and electro-magnets) to the four gain regions in the cavity, gain curves having distinct, substantially non-overlapping peaks driving different polarization helicities are caused to be generated therein. Circuitry permits one to adjust the locations of the peaks of the gain curves within each of the segments in frequency to coincide with preselected resonant cavity modes. The device permits four mode multioscillator operation free from the harmful effects of mode competition inasmuch as each lasing cavity mode derives gain substantially from only one gain peak.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1988Date of Patent: June 21, 1994Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.Inventor: Graham J. Martin
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Patent number: 5319434Abstract: A laser rangefinder apparatus is provided which includes a laser transmitter for transmitting a coherent light pulse over an optical path to a target. The light pulse is reflected from the target as a reflected pulse and travels back to the laser rangefinder over the same optical path. The reflected light pulse is provided to a fiber optic interface module which supplies the pulse to a fiber optic interface cable. The fiber optic interface cable supplies the reflected pulse to a laser receiver. The laser receiver includes a signal processor which performs the distance to target calculation and displays the resultant distance to the user. The fiber optic interface module and fiber optic interface cable permit great flexibility in the placement of the laser receiver with respect to the laser transmitter of the rangefinder.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1992Date of Patent: June 7, 1994Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael G. Croteau, Rodney E. Peters