Patents Assigned to Litton System, Inc.
  • Laser apparatus and method employing fuzzy logic based pulse width modulation
    Patent number: 5283794
    Abstract: A laser apparatus is provided in which a laser diode is driven with a plurality of drive pulses to generate a plurality of first laser pulses. Each first laser pulse occurs during a respective window and has a predetermined pulse width determined by a corresponding drive pulse. An electronic shutter which intercepts the laser beam is then opened in response to a trigger signal to permit a second laser pulse to be emitted from the laser rod during each window. The laser energy output of each of the second laser pulses from the laser rod is continuously monitored on a window by window basis to determine if the energy output of each of the second laser pulses exhibits a predetermined desired value. The energy output of the second laser pulse observed during each of the windows is then reported as a respective energy report signal set for each of the windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Gibbs, Robert D. Fischer
  • No-clean, low-residue, volatile organic compound free soldering flux and method of use
    Patent number: 5281281
    Abstract: A no-clean, low-residue, rosin-free soldering flux is described which comprises a solvent consisting essentially of demineralized water present in amount of at least about 95% by weight based on total weight of the soldering flux; from about 1% to about 4% by weight based on total weight of the soldering flux of a fluxing agent consisting essentially of at least two carboxylic acids selected from the group consisting of C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 dicarboxylic acids, monocarboxylic acids and hydroxy acids, said fluxing agent being present as solute in said deionized water solvent; and nonionic surfactant present in an amount of less than about 1% by weight based on total weight of soldering flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Krystyna Stefanowski
  • Digital wavelength division multiplex optical transducer having an improved decoder
    Patent number: 5281811
    Abstract: A fiber optic optical transducer or encoder is described. The outputs of two detectors receiving signals from an optical multiplexer/demultiplexer arrangement are compared to determine whether a given code bit is "on" or "off". When the bit is "on" the power received by the second detector will, for example, be greater than the power received by a first detector. When the bit is "off" the reverse is true. A simple power level comparison thus determines the logic state of each given code bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Warren H. Lewis
  • Square law controller for an electrostatic force balanced accelerometer
    Patent number: 5277053
    Abstract: An electrostatically force balanced accelerometer employs electrostatic, single sided square law forcing after filtering and scaling the pickoff signal to determine a restoring force required to bring the pendulous mass (10) of the accelerometer back to its null position. A signal (44,48) proportional to the square root of the restoring force is applied to an electrostatic square law forcing circuit (50) that applies a restoring force to one side or the other of the pendulum (10). A system output signal (42) is proportional to the calculated restoring force, and thus linearly proportional to the sensed acceleration. The transfer function of the forcing circuit (50) is empirically determined by applying a series of known accelerations and measuring the balancing signal required to restore the pendulous mass (10) to its null position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. McLane, Robert E. Stewart
  • Chest-mounted breathing gas terminal block assembly
    Patent number: 5273030
    Abstract: A pneumatic terminal block assembly worn by a Pilot couples breathing gas from a regulator to the pilot's breathing mask. An emergency breathing gas supply attached to the pilot's seat remains with the pilot during ejection and supplies high pressure breathing gas to an emergency regulator which is part of the terminal block assembly. The emergency regulator on the terminal block is coupled to the emergency breathing gas supply by a small diameter high pressure hose which is not susceptible to tearing or kinking during ejection caused by the blast of oncoming air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Victor P. Crome
  • Modular day/night weapon aiming system
    Patent number: 5272514
    Abstract: The improved day/night weapon sight comprises a red dot aiming portion having a light emitting diode, a combining mirror, and an apparatus for mounting the LED and the mirror on a weapon to produce a virtual image of the LED at an infinite distance in alignment with the bore sight of the weapon, and a removable night vision portion having an objective lens, an eyepiece, and an image intensification tube for intensifying a received image intermediate the objective lens and the eyepiece, wherein the virtual image is visible to the operator at night through the eyepiece, and the night vision portion is removed for use of the red dot aiming portion during the day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Amotz Dor
  • Laser path switching mechanism
    Patent number: 5272707
    Abstract: An optical beam switching mechanism is used from switching a light beam between a plurality of light beam paths. A rhombic prism is mounted for rotation on an axis and is rotated between positions by a geneva mechanism. A plurality of microswitches are positioned to reposition the prism after rotation to a predetermined position. The geneva mechanism is driven by an electric motor and has an index wheel attached to a cradle supporting the prism which index wheel is rotated by a drive arm connected to the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Orlando
  • Transmission mode InGaAs photocathode for night vision system
    Patent number: 5268570
    Abstract: An improved photocathode for use in a night vision system, comprising a glass face plate, an AlInAs window layer having an anti-reflection and protective coating bonded to the face plate, an InGaAs active layer epitaxially grown to the window layer, and a chrome electrode bonded to the face plate, the window layer, and the active layer providing an electrical contact between the photocathode and the night vision system, whereby an optical image illuminated into the face plate results in a corresponding electron pattern emitted from the active layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Hyo-Sup Kim
  • Chemical and biological warfare filter injector mechanism
    Patent number: 5263477
    Abstract: An injector mechanism uses breathing system gas to entrain cabin air to demist and defog the hood and visor of an aircrew chemical and biological warfare ("CBW") suit. The injector includes a needle valve for flow rate adjustment and an aneroid for altitude compensation. The CBW filter is downstream of the negative pressure produced by the injector to purify any ambient air drawn into the system at the negative pressure region. Positive pressure in the system downstream of the CBW filter prevents inward leakage and contamination of the demist and defog gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Victor P. Crome
  • Fiber optic gyro with low-birefringence and PM networks
    Patent number: 5260768
    Abstract: A fiber optic gyroscope is formed of two distinct sections, one having optical paths of low-birefringence fiber and the other having paths formed of polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber. The two sections are joined at a low-birefringence-PM fiber splice. The PM section includes at least one MIOC and an associated rotation sensing coil of PM fiber while the low-birefringence section includes the optical source, and associated couplers and detectors. The arrangement minimizes polarization fading and polarization non-reciprocity (PNR) bias error while allowing maximum use of lower cost and, in many cases, more durable, components to minimize overall system cost without loss of performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Amado Cordova, George A. Pavlath
  • MBE growth method for high level devices and integrations
    Patent number: 5258327
    Abstract: A method for forming an epitaxial region on a semiconductor wafer substrate of III-V compound composition. After deposition of a dielectric mask, a seed layer that includes indium is evaporated over the wafer. A layer of III-V material is then deposited over the surface of the wafer by MBE growth. The seed layer acts to create uniformly distributed nucleation cites that are randomly spaced over the surface of the dielectric material and causes a reduction of the surface mobility of the atoms during the epitaxial growth process so that the residual polycrystalline material form atop the dielectric mark exhibits enhance surface morphology. As a result, the direct placement of interconnects on the polycrystalline material is achieve and the costly and time-consuming step of removing both the polycrystalline material and the dielectric mask of the prior art is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Yi-Ching Pao
  • Inner surface fiber affixation for manufacturing a sensor mandrel
    Patent number: 5256237
    Abstract: The inner surface affixation system and process is a method for affixing wound optical fibers on the inner surface of a hollow cylinder. It is useful, for example, in the manufacture of rigid mandrel-based fiber optic sensors. The optical fibers of a sensor wound on the inner surface are less susceptible to damage than are optical fibers wound on the outside of the mandrel.The process requires that the fibers be supported on a cylinder, which is coated with an adhesive and placed within the sensor mandrel cylinder, at which time the circumference of the supporting cylinder is expanded, causing the fibers to engage the inner surface of the sensor mandrel cylinder. The adhesive is then cured, holding the fibers in place on the inner surface of the sensor mandrel cylinder while the supporting cylinder is contracted and removed from the sensor mandrel cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Maas, Michael R. Layton, A. Douglas Meyer, Dennis P. Bevan
  • Reflective magneto-optic device with an embedded conductor channel
    Patent number: 5255119
    Abstract: A reflective mode, magneto-optic spatial light modulator (MOSLM) device has planar electrical conductors which function both as optical mirror surfaces and as the address conductors for random access, selective switching of an associated individual pixel element which is formed from a magneto-optic material that exhibits magnetic domain characteristics, and further has a crossover portion of one of the reflective electrical conductors embedded in the magneto-optic device material at a nucleation region formed in the device material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Ross, David N. Lambeth
  • Integrated accelerometer with coil interface spacer
    Patent number: 5253524
    Abstract: An integrated accelerometer includes features for minimizing the effects of foreseeable operational stresses. The accelerometer is of a type that includes a planar support base having an internal aperture for accommodating a hinged strut and limit stops for minimizing the travel of the shadow paddle portion of the strut. The limit stops are fabricated of material of suitable spring constant to provide an appropriate degree of "give" without degrading instrument performance or accuracy. Two-piece arrangements sandwich the hinges, thereby limiting flexure to an acceptable range. The predictable mechanical stresses resulting, for example, from thermal coefficient mismatches between the materials of the torquer coil and the strut are minimized by the use of a spacer intermediate the base and the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry C. Abbink, Daryl K. Sakaida, Stanley F. Wyse
  • Omnidirectional fiber optic hydrophone
    Patent number: 5253222
    Abstract: An omnidirectional fiber optic hydrophone includes a concentrically-arranged pair of ring-shaped mandrels mounted between planar upper and base members. Each of the rings is formed of inner and outer annular portions separated by an annular void. Optical fibers wound about the outer circumference of the outer annular portion of the outer ring and about the outer circumference of the inner annular portion of the inner ring communicate with a source of optical energy and with a photodetector to provide signals for measuring acoustic wave-induced deflections of the rings. A plurality of mandrels may be employed in a single hydrophone which may be potted with elastomeric material or free flooded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Danver, A. Douglas Meyer
  • Method for hardening zinc selenide and zinc sulfide
    Patent number: 5242709
    Abstract: A body resistant to abrasion and transmissive to light is provided which is formed essentially of zinc sulfide or zinc selenide having incorporated therein small amounts of tellurium. The body can form a layer over zinc sulfide, zinc selenide, or a conventional substrate such as glass. The substrate is thereby protected against fracture and erosion by environmental forces, such as high velocity impact with rain or other atmospheric particles, encountered by aircraft at high speed and over extended periods of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Chaffin, III
  • Integrated accelerometer with single hardstop geometry
    Patent number: 5241862
    Abstract: An integrated accelerometer includes features for minimizing the effects of foreseeable operational stresses. The accelerometer is of a type that includes a planar support base having an internal aperture for accommodating a hinged strut and limit stops for minimizing the travel of the shadow paddle portion of the strut. The limit stops are fabricated of material of suitable spring constant to provide an appropriate degree of "give" without degrading instrument performance or accuracy. Two-piece arrangements sandwich the hinges, thereby limiting flexure to an acceptable range. The predictable mechanical stresses resulting, for example, from thermal coefficient mismatches between the materials of the torquer coil and the strut are minimized by the use of a spacer intermediate the base and the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry C. Abbink, Daryl K. Sakaida, Stanley F. Wyse
  • Backpack harness and cinch
    Patent number: 5240157
    Abstract: A harness assembly for a backpack includes a pair of straps, a pair of right angle cinch rings, and a buckle. The right angle cinch rings allow the straps to be tightened on the chest of the wearer by pulling on the strap ends which are around the wearer's waist and fastening the buckle. The right angle cinch rings maintain the tightness of the straps on the wearer's chest when the buckle is loosened, preventing the pack from sliding down the wearer's back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale L. Selhost
  • Magneto-optic device with reflective conductor
    Patent number: 5241412
    Abstract: A reflective mode, magneto-optic spatial light modulator (MOSLM) device has one or more pixel elements formed from a selected magneto-optic material with a respective pair of coincident current select electrical conductors associated with each pixel where at least one of the conductors is planar and thereby develops a reflector surface that reflects incident radiation, such as polarized light of an optical beam, which has passed at least through an associated pixel back through the magneto-optic material and resident single magnetic domain of the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Ross
  • Large angle reflective scanning system and method
    Patent number: 5239404
    Abstract: A system and method for optically scanning a scene are disclosed. The system is rotated about a pitch axis and a roll axis to provide the desired scanning capability. The system consists of a primary mirror, a secondary mirror, a tertiary mirror and a fold mirror. The fold mirror is located between the primary and secondary mirrors and reflects the light from the field of view along the pitch axis of the system. The light is reflected by a series of plane fold mirrors to the roll axis and out through an exit aperture. Because the light is reflected along the pitch axis and roll axis, the system can be rotated about these axes while the optical output is maintained as required. Rotation about these axes through internal points between the primary and secondary mirrors minimizes the volume swept out by the system during rotation and maximizes the angles through which the system can be rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. McLaughlin, Paul Jarmuz