Patents Assigned to National Security Technologies, LLC
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Patent number: 10921468Abstract: A muon detector system capable of determining muon direction and flight trajectory or path is disclosed. The muon detector system includes scintillators for determining muon direction, and an array of muon detectors arranged in orthogonal layers for determining flight trajectory. The system can be used for tomographic and telescopic mode imaging, and may be used for imaging concealed and/or subterranean objects.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2019Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignees: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, National Security Technologies LLC, Decision Sciences International CorporationInventors: Nedra D. Bonal, Leiph A. Preston, David Schwellenbach, Wendi Dreesen, J. Andrew Green, Michael Sossong
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Patent number: 10451745Abstract: A muon detector system capable of determining muon direction and flight trajectory or path is disclosed. The muon detector system includes scintillators for determining muon direction, and an array of muon detectors arranged in orthogonal layers for determining flight trajectory. The system can be used for tomographic and telescopic mode imaging, and may be used for imaging concealed and/or subterranean objects.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2015Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignees: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, National Security Technologies LLC, Decision Sciences International CorporationInventors: Nedra D. Bonal, Leiph A. Preston, David Schwellenbach, Wendi Dreesen, J. Andrew Green, Michael Sossong
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Publication number: 20190014243Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and recording an event is disclosed which includes a scintillator located to receive energy from the event. The energy may be x-ray energy from a radiographic source. A mirror is optionally angularly located adjacent the scintillator to redirect or reflect the light into two or more lenses. The two or more lenses have zoom capability to adjust the size of the image and the two or more lenses are arranged as telecentric lenses. A camera receives the light presented from the two or more lenses on an image plane to establish a recorded image while a shutter is presented to selectively control presentation of the light to the camera. The zoom lens allows use of different size scintillators and various CCD cameras to benefit from multiple zoom positions to best capture the image generated by the scintillator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2014Publication date: January 10, 2019Applicant: National Security Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert M. Malone, Morris I. Kaufman
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Patent number: 9885613Abstract: A probe including reflector is disclosed to measure the velocity distribution of a moving surface along many lines of sight. Laser light, directed to the surface by the probe and then reflected back from the surface, is Doppler shifted by the moving surface, collected into probe, and then directed to detection equipment through optic fibers. The received light is mixed with reference laser light and using photonic Doppler velocimetry, a continuous time record of the surface movement is obtained. An array of single-mode optical fibers provides an optic signal to one or more lens groups and a reflector, such as a parabolic reflector having a mirrored interior surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2014Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: National Security Technologies, LLCInventor: Daniel K. Frayer
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Publication number: 20180024230Abstract: A probe including reflector is disclosed to measure the velocity distribution of a moving surface along many lines of sight. Laser light, directed to the surface by the probe and then reflected back from the surface, is Doppler shifted by the moving surface, collected into probe, and then directed to detection equipment through optic fibers. The received light is mixed with reference laser light and using photonic Doppler velocimetry, a continuous time record of the surface movement is obtained. An array of single-mode optical fibers provides an optic signal to one or more lens groups and a reflector, such as a parabolic reflector having a mirrored interior surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: January 25, 2018Applicant: National Security Technologies, LLCInventor: Daniel K. Frayer
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Patent number: 9837238Abstract: A photocathode designs that leverage the grazing incidence geometry yield improvements through the introduction of recessed structures, such as cones, pyramids, pillars or cavities to the photocathode substrate surface. Improvements in yield of up to 20 times have been shown to occur in grazing incidence geometry disclosed herein due to a larger path length of the X-ray photons which better matches the secondary electron escape depth within the photocathode material. A photocathode includes a substrate having a first side and a second side, the first side configured to receive x-ray energy and the second side opposing the first side. A structured surface is associated with the second side of the substrate such that the structured surface includes a plurality of recesses from the second side of the substrate into the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2016Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: National Security Technologies, LLCInventors: Yekaterina Opachich, Andrew MacPhee
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Patent number: 9794021Abstract: A system for transmitting a wireless countermeasure signal to disrupt third party communications is disclosed that include an antenna configured to receive wireless signals and transmit wireless counter measure signals such that the wireless countermeasure signals are responsive to the received wireless signals. A receiver processes the received wireless signals to create processed received signal data while a spectrum control module subtracts known source signal data from the processed received signal data to generate unknown source signal data. The unknown source signal data is based on unknown wireless signals, such as enemy signals. A transmitter is configured to process the unknown source signal data to create countermeasure signals and transmit a wireless countermeasure signal over the first antenna or a second antenna to thereby interfere with the unknown wireless signals.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2017Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: National Security Technologies, LLCInventor: Douglas R. Seastrand
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Patent number: 9706094Abstract: A method and apparatus for the capture of a high number of quasi-continuous effective frames of 2-D data from an event at very short time scales (from less than 10?12 to more than 10?8 seconds) is disclosed which allows for short recording windows and effective number of frames. Active illumination, from a chirped laser pulse directed to the event creates a reflection where wavelength is dependent upon time and spatial position is utilized to encode temporal phenomena onto wavelength. A hyperchromatic lens system receives the reflection and maps wavelength onto axial position. An image capture device, such as holography or plenoptic imaging device, captures the resultant focal stack from the hyperchromatic lens system in both spatial (imaging) and longitudinal (temporal) axes. The hyperchromatic lens system incorporates a combination of diffractive and refractive components to maximally separate focal position as a function of wavelength.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: National Security Technologies, LLCInventor: Daniel K. Frayer
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Patent number: 9658444Abstract: An autofocus system includes an imaging device, a lens system and a focus control actuator that is configured to change a focus position of the imaging device in relation to a stage. The electronic control unit is configured to control the focus control actuator to a plurality of predetermined focus positions, and activate the imaging device to obtain an image at predetermined positions and then apply a spatial filter to the obtained images. This generates a filtered image for the obtained images. The control unit determines a focus score for the filtered images such that the focus score corresponds to a degree of focus in the obtained images. The control unit identifies a best focus position by comparing the focus score of the filtered images, and controls the focus control actuator to the best focus position corresponding to the highest focus score.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2014Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: National Security Technologies, LLCInventor: Mary Morabito O'Neill
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Patent number: 9559803Abstract: A system for transmitting a wireless countermeasure signal to disrupt third party communications is disclosed that include an antenna configured to receive wireless signals and transmit wireless counter measure signals such that the wireless countermeasure signals are responsive to the received wireless signals. A receiver processes the received wireless signals to create processed received signal data while a spectrum control module subtracts known source signal data from the processed received signal data to generate unknown source signal data. The unknown source signal data is based on unknown wireless signals, such as enemy signals. A transmitter is configured to process the unknown source signal data to create countermeasure signals and transmit a wireless countermeasure signal over the first antenna or a second antenna to thereby interfere with the unknown wireless signals.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2016Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: National Security Technologies, LLCInventor: Douglas R. Seastrand
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Patent number: 9507024Abstract: A probe including a multiple lens array is disclosed to measure velocity distribution of a moving surface along many lines of sight. Laser light, directed to the moving surface is reflected back from the surface and is Doppler shifted, collected into the array, and then directed to detection equipment through optic fibers. The received light is mixed with reference laser light and using photonic Doppler velocimetry, a continuous time record of the surface movement is obtained. An array of single-mode optical fibers provides an optic signal to the multiple lens array. Numerous fibers in a fiber array project numerous rays to establish many measurement points at numerous different locations. One or more lens groups may be replaced with imaging lenses so a stereo image of the moving surface can be recorded. Imaging a portion of the surface during initial travel can determine whether the surface is breaking up.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: National Security Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert M. Malone, Morris I. Kaufman
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Patent number: 9121861Abstract: A probe including a multiple lens array is disclosed to measure velocity distribution of a moving surface along many lines of sight. Laser light, directed to the moving surface is reflected back from the surface and is Doppler shifted, collected into the array, and then directed to detection equipment through optic fibers. The received light is mixed with reference laser light and using photonic Doppler velocimetry, a continuous time record of the surface movement is obtained. An array of single-mode optical fibers provides an optic signal to the multiple lens array. Numerous fibers in a fiber array project numerous rays to establish many measurement points at numerous different locations. One or more lens groups may be replaced with imaging lenses so a stereo image of the moving surface can be recorded. Imaging a portion of the surface during initial travel can determine whether the surface is breaking up.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: National Security Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert M. Malone, Morris I. Kaufman
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Patent number: 8970724Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for generating marker and comb indicia in an optical environment using a Mach-Zehnder (M-Z) modulator. High speed recording devices are configured to record image or other data defining a high speed event. To calibrate and establish time reference, the markers or combs are indicia which serve as timing pulses (markers) or a constant-frequency train of optical pulses (comb) to be imaged on a streak camera for accurate time based calibration and time reference. The system includes a camera, an optic signal generator which provides an optic signal to an M-Z modulator and biasing and modulation signal generators configured to provide input to the M-Z modulator. An optical reference signal is provided to the M-Z modulator. The M-Z modulator modulates the reference signal to a higher frequency optical signal which is output through a fiber coupled link to the streak camera.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2013Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: National Security Technologies, LLCInventor: Edward Kirk Miller
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Publication number: 20140347651Abstract: A probe including a multiple lens array is disclosed to measure velocity distribution of a moving surface along many lines of sight. Laser light, directed to the moving surface is reflected back from the surface and is Doppler shifted, collected into the array, and then directed to detection equipment through optic fibers. The received light is mixed with reference laser light and using photonic Doppler velocimetry, a continuous time record of the surface movement is obtained. An array of single-mode optical fibers provides an optic signal to the multiple lens array. Numerous fibers in a fiber array project numerous rays to establish many measurement points at numerous different locations. One or more lens groups may be replaced with imaging lenses so a stereo image of the moving surface can be recorded. Imaging a portion of the surface during initial travel can determine whether the surface is breaking up.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: National Security Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert M. Malone, Morris I. Kaufman
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Publication number: 20140118719Abstract: A probe including a fisheye lens is disclosed to measure the velocity distribution of a moving surface along many lines of sight. Laser light, directed to the surface and then reflected back from the surface, is Doppler shifted by the moving surface, collected into fisheye lens, and then directed to detection equipment through optic fibers. The received light is mixed with reference laser light and using photonic Doppler velocimetry, a continuous time record of the surface movement is obtained. An array of single-mode optical fibers provides an optic signal to an index-matching lens and eventually to a fisheye lens. The fiber array flat polished and coupled to the index-matching lens using index-matching gel. Numerous fibers in a fiber array project numerous rays through the fisheye lens which in turn project many measurement points at numerous different locations to establish surface coverage over a hemispherical shape with very little crosstalk.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: National Security Technologies, LLC.Inventors: Brent Copely Frogget, Vincent Todd Romero
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Patent number: 8711336Abstract: A probe including a fisheye lens is disclosed to measure the velocity distribution of a moving surface along many lines of sight. Laser light, directed to the surface and then reflected back from the surface, is Doppler shifted by the moving surface, collected into fisheye lens, and then directed to detection equipment through optic fibers. The received light is mixed with reference laser light and using photonic Doppler velocimetry, a continuous time record of the surface movement is obtained. An array of single-mode optical fibers provides an optic signal to an index-matching lens and eventually to a fisheye lens. The fiber array flat polished and coupled to the index-matching lens using index-matching gel. Numerous fibers in a fiber array project numerous rays through the fisheye lens which in turn project many measurement points at numerous different locations to establish surface coverage over a hemispherical shape with very little crosstalk.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2012Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: National Security Technologies, LLCInventors: Brent Copely Frogget, Vincent Todd Romero
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Publication number: 20140061420Abstract: A gimbal is disclosed having a base with a bottom and a support structure extending up from the bottom. Two or more mounts connected to the base and a stiffener connects to two or more mounts. A slit diaphragm flexure connects to the stiffener around at least an outer circumference of the slit diaphragm flexure and one or more adjustors are provided to move the flexure. The stiffener may be two separate elements which releasably connect and secure the outer area of the flexure there between. The adjustors are configured to move upward or downward and contact the slit diaphragm flexure to thereby move the slit diaphragm flexure in response to movement of the adjustor. The flexure includes two or more slits that allow movement of a center area relative to an outer ring. The slit includes relieved areas that provide stress relief and increase orthogonal of movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: National Security Technologies, LLCInventors: Morris Kaufman, Brian Cox
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Patent number: 8487536Abstract: A dense plasma focus device is disclosed as having an anode with a non-constant radius and a cathode coupled to the anode, the cathode also having a non-constant radius. The anode and/or the cathode may be tapered. In addition, a ratio of the non-constant radius of the anode and the non-constant radius of the cathode may be held constant along the length of the dense plasma focus device in order to maintain constant inductance. Alternatively, the inductance may be varied by varying the ratio of the anode and cathode radii along the length of the dense plasma focus device.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2009Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: National Security Technologies, LLCInventors: Edward Christopher Hagen, Bernard Timothy Meehan, III
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Patent number: 7295321Abstract: The present invention includes an interferometer for VISAR. Optionally, the present VISAR system includes intracavity imaging design with converging beams and field elements to, among other possible purposes, image the array. An optional embodiment of the present VISAR system may also optionally include precision fiber arrays. Optionally, the present system may use non-collimated beams to allow intracavity access to individual channels for one or more additional delay paths.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2005Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: National Security Technologies, LLCInventors: Bruce Russell Marshall, Marcus David Knudson, Elliot Michael Burke, Terrence John Davies, Gerald Daniel Stevens
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Patent number: 7228005Abstract: A method and device for restoration of electro-optical image data using an adaptive Wiener filter begins with constructing imaging system Optical Transfer Function, and the Fourier Transformations of the noise and the image. A spatial representation of the imaged object is restored by spatial convolution of the image using a Wiener restoration kernel.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2003Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: National Security Technologies, LLCInventor: Ding Yuan