Patents Assigned to Northrop Corporation
  • Apparatus and method for reducing gyro activation time
    Patent number: 4648284
    Abstract: The apparatus and method for reducing gyro activation time is to be used with a gyroscope including a float floated within an outer case. An electromagnetic suspension is provided for maintaining the float at an equilibrium position within the outer case. In accordance with the present invention, the centering force is increased and the activation time decreased by selectively disabling one of the electromagnets in the suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventors: John Bouchard, Robin Ray
  • Transverse thrust lift augmentation system
    Patent number: 4648571
    Abstract: Disclosed is a propulsive lift mechanism which improves the short takeoff and landing capabilities of an aircraft by generating transverse thrust lift augmentation by exhausting gasses ported from the main exhaust through a nozzle, close behind and parallel with the trailing edges of the wings of the aircraft, which transverse jet together with thrust vectoring means of the aircraft, provide improved aerodynamic lift on the wings of the aircraft. The transverse nozzle, having means adjustable for creating reverse thrust, and optionally for discharging said exhaust gasses with a swirling motion, may provide both increased circulation of air over the wings as well as improved flow separation control on the trailing edge flaps of the wings. Exhaust gas from the jet engine of the aircraft is ported to the transverse nozzles by flap valves operating in the exhaust of the jet engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Heinz A. Gerhardt
  • Fragmentation munition
    Patent number: 4648323
    Abstract: A warhead assembly having an explosive core and a surrounding annular package with several circumferential rows of different sized preformed fragments or rods. In each of one or more row, the fragments are alternately inverted keystone shapes arranged in a circle, with the adjacent sides fitting against each other in essentially pressure-confining contact. Further, the fragments which have their wider sides facing radially outward are composed of much higher density metal than the alternating fragments having their wider sides facing inward. This causes the lower density fragments to push the higher density fragments out at a high velocity when exploded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Lawther
  • Flexible assembly jig
    Patent number: 4641819
    Abstract: A flexible assembly jig for positioning a workpiece multi-dimensionally by a plurality of positioner units to enable a tool to operate thereon. Each positioner unit includes a locator adjustable in three-dimensions into unrestricted operative positions, including positions in horizontal fields overlapping the horizontal fields of operative positions of the locators of adjacent positioner units. The positioner units with the locators are movable into storage chambers of a diameter less than the maximum horizontal operating fields in which the locator is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Poland
  • Holding fixture
    Patent number: 4640501
    Abstract: A hollow base member has a working surface and a plurality of spaced apart ways all extending parallel to an x-axis of a cartesian coordinate system. A plurality of hollow positioning members are slidably received in the ways. A plurality of vacuum hold down members are slidably sealingly received within bores in the base member and in the positioning members, respectively, and move along lines parallel to the z-axis relative to the working surfaces. A work piece is placed on a plurality of the hold down members which establish its position in the z-direction, then advanced against stop members fixed to the base member to establish its position along the y-axis. Then the positioning members are slid in the ways until integral stop members engage the work piece to establish a plurality of positions along the x-axis and within an xy-plane of the coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Poland
  • Voltage and current source fluctuation compensator and method
    Patent number: 4633190
    Abstract: A compensator for maintaining the amplification of one or more electronic signal amplifiers independent of fluctuations in the voltage and/or currents supplied to the amplifiers from voltage and/or current sources. A dummy amplifier is used which is substantially similar to the amplifier whose amplification is to be compensated and which is connected to the same sources. The changes in the output of the dummy amplifier are amplified and used to control a variable load which loads down, or alters, one or more of the voltage or current sources to the extent necessary to maintain the output of the dummy amplifier independent of variations in the voltage and/or current sources. Since the output of the dummy amplifier is maintained constant independent of supply variations, the outputs of the similar, electronic signal amplifiers also are maintained independent of supply variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. Malm
  • Multichannel optical wave guide resonator
    Patent number: 4630885
    Abstract: A multichannel optical waveguide resonator having a plurality of evanescently coupled optical dielectric waveguide rings and an input optical waveguide and an output optical waveguide located adjacent to one of the waveguide rings. The input and output dielectric waveguides are located for evanescent wave coupling of light into and out of one of the waveguide rings. The perimeters of the waveguide rings and the spacing therebetween are selected for evanescent coupling between the waveguides and so that light in the input waveguide reinforces with light in one of the concentric waveguides to create a resonator having an increased effective perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Haavisto
  • Vidicon image motion compensation technique
    Patent number: 4631583
    Abstract: In a laser video imaging system, fiducial marks serving as reference points are physically applied to the faceplate of a video camera so that the fiducial marks become recorded on the observed scene. A boresight reticle produced by system electronics maintains a fixed relationship with the fiducial marks so that the reticle appears in proper superposition over an observed target, even when line-of-sight errors are introduced by extraneous influences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Mark O. Paul
  • Protective structure and method for working on sensitive electronic devices
    Patent number: 4618222
    Abstract: Described for protecting precision electronic components from contamination such as moisture introduced by human workers during manufacture, repair or inspection cycles of the components is a shield structure having a self supporting transparent base on which an electrostatic conduction layer is supported to prevent a build-up of an electrostatic charge, and to prevent moisture from impinging on the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Philip H. Eisenberg
  • Dynamic shading compensation for IR tracking system
    Patent number: 4618892
    Abstract: A circuit which compensates for display shading in a FLIR infrared tracking system utilizes (1) a triangular signal corresponding to scanner motion and (2) a parabolic signal derived as the integral of the triangular signal. By processing both these signals in a multiplier which is biased by a gain signal from the system postamps, a dynamic compensation signal is derived which serves as a level input signal to the post amps. This signal diminishes the effect of variable shading due to two sources, namely postamps and the temperature difference between a scene and the aperture stop of the system. The summation of the triangular and parabolic signals is added to the level input signal thus compensating for the fixed shading due to vidicon and CRT display system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Frank M. Kawaguchi
  • System for transmitting a laser beam from one location on an aircraft externally to a remote receiver
    Patent number: 4618224
    Abstract: An aircraft laser system in which a laser beam is generated in one location (e.g. the fuselage) and transmitted via a relay mirror through a window externally of the aircraft structure to a receiver window at another location (e.g. a wing-tip pod). At the receiver, the laser beam passes through the window and is directed by relay mirrors to a turret, the turret receiving and directing the laser beam to an external target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Eugene A. Smith
  • Electrical connector
    Patent number: 4615577
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved backshell for an electrical connector assembly, which accepts a plurality of conductor leads, the connector assembly including a receptacle for receiving the leads, and for attachment to a complementary connector by removable attaching means, and the backshell having interlocking portions for substantially enclosing a lead separator having holes for guiding individual leads into the receptacle whereby the connector assembly with the backshell can be readily assembled and disassembled, and can be installed on and removed from the complementary connector with minimum stress applied on the leads during installation, use and/or removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Mark M. Anderson
  • Electric glow discharge using prepulse and charge storage device
    Patent number: 4612643
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring energy to a gas by means of a glow discharge. A transmission line is charged to a voltage of approximately twice that of the steady-state voltage of the glow discharge. A prepulse voltage source, having a higher voltage sufficient to initiate the glow discharge, is first connected to the discharge electrodes. After the discharge is initiated by the prepulse, the transmission line is connected and transfers its energy to the discharge. In a second embodiment, the transmission line is replaced by a capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Long, Eddy A. Stappaerts, Michael J. Plummer
  • Method of reducing optical coating absorptance
    Patent number: 4608272
    Abstract: A laser or other light beam is directed onto an optical substrate while an optical coating is being vacuum deposited thereon. The laser has a wavelength at or near that at which a reduced absorptance of the coating is desired. In one embodiment, the substrate is heated electrically. Thin film optical coatings having a substantially lowered absorptance are made in this manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1986
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Rowe, Paul Kraatz, Samuel J. Holmes
  • Store adapter
    Patent number: 4606517
    Abstract: A store adapter attachable to an aircraft with minimum modifications for retaining and supporting the store proximate the bomb rack of the aircraft, and for releasing the store by actuation of the bomb rack mechanism which causes release of the store clear of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur E. Adams
  • Compensation of gain temperature coefficient in an optical pick-off for an accelerometer
    Patent number: 4598586
    Abstract: Apparatus for compensating an optical sensor utilizing a light emitting diode and a monolithic dual element photodiode as a null position sensor for changes in optical output efficiency or gain due to variations in temperature without knowledge of relative or absolute temperature. The optical sensor includes a light emitting diode and a dual element photodiode spaced apart from the light emitting diode and located so that each element of the dual element photodiode is equally illuminated. A pendulous mass is disposed between the light emitting diode and the dual element photodiode detector such that as it moves the amount of illumination received by each of the dual elements differs. Electrical apparatus is provided for producing a first signal proportional to the difference in output from the two photodiode elements, and this signal is used to null the position of the pendulous mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1986
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Michael S. Danielson
  • Lifting shock wave cancellation module
    Patent number: 4582276
    Abstract: An aerodynamic structure which when included into the design of a supersonic aircraft provides the aircraft with a higher lift/drag ratio than has been obtainable previously in supersonic aircraft design. In a preferred embodiment, the aerodynamic structure has the general shape of a modified U-channel with each of the legs of the U-channel being configured in cross section as an isosceles triangle and extending from a cross plate. The vertical apices of each triangle face each other and are separated so that shock waves originating from the leading edges of the aerodynamic structures are cancelled by expansion waves being generated from the vertical apices. At supersonic speeds lift of the aircraft is created by a pressure field generated by a shock-expansion system acting on the cross plate of the U-channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Heinz A. A. Gerhardt
  • Air foil having adjustable shape
    Patent number: 4582278
    Abstract: An airfoil with an adjustable aerodynamic shape for lowering the landing speed of high performance aircraft. A thin secondary skin is applied to the top primary skin of the aircraft's wing surface. Pressurized fluid is introduced to the cavity formed between the primary skin and the secondary skin to cause a rounding of the upper surface of the airfoil in conjunction with lowering of leading and trailing edge flaps. A plurality of contour members of predetermined lengths and at spaced locations connect the secondary skin and upper surface of the primary skin so as to define the particular contour desired. The leading edge of the secondary skin is hinged to the forward spar of the airfoil. One or more actuators acting through a linkage apply tension to the trailing edge of the secondary skin and draw it down into contiguous relationship with the primary skin of the wing surface for high speed operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Stuart R. Ferguson
  • Compact Raman oscillator-amplifier optical system
    Patent number: 4575645
    Abstract: A Raman oscillator and amplifier utilizing a single Raman cell. The oscillator and amplifier portions of the cell are located either coaxially or adjacent to each other within a single Raman cell so as to provide a more compact arrangement. In Raman oscillator/amplifier systems employing high-temperature ovens, the invention also reduces heating requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Komine
  • Aircraft
    Patent number: D285062
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Sandusky, Jr., Victor C. Brock, Lionel O. Gay