Patents Assigned to QinetiQ
  • Patent number: 6653499
    Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) may be used as alignment layers in liquid crystal devices wherein X1-5 are idependently selected from H, F, CN, phenylene, C1-10 alkyl, whereby when X1=X2, then X1,2=H and when X3=X4, then X3,4=H, S1-3 are spacer units, PG1-3 are photoisomerisable/dimerisable groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Alan W Hall, Stephen M Kelly, Gareth J Owen, Ridvan Karapinar, Mary O'Neill
  • Patent number: 6654169
    Abstract: An optical device (29) for rotating the polarization of a linearly polarized, broadband input beam of light (3) comprises prism means (30, 37, 43). The input beam is incident normal to a first face (31) and exits normal to a second face (47) of the prism means. The prism means comprises a light transmitting material having a plurality of totally internally reflecting surfaces (32,33,34) and one or more interfaces, the totally internally reflecting surfaces are arranged such that the polarization of the exit beam is rotated by 90° relative to the input beam, each interface comprises a pair of parallel surfaces (35, 39) separated by a gap (36), the parallel surfaces are arranged substantially to satisfy the Brewster condition such that surface reflection losses are minimized and the input and exit beams are substantially collinear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventor: Roland Kevin Appel
  • Patent number: 6642881
    Abstract: A radiation absorber comprising a substrate having free charges capable of being driven to form resonance charge density oscillators and a dielectric layer coated onto said surface wherein the dielectric layer has a textured/patterned surface. The substrate is preferably metallic and the dielectric layer is waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: QinetiQ Limited
    Inventors: Christopher R Lawrence, John R Sambles, Alistair P Hibbins
  • Patent number: 6642332
    Abstract: This invention relates to statistical copolymers of general formula (I) and their use in organic semiconductor devices: wherein m and j are the average number of repeat units of A and B such that: m=0.1-0.9, j=1−m, Q=10-50000; A and B are independently selected from hole transporting groups and electron transporting groups and are statistically distributed along the polymer chain; X and Z are selected from H, CN, F, Cl, Br, CO2CH3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Ian C Sage, Emma L Wood, William J Feast, Richard J Peace
  • Publication number: 20030202900
    Abstract: An aluminum based alloy having a composition within the following ranges, all of the ranges being in weight percent: lithium 2.0 to 2.8, magnesium 0.4 to 1.0, copper 2.0 to 3.0, manganese 0.7 to 1.2, zirconium up to 0.2 and the balance aluminum, save for incidental impurities and up to 2.0 in total of one or more grain controlling elements to provide microstructural optimization and control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Wendy J. Vine, Donald S. McDarmaid, Christopher J. Peel
  • Patent number: 6631033
    Abstract: Optical filters (1) designed in pairs, which are essentially colourless in their individual general appearance designed to take on a strong coloration when viewed together in transmission, said filters being particularly, useful for identification of counterfeit articles. The optical filters (1) utilize resonantly-coupled Fabry-Perot etalons of, an asymmetric design. The filters (1) are configured such that one of the Fabry-Perot cavities within the filter incorporates an additional multiple quarter wave thickness layer (20), said additional layer having a contrasting refractive index to that of the cavity spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: QinetiQ Limited
    Inventor: Keith L Lewis
  • Patent number: 6630693
    Abstract: An electro-optic semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor waveguide with a core region within which is located at least one active area wherein the core of the waveguide outside of the one or more active areas are not contaminated by diffuse active area material and the one or more active area(s) and the waveguide are monolithic and are grown in an additive growth process. Also provided is a method of making an electro-optic semiconductor device, comprising the steps of; growing a first part of a core layer of a semiconductor waveguide, selectively growing an active layer over a partial area of the first part of the core layer, and growing a second part of the core layer of the semiconductor waveguide over the first part and the active layer, characterised in that the method comprises an additive growth process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: QinetiQ Limited
    Inventors: Trevor Martin, Michael J Kane
  • Patent number: 6630952
    Abstract: A CCTV surveillance system is provided with an optical device (60) for providing different images through different areas of the CCTV camera lens (14) controllably at different times. The different images can be used to improve the resolution of the images obtained, or to increase the field of view, by sacrificing the image refresh rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventor: Marc I J Beale
  • Patent number: 6624451
    Abstract: A field effect transistor (FET) is of the type which employs base biasing to depress the intrinsic contribution to conduction and reduce leakage current. It incorporates four successive layers (102 to 108): a p+ InSb base layer (102), a p+ InAlSb barrier layer (104), a &pgr; intrinsic layer (106) and an insulating SiO2 layer (108); p+ source and drain regions (110, 112) are implanted in the intrinsic layer (106). The FET is an enhancement mode MISFET (100) in which biasing establishes the FET channel in the intrinsic layer (106). The insulating layer (108) has a substantially flat surface supporting a gate contact (116). This avoids or reduces departures from channel straightness caused by intrusion of a gate groove, and enables a high value of current gain cut-off frequency to be obtained. In FETs with layers that are not flat, departures from channel straightness should not be more than 50 nm in extent, preferably less than 5 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Timothy Ashley, Anthony B. Dean, Charles T. Elliott, Timothy J. Phillips
  • Patent number: 6621956
    Abstract: An optical fibre bend sensor (10) measures the degree and orientation of bending present in a sensor length (30) portion of a fibre assembly (26). Within a multicored fibre (30, 32,34), cores (62, 66) are grouped in non-coplanar pairs. An arrangement of optical elements (28, 36, 38) define within each core pair (62, 66) two optical paths (122, 124) which differ along the sensor length (30): one core (62) of a pair (62, 66) is included in the first path (122), and the other core (66) in the second path (124). A general bending of the sensor region (30) will lengthen one core (62, 66) with respect to the other. Interrogation of this length differential by means of interferometry generates interferograms from which the degree of bending in the plane of the core pair is extracted. Bend orientation can be deduced from data extracted from multiple core pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Alan H Greenaway, James G Burnett, Andrew R Harvey, Paul M Blanchard, Peter A Lloyd, Roy McBride, Philip St John Russell
  • Patent number: 6618009
    Abstract: A method of determining the location of an unknown source 10 transmitting a signal to satellite relays 14 and 16 comprises receiving replicas of the signal from the relays at receivers 18. The receivers 18 also transmit and receive reference signals via respective relays 14 and 16. All signals are downconverted, digitized and correlated with one another in pairs using a correlation function including a term which compensates for time varying differential frequency offset (DFO). Compensation for time varying differential time offset or time dilation is achieved by replicating or adding to signal samples and applying phase corrections. This procedure enables a correlation maximum and associated measurement results to be obtained despite the effects of relay satellite motion which mitigate against this. Results are used in a prior art geometrical technique to locate the unknown transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Griffin, Paul R. Edmonds, Simon R. Duck
  • Patent number: 6614387
    Abstract: A proximity measuring apparatus (70) comprises an interrogator (80) for generating an interrogation signal encoded with a reference signature code comprising concatenated codes and emitting it as interrogating radiation. It also incorporates a transponder (90) for receiving the interrogating radiation, demodulating it to extract its signature code and then remodulating it after a delay period to provide a signal for reemission as return radiation therefrom. The interrogator (80) receives return radiation at its antenna (260) and demodulates it to extract its signature code and then correlates the code with the reference code to determine mutual correlation thereof. The interrogator (80) incorporates a computer (290) for controlling a scan direction of the antenna (260) and for measuring time delay between emission of the interrogating radiation therefrom and receipt of corresponding return radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventor: Harry A Deadman
  • Patent number: 6608120
    Abstract: Compounds of the formula: having two double bonds which are activated so that they will take part in a polymerization reaction, the double bonds being sufficiently close together to ensure that cyclopolymerization will preferentially occur. These compounds are used as monomers which preferentially are cyclopolymerized under the influence of ultraviolet or thermal radiation in the production of network polymers, for example coatings or binders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Paul E Milne, Keith M Blackwood, Steven M Kelly, Alan W Hall, John W Goodby
  • Publication number: 20030151033
    Abstract: A novel method of fabrication of periodic dielectric composites involving a flexible computer design stage, rapid growth of a second dielectric component. Laser stereolithography is used to form the polymer material layer by layer by photopolymerisation of a liquid. Certain materials constructed in this fashion exhibit a complete loss-free barrier to microwave propagation through the material for a desired band of frequencies and are commonly known as photonic band gap crystals. Such materials could provide a novel medium for all-angle wide- and narrow-band blocking filters, narrow-band transmission filters, reflective and loss-free substrates for planar antennas, and novel loss-free media for oscillator cavities and waveguides. In addition a novel crystal structure, particularly suited to the fabrication method mentioned above and consisting of concatenated polyhedrons, is revealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: QinetiQ Limited
    Inventors: Terence J. Shepherd, Paul R. Tapster
  • Patent number: 6603912
    Abstract: A large core photonic crystal fiber for transmitting radiation having a core comprising a substantially transparent core material and having a core diameter of at least 5&mgr;. The fiber also comprises a cladding region surrounding the length of core material, wherein the cladding region comprises a first substantially transparent cladding material, having a first refractive index, and wherein the first substantially transparent cladding material has embedded along its length a substantially periodic array of holes, wherein the holes are filled with a second cladding material having a second refractive index less than the first refractive index, such that radiation input to the optical fiber is transmitted along the length of the core material in a single mode of propagation. In a preferred embodiment, the core diameter may be at least 20&mgr;, and may be as large as 50&mgr;. The fiber is capable of transmitting higher power radiation than conventional fibers, whilst maintaining propagation in a single mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Timothy A Birks, Jonathan C Knight, Philip St J Russell
  • Patent number: 6600603
    Abstract: A surface capable of supporting surface charge oscillations and exhibiting a profiled grating, said profile comprising at least two superposed periodic profiles. The surface has applications as radar absorber and authentication devices. Also disclosed is a method of detecting the authenticity of an object comprising providing a surface as described above claim adjacent to or on the object, illuminating said surface with radiation from at least one angle and determining the reflectivity characteristics and comparing this with reflectivity characteristics of a reference surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventor: John R Sambles
  • Patent number: 6600509
    Abstract: A detection system (10) utilising projected light (18, 20) viewed through an appropriately placed camera (22) detects variations in surface height (26). The system (10) is arranged to project light onto the surface (16) of interest. A camera with optical axis (24) oriented parallel to and offset from the direction of light projection is used to image the intersection (50, 66) of the projected light (18, 20) with the surface (16). The system (10) observes deflections (64) of this imaged intersection (66) and associates them with the movement of an object (26, 124) through the projected light. The object can range from a surface irregularity (124) to a person (26) walking along a corridor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Charles J. Radford, Raymond G. White, Robert W M Smith, John T. Savage, John T. O'Connor, Philip J. Kent
  • Patent number: 6596441
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell (1) comprises an anode (2), a solid cathode (3) and an electrolyte (4). The electrolyte comprises an electrochemically reactive conductive salt, an organic liquid phase comprising one or more organic compounds; and less than 0.25 M of all ionically charged additive, distinct from the electrochemically reactive conductive salt. The additive comprises a conductive salt which in use is not electrochemically reactive and which has a nitrogen containing cation in a sufficient quantity that conductivity is improved and percentage material utilisation of the cathode is improved at increased discharge rates as compared with a cell using an electrolyte which does not contain the additive. An improvement of approximately 10% in conductivity is achieved for a cell according to the invention using an electrolyte (c) with an additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Kevin J Green, James C Wilson, Susan J Howe, Philip N Barnes
  • Patent number: 6587246
    Abstract: Scanning apparatus which may be used in a real-time passive millimeter wavelength imaging system or in other radiometry systems. The apparatus scans input radiation from a scene and output radiation is transmitted to a receiver system, for example a millimeter wave imaging camera or a radar receiver. The apparatus comprises a rotatable reflective plate having an axis of rotation passing through the centre of its surface and a lens arrangement for selectively transmitting and focusing radiation having a particular direction of polarisation. The apparatus may also comprise a feed horn array comprising a plurality of feed horns, the feed horns forming part of a spherical surface having a radius of curvature substantially equal to R/2 and being concentric with the third substantially spherical polarising element. The apparatus may further comprise a detector array comprising a plurality of detector elements. The detector array may form part of a millimeter wave imaging camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Rupert N Anderton, Alan H Lettington
  • Patent number: 6577363
    Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprises a cell (1) formed by a layer (2) of nematic or long pitch cholesteric liquid crystal material contained between two cell walls (3, 4). One wall (4) carries a surface treatment giving a first azimuthal alignment direction with or without a surface pretilt to liquid crystal molecules. The other wall (3) carries a surface treatment capable of separately providing both a preferred, substantially homeotropic alignment of the adjacent liquid crystal, and a defined azimuthal second alignment direction to the adjacent liquid crystal dependant upon liquid crystal molecular arrangement. The first and second alignment directions are approximately orthogonal. Polarisers (13, 14) may be arranged on either side of the cells walls with their polarization axes parallel or perpendicular to the two azimuthal directions. In addition one or more birefringent compensator layers (19, 20) are disposed on one side or on both sides of the cell (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Guy P Bryan-Brown, Ian C Sage, Emma L Wood