Patents Examined by Dan Pihulic
  • Patent number: 7551519
    Abstract: This Passive Long Range Acoustical Sensor relates to means of sensing acoustical sources and signals, including multi-channel acoustical signals, such as various types of sounds, vibrations, flutter, turbulence, and the like, and at long distances through a natural optical channel, without the use of a laser or other artificial illuminating means. A modified multi-channel embodiment of the Passive Long Range Acoustical Sensor may use a combination of natural optical channels and active illumination means, such as laser or other artificial illuminating means, of producing additional optical channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Inventor: Dan Slater
  • Patent number: 7548488
    Abstract: Embodiments for determining the bearings to targets from a remote location are disclosed. The apparatus consists of an array of acoustic sensors that is capable of autonomous flight. The array may be large in diameter, approximately one meter or greater. The apparatus is capable of navigating its flight to arrive at a predetermined location, measuring acoustic sound waves emitted by targets both during flight and after landing. The apparatus may then calculate the bearings to the targets and transmit this information to a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan T. Horak, Richard A. Burne
  • Patent number: 7548489
    Abstract: Each of a pair of electrically conductive spiral coils is ensconced in a disk-shaped matrix. The two coil-ensconced matrices are joined face-to-face so as to sandwich between them a thin, non-magnetic elastic layer. An electronic device is connected so that each coil and a corresponding capacitor form an LC circuit. Electrification of the two LC circuits results in the departing and returning, in oscillatory fashion, of the two coil-ensconced matrices. This resonant behavior is both electromagnetic and mechanical in nature. The intermittent electromagnetic repelling is related to the LC circuitry and the oppositely polar electrifications of the respective coils. The springy mechanical activity is based on a spring-mass model and involves the elasticity of the intermediate material and the entrainment of ambient fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Joseph A. Clark, Jane A. Young
  • Patent number: 7548490
    Abstract: An apparatus for releasably attaching a sonar transducer to a transom, the apparatus comprised of: a first support member; a second support member, a portion of which forms a U-shaped portion that is adapted to engage the transom; a length adjustment mechanism that allows for vertical translation of the first support member relative to the second support member; a locking mechanism that temporarily secures the first support member to the second support member; an anti-pivot member on the first support member adapted to temporarily prevent the apparatus from moving relative to said transom; and a mounting bracket also on the first support member and adapted to mount the sonar transducer thereon. The apparatus can further include one or more cable clips for securing an electric cable to the apparatus in which the cable electrically connects a remote power source to a sonar transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Inventor: Ricky L. Snyder
  • Patent number: 7545310
    Abstract: In an in-vehicle mount radar device which has a reception antenna array containing plural reception antennas and two transmission antennas and in which a transmission pulse is time-divisionally and alternately transmitted from each of the two transmission antennas, a reception pulse based on the transmission pulse reflected from a target is received by each of the reception antennas, and at least angle information concerning the target is calculated by using reception data obtained by each reception antenna, the reception antenna array is constructed by arranging the plural reception antennas so that the reception antennas are spaced from one another at an interval d, each of the two transmission antennas is disposed so as to be spaced from the reception antenna located at each of both the end portions of the reception antenna array at an interval D, and the interval D is set to any value larger than the interval d.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuji Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 7545314
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a UWB radio transmission module including a UWB signal generation circuit. The UWB signal generation circuit controls the power consumption outputs according to a power supply opening/closing mode, and is connected to a common resonator and a feedback circuit type of UWB signal output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: S1 Corporation
    Inventors: Wang-Jin Mun, Han-Seok Lee, Krylov S. Konstantin, Fedotov Dmitry, Alexander A. Sudakov, Mityaev Evgeny, Koroloev S. Vladimir
  • Patent number: 7545705
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring the directional spectrum of one or more waves in a fluid medium using a multi-beam sonar system. In an exemplary embodiment, range cells located within a plurality of acoustic beams are sampled to provide current velocity data. Optionally, wave surface height and pressure data is obtained as well. This velocity, wave height, and pressure data is Fourier-transformed by one or more signal processors within the system, and a surface height spectrum produced. A cross-spectral coefficient matrix at each observed frequency is also generated from this data. A sensitivity vector specifically related to the ADCP's transducer array geometry is used in conjunction with maximum likelihood method (MLM), iterative maximum likelihood method (IMLM), or other similar methods to solve a the wave equation at each frequency and produce a frequency-specific wave directional spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Teledyne RD Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Blair H Brumley, Eugene A Terray, Brandon S Strong
  • Patent number: 7542375
    Abstract: A system and method simultaneously transmits sound waves through a plurality of sonar elements without interference, such as for the purpose of tracking objects underwater. The system has a pulse generator with a plurality of transceivers connected to the pulse generator. A plurality of sonar elements is connected to the plurality of transceivers, with at least one sonar element per transceiver. A sonar signal is sent from the pulse generator to each sonar element, passing intermediately through a transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Inventor: Matthew Sawrie
  • Patent number: 7541967
    Abstract: A method for scaling and converting sounding data into physical properties of a scanned medium is disclosed. In one embodiment, sounding data is received and transformed into phase space, where the phase space transformation linearizes the sounding data. The slope and intercept of the phase space data is determined and then converted into physical parameters. The physical parameters are then returned. In a more specific embodiment, the critical frequency is returned for an ionogram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Space Environment Corporation
    Inventors: Jan J. Sojka, Donald D. Rice, Donald C. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7542374
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring velocity in a fluid medium utilizing a phased array transducer are disclosed. The phased array transducer comprises a plurality of transducer elements arranged to form a single two-dimensional array. In one aspect, the method comprises receiving echoes of a plurality of beams generated by the transducer, calculating raw velocity estimates based at least in part on the echoes, and removing substantially a bias related to a first velocity from the raw velocity estimates. The first velocity is orthogonal to the face of the two-dimensional array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Teledyne RD Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Blair H. Brumley, Mark A. Vogt
  • Patent number: 7542376
    Abstract: A vessel-mountable integrated sonar system is provided. The vessel-mountable integrated sonar system comprises at least one imaging sonar data acquisition device and at least one processing system electronically and removably connected to the at least one imaging sonar data acquisition device, wherein the sonar data acquisition device preferably provides acoustic data to the processing system, producing sonar imageries utilizing the acoustic data, and wherein the system provides digital tilt and azimuth direction feedback for accurate geo-referencing of data to localize targets of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Blueview Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Thompson, Jason L. Seawall, Scott Thomas Bachelor
  • Patent number: 7542377
    Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments of an increased aperture homing cavitator are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a supercavitating body may include, e.g., but may not be limited to, a cavitator assembly having a front end and a back end, and having a shape operative to generate a concave cavity; an acoustical homing array coupled to the cavitator assembly; an afterbody coupled to the back end; a thruster coupled to the afterbody; and a ventilation system disposed within the afterbody, operative to supply gas to, and to maintain pressure within the cavity. In an exemplary embodiment, the size of the cavitator may be increased without a significant attendant increase in drag, thereby enabling a homing array of increased size and aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan N. Kirschner, Greg Buley
  • Patent number: 7542378
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electroacoustic transducer arrangement for underwater antennas comprising: interspaced transducer elements (11); a reflector (12) that, in a sound incidence direction, is situated behind the transducer elements (11), with the reflector being comprised of a metal plate (13) facing the transducer elements (11) and of a foam material plate (14) located on the side of the metal plate (13) facing away from the transducer elements (11), and; an elastomer hard enclosing cast that encloses the transducer elements (11) and the reflector (12). The aim of the invention is to obtain a lightweight transducer arrangement with unchanged favorable performance data whereby having a broadened field of application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Atlas Elektronik GmbH
    Inventor: Rainer Busch
  • Patent number: 7539082
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring velocity in a fluid medium utilizing a measuring system are disclosed, wherein the measuring system comprises a transducer. In one aspect, the method comprises transmitting a first set of one or more signals of a bandwidth substantially broader than the bandwidth of the measuring system, receiving echoes from the first set of signals, obtaining a first velocity estimate based at least in part on the echoes from the first set of signals, transmitting a second set of one or more signals of a bandwidth, substantially equal to, or narrower than the bandwidth of the measuring system, receiving echoes from the second set of signals, obtaining two or more possible velocity estimates based at least in part on the echoes from the second set of signals, and selecting one of the possible velocity estimates based on the first velocity estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Teledyne RD Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Vogt
  • Patent number: 7535799
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for housing an electronic audio device in harsh environments including aquatic and rugged environments. In one embodiment, a system is disclosed for allowing a user to control an audio device having a capacitive touch sensitive control feature from outside of a waterproof housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: H2O Audio, Inc.
    Inventors: Rany Polany, Carl Wilhelm Pettersen, Kari Kristian Rauhala, Stephanie Ann Griffin, Jim Abelardo Pena, Tsui Wai Man Victor, Zhang Zhong Shuang
  • Patent number: 7535794
    Abstract: Method for adjusting the output of a phased array ultrasonic transducer using surface mapping. The transducer surface is mapped using a sensor, such as a hydrophone, to determine the actual location of each transducer element relative to the expected location of each transducer element. Mapping can be performed by measuring a distance between a hydrophone and each transducer element. At least one of the hydrophone and the transducer are moveable relative to each other to map the transducer surface. A determination is made whether the actual location of a transducer element differs from the expected location. Drive signals of certain transducer elements having actual locations that differ from expected locations are adjusted to control the output of the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Insightec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Oleg Prus, Shuki Vitek
  • Patent number: 7535406
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp 1 including a lamp unit 13 provided inside a lamp chamber 7 so that the optical axis direction of lamp unit 13 is adjustable with the use of a tilting movement adjustment mechanism 15. The lamp chamber 7 is formed by a lamp body 3 and a transparent front cover 5 attached to the front opening of the lamp body 3, while the lamp unit 13 is formed by a reflector 9 and a light source 11. A millimeter wave radar device 25 is installed in the vehicular lamp, and it is composed of a controlling unit 25B and an antenna unit 25A that are provided separately from each other so that the controlling unit is attached to the lamp body and the antenna unit is attached to the lamp unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Teranishi, Nobutaka Tezuka, Toshinao Daicho, Takashi Hori
  • Patent number: 7535798
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and medium for estimating a location of a remote controller using ultrasonic waves. The method includes receiving a plurality of signals transmitted from the remote controller, measuring time delays between an infrared signal and ultrasonic signals included in each of the received signals, estimating the location of the remote controller with respect to each of the received signals using the measured time delays, and estimating the final location of the remote controller based on the estimated locations of the remote controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-geon Kong, Seok-won Bang
  • Patent number: 7535796
    Abstract: A method and a system for detection and position determination of chips, which transmit ultrasound signals in a room. The system comprises electronic identification chips, which are attached to objects that have to be monitored. Each chip is equipped with a transmitter and a receiver. The signals are received by a plurality of detector units, which are connected to a detector base unit that registers and interprets the signals transmitted form the identification chips. Detector base units located in different rooms are interconnected in a network and transmit processed information to one or more central units for further interpretation and sorting. The special feature of the invention is that line interference is substantially removed, and it is possible to determine position even though the identification chips are in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Sonitor Technologies AS
    Inventors: Sverre Holm, Rune Holm, Ole Hovind
  • Patent number: 7535797
    Abstract: An ultrasound method of measuring displacement with high resolution includes transmitting a pair of Golay's complementary sequences or other complementary sequences, receiving echoes from the object and performing pulse compression of the two sequences of echoes. The displacement of the object between the two transmissions is derived from the residual clutter signals around the mainlobe of the compressed pulse output. Furthermore, movement velocity, thickness, strain, elastic stiffness, and viscous damping of the object or regions of the object can be determined subsequently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Rehabtek
    Inventors: Qiyu Peng, Li-Qun Zhang