Patents by Inventor Allen T. Hicks

Allen T. Hicks has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7679733
    Abstract: An optical tracking device, includes an azimuth sub-assembly providing a 360-degree range of motion and a transducer sensing the azimuth position within this range of motion; and an elevation sub-assembly coupled to the azimuth sub-assembly and providing at least a ?30-degree to +100-degree range of motion and a transducer sensing the elevation position. A cross-elevation sub-assembly is coupled to the elevation sub-assembly and provides at least a ±14-degree optical range of motion and a transducer sensing the cross-elevation position. An elevation gyroscope is affixed to the elevation sub-assembly and generates an elevation rate signal; and a cross-elevation gyroscope is affixed to the elevation sub-assembly and generates a cross-elevation rate signal. A controller receives the azimuth, elevation, and cross-elevation position signals, and the elevation and cross-elevation rate signals and sends command signals to the sub-assemblies to initiate movement to allow inertially stabilized tracking of an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis L. Carter, Susan E. Hall, Allen T. Hicks, Charles T. Knorr, Alan F. Lindsay, Timothy E. Macklin
  • Publication number: 20090051906
    Abstract: An optical tracking device, includes an azimuth sub-assembly providing a 360-degree range of motion and a transducer sensing the azimuth position within this range of motion; and an elevation sub-assembly coupled to the azimuth sub-assembly and providing at least a ?30-degree to +100-degree range of motion and a transducer sensing the elevation position. A cross-elevation sub-assembly is coupled to the elevation sub-assembly and provides at least a ±14-degree optical range of motion and a transducer sensing the cross-elevation position. An elevation gyroscope is affixed to the elevation sub-assembly and generates an elevation rate signal; and a cross-elevation gyroscope is affixed to the elevation sub-assembly and generates a cross-elevation rate signal. A controller receives the azimuth, elevation, and cross-elevation position signals, and the elevation and cross-elevation rate signals and sends command signals to the sub-assemblies to initiate movement to allow inertially stabilized tracking of an object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dennis L. Carter, Susan E. Hall, Allen T. Hicks, Charles T. Knorr, Alan F. Lindsay, Timothy E. Macklin
  • Patent number: 7292319
    Abstract: An optical tracking device, includes an azimuth sub-assembly providing a 360-degree range of motion and a transducer sensing the azimuth position within this range of motion; and an elevation sub-assembly coupled to the azimuth sub-assembly and providing at least a ?30-degree to +100-degree range of motion and a transducer sensing the elevation position. A cross-elevation sub-assembly is coupled to the elevation sub-assembly and provides at least a ±14-degree optical range of motion and a transducer sensing the cross-elevation position. An elevation gyroscope is affixed to the elevation sub-assembly and generates an elevation rate signal; and a cross-elevation gyroscope is affixed to the elevation sub-assembly and generates a cross-elevation rate signal. A controller receives the azimuth, elevation, and cross-elevation position signals, and the elevation and cross-elevation rate signals and sends command signals to the sub-assemblies to initiate movement to allow inertially stabilized tracking of an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp.
    Inventors: Dennis L. Carter, Susan E. Hall, Allen T. Hicks, Charles T. Knorr, Alan F. Lindsay, Timothy E. Macklin
  • Patent number: 6674520
    Abstract: A missile tracking and deflection system for protecting a platform includes a missile warning system for detecting the presence of a missile and generating a warning signal. A countermeasure processor receives the warning signal and analyzes characteristics of the missile to prioritize a trajectory signal. A track processor receives the trajectory signal and generates a pointer signal. The system also includes a receiver, which is positioned by a pointer that receives the pointer signal, for receiving a passive and/or active signature of the missile to confirm the presence thereof. The countermeasure processor then directs a laser beam at the missile to determine its operational parameters and receives an active signature from the missile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Allen T. Hicks, Timothy E. MacKlin, Dennis L. Carter, Susan E. Hall
  • Publication number: 20020097390
    Abstract: A missile tracking and deflection system for protecting a platform includes a missile warning system for detecting the presence of a missile and generating a warning signal. A countermeasure processor receives the warning signal and analyzes characteristics of the missile to prioritize a trajectory signal. A track processor receives the trajectory signal and generates a pointer signal. The system also includes a receiver, which is positioned by a pointer that receives the pointer signal, for receiving a passive and/or active signature of the missile to confirm the presence thereof. The countermeasure processor then directs a laser beam at the missile to determine its operational parameters and receives an active signature from the missile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN TACTICAL DEFENSE SYSTEMS,INC
    Inventors: Allen T. Hicks, Timothy E. MacKlin, Dennis L. Carter, Susan E. Hall
  • Patent number: 6369885
    Abstract: A missile tracking and deflection system for protecting a platform includes a missile warning system for detecting the presence of a missile and generating a warning signal. A countermeasure processor receives the warning signal and analyzes characteristics of the missile to prioritize a trajectory signal. A track processor receives the trajectory signal and generates a pointer signal. The system also includes a receiver, which is positioned by a pointer that receives the pointer signal, for receiving a passive and/or active signature of the missile to confirm the presence thereof. The countermeasure processor then directs a laser beam at the missile to determine its operational parameters and receives an active signature from the missile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Danny E. Brown, Allen T. Hicks, Daniel E. Laird, Timothy E. Macklin