Patents by Inventor Charles T. Knorr
Charles T. Knorr 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).
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Patent number: 9441922Abstract: Enhanced stability for infrared countermeasure systems is provided by using a pair of single axis rate sensors having orthogonal active axes, preferably aligned with the elevation axis and the azimuth axis of the gimbal. The outputs of the orthogonal single axis rate sensors are used to detect instantaneous aircraft angular movement and to use the detected movement to drive the elevation and azimuth motors of the gimbal to move the output mirror for the gimbal to cancel the detected movement.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.Inventors: Armando Corella, Charles T. Knorr
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Patent number: 8400700Abstract: A beam steering device is disclosed which includes an outer assembly rotatable about an axis by a motor assembly, and an inner assembly rotatable about the axis by another motor assembly and positioned radially within the outer assembly. The beam steering device also includes a first prism or grating connected to the outer assembly and a second prism or grating connected to the inner assembly. Both motor assemblies are axially displaced from the steering devices. The beam steering device also consists of beam expansion optics carried by either the inner assembly or the stationary assembly. In a further embodiment, an array of steerable sub-apertures are maintained within the inner and outer assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2010Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Dennis J. Adams, Alan F. Lindsay, Brian L. Stamper, Charles T. Knorr, Aaron P. Seibel, Michael R. Crano
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Patent number: 7898712Abstract: A Risley integrated steering module is disclosed. The beam steering device consists of an outer assembly rotatable about an axis, and an inner assembly rotatable about the axis and positioned radially within the outer assembly. The beam steering device also includes a first prism connected to the outer assembly and a second prism connected to the inner assembly, and a stationary assembly, with the outer and inner assemblies being rotatable about the portion of the stationary assembly. In an alternative embodiment, the inner assembly rotates within the stationary assembly. The beam steering device also consists of beam expansion optics carried by either the inner assembly or the stationary assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2009Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Dennis J. Adams, Alan F. Lindsay, Brian L. Stamper, Charles T. Knorr, Aaron P. Seibel, Michael R. Crano
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Publication number: 20110043880Abstract: A beam steering device is disclosed which includes an outer assembly rotatable about an axis by a motor assembly, and an inner assembly rotatable about the axis by another motor assembly and positioned radially within the outer assembly. The beam steering device also includes a first prism or grating connected to the outer assembly and a second prism or grating connected to the inner assembly. Both motor assemblies are axially displaced from the steering devices. The beam steering device also consists of beam expansion optics carried by either the inner assembly or the stationary assembly. In a further embodiment, an array of steerable sub-apertures are maintained within the inner and outer assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2010Publication date: February 24, 2011Inventors: Dennis J. Adams, Alan F. Lindsay, Brian L. Stamper, Charles T. Knorr, Aaron P. Seibel, Michael R. Crano
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Patent number: 7679733Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 24, 2007Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Dennis L. Carter, Susan E. Hall, Allen T. Hicks, Charles T. Knorr, Alan F. Lindsay, Timothy E. Macklin
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Publication number: 20090323203Abstract: A Risley integrated steering module is disclosed. The beam steering device consists of an outer assembly rotatable about an axis, and an inner assembly rotatable about the axis and positioned radially within the outer assembly. The beam steering device also includes a first prism connected to the outer assembly and a second prism connected to the inner assembly, and a stationary assembly, with the outer and inner assemblies being rotatable about the portion of the stationary assembly. In an alternative embodiment, the inner assembly rotates within the stationary assembly. The beam steering device also consists of beam expansion optics carried by either the inner assembly or the stationary assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Inventors: Dennis J. ADAMS, Alan F. Lindsay, Brian L. Stamper, Charles T. Knorr, Aaron P. Seibel, Michael R. Crano
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Publication number: 20090051906Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2007Publication date: February 26, 2009Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Dennis L. Carter, Susan E. Hall, Allen T. Hicks, Charles T. Knorr, Alan F. Lindsay, Timothy E. Macklin
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Patent number: 7336407Abstract: A scanner apparatus which has super-hemispherical coverage includes a receiver, a pair of counter-rotating prisms, and a rotating mirror aligned with the pair of counter-rotating prisms. The rotating mirror and the pair of counter-rotating prisms guide an observed optical signal in a field of regard greater than that which is achievable through the use of only the pair of counter-rotating prisms. The apparatus may also include a laser that generates an optical signal guided by the prisms and the mirror toward an object of interest in the field of regard.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2006Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Dennis J. Adams, Charles T. Knorr, Alan F. Lindsay
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Patent number: 7292319Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 5, 2006Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp.Inventors: Dennis L. Carter, Susan E. Hall, Allen T. Hicks, Charles T. Knorr, Alan F. Lindsay, Timothy E. Macklin