Patents by Inventor Fred M. Strohacker

Fred M. Strohacker 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: 7218273
    Abstract: A technique for boresighting an antenna mounted on a moving platform is described. The technique uses a concurrently moving calibration target. Target navigation data and platform navigation data are used to compensate for movement of the target and the platform. The antenna pointing direction is biased in a direction which provides a best signal quality, and the bias used to determine antenna boresight calibration factors. The boresight correction factors can be used for open loop pointing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: L3 Communications Corp.
    Inventors: James B. Webster, Jr., LaMar K Timothy, Fred M. Strohacker
  • Patent number: 5785281
    Abstract: A learning autopilot for a vehicle provides the capability to command complex maneuvers or maneuver the vehicle when control by its ground station is not possible. A memory is used during a piloted rehearsal mission and position and time information for the aircraft is stored in the memory. This memory is incorporated into the vehicle control system, and during automatic operation of the aircraft, the recorded position and relative time information is retrieved and compared against position and relative time information occurring during automatic flight. The difference between the recorded information and the actual flight information is used to generate error signals which are converted to command signals for the vehicle. Maneuvers which were initiated and completed by the pilot during the rehearsal mission are then repeated during the automatic flight from the flight information stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Francis E. Peter, Fred M. Strohacker
  • Patent number: 5521817
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for remotely controlling a formation of drones. A single drone is chosen as a formation leader. Each other drone in the formation has one other drone in the formation as its leader. A follower drone will sense relative movement parameters as well as inquire of its leader drone as to its other movement parameters. The follower drone will then control itself to follow the movements of its leader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Burdoin, Nicolaas J. Moolenijzer, Fred M. Strohacker