Patents by Inventor Gary D. Thurmond

Gary D. Thurmond 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: 4690488
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process and product of a process in the field of optical directional coupler switches. The application of laser light to the input ports of a coupler switch at a power level approximately twice or greater the operational power level that has been discovered to cause optical damage produces a remedial effect of stabilizing the switching characteristics of the optical coupler switch. The resulting optical coupler switch has improved transmission characteristics when measured by a transfer function over that of an untreated coupler switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: Caroline M. Gee, Gary D. Thurmond
  • Patent number: 4352982
    Abstract: An improved photodector which in utilizing a low noise load network instead of a resistor has the advantages in signal-to-noise ratio of a large load resistance without the deleterious effect on response time. The circuit includes a conventional photodiode with an operational amplifier at its output. The load network is disposed in the feedback path of the operational amplifier. It consists of a second operational amplifier, a fixed resistor and a variable resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1982
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Forward, Gary D. Thurmond
  • Patent number: 4180786
    Abstract: A circuit is disclosed for impedance matching an electrical signal-generating transducer to an electrical signal-processing amplifier while substantially retaining both the original signal-to-noise power ratio and the original signal amplitude at the input to the amplifier. A load resistance of a value substantially equal to twice the characteristic resistance of the transducer is coupled across the amplifier input, while a negative low-noise resistance approximately equal in magnitude to the source resistance is coupled in series with the load resistance. A transmission line having a characteristic impedance approximately equal to the transducer resistance is coupled between the transducer output and the series-coupled load resistance and negative resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1979
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Forward, Gary D. Thurmond
  • Patent number: 4176331
    Abstract: A class of two-terminal active networks which simulate low-noise-temperature resistors is disclosed. A single differential-input operational amplifier connected with a feedback resistor in an inverting amplifier configuration comprises the active element of the network. A resistive voltage divider feedback arrangement comprises the remainder of the circuit. Either positive or negative simulated resistors can be obtained with a wide range of equivalent resistance values and effective noise temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1979
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Forward, Gary D. Thurmond
  • Patent number: 4156859
    Abstract: A class of two-terminal active networks which simulate low-noise temperature resistors is disclosed. A single differential-input operational amplifier connected with a feedback resistor in an inverting amplifier configuration comprises the active element of the network. A dual-transformer feedback arrangement or a single transformer feedback arrangement comprises the remainder of the circuit. Either positive or negative simulated resistors can be obtained with a wide range of equivalent resistance values and effective noise temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1979
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Forward, Gary D. Thurmond