Patents by Inventor Joseph P. Estrera

Joseph P. Estrera 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: 6121612
    Abstract: A night vision device includes an image intensifier tube having a photocathode responsive to light in the wavelength range extending from about 1 .mu.m to about 2 .mu.m. The photocathode releases photoelectrons in response to photons of light in this wavelength range. A photomultiplier tube includes such a photocathode to provide an image in response to light of such a wavelength. A method of making such a photocathode is set out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Sinor, Joseph P. Estrera, David G. Couch
  • Patent number: 6116976
    Abstract: A novel photocathode and image intensifier tube include an active layer comprised substantially of amorphic diamond-like carbon, diamond, or a combination of both. The photocathode has a face plate coupled to an active layer. The active layer is operable to emit electrons in response to photons striking the face plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Sinor, Joseph P. Estrera, Keith T. Passmore
  • Patent number: 6110758
    Abstract: An improved photocathode and image intensifier tube are disclosed along with a method for making both the tube and photocathode. The disclosed photocathode and image intensifier tube have an active layer comprising two or more sublayers. The first sublayer has a first concentration of a group III-V semiconductor compound while the second sublayer has a second concentration of the group III-V semiconductor compound. The multilayer active layer is coupled to a window layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Estrera, Keith T. Passmore, Timothy W. Sinor
  • Patent number: 6087649
    Abstract: A night vision device with an image intensifier tube includes an improved power supply which operates the image intensifier tube of the device according to a variable duty cycle either at a design voltage level for the tube or at a voltage level simulating a dark-field. This duty cycle variation is effected as a function of the current flow in the image intensifier tube in order to provide automatic brightness control and bright source protection. An improved service life for the image intensifier tube is achieved. Also, a microchannel plate of the image intensifier tube need not carry an ion barrier film, resulting in an improved light amplification for the image intensifier tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Estrera, Timothy W. Sinor, Michael R. Saldana
  • Patent number: 6005257
    Abstract: An improved photocathode and image intensifier tube are disclosed along with a method for making both the tube and photocathode. The disclosed photocathode and image intensifier tube have an active layer comprising two or more sublayers. The first sublayer has a first concentration of a group III-V semiconductor compound while the second sublayer has a second concentration of the group III-V semiconductor compound. The multilayer active layer is coupled to a window layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Estrera, Keith T. Passmore, Timothy W. Sinor
  • Patent number: 5977705
    Abstract: A novel photocathode and image intensifier tube include an active layer comprised substantially of amorphic diamond-like carbon, diamond, or a combination of both. The photocathode has a face plate coupled to an active layer. The active layer is operable to emit electrons in response to photons striking the face plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Sinor, Joseph P. Estrera, Keith T. Passmore
  • Patent number: 5610078
    Abstract: An improved photocathode (12) and image intensifier tube (10) are disclosed along with a method for making both the tube (10) and photocathode (12). The disclosed image intensifier tube (10) creates a visible light image (20) from an image emitting photons (22). The tube (10) comprises a photocathode (12) having an indium-gallium-arsenide active layer (26) and an aluminum-gallium-arsenide window layer (28). The photocathode (12) is operable to emit electrons (23) in response to the photons (22). A display apparatus is coupled to the photocathode (12) and is operable to transform the emitted electrons (23) into a visible light image (24). An embodiment of the invention is capable of detecting 1.06 .mu.m radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Estrera, Keith T. Passmore
  • Patent number: 5506402
    Abstract: An improved photocathode (12) and image intensifier tube (10) are disclosed along with a method for making both the tube (10) and photocathode (12). The disclosed image intensifier tube (10) creates a visible light image (20) from an image emitting photons (22). The tube (10) comprises a photocathode (12) having an indium-gallium-arsenide active layer (26) and an aluminum-gallium-arsenide window layer (28). The photocathode (12) is operable to emit electrons (23) in response to the photons (22). A display apparatus is coupled to the photocathode (12) and is operable to transform the emitted electrons (23) into a visible light image (24). An embodiment of the invention is capable of detecting 1.06 .mu.m radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Varo Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Estrera, Keith T. Passmore