Patents by Inventor Keith T. Passmore

Keith T. Passmore 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).

  • System for enhanced vision employing an improved image intensifier with an unfilmed microchannel plate
    Patent number: 6437491
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a photon detector and image generator, which includes a photocathode that receives photons from an image. The photocathode discharges electrons in response to the received photons. A microchannel plate with an unfilmed input face and an output face receives the electrons from the photocathode and produces secondary emission electrons which are emitted from the output face. A display receives the secondary electrons and displays a representation of the image. The photon detector and image generator has a lifetime of more than 7,500 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph P. Estrera, Anthony J. Nico, Keith T. Passmore, Timothy W. Sinor, Robert H. Smithson
  • Photocathode and image intensifier tube having an active layer comprised substantially of amorphic diamond-like carbon, diamond, or a combination of both
    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
  • Transmission mode photocathode with multilayer active layer for night vision and method
    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
  • Transmission mode photocathode with multilayer active layer for night vision and method
    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
  • Photocathode and image intensifier tube having an active layer comprised substantially of amorphic diamond-like carbon, diamond, or a combination of both
    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
  • Method for making transmission mode 1.06.mu.m photocathode for night vision
    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
  • Transmission mode 1.06 .mu.M photocathode for night vision having an indium gallium arsenide active layer and an aluminum gallium azsenide window layer
    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