Patents by Inventor Peter J. Clifford

Peter J. Clifford 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).

  • Underwater mapping apparatus and method
    Patent number: 4445186
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a linear plan view display of a seabed, employing a side scan sonar signal system, have circuitry for repeatedly determining the height of the transmitting source relative to the seabed, circuitry for sampling the returning sonar signals, and circuitry for providing from the height determination and the sampled signals, the slant range correction needed to provide a linear output display, at least in a direction normal to the direction of movement of the transmitting source. The preferred method and apparatus also have elements for determining the velocity of the transmitting source and for effecting a one-to-one aspect ratio linear plan view of the seabed topography. In other aspects of the invention, a method and apparatus for controlling the display and for implementing the mapping transformation are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: EG&G, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Caron, Peter J. Clifford, Francis R. Germain
  • Underwater mapping apparatus and method
    Patent number: 4232380
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a linear plan view display of a seabed, employing a side scan sonar signal system, have circuitry for repeatedly determining the height of the transmitting source relative to the seabed, circuitry for sampling the returning sonar signals, and circuitry for providing from the height determination and the sampled signals, the slant range correction needed to provide a linear output display, at least in a direction normal to the direction of movement of the transmitting source. The preferred method and apparatus also have elements for determining the velocity of the transmitting source and for effecting a one-to-one aspect ratio linear plan view of the seabed topography. In other aspects of the invention, a method and apparatus for controlling the display and for implementing the mapping transformation are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Assignee: EG & G, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Caron, Peter J. Clifford, Francis R. Germain
  • Time varying gain amplifier for side scan sonar applications
    Patent number: 4198702
    Abstract: A time varying gain amplifier for a side scanning sonar system having a predetermined gain versus time relationship is disclosed. The gain is substantially proportional to the square of the elapsed time measured from the last sonar pulse initiating trigger signal. The amplifier in one embodiment employs a series connection of two amplifiers, each of which has a gain which varies linearly with the elapsed time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1980
    Assignee: E G and G, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Clifford