Patents by Inventor Robert E. Stewart

Robert E. Stewart 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).

  • Oscillation of vibrating beam in a first direction for a first time period and a second direction for a second time period to sense angular rate of the vibrating beam
    Patent number: 7174785
    Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises a vibrating beam, a first drive component, and a second drive component. The first drive component for a first time period oscillates the vibrating beam in a first direction to sense angular rate of the vibrating beam. The second drive component for a second time period oscillates the vibrating beam in a second direction to sense angular rate of the vibrating beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. Stewart
  • Heating element induction of time-varying thermal gradient in elongated beam to cause one or more elongated beam oscillations
    Patent number: 7091451
    Abstract: One or more heating elements comprise a heating element. One or more elongated beams comprise an elongated beam. The heating element is coupled with the elongated beam and induces a time-varying thermal gradient in the elongated beam to cause one or more oscillations of one or more of the one or more elongated beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. Stewart
  • Lifesaving floatation and breathing device
    Patent number: 7047966
    Abstract: This lifesaving floatation and breathing device comprises first and second inflatable bags having similar bag volumes, and a mouthpiece communicating with both bags. A pressurized gas cylinder filled with breathable gas is mounted to one of the bags. This pressurized gas cylinder has a gas volume and a gas pressure therein. The device also has an inflator mechanism mounted thereto for transferring the breathable gas from the pressurized gas cylinder into one of the bags. One of the characteristics of the device is that the volume of each bag is a mathematical product of the gas volume inside the cylinder and a ratio of the gas pressure inside the cylinder over atmospheric pressure. Either bags can accept the full content of the cylinder at atmospheric pressure, thereby obviating the need for a pressure regulator or flow control orifice therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventor: Robert E. Stewart
  • Compliant component for supporting electrical interface component
    Patent number: 7002225
    Abstract: An apparatus in one example includes a compliant component for supporting an electrical interface component that serves to electrically and mechanically couple a die with a separate layer. In one example, the compliant component, upon relative movement between the die and the separate layer, serves to promote a decrease in stress in one or more of the die and the separate layer. The apparatus in another example includes a compliant component for supporting an electrical interface component that serves to create an electrical connection between a die and a separate layer. The compliant component, upon relative movement between the die and the separate layer, serves to promote maintenance of the electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Northrup Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. Stewart
  • Die connected with integrated circuit component for electrical signal passing therebetween
    Patent number: 6992399
    Abstract: An apparatus in one example includes a die with at least first and second portions, the first portion of the die mechanically and electrically connectable with a circuit board. The apparatus includes an integrated circuit component mechanically and electrically connected with the second portion of the die. Upon operation the die serves to generate one or more electrical signals that are passed to the integrated circuit component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. Stewart
  • High speed bus system that incorporates uni-directional point-to-point buses
    Patent number: 6928500
    Abstract: A high speed bus system for use in a shared memory system that allows for the high speed transmissions of commands and data between a number of processors and a memory array of a multi-processor, shared memory system, with the high speed bus system including a central unit and a series of uni-directional buses that connect between the plurality of processors and shared memory, with the central unit including arbitration logic and a series of multiplexers to determine which CPUs are granted access to shared buses, scheduling logic that works with the arbitration logic and multiplexers to determine which CPUs are granted access to the shared buses, and port logic for combining the CPU transmissions and determining if such transmissions are valid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Raj Ramanujan, James B. Keller, William A. Samaras, John Derosa, Robert E. Stewart
  • Field-assisted fusion bonding
    Patent number: 6887342
    Abstract: A method of field-assisted fusion bonding produces multiple-layer devices. Contacts (301, 303, 305, 307, 309) are placed at various points along different surfaces of a combination of two or more wafers (201, 203, 205, 501, 503, 505, 801, 803). An electric field is applied to the contacts (301, 303, 305, 307, 309), thereby creating an electrostatic attractive force between the wafers (201, 203, 205, 501, 503, 505, 801, 803). The temperature of the wafer combination is elevated to a fusion bonding temperature while the electric field is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. Stewart
  • Hinge position location that causes pendulous axis to be substantially parallel with drive component direction
    Patent number: 6868725
    Abstract: A drive component that comprises a drive axis, a pendulous sensor component that comprises a center of mass, and a hinge component that comprises a rotation axis of an electromechanical system. The drive component makes a determination of a drive direction. Upon the determination of the drive direction, the drive component determines an alignment of a pendulous axis, that intersects the center of mass of the pendulous sensor component and the rotation axis of the hinge component, with the drive axis of the drive component. The drive component and the pendulous sensor component are coupled with the hinge component. A location of the hinge component causes the alignment of the pendulous axis to be substantially parallel with the drive direction of the drive component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. Stewart
  • Heating element induction of time-varying thermal gradient in elongated beam to cause one or more elongated beam oscillations
    Publication number: 20040256371
    Abstract: One or more heating elements comprise a heating element. One or more elongated beams comprise an elongated beam. The heating element is coupled with the elongated beam and induces a time-varying thermal gradient in the elongated beam to cause one or more oscillations of one or more of the one or more elongated beams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: Robert E. Stewart
  • Hinge position location that causes pendulous axis to be substantially parallel with drive component direction
    Publication number: 20040226372
    Abstract: A drive component that comprises a drive axis, a pendulous sensor component that comprises a center of mass, and a hinge component that comprises a rotation axis of an electromechanical system. The drive component makes a determination of a drive direction. Upon the determination of the drive direction, the drive component determines an alignment of a pendulous axis, that intersects the center of mass of the pendulous sensor component and the rotation axis of the hinge component, with the drive axis of the drive component. The drive component and the pendulous sensor component are coupled with the hinge component. A location of the hinge component causes the alignment of the pendulous axis to be substantially parallel with the drive direction of the drive component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventor: Robert E. Stewart
  • Bi-stable micro-actuator and optical switch
    Patent number: 6788840
    Abstract: A bi-stable micro-actuator is formed from a first and a second silicon-on-insulator wafer fused together at an electrical contact layer. A cover with a V-groove defines an optical axis. A collimated optical signal source in the V-groove couples an optical signal to an optical port in the V-groove. A mirror surface on a transfer member blocks or reflects the optical signal. The transfer member has a point of support at the first and second end. The mirror blocks or reflects the optical axis. An expandable structure applies a compressive force between the first and second point of support of the transfer member along a compressive axis to hold the transfer member in a bowed first state or a bowed second state. A control signal applied to a heating element in the expandable structure reduces the compressive force, switching the transfer member to a second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Agop H. Cherbettchian, Samuel Fersht, David B. Hall
  • Employment of one or more signals based on one or more joint motions of an individual to make a determination of a positional change of the individual
    Publication number: 20040083528
    Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises one or more sensors that produce one or more signals based on one or more joint motions of an individual, and one or more processing components that employ one or more of the one or more signals to make a determination of a positional change of the individual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Robert E. Stewart
  • Nut and retainer fastener assembly for securing a nut to a panel, and method of fastener assembly manufacture
    Patent number: 6688825
    Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a flexible resilient U-shaped retainer having first and second wall portions and a third wall portion interconnecting adjacent ends of the first and second wall portions such that the first wall portion overlies and is spaced from the second wall portion. The first wall portion of the retainer has a forward edge with laterally spaced tabs at opposed ends. The tabs extend toward the second wall portion and have flat ends spaced from the second wall portion of the retainer. A flange nut is mounted on the first wall portion of the retainer, and has a flange disposed within the first wall portion and spaced from the second wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Alpha Stamping Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Carl Lewis
  • Field-assisted fusion bonding
    Publication number: 20040020602
    Abstract: A method of field-assisted fusion bonding produces multiple-layer devices. Contacts (301, 303, 305, 307, 309) are placed at various points along different surfaces of a combination of two or more wafers (201, 203, 205, 501, 503, 505, 801, 803). An electric field is applied to the contacts (301, 303, 305, 307, 309), thereby creating an electrostatic attractive force between the wafers (201, 203, 205, 501, 503, 505, 801, 803). The temperature of the wafer combination is elevated to a fusion bonding temperature while the electric field is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Robert E. Stewart
  • Die connected with integrated circuit component for electrical signal passing therebetween
    Publication number: 20030222337
    Abstract: An apparatus in one example includes a die with at least first and second portions, the first portion of the die mechanically and electrically connectable with a circuit board. The apparatus includes an integrated circuit component mechanically and electrically connected with the second portion of the die. Upon operation the die serves to generate one or more electrical signals that are passed to the integrated circuit component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventor: Robert E. Stewart
  • Compliant component for supporting electrical interface component
    Publication number: 20030220012
    Abstract: An apparatus in one example includes a compliant component for supporting an electrical interface component that serves to electrically and mechanically couple a die with a separate layer. In one example, the compliant component, upon relative movement between the die and the separate layer, serves to promote a decrease in stress in one or more of the die and the separate layer. The apparatus in another example includes a compliant component for supporting an electrical interface component that serves to create an electrical connection between a die and a separate layer. The compliant component, upon relative movement between the die and the separate layer, serves to promote maintenance of the electrical connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: Robert E. Stewart
  • Micromachined silicon tuned counterbalanced accelerometer-gyro with quadrature nulling
    Patent number: 6651500
    Abstract: An integrated rate and accelerometer sensor includes two counter vibrating tuned accelerometers formed in a single substantially planar silicon body to form the sensing element. The two vibrating accelerometers are interleaved in a manner that places their respective centers of mass in the same line parallel to the direction of the vibration and has the centers of percussion of the two (pendulum) proof masses coincident. A phase insensitive quadrature nulling method is utilized for each of the two vibrating accelerometers. The sensor structure utilizes Pyrex for the top and bottom covers. Metalized electrodes, feedthrus and contact pads are also utilized for the sensing element, instead of interlayer wire bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Stanley F. Wyse
  • Nuclear radiation hard high accuracy rotation sensor system
    Patent number: 6647785
    Abstract: A rotation sensing system includes a rotation sensor that produces a signal in response to an input rotation about a sensing axis. A servo system is arranged to rotate the rotation sensor at an angle about the sensing axis to null the signal from the rotation sensor such that the rotation sensor is substantially inertially stable. The rotation sensing system is mounted on a resolver arranged to measure the angle through which the servo system has rotated the rotation sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, John T. Douglass, Stanley F. Wyse
  • Bi-stable micro-actuator and optical switch
    Publication number: 20030210849
    Abstract: A bi-stable micro-actuator is formed from a first and a second silicon-on-insulator wafer fused together at an electrical contact layer. A cover with a V-groove defines an optical axis. A collimated optical signal source in the V-groove couples an optical signal to an optical port in the V-groove. A mirror surface on a transfer member blocks or reflects the optical signal. The transfer member has a point of support at the first and second end. The mirror blocks or reflects the optical axis. An expandable structure applies a compressive force between the first and second point of support of the transfer member along a compressive axis to hold the transfer member in a bowed first state or a bowed second state. A control signal applied to a heating element in the expandable structure reduces the compressive force, switching the transfer member to a second state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Agop H. Cherbettchian, Samuel Fersht, David B. Hall
  • Phase insensitive quadrature nulling method and apparatus for coriolis angular rate sensors
    Patent number: 6619121
    Abstract: Quadrature error occurs in Corolis based vibrating rate sensors because of manufacturing flaws that permit the sensing element to oscillate either linearly along or angularly about an axis that is not orthogonal to the output axis. This creates an oscillation along or about the output axis that is a component of the sensing element's vibration acceleration. This output axis oscillation is in phase with the driven acceleration of the sensing element and is called quadrature error since it is ninety degrees out of phase with the angular rate induced Coriolis acceleration. Rather than applying forces that reorient the axis of the driven vibration to be orthogonal to the output axis to eliminate the output axis oscillation, the present invention applies sinusoidal forces to the sensing element by means of a quadrature servo to cancel the output oscillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Stanley F. Wyse