Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Crawford

Thomas M. Crawford 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: 8084724
    Abstract: By sharing tasks between the CV and the KVs, the MKV interceptor provides a cost-effective missile defense system capable of intercepting and killing multiple targets. The placement of the acquisition and discrimination sensor and control sensor on the CV to provide target acquisition and discrimination and mid-course guidance for all the KVs avoids the weight and complexity issues associated with trying to “miniaturize” unitary interceptors. The placement of either a short-band imaging sensor and headlamp or a MWIR sensor on each KV overcomes the latency, resolution and bandwidth problems associated with command guidance systems and allows each KV to precisely select a desirable aimpoint and maintain track on that aimpoint to impact. An implicit divert and attitude control system (DACS) using tow or more divert thrusters performs KV divert and attitude maneuvers to respond to the command guidance pre-handover and to maintain track on the aimpoint to terminal intercept post-handover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: R. Glenn Brosch, Darin S. Williams, Kent P. Pflibsen, Thomas M. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20100279024
    Abstract: A method of producing a nanoscale structure having substantially immobilized nanoparticles arranged at a predetermined patterned is generally disclosed. First, a curable polymeric solution is placed within a well defined by a wafer. The curable polymeric solution includes a curable polymeric material and a magnetically coated nanoparticle. The well is positioned adjacent to an atomically-smooth medium. A recording head is moved in a predetermined manner to produce a magnetic field profile that substantially immobilizes the magnetically coated nanoparticle within the curable polymeric solution in the well. The curable polymeric solution is cured such that the magnetically coated nanoparticle remains substantially immobilized after the magnetic field profile is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas M. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20100164499
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for detecting a conductive object (5). The apparatus comprises at least one transmitting device (2), which is operative to generate a first changing magnetic flux (11, 12), and at least one receiving device (10), which is operative, in use, to receive a second changing magnetic flux (9) generated by the conductive object (5) in dependence upon the first changing magnetic flux. In addition, the at least one transmitting device and the at least one receiving device are disposed in relation to each other so as to attenuate the first changing magnetic flux (11, 12) received directly by the at least one receiving device (10) from the at least one transmitting device (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas M. Crawford, David Mackenzie
  • Publication number: 20100140109
    Abstract: In general, the present disclosure is directed toward a novel hybrid spintronic device for converting chemical absorption into a change in magnetoresistance. This device uses a novel magnetic material which depends on the attachment of an organic structure to a metallic film for its magnetism. Changes in the chemical environment lead to absorption on the surface of this organometallic bilayer and thus modify its magnetic properties. The change in magnetic properties, in turn, leads to a change in the resistance of a magnetoresistive structure or a spin transistor structure, allowing a standard electrical detection of the chemical change in the sensor surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas M. Crawford, Samir Y. Garzon
  • Patent number: 7595765
    Abstract: Embedded surface wave antenna elements incorporating different dielectric materials or other features are provided. The different dielectric materials can arranged adjacent a feed, to absorb energy that can cause undesirable reflections in the antenna element. In addition or alternatively, different dielectric materials can be arranged to alter the velocity of energy through the antenna element, and to control or attenuate the formation of nulls in the far field at angles of interest. The control or attenuation of nulls in the far field at angles of interest can further be controlled through contouring an antenna element ground plane in a lens region of the antenna element. A buried feed arrangement is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Vincent A. Hirsch, Bradley M. McCarthy, Thomas S. Watson, John Mehr, Thomas M. Crawford
  • Patent number: 7494089
    Abstract: By sharing tasks between the CV and the KVs, the MKV interceptor provides a cost-effective missile defense system capable of intercepting and killing multiple targets. The placement of the acquisition and discrimination sensor and control sensor on the CV to provide target acquisition and discrimination and mid-course guidance for all the KVs avoids the weight and complexity issues associated with trying to “miniaturize” unitary interceptors. The placement of a short-band imaging sensor on each KV overcomes the latency, resolution and bandwidth problems associated with command guidance systems and allows each KV to precisely select a desirable aimpoint and maintain track on that aimpoint to impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Darin S Williams, Kent P. Pflibsen, Thomas M. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20090001214
    Abstract: By sharing tasks between the CV and the KVs, the MKV interceptor provides a cost-effective missile defense system capable of intercepting and killing multiple targets. The placement of the acquisition and discrimination sensor and control sensor on the CV to provide target acquisition and discrimination and mid-course guidance for all the KVs avoids the weight and complexity issues associated with trying to “miniaturize” unitary interceptors. The placement of a short-band imaging sensor on each KV overcomes the latency, resolution and bandwidth problems associated with command guidance systems and allows each KV to precisely select a desirable aimpoint and maintain track on that aimpoint to impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Darin S. Williams, Kent P. Pfilbsen, Thomas M. Crawford
  • Patent number: 6985318
    Abstract: A magnetic recording process generally including the steps of determining an initial magnetization direction of a magnetic recording medium, and selectively applying a magnetic field to the magnetic recording medium along an axis substantially perpendicular to an axis of the initial magnetization direction of the recording medium. The magnetic field is selectively applied for a period of time sufficient to switch the magnetization of the magnetic recording medium from its initial magnetization direction to a final magnetization direction substantially anti-parallel to the initial magnetization direction. Typically, the initial and final magnetization directions will be along an easy axis of magnetization of the magnetic recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Thomas W. Clinton, Thomas M. Crawford
  • Patent number: 6822622
    Abstract: A radio frequency reconfigurable lens is provided. In particular, a lens comprising at least two opposed frequency selective surface sheets is provided. A relative phase shift may be imparted to an incident radio frequency wave by varying the distance between at least some of the unit cells of a first of the FSS sheets and adjacent unit cells on a second of the FSS sheets. In order to provide a desired phase taper across the width of a lens, and/or to provide different phase shift amounts, pairs of FSS surfaces having controllable columns or rows can be cascaded together. According to an additional aspect of the present invention, radio frequency waves can be scanned by cascading multiple tunable stages. The present invention also provides a radio frequency shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp
    Inventors: Thomas M. Crawford, P. Keith Kelly, Farzin Lalezari, Theresa C. Boone
  • Patent number: 6798624
    Abstract: A magnetization sensor for sensing write field characteristic of a perpendicular or longitudinal recording head such as may be used with a disc drive, and a method of manufacture therefor are disclosed. The sensor can be manufactured concurrently with the write head and incorporated therein. The magnetization sensor comprises a non-magnetic layer separating a hard magnetic layer and a soft magnetic layer, with electrical leads to provide a biasing and sensing current. The magnetization sensor can be either a giant magnetoresistive element or a tunneling magnetoresistive element, depending upon the non-magnetic layer used in the construction of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Mark W. Covington, Thomas M. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20040017331
    Abstract: A radio frequency reconfigurable lens is provided. In particular, a lens comprising at least two opposed frequency selective surface sheets is provided. A relative phase shift may be imparted to an incident radio frequency wave by varying the distance between at least some of the unit cells of a first of the FSS sheets and adjacent unit cells on a second of the FSS sheets. In order to provide a desired phase taper across the width of a lens, and/or to provide different phase shift amounts, pairs of FSS surfaces having controllable columns or rows can be cascaded together. According to an additional aspect of the present invention, radio frequency waves can be scanned by cascading multiple tunable stages. The present invention also provides a radio frequency shutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Crawford, P. Keith Kelly, Farzin Lalezari, Theresa C. Boone
  • Patent number: 6671128
    Abstract: A recording head for use with a magnetic storage medium includes a pair of write poles structured and arranged to apply a magnetic write field to the magnetic storage medium and a pair of oppositely directed conductors located adjacent the pair of write poles. The pair of conductors combine to induce the magnetic write field in the pair of write poles. One of the oppositely directed conductors has a positive voltage relative to ground and the other of the conductors has a negative voltage relative to ground, such that the pair of oppositely directed conductors combine to drive the magnetic write field in the same direction. Each of the conductors may be a microstrip waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20030227701
    Abstract: A magnetic recording process generally including the steps of determining an initial magnetization direction of a magnetic recording medium, and selectively applying a magnetic field to the magnetic recording medium along an axis substantially perpendicular to an axis of the initial magnetization direction of the recording medium. The magnetic field is selectively applied for a period of time sufficient to switch the magnetization of the magnetic recording medium from its initial magnetization direction to a final magnetization direction substantially anti-parallel to the initial magnetization direction. Typically, the initial and final magnetization directions will be along an easy axis of magnetization of the magnetic recording medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Thomas W. Clinton, Thomas M. Crawford
  • Patent number: 6492800
    Abstract: The invention is a miniature electro-optic voltage sensor system capable of accurate operation at high voltages without use of the dedicated voltage dividing hardware typically found in the prior art. The invention achieves voltage measurement without significant error contributions from neighboring conductors or environmental perturbations. The invention employs a transmitter, a sensor, a detector, and a signal processor. The transmitter produces a beam of electromagnetic radiation which is routed into the sensor. Within the sensor the beam undergoes the Pockels electro-optic effect. The electro-optic effect produces a modulation of the beam's polarization, which is in turn converted to a pair of independent conversely-amplitude-modulated signals, from which the voltage of the E-field is determined by the signal processor. The use of converse AM signals enables the signal processor to better distinguish signal from noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory K. Woods, Todd W. Renak, James R. Davidson, Thomas M. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20020163761
    Abstract: A recording head for use with a magnetic storage medium includes a pair of write poles structured and arranged to apply a magnetic write field to the magnetic storage medium and a pair of oppositely directed conductors located adjacent the pair of write poles. The pair of conductors combine to induce the magnetic write field in the pair of write poles. One of the oppositely directed conductors has a positive voltage relative to ground and the other of the conductors has a negative voltage relative to ground, such that the pair of oppositely directed conductors combine to drive the magnetic write field in the same direction. Each of the conductors may be a microstrip waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas M. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20020131214
    Abstract: A magnetization sensor for sensing write field characteristic of a perpendicular or longitudinal recording head such as a disc drive, and a method of manufacture therefor. The sensor can be manufactured concurrently with write head and incorporated therein. A non-magnetic layer separates a hard magnetic layer and a soft magnetic layer, with electrical leads to provide a biasing current. The non-magnetic layer can be either a giant magnetoresistive or a tunneling magnetoresistive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Mark W. Covington, Thomas M. Crawford
  • Patent number: 6362615
    Abstract: A miniature electro-optic voltage sensor and system capable of accurate operation at high voltages has a sensor body disposed in an E-field. The body receives a source beam of electromagnetic radiation. A polarization beam displacer separates the source light beam into two beams with orthogonal linear polarizations. A wave plate rotates the linear polarization to rotated polarization. A transducer utilizes Pockels electro-optic effect and induces a differential phase shift on the major and minor axes of the rotated polarization in response to the E-field. A prism redirects the beam back through the transducer, wave plate, and polarization beam displacer. The prism also converts the rotated polarization to circular or elliptical polarization. The wave plate rotates the major and minor axes of the circular or elliptical polarization to linear polarization. The polarization beam displacer separates the beam into two beams of orthogonal linear polarization representing the major and minor axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Bechtel BWXT Idaho LLC
    Inventors: James R. Davidson, Thomas M. Crawford, Gary D. Seifert
  • Patent number: 6225630
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus configured for identification of a material and method of identifying a material. One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus configured for identification of a material including a first region configured to receive a first sample and output a first spectrum responsive to exposure of the first sample to radiation; a signal generator configured to provide a reference signal having a reference frequency and a modulation signal having a modulation frequency; a modulator configured to selectively modulate the first spectrum using the modulation signal according to the reference frequency; a second region configured to receive a second sample and output a second spectrum responsive to exposure of the second sample to the first spectrum; and a detector configured to detect the second spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Slater, Thomas M. Crawford, Dean A. Frickey
  • Patent number: 6124706
    Abstract: A miniature electro-optic voltage sensor system capable of accurate operation at high voltages without use of the dedicated voltage dividing hardware. The invention achieves voltage measurement without significant error contributions from neighboring conductors or environmental perturbations. The invention employs a transmitter, a sensor, a detector, and a signal processor. The transmitter produces a beam of electromagnetic radiation which is routed into the sensor. Within the sensor the beam undergoes the Pockels electro-optic effect. The electro-optic effect produces a modulation of the beam's polarization, which is in turn converted to a pair of independent conversely-amplitude-modulated signals, from which the voltage of the E-field is determined by the signal processor. The use of converse AM signals enables the signal processor to better distinguish signal from noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory K. Woods, Todd W. Renak, Thomas M. Crawford, James R. Davidson
  • Patent number: 6069702
    Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus configured for identification of a material, and methods of identifying a material. One embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus including a first region configured to receive a first sample, the first region being configured to output a first spectrum corresponding to the first sample and responsive to exposure of the first sample to radiation; a modulator configured to modulate the first spectrum according to a first frequency; a second region configured to receive a second sample, the second region being configured to output a second spectrum corresponding to the second sample and responsive to exposure of the second sample to the modulated first spectrum; and a detector configured to detect the second spectrum having a second frequency greater than the first frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Company
    Inventors: John M. Slater, Thomas M. Crawford