NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20130177392 | Aircraft Airflow Modulation System and Method - The present invention relates to a mechanical system and method that modulates airflow in an aircraft inlet diffuser that is used in conjunction with an aircraft engine that integrates both a center turbine engine and a high Mach engine such as a constant volume combustor (CVC) arrangement or ramjet arrangement with intakes formed co-centrically about the turbine. The modulation system uses two articulating components, a movable air flow duct and an articulating cone. The air flow duct, in a first position, is in exclusive air flow communication with the circular intake face of the turbine in a first position to receive air from the intake diffuser. In this configuration the expandable cone is in a retracted position and does not redirect airflow and allows the aircraft to operates in low speed mode as only the turbo jet receives airflow. In a transition speed mode, the air flow duct is retracted to allow air flow to both the turbo jet and the CVC. At its widest expanse, the articulating cone completely covers the turbo jet circular intake face directing air solely to the high Mach aircraft engine to allow the aircraft to operate in high speed mode. | 07-11-2013 |
20130174974 | Composite Panel Insert Ring and Method of Using the Same - Provided is a method of forming a thru-hole through a composite structure having a plurality of internal compartments. An insert ring is connected to the composite structure to create a protective layer around the periphery of a penetration formed within the composite structure. An adhesive is disposed between the composite structure and the insert ring to create a fluid-tight seal between the insert ring and the internal compartments. In this regard, the fluid-tight seal mitigates fluid flow between the internal compartments. | 07-11-2013 |
20120032185 | LEAKAGE BARRIER FOR GaN BASED HEMT ACTIVE DEVICE - An improved HEMT formed from a GaN material system is disclosed which has reduced gate leakage current and eliminates the problem of current constrictions resulting from deposition of the gate metal over the step discontinuities formed over the gate mesa. One or more GaN based materials are layered and etched to form a gate mesa with step discontinuities defining source and drain regions. In order to reduce the leakage current, the step discontinuities are back-filled with an insulating material, such as silicon nitride (SiN), forming a flat surface relative to the source and drain regions, to enable to the gate metal to lay flat. By back-filling the source and drain regions with an insulating material, leakage currents between the gate and source and the gate and drain are greatly reduced. In addition, current constrictions resulting from the deposition of the gate metal over a step discontinuity are virtually eliminated. | 02-09-2012 |
20110170109 | PHOTONIC CRYSTAL BASED SENSOR OR MODULATOR - A gyroscope having photonic crystals for sensing rotation uses the Sagnac effect to determine angular motion. The gyroscope comprises a photonic crystal capable of guiding counter-propagating light beams in a closed path. A light source, coupling, and detection apparatus permits detection of phase changes between the counter-propagating beams, thereby permitting measurement of angular rotation. The photonic crystal comprises a periodic structure of pillars and voids which creates a photonic bandgap waveguide within which light waves in the proper wavelength range propagate with low loss. | 07-14-2011 |
20110164137 | RECONFIGURABLE SURVEILLANCE APPARATUS AND ASSOCIATED METHOD - An apparatus includes a housing; a plurality of cameras in the housing, each of the cameras being configured to capture image data of a portion of a scene external to the housing; an attitude detector for detecting an orientation of the housing; and a transmitter disposed within the housing, the transmitter being configured to transmit the image data and an orientation signal to a station disposed remotely from the scene. A method of using the apparatus is also provided. | 07-07-2011 |
20110151923 | HIGH-PERFORMANCE CELLULAR TELEPHONE RECEIVER - A receiver includes a plurality of antennas; a plurality of front end circuits producing digital signals in response to signals received on the antennas; a beamforming unit weighting and summing the digital signals to produce a first signal; a first stage including a first plurality of modems producing first bit streams in response to components of the first signal, a first plurality of signal reconstruction units producing first signal replicas in response to the first bit streams, and a first active cancellation unit weighting the first signal replicas and subtracting the weighted first signal replicas from the first signal to produce a second signal; and a second stage including a second plurality of modems producing second bit streams in response to components of the second signal, a second plurality of signal reconstruction units producing second signal replicas in response to the second bit streams, and a second active cancellation unit weighting the second signal replicas and subtracting the weighted second signal replicas from the first signal to produce a third signal. A method implemented by the receiver is also provided. | 06-23-2011 |
20110106459 | IN-SITU OPTICAL CRACK MEASUREMENT USING A DOT PATTERN - A method of detecting cracks in an object includes: capturing a first image of a pattern of marks in a region of interest on a surface of the object; constructing a finite element model of the region of interest having nodes corresponding to the marks in the pattern; subjecting the object to a first mechanical load to produce strains in the object; capturing a second image of the pattern; computing strains in the object based on relative changes in locations of the marks in the first and second images; modifying the finite element model to produce a crack versus surface strain map; capturing a third image of the pattern; and comparing the locations of marks in the third image to the crack versus surface strain map to identify a crack in the object. An apparatus that performs the method is also provided. | 05-05-2011 |
20110010140 | Probability Distribution Function Mapping Method - A method includes: receiving a plurality of values of an input variable representative of a physical characteristic of a component or system, using a physics model to produce an estimate of an output for each of the input values, mapping the output estimates to the input values to produce an output probability density or cumulative distribution function for the physical characteristic at a future time, and outputting the probability density or cumulative distribution function. An apparatus that implements the method is also provided. | 01-13-2011 |
20100245571 | Global hawk image mosaic - A method of producing a mosaic image comprises the steps of capturing a plurality of overlapping images in a plurality of swaths, computing the relative displacement between adjacent ones of the overlapping images within the swaths, computing the relative displacement between adjacent ones of the overlapping images in adjacent ones of the swaths, and using the relative displacements to assemble the images into a composite image. | 09-30-2010 |
20100237446 | THIN FILM ENCAPSULATION OF MEMS DEVICES - A method of manufacturing a miniature electromechanical system (MEMS) device includes the steps of forming a moving member on a first substrate such that a first sacrificial layer is disposed between the moving member and the substrate, encapsulating the moving member, including the first sacrificial layer, with a second sacrificial layer, coating the encapsulating second sacrificial layer with a first film formed of a material that establishes an hermetic seal with the substrate, and removing the first and second sacrificial layers. | 09-23-2010 |
20100215376 | NOISE RESISTANT LIGHT-POWERED TRANSCEIVING ADAPTER - A light-powered data acquisition and control system immune to electromagnetic interference employs smart sensors in a network configuration capable of decentralized communication. A smart sensor with integral transducer encloses a microprocessor, fiber optic transceiver, and photovoltaic converter within a Faraday cage. Optical fibers link plural sensors for duplex communication with a fiber optic splitter, which transmits high intensity light to the converter for powering the sensors. The sensor converts analog input from the transducer into bit packets for fiber optic transmission to the network via the splitter. Firmware in the splitter converts the bit packets to network protocol and vice versa enabling data communication among sensors, splitters, and control receivers. Verification algorithms for testing sensors are run automatically by the microprocessor or through commands issued via the network. Mnemonics stored in the sensors provide automatic updating of system configuration. | 08-26-2010 |
20100039346 | Asymmetric Radome For Phased Antenna Arrays - An antenna assembly comprises a plurality of antenna elements arranged in an array, and a radome for protecting the antenna elements, wherein the radome has a thickness that changes across a field of view to normalize insertion phase delay differences in an incoming signal passing through the radome and received by the antenna elements. | 02-18-2010 |
20100003498 | Self-Decontaminating Inorganic Coatings Containing Semiconductor Metal Oxide Nanoparticles - UV resistant inorganic coatings which exhibit photochemical activity that destroys toxic biological and chemical agents are disclosed. The inorganic coatings include semiconductor metal oxide nanoparticles that are photo-chemically active dispersed in an inorganic binder. In one embodiment, anatase titanium dioxide nanoparticles are dispersed in a silicon dioxide or silicate binder. Applications may include spacecraft, aircraft, ships, military vehicles, high value equipment and buildings such as subway stations, hospitals, railroad stations and stadiums. | 01-07-2010 |
20090250191 | Foam Metal Heat Exchanger System - An apparatus includes a foam metal panel heat exchanger core positioned in a duct, an inlet flow passage for directing a first fluid to the heat exchanger core, and an exit flow passage for directing the first fluid from the heat exchanger core, wherein the inlet flow passage is tapered relative to an inlet face of the heat exchanger core and the exit flow passage is tapered relative to an outlet face of the heat exchanger core. The first fluid has a substantially uniform flow distribution through the core. The inlet and exit flow passages can be adjacent to each other. The core can be formed of a compressed foam. | 10-08-2009 |
20090204323 | INERTIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM ERROR CORRECTION - Methods and apparatus for: (a) the correction of one or more elements determined from a first set of continuous gyro and accelerometer measurements comprising using a second set of discontinuously measured higher accuracy accelerometer measurements doubly integrated in an inertial coordinate system, (b) determining relative movement of a vehicle using a first set of acceleration measurements that do not include components of acceleration caused by the Earth's gravitational field, and a second set of acceleration measurements that do include components of acceleration caused by the Earth's gravitational field; and (c) correcting errors in an inertial navigation system positioned in a vehicle comprising using independently measured changes in position of the vehicle relative to an inertial coordinate frame. | 08-13-2009 |
20090146881 | MULTI-PLATFORM PRECISION PASSIVE LOCATION OF CONTINUOUS WAVE EMITTERS - An apparatus comprises a first sensor mounted on a first platform for sampling a first portion of a continuous waveform occurring in a time window and for producing a first signal sample, a second sensor mounted on a second platform for sampling a second portion of the continuous waveform occurring in the time window for producing a second signal sample, and a processor for determining time difference of arrival measurements and for applying a maximum likelihood estimation process to combine multiple time difference of arrival measurements between multiple pairs of platforms, to estimate the location of an emitter of the continuous waveform. A method performed by the apparatus is also provided. | 06-11-2009 |
20090104824 | Pod Propulsion System With Rim-Mounted Bearings - A pod propulsion system comprises a housing defining a fluid duct and an annular drum rotatably mounted to the housing within the fluid duct. The annular drum has a drum interior and a cylindrical outer surface. The system further comprises a rotor mounted to the drum for rotation therewith, the rotor and the drum having a common axis of rotation. A bearing assembly mounted to the housing comprises a first bearing comprising a first plurality of bearing pads disposed circumferentially around the drum. Each pad has a pad bearing surface adapted to contact a first drum portion in a predetermined manner and is pivotably mounted to the housing so as to maintain contact of the pad bearing surface with the first drum portion in the predetermined manner when an orientation of the drum portion relative to the housing changes. | 04-23-2009 |
20090084579 | Electrical Power Feed Thru for Aircraft Fuselages - An electrical power feed thru for thin-walled vessels such as aircraft fuselages is disclosed which allows high electrical current power lines, and their associated high operating temperatures, to transition from the inside to the outside of the aircraft. The feed thru includes sealing surfaces, anti-rotation features and safety covers. This low-profile configuration permits the attached cables to run close to the fuselage walls, permitting easier routing and clamping. The feed thru has a variable geometry which permits alternate spacing of the end terminations in reference to the fuselage while maintaining the same parts. Installation is simplified through a single fuselage wall mounting hole design that can be done with a standard punch. The feed thru exceeds the shock and vibration environments of various aircraft such as a military aircraft. | 04-02-2009 |
20090023383 | Distributed conformal adaptive antenna array for SATCOM using decision direction - An apparatus comprises a distributed array of antenna elements for receiving a radio frequency signal on a satellite communications link, wherein the radio frequency signal includes a known preamble; a plurality of mixers for translating the radio frequency signal to a plurality of baseband signals having in-phase and quadrature components; a processor for applying weights to the baseband signals, wherein the weights are found adaptively in response to the preamble in combination with decision-directed feedback when the preamble is not present; and a receiver for processing the weighted baseband signals. A pre-processor can be used to create sub-arrays of the antenna elements using maximal-ratio weighting. A method performed by the apparatus is also provided. | 01-22-2009 |
20090008554 | METHOD FOR INFRARED IMAGING OF LIVING OR NON-LIVING OBJECTS INCLUDING TERRAINS THAT ARE EITHER NATURAL OR MANMADE - An improved system for infrared (IR) imaging of terrain is disclosed wherein or or more IR cameras may be used at one or more locations to record images at multiple focal planes. The images are all taken of the same field of view but at varied focal planes. Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) may be used to track each camera location and each camera captures images of the object. Information regarding the orientation of the camera may also be measured. The digital information from the images from each camera at varying focal planes, the distance from the object to each camera, orientation of camera and the GPS location of each camera is transferred to a computer where the data is processed through the use of merging and photogrammetry software utilizing appropriate algorithms to convert the multiple images into a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image with improved depth of field. | 01-08-2009 |
20080221825 | NOISE RESISTANT LIGHT-POWERED SENSOR - A light-powered data acquisition and control system immune to electromagnetic interference employs smart sensors in a network configuration capable of decentralized communication. A smart sensor with integral transducer encloses a microprocessor, fiber optic transceiver, and photovoltaic converter within a Faraday cage. Optical fibers link plural sensors for duplex communication with a fiber optic splitter, which transmits high intensity light to the converter for powering the sensors. The sensor converts analog input from the transducer into bit packets for fiber optic transmission to the network via the splitter. Firmware in the splitter converts the bit packets to network protocol and vice versa enabling data communication among sensors, splitters, and control receivers. Verification algorithms for testing sensors are run automatically by the microprocessor or through commands issued via the network. Mnemonics stored in the sensors provide automatic updating of system configuration. | 09-11-2008 |