Raytheon Company

Anton Vanderwyst

Glafkos K Stratis

Wayne Lee Sunne

David G Derrick

Jose E Chirivella

David G Manzi

Alphonso A Samuel

Howard C Choe

James D Kueneman

James P Edmiston

A heat sensing system and method for dynamic heat sensing may be implemented in a flight vehicle having a main antenna configured for sending and/or receipt of signals. The system includes an auxiliary antenna system that is arranged within a radome of the flight vehicle for detecting temperatures around the exterior surface of the radome. The auxiliary antenna is configured for receiving and measuring infrared or optical energy. Using the measured energy, the system is configured to determine whether the detected temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature and rotating the vehicle to equalize heat around the vehicle when the current temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature.

Method for dynamic heat sensing in hypersonic applications

A sensor system and method of reducing plasma-induced communication inhibition for a main antenna includes using auxiliary antennas for detecting a density of plasma that affects operation of the main antenna, and re-orienting an electromagnetic field around the main antenna in response to the density detected to reduce effect of the plasma on the main antenna. The auxiliary antennas are also operable for data link communication and switchable such if the density of the plasma inhibits receipt or sending of signals by one of the auxiliary antennas, another one of the auxiliary antennas may be used for data link communication.

Method for plasma dynamic cancellation for hypersonic vehicles

An active vortex control system (AVOCS) includes a set of primary injectors that inject gas into a cavity to generate a vortex in front of and possibly around components inside the cavity. The vortex interferes with an external flow field in an opening to the cavity to protect the components from the external environment. Sets of secondary injectors may inject gas at a reduced mass flow into the cavity to compensate for energy losses to maintain the coherence of the vortex. The AVOCS is well suited for use in windowless endo- and exo-atmospheric interceptors to protect the electro-optical imagers and optical components from Earth atmosphere.

Active vortex control system (AVOCS) and method for isolation of sensitive components from external environments

There is disclosed a field emission electric propulsion (FEEP) system including a FEEP thruster having at least one emitter and an extractor electrode, and a power supply. The power supply may provide an extractor voltage applied between the emitter and the extractor electrode. The power supply may be operable in a constant current mode in which the extractor voltage is controlled to set an ion current flowing from the emitter at a target current level.

Current controlled field emission thruster

Active vortex control system (AVOCS) method for isolation of sensitive components from external environments

Growing community of inventors

Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Anton Vanderwyst