Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Litton Systems, Inc.

Dennis P Bevan

A Douglas Meyer

John Mansell

Steven J Maas

Eric Lee Goldner

Michael D Bulatowicz

Michael S Larsen

Michael R Layton

Akbar Arab-Sadeghabadi

Gary Thomas Griffin

Robert L Kaplan

Patrick J Welton

William David Briggs

John Cappi

Liana Dang

Douglas Meyer

One example includes an inertial navigation system (INS). The INS includes a navigation controller configured to generate inertial data associated with motion of a vehicle based on at least one navigation sensor configured on the vehicle and based on magnetic anomaly data. The INS also includes a magnetic anomaly INS-aiding system comprising a plurality of magnetometers distributed in a respective plurality of locations on the vehicle. The magnetic anomaly INS-aiding system can be configured to generate the magnetic anomaly data based on magnetic field measurements of a fixed magnetic anomaly at each of the plurality of magnetometers.

Magnetic anomaly tracking for an inertial navigation system

A fiber optic acoustic sensor that detects pressure waves from all incident angles features multiple mandrels orthogonally disposed to provide omni-directional sensing capability. The topology of the mandrels prevents frequency response drop-off characteristic of cylindrical sensors at wavelengths smaller than &#xbd; the length of the acoustic cylinder. The larger operating bandwidth and omni-directional sensing capability makes this fiber optic acoustic sensor a suitable choice for a wide range of applications.

Tri axis high frequency fiber optic acoustic sensor

A fiber optic array cable comprises a plurality of constituent cables that each include an optical fiber, a strength member connected to the optical fiber to provide tensile strength and a jacket surrounding the optical fiber and the strength member. A harness is arranged to enclose the plurality of constituent cables securely. The strength member preferably is formed of a plurality of metal strands layered around the optical fiber.

Fiber optic array harness

A housing for holding components of a fiber optic sensor array includes a base formed generally as an elongate rectangle with end caps connected to its ends. The sensor array includes an array cable formed of a plurality of constituent cables that each comprise an optical fiber and a tensile strength member corresponding to each optical fiber. Each end cap is formed to include a plurality of cable termination slots for connection to the strength members of selected constituent cables to which array components are connected and a plurality of cable bypass slots for routing constituent cables that are not connected to components around the housing.

Fiber optic array breakout housing

A sensor array cable and method of construction thereof utilizing a sensor/interlink assembly to facilitate the relatively easy and inexpensive installation of a sensor device in a cable that includes a strength member to provide tensile strength to the cable, optical fibers or wires for carrying electrical or optical energy to and from the sensor device, and a protective outer jacket. A portion of the protective outer jacket is removed allowing access to the inner strength member and optical fibers. A segment of the strength member is removed and an interlink/sensor assembly is installed in its place. The interlink serves to maintain the tensile strength of the cable. Optical fibers and/or electrical wires are connected to the sensor device for operation. The interlink/sensor assembly and associated optical fibers and electrical wires are then enclosed in an overmold which is sealed to the outer protective jacket.

Sensor array cable and fabrication method

The inner surface affixation system and process is a method for affixing wound optical fibers on the inner surface of a hollow cylinder. It is useful, for example, in the manufacture of rigid mandrel-based fiber optic sensors. The optical fibers of a sensor wound on the inner surface are less susceptible to damage than are optical fibers wound on the outside of the mandrel. The process requires that the fibers be supported on a cylinder, which is coated with an adhesive and placed within the sensor mandrel cylinder, at which time the circumference of the supporting cylinder is expanded, causing the fibers to engage the inner surface of the sensor mandrel cylinder. The adhesive is then cured, holding the fibers in place on the inner surface of the sensor mandrel cylinder while the supporting cylinder is contracted and removed from the sensor mandrel cylinder.

Inner surface fiber affixation for manufacturing a sensor mandrel

A housing for a fiber optic splice protects the splice from the external to environment. Two optical fibers may be butt-coupled in a connector, which is then coated with a hard resin material. The hard resin material is then overcoated with a resilient material to provide shock protection and strain relief. The connector may be placed in a housing, which is covered and sealed to form a water-tight seal between the cover and the housing.

High pressure fiber optic splice and method of fabrication

A fiber optic telemetry system includes an input coupler having a terminal connected to the input of the telemetry system. An output coupler has one of its terminals connected to the output of the telemetry system. A first interferometer or sensor has its input terminal connected to the output terminal of the input coupler, and has its output terminal connected to the output coupler. A third coupler has one of its input terminals connected to the second output of the input coupler, and has a second input terminal connected to the second input of the output coupler. Second and third sensors have their input terminals connected to the output terminals of the third coupler.

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Alhambra, CA, United States of America

Dennis P Bevan