Sperry Marine Inc.

Sperry Rand Corporation

Robert F Riggs

Lawrence H Gilligan

James D Halsey

David W Gerdt

Terry A Tucker

Eric J Isbister

Robert J Klepach

An optically driven signal generator utilizes optical switches having a common output port and input ports alternately coupled to first and second potentials of opposite polarities. Optical pulses, with interpulse periods commensurate with a desired output frequency, sequentially operate the switches so that electrical signals of opposite polarities are alternately coupled to a common output port in a manner to establish a continuous electrical signal at a frequency that is commensurate with the interpulse periods.

Optically driven RF generator

A generator of short electromagnetic pulses utilizes a photoconductive switch having metallic strips on a substrate with a gap separation therebetween. A timing circuit provides an electrical signal to the input of the photoconductive switch and a trigger to an optical source causing a short burst of optical energy to illuminate the gap between the metallic strips, thereby causing the photoconductive substrate to provide a low impedance path between the metallic strips and coupling the electrical signal to an output terminal of the photoconductive switch for the duration of the optical pulse. A filter coupled to the output terminal of the switch, via an impedance matching section, selects a signal frequency band for further transmission.

Optically switched microwave pulse generator

An electronic docking system utilizing a multiplicity of sensing subsystems to derive and display docking parameters during the docking operation is disclosed. The parameters displayed include bow and stern velocities ship's velocity perpendicular and parallel to the jetty and ship's orientation to the jetty during the docking maneuver. Parameters are derived from data gathered by sensors that include a receive only monopulse and a receive only doppler system which determine the angular position of a selected reference location aboard the ship and a signal with a frequency representative of the ship's velocity from a signal radiated from a beacon antenna aboard the ship. Range measurements are accomplished by utilizing baseband pulse radar systems capable of determining range to accuracies in the order of one foot. A telemetry link between the ship and the shore based system provides a means for simultaneously displaying data on board and on land and for relaying docking commands from the jetty master to the docking pilot.

Electronic docking system

Growing community of inventors

Charlottesville, VA, United States of America

Robert F Riggs