Steven R Griffin

US Patent:

6739425, May 25, 2004

Filed:

Apr 5, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/116892

Inventors:

Steven Griffin - Albuquerque NM
Benjamin K. Henderson - Albuquerque NM
Joel Gussy - Albuquerque NM
Steven A. Lane - Albuquerque NM

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force - Washington DC

International Classification:

G10K 1300

US Classification:

181171, 181172, 381162, 381165

Abstract:

This invention presents a novel means to passively achieve a compact moving-coil actuator with a very low natural frequency. The diaphragm and voice coil are mounted in a sealed enclosure from which the air is partially or completely evacuated. This reduces the air spring effect. The diaphragm is supported by a non-linear, buckling, or collapsible support apparatus. By taking advantage of the non-linear stiffness properties of such structures, the stiffness of the actuator can be designed to be small at the operating point, which when combined with the moving mass, yields a low natural frequency.

US Patent:

6775383, Aug 10, 2004

Filed:

Feb 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/681196

Inventors:

Steven A. Lane - Albuquerque NM
Steven F. Griffin - Albuquerque NM

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force - Washington DC

International Classification:

A61F 1106

US Classification:

381 711, 381 714

Abstract:

A lightweight self-contained vibro-acoustic device is disclosed for dissipating low frequency vibration and acoustic energy within the payload fairing of launch vehicles. The device can be mounted on the interior surfaces of a fairing and adaptively tuned to match targeted structural and acoustic dynamics using electronic feedback loops.

US Patent:

7445094, Nov 4, 2008

Filed:

Oct 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/251008

Inventors:

Benjamin K. Henderson - Albuquerque NM, US
Steven F. Griffin - Albuquerque NM, US
Joel D. Gussy - Chantilly VA, US
Steven A. Lane - Albuquerque NM, US
Elizabeth L. C. Jensen - Redondo Beach CA, US
Richard K. Davies - Rochester Hills MI, US
Jennifer A. Gruits - Royal Oak MI, US
Paul W. Alexander - Ann Arbor MI, US
David M. Stevens - Athens MI, US
Ryan D. Majkrzak - San Clemente CA, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force - Washington DC

International Classification:

F16F 15/03

US Classification:

188267, 1882672, 267 6428, 26714014

Abstract:

A fixture is isolated from the transmission of vibration emanating from a vibration source by a damper containing magneto-rheological (“MR”) fluid and a plunger mechanically coupling the damper and the fixture. The isolation apparatus is mechanically coupled to the vibration source. The viscosity of the MR fluid contained in the damper is controlled by a magnetic field produced by the vibration of an isolation system responsive to the vibration of the vibration source. The resonant frequency of the isolation system is adjusted to approximate that of the fixture.

US Patent:

7473878, Jan 6, 2009

Filed:

Jun 8, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/760562

Inventors:

Karl N. Schrader - Albuquerque NM, US
Steven F. Griffin - Albuquerque NM, US
David J. Bossert - Albuquerque NM, US
Garry R. Marions - Albuquerque NM, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01J 1/20
G02B 5/08

US Classification:

2502019, 359295, 359847

Abstract:

A laser beam correction system and related methods of use and manufacture are provided. In one example, a laser beam correction system includes a mirror having a first surface and a second surface. An actuator comprising a piezoelectric ceramic disk and a plurality of conductive electrodes on substantially opposing sides of the disk is bonded to the second surface of the mirror. The actuator includes an aperture in a center portion. A wave-front sensor is adapted to measure optical wave-front characteristics of a laser beam received by the mirror and provide electronic signals corresponding to the wave-front characteristics.

US Patent:

7628254, Dec 8, 2009

Filed:

Sep 19, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/234230

Inventors:

Benjamin K. Henderson - Albuquerque NM, US
Steven F. Griffin - Albuquerque NM, US
Joel D. Gussy - Chantilly VA, US
Steven A. Lane - Albuquerque NM, US
Elizabeth L. C. Jensen - Redondo Beach CA, US
Richard K. Davies - Rochester Hills MI, US
Jennifer A. Gruits - Royal Oak MI, US
Paul W. Alexander - Ann Arbor MI, US
David M. Stevens - Athens MI, US
Ryan D. Majkrzak - San Clemente CA, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force - Washington DC

International Classification:

F16F 15/03
F16M 1/00

US Classification:

188267, 1882672, 188378

Abstract:

A damper containing magneto-rheological (“MR”) fluid and a plunger lies between and is mechanically coupled both to a fixture and a vibration source. The plunger has a head immersed in the MR fluid. Annular magnets circumscribe the damper and produce a magnetic field surrounding the damper. A tubular shielding sleeve composed of magnetically impermeable material surrounds a portion of the damper. The sleeve is mechanically coupled both to the fixture and the vibration source by springs, and can translate relative to the damper to affect the strength of the magnetic field acting on the MR fluid surrounding the plunger head. The sleeve oscillates responsive to vibration of the vibration source and controls the viscosity of the MR fluid surrounding the plunger head in proportion to the amplitude of the sleeve's oscillation. The resonant frequency of the sleeve is adjusted to approximate the fundamental resonance of the fixture.

US Patent:

7649691, Jan 19, 2010

Filed:

Jun 20, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/143262

Inventors:

Steven F. Griffin - Albuquerque NM, US
Arturo A. Jacobs - Edgewood NM, US
Karl N. Schrader - Albuquerque NM, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G02B 3/00

US Classification:

359642

Abstract:

Systems and methods according to one or more embodiments are disclosed to provide a dynamic variable shape optical element for wavefront correction. In an embodiment, a variable shape optical element assembly includes an optical element having a front surface and a back surface with specified curvature characteristics. The variable shape optical element assembly also includes back knife edges having a designated shape disposed on the back surface of the optical element and front knife edges having a designated shape disposed on the front surface of the optical element. The variable shape optical element assembly further includes a mechanical arrangement adapted to apply a dynamic mechanical force to create the specified curvature characteristics.

US Patent:

7819221, Oct 26, 2010

Filed:

Sep 27, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/239440

Inventors:

Steven A. Lane - Albuquerque NM, US
Robert E. Richard - Albuquerque NM, US
Steven F. Griffin - Albuquerque NM, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force - Washington DC

International Classification:

F01N 1/06
F01N 1/22
E04B 1/82
B64C 1/40
F01N 1/00
E04B 1/74

US Classification:

181206, 181295, 244 1 N

Abstract:

A flexible membrane is attached to an internal wall of the fairing of a flight vehicle. The membrane is inflated with gas to achieve a shape that couples with and thereby attenuates the first acoustic resonance occurring within the volume enclosed by the fairing. A sensor senses the varying ambient atmospheric pressure during flight. A pressure regulating system includes an inflation valve and pressure relief valve. Based on the sensed ambient atmospheric pressure, this system adjusts the membrane's gauge pressure throughout the flight trajectory to maintain the desired coupling gauge pressure. Acoustic blankets can also be attached to the internal walls of the fairing to abate resonances having frequencies greater than 500 Hz. Inflating the membrane with helium enhances the attenuation otherwise obtained. Multiple membranes can be individually tuned to respectively attenuate multiple acoustic resonances.

US Patent:

8379190, Feb 19, 2013

Filed:

Feb 26, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/714180

Inventors:

Matthew A. Edwards - Albuquerque NM, US
Steven F. Griffin - Albuquerque NM, US
Michael S. Salisbury - Rio Rancho NM, US
John P. Nicholson - Rio Rancho NM, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01C 3/08

US Classification:

356 401, 356 301, 356 41, 356 501, 356 51

Abstract:

A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed for a resonant scanner for three-dimensional (3D) mapping. The system, apparatus, and method employ a small, lightweight articulating device that performs as a 3D Laser Detection and Ranging (LADAR) laser from a moving scanner platform in a way that provides geolocation and takes advantage of mechanical resonance to amplify motion in the tilt axis. The device is used to map terrain in 3D space. The disclosed method involves resonating the scanner platform of the device with a spring about a pivot. The method further involves determining with a position sensor the tilt position and/or resonance rate of the scanner platform. Further, the method involves applying torque with an actuator to the scanner platform, and controlling with a controller the resonance of the scanner platform.