Douglas R Frei

US Patent:

20110192938, Aug 11, 2011

Filed:

Feb 9, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/702536

Inventors:

Donald DiMarzio - Northport NY, US
Theodore W. Hilgeman - Centerport NY, US
Alice DeBiasio - Smithtown NY, US
Thomas J. Hunt - Centereach NY, US
Douglas R. Frei - Setauket NY, US
Roy A. Charletta - Smithtown NY, US
Michael Melnyk - Centerport NY, US

Assignee:

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

B64B 1/00
C25B 9/00
C25B 1/04

US Classification:

244 53 R, 204242, 205628

Abstract:

An apparatus includes a lighter than air platform, a reversible propulsive/wind turbine, a deployable anchor to constrain movement of the lighter than air platform with respect to an anchor point allowing wind to drive the turbine, and a generator/motor coupled to the turbine to produce electrical power when movement of the lighter than air platform is constrained. A method performed by the apparatus is also provided.

US Patent:

20130193266, Aug 1, 2013

Filed:

Mar 14, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/803438

Inventors:

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation - Falls Church VA, US
Theodore W. Hilgeman - Centerport NY, US
Alice DiBiasio - Smithtown NY, US
Thomas J. Hunt - Centereach NY, US
Douglas R. Frei - Setauket NY, US
Roy A. Charletta - Smithtown NY, US
Michael Melnyk - Centerport NY, US

Assignee:

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation - Falls Church VA

International Classification:

B64B 1/00
B64B 1/50

US Classification:

244 30, 244 33

Abstract:

An apparatus includes a lighter than air platform, a reversible propulsive/wind turbine, a deployable anchor to constrain movement of the lighter than air platform with respect to an anchor point allowing wind to drive the turbine, and a generator/motor coupled to the turbine to produce electrical power when movement of the lighter than air platform is constrained. A method performed by the apparatus is also provided.

US Patent:

47232145, Feb 2, 1988

Filed:

Feb 15, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/702170

Inventors:

Douglas R. Frei - Stony Brook NY

Assignee:

Grumman Aerospace Corporation - Bethpage NY

International Classification:

G06F 1550
B64C 1300

US Classification:

364434

Abstract:

Wind tunnel data for a three control surface aircraft is developed for lift, pitching moment, and drag coefficient characteristics. This data is then input into a Lagrange optimization program to determine a unique combination of canard, flap, and strake flap position that trimmed the pitching moment coefficient to zero and provided the minimum drag coefficient as a function of lift coefficient and/or angle of attack, Mach number, and altitude. This program is exercised over the entire Mach number, altitude, and angle of attack range of the aircraft. The output from the Lagrange optimization program are then tabulated and loaded into the memory of a digital flight control computer of an aircraft. As the aircraft flies, the angle of attack sensor, air data sensor and altimeter determine the angle of attack, Mach number and altitude of the aircraft. By means of the computer, the position of the control surfaces are changed to the predetermined settings of the look-up table for minimum drag.