Patents Examined by Theresa M. Wesson
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Patent number: 5714709Abstract: Objects are detonated by placing charges adjacent respective ones of the objects and connecting the charges to a time fuse by means of respective explosive cords for detonating all of the charges simultaneously when the time fuse fires. The time fuse can be set by fitting a clock to the time fuse. The clock has separate timer mechanisms which can be wound-up simultaneously and which prevent the clock from being fitted to the time fuse if the timer mechanisms have run down asynchronously. An adapter can be attached to the time fuse for releasing a safety of the time fuse upon receiving a remote signal such as an encoded radio signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1996Date of Patent: February 3, 1998Assignee: Gebruder Junghans GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Schillinger, Wolfgang Zehnder, Bernd Less, Werner Rudenauer
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Patent number: 5710423Abstract: A missile intercept system using radiation sensors for guidance that can avoid intercept uncertainty due to unfavorable positions of intense radiation sources, like the sun, moon, or countermeasures flares. When the sensor viewing angle is close to such intense radiation sources, the optics on the kill vehicle may be substantially degraded or even destroyed. The potential for an "out of the sun" attack cannot be avoided when international treaties restrict each country to a single defense site while potential launch sites are proliferating about the globe. Therefore, two kill vehicles are launched when an intercept planner determines that the viewing angle from the kill vehicle to the target vehicle will be looking at or near the sun during the engagement. A surrogate kill vehicle is launched on a trajectory that will "fly-by" the target vehicle with viewing angles that will not "see" the sun.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1996Date of Patent: January 20, 1998Assignee: McDonnell Douglas CorporationInventors: Earl U. Biven, James A. Kiefer
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Patent number: 5710388Abstract: An umbilical cord for connecting the control systems within a control center to the operating systems of a projectile that is located within a launch tube and is to be launched therefrom, the umbilical cord comprising a cable having a plurality of conductors therein and having a control center end and a projectile end, a first connector terminated to the conductors at the control center and at a second connector terminated to the conductors at the projectile end, the second connector having insulation displacement contacts therein where the conductors are terminated and the second connector is captivatively pluggable into a recess in the side of the projectile through a port in the launch tube and upon the launching of the projectile, the connector remains with the projectile and the conductors remain with the launch tube, whereby the conductors are pulled free from the insulation displacement contacts.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1996Date of Patent: January 20, 1998Assignee: The Whitaker CorporationInventors: James David Hutchinson, Jonathan Nunn
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Patent number: 5708228Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring non-electric blasting initiation signals from detonating cord signal donor lines to signal transmission tube acceptor lines involves disposing the acceptor line in enhanced signal transfer configuration with the donor line. The acceptor line (30) may constitute the input lead (29a) of a detonator (10a). Enhanced signal transfer configuration between the input lead (29a) and the detonating cord (60) can be established by disposing input line (30) in at least partial wrap-around contact with the detonating cord (60) or in multiple abutting contact with the detonating cord (60). Enhanced signal transfer configuration can also be achieved for a detonator having at least two input lines in abutting contact with the detonating cord. A slider (44) is designed to extend contact between a detonator input lead and a detonating cord.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1996Date of Patent: January 13, 1998Assignee: The Ensign-Bickford CompanyInventors: Daniel P. Sutula, Jr., Ronald M. Dufrane, Thomas F. Lilley, Thomas C. Tseka, Steven L. Renfro, Jeffrey H. Burton, Ernest L. Gladden, Daniel A. Toro
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Patent number: 5705767Abstract: A miniature, planar, inertially-damped, inertially-actuated delay slider uator is micromachined on a substrate and consists of a "slider", with zig-zag or stair-step-like patterns on the side edges, interacting with similar vertical-edged zig-zag patterns on "racks" which are positioned across a small gap on each side. The slider has been released from the substrate, and is captured vertically in its track by a non-interfering lattice or cover or other feature that bridges across from the top of one rack to the other. The racks are fixed to the substrate and the slider is forced axially down the "track" by an inertial load in the slider's axial direction. The slider is drawn along the track such that the "teeth" on the right edge of the slider engage with the teeth on the right rack. The slider is forced to move to the left as it slides down the faces on the right rack, until it is thrown clear of the right rack and goes across to engage similarly with the left rack.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 1997Date of Patent: January 6, 1998Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventor: Charles H. Robinson
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Patent number: 5703317Abstract: Portable equipment for immobilizing personal firearms characterized by an articulation connecting the baseplate to the rail, and comprising an intermediate part rotatingly connected to the baseplate about axis (XX) by a coupling element. The intermediate portion forces the rail onto its contact surface by means of a tilting member. The freely mounted connecting element is connected to the intermediate part by a pivot axis. The tilting member including a head inserted into the rail and a slide integral with the head and the intermediate part.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1996Date of Patent: December 30, 1997Inventors: Philippe Levilly, Yves A. Leloup
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Patent number: 5703319Abstract: A connector block (10) includes a clip member (30) which cooperates with the signal transmission end (12a) of body member (12) to define therebetween an arcuate line-retaining slot (32) within which one or more signal transmission lines (40) are received in explosive signal communication with the output end (16a) of a detonator (16). Clip member (30) is of decreasing thickness as sensed moving from the proximal end (30b) thereof towards at least its mid-point and is preferably of undiminished width from the proximal end (30b) thereof to the open end (32b) of the line-retaining slot (32). These features and the configuration of the entryway (34) cooperate to facilitate lateral insertion of signal transmission lines (40) into the line-retaining slot (32) and their retention therein over a broad temperature range of use, and provide excellent shrapnel shielding.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1995Date of Patent: December 30, 1997Assignee: The Ensign-Bickford CompanyInventors: James E. Fritz, Thomas C. Tseka, Daniel P. Sutula, Jr.
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Patent number: 5702232Abstract: An internally cooled airfoil for a gas turbine engine includes a leading edge region, a mid-chord region, a transition region, and a trailing edge region. The mid-chord region has a double wall configuration with the two outer walls and two inner walls. The trailing edge region has a conventional single wall configuration. The transition region has a three wall configuration designed to provide a gradual transition from the four wall configuration to the two wall configuration and to minimize high stresses therein.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1994Date of Patent: December 30, 1997Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Robert P. Moore
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Patent number: 5703320Abstract: A connector device (10, 214) for transferring a nonelectric blast initiation signal from a donor line (26, 224) to an acceptor line, e.g., an input stub (24, 217) has donor line retaining means (20a, 20b, 229) for disposing a donor line (26, 224) in signal transfer relation to the input stub (24, 217). An anvil member (27, 130, 226) is provided to support input stub (24, 217) at the point where it is in signal transfer relation with the donor line (26), preferably in conforming contact with the donor line (26). In a particular embodiment, the connector device has a body portion (10a) on which is retained a detonator cap (22). Cap (22) detonates upon receipt of a detonation signal from an input stub (24), optionally after a delay period if delay elements are incorporated into the cap 22. The connector device (10) has retainer spring clips (20a, 20b) for retaining the donor line (26) in signal transfer relation to the input stub (24).Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 1996Date of Patent: December 30, 1997Assignee: The Ensign Bickford CompanyInventors: Frank J. Lucca, Daniel P. Sutula, Jr., Ronald M. Dufrane, Ernest L. Gladden
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Patent number: 5700132Abstract: A turbine blade includes an airfoil having opposing first and second sides and an internal passage extending longitudinally therebetween. A plurality of first turbulator ribs extend from the first side into the passage, and a plurality of second turbulator ribs extend from the second side into the passage. The first and second ribs are different in configuration from each other for obtaining different heat transfer enhancements on the first and second sides for reducing pressure losses and cooling air flow requirements.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1991Date of Patent: December 23, 1997Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Elias Harry Lampes, Craig Robert Jacobson, Robert Francis Manning
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Patent number: 5698809Abstract: A primer removal tool (10) includes a receiving member (12) pivotally coupled to a guide rod assembly (14). An actuating member (16) is pivotally coupled to the receiving member (12) and the guide rod assembly (14). A first spring (18) is coupled between the receiving member (12) and the guide rod assembly (14). A second spring (20) is coupled between the guide rod assembly (14) and the actuating member (16). Pressure applied between the receiving member (12) and the actuating member (16) compresses the first spring (18) to allow the guide rod assembly (14) to enter the receiving member (12). Additional pressure compresses the second spring (20) to force the guide rod assembly (14) to move toward a press plate (24) of the receiving member (12). The guide rod assembly (14) forces a shell casing (30) against the press plate (24) to allow a de-priming pin (22) of the guide rod assembly (14) to separate a spent primer (32) from the shell casing (30) through an aperture (26) of the press plate (24).Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1996Date of Patent: December 16, 1997Inventor: David D. Holt
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Patent number: 5695321Abstract: A turbine blade includes an airfoil having opposite first and second sides and an internal passage extending longitudinally therebetween. A plurality of turbulator ribs extend from the first side into the passage and have substantially identical configurations including first and second ends having a span axis extending therebetween, first and second sides having a width therebetween, and a base and a tip having a height e measured therebetween. The passage includes a height H for defining a rib-to-passage height ratio e/H. Adjacent ribs are spaced apart at a longitudinal spacing S for defining a rib spacing-to-height ratio S/e. The rib configuration varies along the span axis between the rib first and second ends for correspondingly varying at least one of the ratios e/H and S/e to effect a varying convective heat transfer enhancement along the rib span axis for increasing enhancement and reducing cooling airflow.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1991Date of Patent: December 9, 1997Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: David Max Kercher
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Patent number: 5695152Abstract: In a system including a launcher device and a projectile of the type that spins in flight, an assembly for detecting and correcting deviations of the projectile from the planned flight trajectory of the spinning projectile, leading from the launcher device to a selected, visible target, including, in combination:a first electric signal generator associated with the launcher device;target marker including a light emitter and being associated with the launcher;a sensor device mounted on the projectile and spinning together with it, including sensor having a forehead and an optical assembly capable of focusing and projecting on said forehead a beam of light reflected from the target so as to draw on the forehead an imaginary circle whose radius is proportional to a real-time deviation angle defined, in a first approximation, as the angle between the tangent to the projectile's flight trajectory and the projectile's line of sight (LOS) towards the target; anda thruster initiator that is capable of activating thruType: GrantFiled: September 18, 1996Date of Patent: December 9, 1997Assignee: Israel Aircraft Industries LTD.Inventor: Benjamin Levy
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Patent number: 5695322Abstract: A turbine blade includes an airfoil having first and second opposite sides and an internal passage extending longitudinally therebetween for channeling air to cool the airfoil. A single restart turbulator rib is disposed in the passage adjacent to the inlet and has a first height e.sub.1 for obtaining a first convective heat transfer enhancement. A plurality of primary turbulator ribs are disposed downstream from the restart rib in the passage. The primary ribs include an initial primary rib having a second height e.sub.2 for obtaining a second convective heat transfer enhancement, with the initial primary rib being spaced longitudinally from the restart rib at a first spacing S.sub.1, and spaced longitudinally from a second primary rib at a second spacing S.sub.2. The first enhancement is less than the second enhancement to reduce overcooling of the airfoil between the restart and primary ribs.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1991Date of Patent: December 9, 1997Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Craig Robert Jacobson, Robert Francis Manning, Elias Harry Lampes
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Patent number: 5695320Abstract: A gas turbine blade includes an airfoil having first and second sides and an internal passage extending longitudinally therebetween for channeling air to cool the airfoil. A plurality of longitudinally spaced apart primary turbulator ribs extend into the internal passage from at least one of the first and second sides. An auxiliary turbulator rib is spaced between adjacent ones of the primary ribs. The auxiliary rib has a height which is less than the height of the primary ribs for augmenting convective heat transfer enhancement with reduced pressure loss, and, therefore, reduced cooling air requirements.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1991Date of Patent: December 9, 1997Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: David Max Kercher
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Patent number: 5694713Abstract: An automatic handgun with a laser sight which may be adjusted in elevation is disclosed. A laser beam source and mechanism for adjusting the elevation are all contained within the guide rod chamber. At the front of the guide rod cylinder an adjusting ring is turned clockwise or counter-clockwise to rotate a slotted cylinder having a spiraled slot therein in which rides a finger of a cam rod. The cam rod is moved forward or backward to move a cradle to tilt a yoke holding an optical prism through which the laser beam passes. The beam is bent depending upon the tilt of the prism. The automatic handgun is thus provided with a laser sight that may be adjusted for elevation and all of the components of the sight are contained internally of the handgun within the slide return chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1996Date of Patent: December 9, 1997Inventor: Arthur Paldino
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Patent number: 5693905Abstract: A device for loading a primer from a priming station into a primer socket of an ammunition cartridge case, includes an elongated track for longitudinally guiding a rectilinear primer strip through the priming station. The primer strip includes a series of longitudinally aligned receptacles, each of which holds a primer in an interference fit that prevents dislodgement of the primer from the strip. Each primer strip also has a plurality of laterally extending castellations or teeth that slide on a ledge over the track, and a reciprocating advancing member on the track has arms that interdigitate with the teeth to move the primer strip forward through the priming station as the advancing member moves in an advancing direction. A detent interdigitates with the teeth to hold the primer strip with a target receptacle in a target position adjacent the primer socket of the cartridge case, while a reciprocating punch pin transfers the primer from the target receptacle to the primer socket.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1996Date of Patent: December 2, 1997Assignee: Blount, Inc.Inventors: Fred B. Blodgett, Jerry D. Brand, Donald F. Legg, Jr., Arthur F. Peters, Lester V. Rodriques, Steven R. Shields
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Patent number: 5691531Abstract: A microcomputer with a modem is programmed with information for controlling a flight control computer on a missile. The microcomputer is carried on an aircraft from which the missile is controlled. The pilot of the aircraft has a keypad for setting the target coordinates in the microcomputer. The audio signals from the microcomputer modem are fed to the voice communications system of the aircraft so as to modulate the carrier of the transmitted signal. This signal is received by the receiver on the missile and demodulated and employed to control signals for the missile in the missile flight control computer. The pilot of the aircraft sets in target coordinates for the missile on a keypad connected to the microcomputer.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1996Date of Patent: November 25, 1997Assignee: Leigh Aerosystems CorporationInventors: Gordon L. Harris, Neil A. Levy, Daniel R. Weisz
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Patent number: 5691736Abstract: A secondary heat shield is positioned within a heat shielding radome and spaced from the nose of the radome in order to protect an antenna against thermal radiation from the inner surface of the radome. The secondary heat shield can be a single unitary component integrally formed of a lightweight ceramic which can be easily fabricated in the desired shape and which maintains its shape. The secondary heat shield can be formed of a lightweight ceramic material having a dielectric constant at 17 GHz and 21.degree. C. in the range of about 1 to about 3.5, a thermal conductivity of less than 0.7 W/M-K, and a density at 21.degree. C. of less than 3.2 g/cc. The most preferred ceramic material has a dielectric constant at 17 GHz and 21.degree. C. in the range of about 1.01 to about 2.0, a thermal conductivity in the range of about 0.04 to about 0.08 W/M-K, and a density at 21.degree. C. of less than about 1.0 g/cc.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1995Date of Patent: November 25, 1997Assignee: Loral Vought Systems CorporationInventors: David Lynn Hunn, Douglas Ward Freitag, James Richard Wood, Shawn M. Keough
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Patent number: 5689086Abstract: A simulated suspended mine retrieval system is described. It snares a simted suspended mine at sea that is comprised of an anchor, a buoy and a tether connecting the anchor and buoy. The retrieval system has a cable connected to a loop for snaring the simulated suspended mine. In operation the retrieval system is towed from a vessel and the loop passes over the mine and strikes the tether. When this happens the loop has a shackling arrangement that snares the tether and is of such a size that it cannot slip over the mine. This enables the simulated suspended mine to be hoisted upon the towing vessel.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1996Date of Patent: November 18, 1997Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Thomas R. Stottlemyer