Patents by Inventor Alan Wignall

Alan Wignall has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7900571
    Abstract: A buoy is provided with first and second fixed hydrodynamic surfaces (15,16). When the buoy is towed through water by a tether (17), the first hydrodynamic surface (15) generates a downward force that reduces with increased speed through the water. The second hydrodynamic surface (16) generates an upward force that increases with increased speed through the water so that the buoy dives up to an upper critical speed through the water speed and rises beyond said upper critical speed through the water. The downward force of the first hydrodynamic surface (15) overcomes the buoyancy of the buoy at a lower critical speed through the water above, which the buoy dives. The hydrodynamic surface (15) comprises first fins (15) mounted on an outer casing (1) of the buoy and are spaced angularity and extend parallel to the center axis of the buoy which is substantially aligned with the direction of towing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Ultra Electronics Limited
    Inventors: Barry N. Jaber, Alan Wignall, John D. Martin
  • Publication number: 20090149092
    Abstract: A buoy is provided with first and second fixed hydrodynamic surfaces (15,16). When the buoy is towed through water by a tether (17), the first hydrodynamic surface (15) generates a downward force that reduces with increased speed through the water. The second hydrodynamic surface (16) generates an upward force that increases with increased speed through the water so that the buoy dives up to an upper critical speed through the water speed and rises beyond said upper critical speed through the water. The downward force of the first hydrodynamic surface (15) overcomes the buoyancy of the buoy at a lower critical speed through the water above, which the buoy dives. The hydrodynamic surface (15) comprises first fins (15) mounted on an outer casing (1) of the buoy and are spaced angularity and extend parallel to the centre axis of the buoy which is substantially aligned with the direction of towing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: ULTRA ELECTRONICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Barry N. Jaber, Alan Wignall, John D. Martin
  • Patent number: 7502279
    Abstract: A method of providing an indication of the direction of a target such as a sniper. A rifle mounted sensor array detects an acoustic pulse originating from the target. The signal is processed to estimate the direction of the target, and an indication is provided when the weapon is aligned with the estimated direction. The direction of arrival of an acoustic pulse is estimated by spectrally decomposing each signal from the sensor so as to generate one or more spectral components for each signal, and processing the spectral components to estimate the direction of arrival.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Ultra Electronics Limited
    Inventors: Alan Wignall, John David Martin
  • Publication number: 20060291331
    Abstract: A method of providing an indication of the direction of a target such as a sniper. A rifle mounted sensor array detects an acoustic pulse originating from the target. The signal is processed to estimate the direction of the target, and an indication is provided when the weapon is aligned with the estimated direction. The direction of arrival of an acoustic pulse is estimated by spectrally decomposing each signal from the sensor so as to generate one or more spectral components for each signal, and processing the spectral components to estimate the direction of arrival.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventors: Alan Wignall, John Martin