Patents by Inventor Boyd B. Bushman

Boyd B. Bushman 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: 6606578
    Abstract: An electromagnetic propulsion fan includes a hub and a plurality of fan blades coupled to the hub. The electromagnetic propulsion fan also includes a rim coupled to the fan blades such that rotating the rim causes the fan blades to rotate. The rim includes a plurality of magnets coupled thereto. The electromagnetic propulsion fan further includes a plurality of electromagnets in proximity to the rim, the electromagnets controllable to generate magnetic fields that interact with the magnetic fields of the magnets to cause the rim to rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: J. Kirston Henderson, Boyd B. Bushman
  • Patent number: 6411001
    Abstract: The present invention encompasses an angled magnetic drive that includes a motor for generating rotary motion about a first axis. This angled magnetic drive also includes a driving member coupled to the motor and rotated by it. The driving member includes a plurality of magnets coupled to one of its faces. This magnetic drive additionally includes a driven member that is mounted to rotate about a second axis, which is oriented at an angle to the first axis. At least part of a face of the driven member is located in proximity to the face of the driving member such that the driven member is magnetically coupled to the driving member when the motor rotates the driving member thereby causing the driving member to rotate, the rotation of the driving member producing rotation of the driven member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: J. Kirston Henderson, Boyd B. Bushman
  • Patent number: 6028434
    Abstract: A system for evaluating defects and determining unknown parameters is provided which includes an AC source (10) coupled to a device under test (36). A radiation detector (16) detects radiation emitted from interrupted electrons flowing in the surface of the device under test (36). An analyzer (18) is coupled to the detector (16) for analyzing the output of the detector (16). A processor and memory system (38) is coupled to the analyzer (18) to assist in making determination as to defects or unknown properties of the device under test (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Lockheed Fort Worth Company
    Inventor: Boyd B. Bushman
  • Patent number: 5999652
    Abstract: A method and system of image modulation detection of an aircraft or missile exhaust plume or explosives by time sequence differentiation is provided. The method comprises the steps of forming two sequential images of the field of view in which an exhaust plume to be detected is located, and forming a differential image from the sequential images showing components of the aircraft's exhaust plume that are modulating at a rate greater than the frame rate of the detection system. The detection system permits a selection of frame rates so that unwanted (non-modulating) items in the field of view may be eliminated from detection by the threat warning system. The nonmodulating components such as the sky, hills, and even the missile body are eliminated from the differential image. Only the plume remains and only the plume is detected. Each image is formed by a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel images a portion of the field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Boyd B. Bushman
  • Patent number: 5982180
    Abstract: The apparatus includes an electrical circuit for producing a high voltage at a high frequency with very little current and an elongated and electrically insulated electrical conductive member coupled to the circuit for producing an electrical discharge when in close proximity to a metal object in the ground. The electrical circuit is capable of producing 50,000 volts and higher. In using the apparatus, the electrical conductive member may be moved to scan the ground over a metal object to obtain an image of the shape of the metal object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Boyd B. Bushman
  • Patent number: 5929732
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating a magnetic beam wherein a focusing magnet assembly (45) is comprised of a first opposing magnet pair (20) and a second opposing magnet pair (30) disposed in a focusing plane, each magnet of the respective opposing magnet pairs having a like pole directed towards the geometric center of the focusing magnet assembly (45) to form an alignment path, two like magnetic beams extending from the alignment path on each side of the focusing magnet assembly (45), each beam being generally perpendicular to the focusing plane. A like pole of an unopposed magnet (10) can be directed down the alignment path from one side of the focusing magnet assembly (45) to produce a single magnetic beam extending generally perpendicular from the focusing magnet assembly opposite unopposed magnet (10). This beam is a magnetic monopole which emits pulses, levitates, degausses, stops electronics and separates materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Boyd B. Bushman
  • Patent number: 5836549
    Abstract: A jet airplane capable of supersonic flight has airfoils with leading edges. Each leading edge has a cavity which extends for substantially the entire length of the airfoil. The leading edge also has a cover which is approximately the same size as the cavity. The cover has an open position and a closed position. When the cover is in the open position, the leading portion has a concave profile. When the cover is in the closed position, the leading portion has a convex profile that gives the airfoil a conventional shape. The cover is rotated to the open position when the airplane reaches supersonic speed. At supersonic speed, a shock wave forms on the leading edge of the airfoil. However, the cavity forms a compression zone between the shock wave and the leading edge, diverting the heat and pressure of the shock wave away from the airfoil. Downstream from the compressed zone, pressure wakes form along the airfoil and cool the airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Boyd B. Bushman
  • Patent number: 5793889
    Abstract: A method and system of image modulation detection of an aircraft exhaust plume by time sequence differentiation is provided. The method comprises the steps of forming two sequential images of the field of view in which an exhaust plume to be detected is located, and forming a differential image from the sequential images showing components of the aircraft's exhaust plume that are modulating at a rate greater than the frame rate of the detection system. The nonmodulating components such as the sky hills, and even the missile body are eliminated from the differential image. Only the plume remains and only the plume is detected. Therefore there is not false alarm note. Each image is formed by a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel images a portion of the field of view. A value is assigned to each pixel in each of the sequential images that corresponds to one or more characteristics of the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Corporation
    Inventor: Boyd B. Bushman
  • Patent number: 5775635
    Abstract: An aircraft engine has a nozzle shaped to reduce the volume of Mach diamonds being formed in the exhaust plume. A notch or recess is formed in the discharge edge of the nozzle. The recess provides a forward discharge edge that causes additional Mach diamonds to occur at a regular spacing from the forward discharge edge. These additional Mach diamonds are axially staggered with other Mach diamonds, which occur at regular spacing from the rearward edge of the nozzle discharge edge. Each Mach diamond has a volume that is substantially less than one-half the volume of a Mach diamond created by a conventional nozzle. This results in less high temperature areas per axial increment in the plume than the prior art exhaust plumes. Because Mach diamonds are the primary cause of high infrared emissions, as well as acoustic noise, a reduction in the total volume of Mach diamonds in the exhaust plume thus reduces infrared emissions, as well as the noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Boyd B. Bushman
  • Patent number: 5726798
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for emitting a laser like monochromatic narrow beam of light at a selected wavelength from a heated emitter member having a plurality of parallel layers while reducing emission at other wavelengths of light. The parallel layers are overlaid with each other. Each of the parallel layers extends transversely for a particular width. A heat source stimulates the emitter member to emit photons, which are determined by the composition of materials within the emitter member. The emitter member emits monochromatic light at a selected wavelength in response to the photon emissions. The selected wavelength of the monochromatic light is determined by the width of the layers of the emitter member. Light at other wavelengths does not transmit through and their emissivity also decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Corporation
    Inventor: Boyd B. Bushman
  • Patent number: 5680135
    Abstract: An aircraft has an exhaust flame or plume which can be modulated to communicate. A sound emitter is mounted to the aircraft for emitting acoustic waves into the exhaust plume. An encoder will control the emitter at selected digital sequence to provide a digital message. The flame or plume will radiate at a frequency range of interest depending on the type of aircraft. The sound waves cause the frequencies to change from a continuous spectrum to a spectrum which has a much lower amplitude. A detector remotely located from the aircraft will detect radiation. It filters frequencies outside of the frequency range of interest. It will discriminate between the modulated pattern and the continuous pattern. This output provides the digital code that was encoded by the encoder. A decoder will decode the message for the recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Boyd B. Bushman
  • Patent number: 5637946
    Abstract: An electrical device functions as a thermally energized DC power source. The device has a base plate of conductive metal. A number of electrode points protrude upward from the base plate, terminating in a sharp edge. A collection plate of conductive metal is positioned above the sharp upper edges of the electrode points. The gap between the electrode points and between the collection plate and the electrode points is electrically insulated. An electrical potential exists between the base plate and the upper collection plate while the device is at and above room temperature. The potential difference increases as the temperature increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Lockheed Corporation
    Inventor: Boyd B. Bushman
  • Patent number: 5590014
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for supplying electric power in the form of an output d.c. voltage. An electret material emits the output d.c. voltage in response to continuously applying a high potential static field across the electret material. In a preferred embodiment, a central member is formed from the electret material and includes two spaced apart, oppositely facing contact surfaces. Two voltage input contacts are separately mounted to the two contact surfaces of the central member, each on opposite sides of an outer portion of the electret material. A static voltage source continuously applies a high static voltage potential across the two voltage input contacts to apply the high potential static field across the outer portions of the electret material. Two voltage output contacts are separately mounted to the two contact surfaces of the central member, on opposite sides of an inner portion of the electret material and spaced apart from the two high voltage contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Boyd B. Bushman
  • Patent number: 5543917
    Abstract: A method for detecting objects while eliminating unwanted background utilizes polarizing contrasts. A lens systems focuses light from the field of view through a beam splitter. One beam passes to a digitizer through a polarizer which polarizes the beam at one angle. The other beam is reflected to another polarizer, which is located at a 90.degree. angle relative to the first polarizer. The pixels from the polarized images are digitized. A processor compares the corresponding pixels, subtracting one from the other to find a polarizing contrast. A range that can be varied will display only those pixels which have polarizing contrasts within the selected range. The selection of the range will either include or eliminate the background while displaying man-made targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Boyd B. Bushman
  • Patent number: 5542247
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are providing for converting energy into thrust, and directing the thrust to move an object. The apparatus includes a chamber having air disposed therein, a pulsed laser for converting an energy source into light pulses, and a lens for receiving the light pulses and directing the light pulses toward a focal point within the chamber. Each light pulse converges in a region which is proximate to the focal point and causes molecules within the air which are at the region to disassociate. Disassociation of the molecules generates pressure waves which provide thrust for powering the object to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Lockheed Corporation
    Inventor: Boyd B. Bushman
  • Patent number: 5514926
    Abstract: A method for transferring power employs moving a magnetic field past a nonmagnetic electrical conductor surface. In one instance, a magnet is mounted on a rotational axis, with the periphery of the magnet in close proximity to the object. The object may also be on a rotational axis. Rotating of the magnet causes rotation of the object. In another instance, an aluminized layer is placed on a conveyor belt. The rotating magnet is positioned closed to the conveyor belt layer to cause the conveyor belt to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Lockheed Corporation
    Inventor: Boyd B. Bushman
  • Patent number: 5511044
    Abstract: A device for producing thrust has a variety of uses, such as pumping liquid, compressing or blowing air, or powering an aircraft. The device has a chamber with a sound driver located therein. The sound driver creates a compression standing wave in the chamber which will have at least one low pressure node and at least two high pressure peaks. An intake port extends through the chamber and is located adjacent the low pressure node for drawing in a fluid into the chamber. A discharge port extends through the chamber and is located adjacent the high pressure peak for discharging fluid from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Lockheed Corporation
    Inventor: Boyd B. Bushman
  • Patent number: 5504486
    Abstract: A detection system will detect targets against a fixed background if the target is of a type emitting a gaseous plume. The detection system directs electromagnetic energy, preferably radio frequency signals, toward the fixed background in an area of suspected target activity. The detection system has a receiver which detects reflected electromagnetic energy from the fixed background. The system will identify anomalous variations in range. The variations occur as a result of refraction of the electromagnetic energy wave passing through the gaseous exhaust stream. This indicates a probable target which is creating exhaust plume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Lockheed Corporation
    Inventor: Boyd B. Bushman
  • Patent number: 5497156
    Abstract: A towed target or decoy serves to avoid heat-seeking and radar missile attacks on a jet aircraft. The decoy has a body with a nose and a sidewall. A ring surrounds the body and the spaced from it. The interior of the ring and the exterior of the body have reflective surfaces. The reflective surfaces reflect heat energy from the exhaust in various directions. This creates a greater heat signal than from the aircraft itself, attracting heat-seeking missiles. The decoys nest within one another and are deployed from an ejection housing mounted to the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Lockheed Corporation
    Inventor: Boyd B. Bushman
  • Patent number: 5492010
    Abstract: A device for determining position uses three voltage dividers. Each voltage divider is a metal conductor having a head on one end and two legs on an opposite end. The tips of the legs of each of the bodies are located in planes which are perpendicular to the other bodies. A DC voltage is applied to the head of each of the bodies to create first and second electron flow paths. The voltage across each flow path is monitored. A difference in voltage of flow path relative to the other indicates a change in velocity in a direction wherein one leg leads the other leg. The voltage change correlates to acceleration. By timing the duration, velocity and distance travelled are computed. When mounted aboard a plane, vehicle, ship or spacecraft the unit displays a continous "present location".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Lockheed Corporation
    Inventor: Boyd B. Bushman