Patents by Inventor Craig Boucher
Craig Boucher 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).
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Publication number: 20230273002Abstract: A system that is mountable to an unmanned vehicle and a method of operation is provided. The system includes an attachment plate configured to couple to the unmanned vehicle, the attachment plate having a first feature. A control module is configured to removably couple to the attachment plate, the control module having one or more processors and a power source, the control module having a second feature arranged to move from a first position to a second position when the control module is coupled to the attachment plate, the one or more processors being energized when the second feature is moved from the first position to the second position. A payload having an energetic element is provided, the payload being coupled to the control module.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2023Publication date: August 31, 2023Inventors: Edris Raji, Kurt Nelson, Matthew Bragoni, Andrew M. Kochanek, John Fiske, Craig Boucher, John A. Graham, Jarrett Jacobsen, John Benner, Scott Crespi, Michael Ronzello
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Publication number: 20230273003Abstract: An unmanned vehicle and a method of operating the vehicle are provided. The vehicle includes a fuselage and at least one thrust device coupled to the fuselage. A first payload module having an first attachment plate is fixedly coupled to the fuselage, the first payload module further having a first control module removably coupled to the first attachment plate and a first payload having a first energetic element. A second payload module having an second attachment plate is fixedly coupled to the fuselage adjacent the first payload module, the second payload module further having a second control module removably coupled to the second attachment plate and a second payload having a second energetic element.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2023Publication date: August 31, 2023Inventors: Edris Raji, Kurt Nelson, Matthew Bragoni, Andrew M. Kochanek, John Fiske, Craig Boucher, John A. Graham, Jarrett Jacobsen, John Benner, Scott Crespi, Michael Ronzello
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Patent number: 11650036Abstract: A system that is mountable to an unmanned vehicle and a method of operation is provided. The system includes an attachment plate configured to couple to the unmanned vehicle, the attachment plate having a first feature. A control module is configured to removably couple to the attachment plate, the control module having one or more processors and a power source, the control module having a pin arranged to move from a first position to a second position when the control module is coupled to the attachment plate, the one or more processors being energized when the pin is moved from the first position to the second position. A payload having an energetic element is provided, the payload being coupled to the control module.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2022Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense CompanyInventors: Edris Raji, Kurt Nelson, Matthew Bragoni, Andrew Kochanek, John Fiske, Craig Boucher, John A. Graham, Jarrett Jacobson, John Benner, Scott Crespi, Michael Ronzello
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Publication number: 20230008140Abstract: A system that is mountable to an unmanned vehicle and a method of operation is provided. The system includes an attachment plate configured to couple to the unmanned vehicle, the attachment plate having a first feature. A control module is configured to removably couple to the attachment plate, the control module having one or more processors and a power source, the control module having a pin arranged to move from a first position to a second position when the control module is coupled to the attachment plate, the one or more processors being energized when the pin is moved from the first position to the second position. A payload having an energetic element is provided, the payload being coupled to the control module.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2022Publication date: January 12, 2023Inventors: Edris Raji, Kurt Nelson, Matthew Bragoni, Andrew Kochanek, John Fiske, Craig Boucher, John A. Graham, Jarrett Jacobson, John Benner, Scott Crespi, Michael Ronzello
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Patent number: 10549869Abstract: Networked initiation systems for hold-down and release mechanisms (HDRMs) are described. The systems include a control unit, a plurality of firing control units operably connected to and in communication with the control unit, wherein each firing control unit has at least one HDRM operably connected thereto, and wherein each firing control unit is individually addressable by the control unit over an interface bus to enable selective operation of the HDRMs operably connected to the firing control units.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2019Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: ENSIGN-BICKFORD AEROSPACE & DEFENSE COMPANYInventors: David Novotney, Geoff Kaczynski, Craig Boucher
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Patent number: 10518907Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure involves a networked initiation system having one or more non-energetic hold-down and release mechanisms (“HDRMs”), a control unit and an interface bus connected between all of the HDRMs and the control unit. Other aspects of the present disclosure involve networked initiation systems having one or more of each of non-energetic HDRMs, energetic HDRMs and other (generic) energetic devices. The systems also include a control unit and an interface bus connected between all of the HDRMs and/or energetic devices and the control unit. The system may be used on a spacecraft for holding various elements in place on the spacecraft during launch, and then activating the HDRMs and/or energetic devices at selected points in time after launch to release the elements for movement, e.g., into orbit or beyond.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2016Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: ENSIGN-BICKFORD AEROSPACE & DEFENSE COMPANYInventors: David Novotney, Geoff Kaczynski, Craig Boucher
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Publication number: 20190225354Abstract: Networked initiation systems for hold-down and release mechanisms (HDRMs) are described. The systems include a control unit, a plurality of firing control units operably connected to and in communication with the control unit, wherein each firing control unit has at least one HDRM operably connected thereto, and wherein each firing control unit is individually addressable by the control unit over an interface bus to enable selective operation of the HDRMs operably connected to the firing control units.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2019Publication date: July 25, 2019Inventors: David Novotney, Geoff Kaczynski, Craig Boucher
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Patent number: 10124915Abstract: One aspect of the present invention involves a hold-down and release mechanism (“HDRM”) that includes a hold-then-release mechanism configured to hold an element until the hold-then-release mechanism is commanded to release the element; and an integral sensor configured to sense an amount of a parameter of interest associated with the HDRM and to communicate the sensed amount of the parameter of interest to a receiving device. The parameter of interest comprises one of tensile preload, temperature, vibration, shock, and time from application of an HDRM firing current to HDRM release of the element.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: ENSIGN-BICKFORD AEROSPACE & DEFENSE COMPANYInventors: David Novotney, Geoff Kaczynski, Craig Boucher
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Publication number: 20180208331Abstract: One aspect of the present invention involves a hold-down and release mechanism (“HDRM”) that includes a hold-then-release mechanism configured to hold an element until the hold-then-release mechanism is commanded to release the element; and an integral sensor configured to sense an amount of a parameter of interest associated with the HDRM and to communicate the sensed amount of the parameter of interest to a receiving device. The parameter of interest comprises one of tensile preload, temperature, vibration, shock, and time from application of an HDRM firing current to HDRM release of the element.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2017Publication date: July 26, 2018Inventors: David Novotney, Geoff Kaczynski, Craig Boucher
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Publication number: 20180072434Abstract: One aspect of the present invention involves a networked initiation system having one or more non-energetic hold-down and release mechanisms (“HDRMs”), a control unit and an interface bus connected between all of the HDRMs and the control unit. Other aspects of the present invention involve networked initiation systems having one or more of each of non-energetic HDRMs, energetic HDRMs and other (generic) energetic devices. The systems also include a control unit and an interface bus connected between all of the HDRMs and/or energetic devices and the control unit. The system may be used on a spacecraft for holding various elements in place on the spacecraft during launch, and then activating the HDRMs and/or energetic devices at selected points in time after launch to release the elements for movement, e.g., into orbit or beyond.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2016Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: David Novotney, Geoff Kaczynski, Craig Boucher
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Patent number: 8229930Abstract: A URL reputation system may have a reputation server and a client device with a cache of reputation information. A URL reputation query from the client to the server may return reputation data along with probabilistic set membership information for several variants of the requested URL. The client may use the probabilistic set membership information to determine if the reputation server has additional information for another related URL as well as whether the classifications are inheritable from one of the variants. If the probabilistic set membership determines that the reputation server may have additional information, a query may be made to the reputation server, otherwise the reputation may be inferred from the data stored in the cache.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2010Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Jason Cohen, Benjamin Arai, Craig Boucher, Nicholas Waggoner, Jose Marcos de Oliveira, Yun Lin
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Publication number: 20110191342Abstract: A URL reputation system may have a reputation server and a client device with a cache of reputation information. A URL reputation query from the client to the server may return reputation data along with probabilistic set membership information for several variants of the requested URL. The client may use the probabilistic set membership information to determine if the reputation server has additional information for another related URL as well as whether the classifications are inheritable from one of the variants. If the probabilistic set membership determines that the reputation server may have additional information, a query may be made to the reputation server, otherwise the reputation may be inferred from the data stored in the cache.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2010Publication date: August 4, 2011Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Jason COHEN, Benjamin Arai, Craig Boucher, Nicholas Waggoner, Jose Marcos de Oliveira, Yun Lin
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Patent number: 7646618Abstract: A night vision system comprising a power system having a low voltage unit coupled to a high voltage unit; the low voltage unit including a low voltage controller generating a pulse width code; the high voltage unit including an opto-isolator for receiving the pulse width code from the low voltage controller, a high voltage controller operative in response to the pulse width code to generate an output pulse, a pulse shaping module receiving the output pulse and generating a control pulse; and power electronics operative in response to the control pulse.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2005Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Paul Neil Marshall, Craig Boucher
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Patent number: 7535185Abstract: A night vision system comprising a power system having a low voltage unit coupled to a high voltage unit. The low voltage unit includes a low voltage controller and a low voltage table correlating step values to pulse widths, the low voltage controller obtaining a desired pulse width and accessing the table to obtain a step value. The low voltage unit transmits the step value to the high voltage unit using a pulse count modulation format. The high voltage unit includes an opto-isolator for receiving the step value from the low voltage controller and a high voltage controller demodulating the step value. In response to the step value, the high voltage controller accesses a high voltage table correlating step values to pulse width to obtain a pulse width, the high voltage controller generating a control pulse in response to the pulse width.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2005Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Paul Neil Marshall, Craig Boucher
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Publication number: 20080035252Abstract: A hydrogen fuel element (10, 110, 210) includes a heat-generating pyrotechnic charge (12) which comprises any suitable pyrotechnic material and an ammonia borane encasement (16, 116). The encasement partly (encasement 16) or wholly (encasement 116) encases the pyrotechnic charge (12). An ignition train (14) is powered by electrical leads (28a, 28b) to ignite pyrotechnic charge (12) to heat both the ammonia borane binder it contains and the encasement (16, 116), which itself includes or is made entirely of ammonia borane. Hydrogen is evolved from the heated ammonia borane binder and encasement. The hydrogen fuel element (10, 110) may be encased within a suitable housing (30) which may be made of a carbon open-cell foam.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Inventors: Carl Mallery, Craig Boucher, Robert Korcsmaros, Leonard Mecca
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Publication number: 20080001085Abstract: A night vision system comprising a power system having a low voltage unit coupled to a high voltage unit; the low voltage unit including a low voltage controller generating a pulse width code; the high voltage unit including an opto-isolator for receiving the pulse width code from the low voltage controller, a high voltage controller operative in response to the pulse width code to generate an output pulse, a pulse shaping module receiving the output pulse and generating a control pulse; and power electronics operative in response to the control pulse.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2005Publication date: January 3, 2008Inventors: Paul Marshall, Craig Boucher
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Publication number: 20080001084Abstract: A night vision system comprising a power system having a low voltage unit coupled to a high voltage unit. The low voltage unit includes a low voltage controller and a low voltage table correlating step values to pulse widths, the low voltage controller obtaining a desired pulse width and accessing the table to obtain a step value. The low voltage unit transmits the step value to the high voltage unit using a pulse count modulation format. The high voltage unit includes an opto-isolator for receiving the step value from the low voltage controller and a high voltage controller demodulating the step value. In response to the step value, the high voltage controller accesses a high voltage table correlating step values to pulse width to obtain a pulse width, the high voltage controller generating a control pulse in response to the pulse width.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2005Publication date: January 3, 2008Inventors: Paul Marshall, Craig Boucher
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Patent number: 7301147Abstract: A night vision system including a power system having a low voltage unit coupled to a high voltage unit. The low voltage unit includes a low voltage controller and a low voltage table correlating step values to pulse widths, the low voltage controller obtaining a desired pulse width and accessing the table to obtain a step value. The high voltage unit including an opto-isolator for receiving the step value from the low voltage controller, a high voltage controller response to the step value accessing a high voltage table correlating step values to pulse width to obtain a pulse width, the high voltage controller generating a control pulse in response to the pulse width.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2005Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Paul Neil Marshall, Craig Boucher
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Publication number: 20070235649Abstract: A night vision system including a power system having a low voltage unit coupled to a high voltage unit. The low voltage unit includes a low voltage controller and a low voltage table correlating step values to pulse widths, the low voltage controller obtaining a desired pulse width and accessing the table to obtain a step value. The high voltage unit including an opto-isolator for receiving the step value from the low voltage controller, a high voltage controller response to the step value accessing a high voltage table correlating step values to pulse width to obtain a pulse width, the high voltage controller generating a control pulse in response to the pulse width.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2005Publication date: October 11, 2007Inventors: Paul Marshall, Craig Boucher
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Patent number: 7248001Abstract: A night vision system including a power system having a low voltage unit coupled to a high voltage unit. The low voltage unit includes a low voltage controller and a low voltage table correlating pulse widths to step values. The low voltage unit transmits the step value to the high voltage unit in a pulse train having a period corresponding to a frequency. The high voltage unit including an opto-isolator for receiving the step value from the low voltage controller, a high voltage controller accessing a high voltage table correlating step value to pulse width and threshold. The high voltage controller generates control pulses at the frequency in response to the pulse width and the threshold.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Paul Neil Marshall, Craig Boucher