Patents by Inventor Daniel A. Skurdal
Daniel A. Skurdal 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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Patent number: 8851786Abstract: A reversible sealing mechanism for sealing a bulkhead having a first central aperture defined along a central axis and disposed between first and second compartments includes a cover member having a recess defined therein by a substantially cylindrical sidewall and adapted to cover the first central aperture. A wedge ring having a generally cylindrical body is accommodated by the first and second central apertures and is configured to operatively engage the cover member. A mechanical input is operative to reversibly rotate the wedge ring about the central axis such that a rotation of the wedge ring in a first direction urges the cover member in the axial direction into a sealed position.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2009Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Lockhead Martin CorporationInventors: John Snediker, Daniel Skurdal
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Patent number: 8468924Abstract: A system and method for launching non-vertical launch munitions with a non-vertical launch trajectory from a launcher that is operationally coupled to a vertical launching system (VLS). The inventors of the present invention recognized that munitions that are unsuitable for vertical launches were unavailable for use with vertical launching systems, thus foreclosing important defense, attack, and cost-savings opportunities for VLS-equipped platforms. A VLS could be substantially more versatile if it accommodated munitions such as torpedoes, counter-measures, direct-fire munitions, point-and-shoot munitions, and a variety of other missiles and equipment. The launcher according to the present invention is also stowable in an upward orientation within a cell of the host vertical launching system.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2010Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Daniel A. Skurdal, John Snediker, William Kalms
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Patent number: 8443707Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that is a self-contained gas management system (hereinafter “GMS”) that accommodates individual canisters of highly energetic small munitions, but is not so limited. By decoupling the gas management system for a given munition from an adjacent munition, the risk of downing a multi-pack launcher or munition adapter is reduced. Thermal wear, overheating, restrained firing and aft closure debris can be isolated through the separation of gas management systems. In addition, the GMS allows for ease of replenishment and maintenance of a given sub-cell of a multi-pack system. The GMS works with existing munitions and canisters without the need to modify them. Each GMS is dimensioned to fit the canistered munition it receives as well as the launch system with which it is used. The illustrative GMS comprises a plenum, and a first and a second uptake structure. The plenum receives the exhaust from the canistered munition when the munition fires.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Daniel A. Skurdal, John Snediker
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Patent number: 8397613Abstract: A launch system for use as a standalone munition launcher or as a guest launcher within a main battery host launcher.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2008Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Daniel A. Skurdal, Timothy R. Fouts, Jennifer L. Houston-Manchester, John Snediker
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Publication number: 20120152090Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that is a self-contained gas management system (hereinafter “GMS”) that accommodates individual canisters of highly energetic small munitions, but is not so limited. By decoupling the gas management system for a given munition from an adjacent munition, the risk of downing a multi-pack launcher or munition adapter is reduced. Thermal wear, overheating, restrained firing and aft closure debris can be isolated through the separation of gas management systems. In addition, the GMS allows for ease of replenishment and maintenance of a given sub-cell of a multi-pack system. The GMS works with existing munitions and canisters without the need to modify them. Each GMS is dimensioned to fit the canistered munition it receives as well as the launch system with which it is used. The illustrative GMS comprises a plenum, and a first and a second uptake structure. The plenum receives the exhaust from the canistered munition when the munition fires.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel A. Skurdal, John Snediker
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Publication number: 20120152092Abstract: A system and method for launching non-vertical launch munitions with a non-vertical launch trajectory from a launcher that is operationally coupled to a vertical launching system (VLS). The inventors of the present invention recognized that munitions that are unsuitable for vertical launches were unavailable for use with vertical launching systems, thus foreclosing important defense, attack, and cost-savings opportunities for VLS-equipped platforms. A VLS could be substantially more versatile if it accommodated munitions such as torpedoes, counter-measures, direct-fire munitions, point-and-shoot munitions, and a variety of other missiles and equipment. The launcher according to the present invention is also stowable in an upward orientation within a cell of the host vertical launching system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel A. Skurdal, John Snediker, William Kalms
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Publication number: 20110126474Abstract: A reversible sealing mechanism for sealing a bulkhead having a first central aperture defined along a central axis and disposed between first and second compartments includes a cover member having a recess defined therein by a substantially cylindrical sidewall and adapted to cover the first central aperture. A wedge ring having a generally cylindrical body is accommodated by the first and second central apertures and is configured to operatively engage the cover member. A mechanical input is operative to reversibly rotate the wedge ring about the central axis such that a rotation of the wedge ring in a first direction urges the cover member in the axial direction into a sealed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorprationInventors: John Snediker, Daniel Skurdal
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Publication number: 20090126556Abstract: A launch system for use as a standalone munition launcher or as a guest launcher within a main battery host launcher.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2008Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel A. Skurdal, Timothy R. Fouts, Jennifer L. Houston-Manchester, John Snediker