Patents by Inventor David B. Novotney
David B. Novotney 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: 7278658Abstract: An ordnance system of the present invention may include or feature any one or more of: a control unit, one or more effectors (detonators, initiators, shaped charges and the like), and a two-, three- or four-wire communication bus between the control unit and the effectors; an addressable system in which all the effectors can be connected to the same communication bus and the control unit can issue coded signals on the bus addressed to a specific effector; inductive coupling between the effectors and the communication bus; and a multi-voltage level communication system in which communication signals are carried at a first voltage and arming signals are provided at a second, higher voltage. Other features may include two-way communication between effectors and the control unit and the de-centralization of firing control so that the control unit does not have exclusive control over whether the effectors function.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2005Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: Ensign-Bickford Aerospace and Defense Co.Inventors: Craig J. Boucher, Paul N. Marshall, David B. Novotney
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Patent number: 6889610Abstract: An ordnance system of the present invention may include or feature any one or more of: a control unit, one or more effectors (detonators, initiators, shaped charges and the like), and a two-, three- or four-wire communication bus between the control unit and the effectors; an addressable system in which all the effectors can be connected to the same communication bus and the control unit can issue coded signals on the bus addressed to a specific effector; inductive coupling between the effectors and the communication bus; and a multi-voltage level communication system in which communication signals are carried at a first voltage and arming signals are provided at a second, higher voltage. Other features may include two-way communication between effectors and the control unit and the de-centralization of firing control so that the control unit does not have exclusive control over whether the effectors function.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2003Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Ensign-Bickford Aerospace and Defense Co.Inventors: Craig J. Boucher, Paul N. Marshall, David B. Novotney
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Publication number: 20040031411Abstract: The present invention is a signal transmission system (10) that can receive a non-electric input signal such as a mechanical shock, detonation, or pyrotechnic signal at an input terminus (12), convert that signal to an electrical signal, and convey the electrical signal to at least one output terminus (16a, 16b) at a remote location where the signal is converted to a non-electric output. To convert the non-electric input signal to an electrical signal, the input terminus (12) comprises a receiving transducer e.g., a piezoelectric, electrochemical, or photovoltaic element. The input terminus (12) is connected by transfer wiring (14) (e.g., an electrical wire harness or a flex cable) to the remote location, where it is received by the at least one output terminus (16a, 16b) and there converted to a non-electric signal that is used for a desired function.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2003Publication date: February 19, 2004Inventors: David B. Novotney, John A. Graham
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Publication number: 20040020394Abstract: An ordnance system of the present invention may include or feature any one or more of: a control unit, one or more effectors (detonators, initiators, shaped charges and the like), and a two-, three- or four-wire communication bus between the control unit and the effectors; an addressable system in which all the effectors can be connected to the same communication bus and the control unit can issue coded signals on the bus addressed to a specific effector; inductive coupling between the effectors and the communication bus; and a multi-voltage level communication system in which communication signals are carried at a first voltage and arming signals are provided at a second, higher voltage. Other features may include two-way communication between effectors and the control unit and the de-centralization of firing control so that the control unit does not have exclusive control over whether the effectors function.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2003Publication date: February 5, 2004Inventors: Craig J. Boucher, Paul N. Marshall, David B. Novotney
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Patent number: 6584907Abstract: An ordnance system of the present invention may include or feature any one or more of: a control unit, one or more effectors (detonators, initiators, shaped charges and the like), and a two-, three- or four-wire communication bus between the control unit and the effectors; an addressable system in which all the effectors can be connected to the same communication bus and the control unit can issue coded signals on the bus addressed to a specific effector; inductive coupling between the effectors and the communication bus; and a multi-voltage level communication system in which communication signals are carried at a first voltage and arming signals are provided at a second, higher voltage. Other features may include two-way communication between effectors and the control unit and the de-centralization of firing control so that the control unit does not have exclusive control over whether the effectors function.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense CompanyInventors: Craig J. Boucher, Paul N. Marshall, David B. Novotney
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Publication number: 20030075069Abstract: An ordnance system of the present invention may include or feature any one or more of: a control unit, one or more effectors (detonators, initiators, shaped charges and the like), and a two-, three- or four-wire communication bus between the control unit and the effectors; an addressable system in which all the effectors can be connected to the same communication bus and the control unit can issue coded signals on the bus addressed to a specific effector; inductive coupling between the effectors and the communication bus; and a multi-voltage level communication system in which communication signals are carried at a first voltage and arming signals are provided at a second, higher voltage. Other features may include two-way communication between effectors and the control unit and the de-centralization of firing control so that the control unit does not have exclusive control over whether the effectors function.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2001Publication date: April 24, 2003Inventors: Craig J. Boucher, Paul N. Marshall, David B. Novotney
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Patent number: 6199484Abstract: A semiconductor bridge igniter device (10) having integral voltage anti-fuse protection provides an electric circuit including a first firing leg and, optionally, a monitor leg. The first firing leg includes a first semiconductor bridge having semiconductor pads (14a, 14b) separated and connected by a bridge (14c) and having metallized lands (16a, 16b) disposed over the pads (14a, 14b) so that an electrical potential applied across the metallized lands (16a, 16b) will cause sufficient current to flow through the firing leg of the electric circuit to release energy at the bridge (14c). A dielectric layer (15) is interposed within the first firing leg and has a breakdown voltage equal to a selected threshold voltage (Vth) and therefore provides protection against the device functioning at voltages below the threshold voltage (Vth). A continuity monitor leg of the electric circuit is comprised of either a fusible link (34) or a resistor (36) disposed in parallel to the first firing leg.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1999Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: The Ensign-Bickford CompanyInventors: Bernardo Martinez-Tovar, Martin C. Foster, David B. Novotney