Patents by Inventor David P. Erdmann

David P. Erdmann 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: 7926402
    Abstract: Microcontroller apparatuses and methods of use are disclosed. An explosive projectile system contains a faze and a remote fuze setter. The fuze includes a microcontroller comprising an RC-based clock generator and is configured to sample an accurate timing event sent from a crystal-based or similarly accurate timing device. The microcontroller is then calibrated with the received timing event and results are employed in a manner appropriate for desired implementation. Implementations of the microcontroller may include sampling a detonation delay value, in the form of a time pulse, and calibrating the microcontroller to issue a fire command at delay time after an impact event. Additionally, in a setter calibration application, a microcontroller may receive a carrier signal, calibrate the faze to an accurate time base and then set frequency boundary limits for subsequent data bit transfers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene C. Pikus, David P. Erdmann
  • Publication number: 20080121131
    Abstract: Microcontroller apparatuses and methods of use are disclosed. An explosive projectile system contains a faze and a remote fuze setter. The fuze includes a microcontroller comprising an RC-based clock generator and is configured to sample an accurate timing event sent from a crystal-based or similarly accurate timing device. The microcontroller is then calibrated with the received timing event and results are employed in a manner appropriate for desired implementation. Implementations of the microcontroller may include sampling a detonation delay value, in the form of a time pulse, and calibrating the microcontroller to issue a fire command at delay time after an impact event. Additionally, in a setter calibration application, a microcontroller may receive a carrier signal, calibrate the faze to an accurate time base and then set frequency boundary limits for subsequent data bit transfers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Eugene C. Pikus, David P. Erdmann
  • Patent number: 5914459
    Abstract: A discriminating deceleration sensing electrical switch assembly is enclosed within a munitions projectile for providing an electrical circuit path between a pair of electrical contacts upon deceleration of the projectile being greater than a selected deceleration threshold value. The discriminating deceleration electrical switch assembly includes a switch support having a bore hole for holding a spherical mass or ball. A tactile dome switch or snap switch is juxtaposed between an electrical contact assembly, including a pair of electrically conductive surface regions, and the spherical mass. The components are arranged along the munitions firing axis such that, upon sufficient deceleration along the firing axis, a force acting on the spherical mass will cause the dome switch to deform and contact the conductive surface regions to provide switch closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Teske, Kevin J. Olson, David P. Erdmann, Michael A. Johson
  • Patent number: 5497704
    Abstract: A multifunctional magnetic fuze is disclosed. The sensor includes an apparatus and method for counting each rotation of a projectile after firing from a weapon. A signal is generated which indicates the rotations of the projectile and a counter counts the turns so that the projectile may detonate at a predetermined nominal number of turns. The turns count may also be used to calculate spin rate and muzzle velocity so that the nominal turns count may be adjusted based on actual velocity. The fuze also may include a timer for counting a time to burst of a projectile. The turns count and/or the times count may be utilized to provide accurate detonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis L. Kurschner, David P. Erdmann, Scott D. Crist
  • Patent number: 4580497
    Abstract: In combination: an air core coil; a passive detector connected to said coil for giving a first output in response to change in the ambient magnetic field due to movement of a magnetic body near the coil; an active detector connected to the same coil and operable to create a local magnetic field about the coil and to give a second output in response to changes in the local field due to the movement of the body; apparatus energizing the active detector in response to the output of the passive detector; and apparatus giving a further output in response to simultaneous outputs from both the detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Honeywell, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Erdmann, Dennis L. Kurschner, John C. Timmerman
  • Patent number: 4052595
    Abstract: A vehicle monitoring system for detecting the passage of vehicles past a predetermined point along a road. Using a pair of magnetic sensors positioned in a spaced relationship, together with appropriate logic circuitry, the apparatus according to the present invention is able to detect the number of and the direction of vehicles traveling along said road. Counting means are also provided to give an indication of the number of vehicles passing in each of the two directions during any selected period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1977
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Erdmann, Dennis L. Kurschner
  • Patent number: 3961320
    Abstract: A system for sensing seismic and magnetic disturbances, comprising a segmented transducer, such as a line sensor, and electronic circuitry for processing the signals developed by the segmented transducer. The segmented transducer comprises sets of windings wrapped around a ferromagnetic core. Currents are induced in the transducer windings by magnetic field disturbances caused by external ferrous objects. Electronic signal processing circuitry associated with the transducer extracts information from the induced seismic and magnetic signals and activates an alarm if the information meets predetermined criteria. Important criteria used include whether the seismic signals are impulsive, whether the magnetic or stress disturbances are localized, and whether specific thresholds of magnetic and stress activity are reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1976
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Erdmann, Dennis L. Kurschner