Patents by Inventor Mark J. Tomes

Mark J. Tomes 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: 8113118
    Abstract: A spin sensor includes a fuze housing, a sense weight and a rotating induction device. The rotating induction device comprises a first rotatable element affixed to the fuze housing and a second rotatable element affixed to the sense weight. The second rotatable element is mechanically coupled to the first rotatable element such that it may rotate relative to the first rotatable element. In addition, the second rotatable element is inductively coupled to the first rotatable element such that the relative rotation between the first rotatable element and the second rotatable element generates a spin signal on an electrical connection to the rotating induction device. The spin signal may be compared to a suitable spin profile to determine if a valid spin environment is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Schmidt, Mark J. Tomes
  • Patent number: 7669532
    Abstract: Projectile fuze setback generator power source apparatuses and methods of use and manufacture are disclosed. An explosive projectile contains a fuze with a setback generator and associated fuze electronics. Upon initiation of projectile launch, the setback generator produces a voltage for use by the fuze electronics during flight. The setback generator includes a magnet maintained in place within a surrounding coil by a fastener. When a projectile is fired, rapid acceleration thereof causes the fastener to break and the magnet to be displaced longitudinally within the surrounding coil, which decreases the magnetic field and induces a current in the surrounding coil. The induced current produces a voltage that is stored in a capacitor operably coupled to the setback generators which then is used to power the fuze electronics during flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Crist, Mark J. Tomes, Hossein Aliaghai, Erik J. Elmer
  • Publication number: 20080115686
    Abstract: Projectile fuze setback generator power source apparatuses and methods of use and manufacture are disclosed. An explosive projectile contains a fuze with a setback generator and associated fuze electronics. Upon initiation of projectile launch, the setback generator produces a voltage for use by the fuze electronics during flight. The setback generator includes a magnet maintained in place within a surrounding coil by a fastener. When a projectile is fired, rapid acceleration thereof causes the fastener to break and the magnet to be displaced longitudinally within the surrounding coil, which decreases the magnetic field and induces a current in the surrounding coil. The induced current produces a voltage that is stored in a capacitor operably coupled to the setback generators which then is used to power the fuze electronics during flight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Scott D. Crist, Mark J. Tomes, Hossein Aliaghai, Erik J. Elmer
  • Patent number: 7124689
    Abstract: A detonation timing apparatus and method of determining a detonation time is disclosed. The detonation timing apparatus comprises an initiation sensor, at least one impact sensor, and at least one controller. The at least one controller may be configured for sensing an initiation event associated with the initiation sensor and sensing an impact event associated with the at least one impact sensor. The at least one controller is further configured for determining an impact velocity estimate proportional to a temporal difference between the initiation event and the impact event, using the impact velocity estimate to determine the detonation delay, and generating the detonation event at the detonation delay after the impact event. The timing apparatus and method of determining a detonation time may be incorporated in a fuze, which may be incorporated in an explosive projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Martin R. Davis, Carl Nelson, Mark J. Tomes