Patents by Inventor Michael Imdahl

Michael Imdahl 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).

  • Publication number: 20050188891
    Abstract: A discarded propelling cage sabot for a sub-caliber projectile is provided. The sabot includes a plurality of propelling cage sabot sections arranged side-by-side in a circumferential direction and separated by separating joints, each of the propelling cage sabot sections having a pressure flange having a groove-shaped recess, and a frustum-shaped propelling cage sabot region which is positioned rearward in the direction of flight relative to the pressure flange. The sabot also includes a plurality of sealing band segments that are arranged side-by-side in the circumferential direction and are separated by separating joints, each of the sealing band segments corresponding to one of the propelling cage sabot sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Heitmann, Michael Imdahl, Martin Berg, Stefan Keil
  • Patent number: 6769364
    Abstract: A full-caliber projectile having a cylindrical guide region (5) and an ogival projectile tip (7). To improve the stabilization of the projectile (1) inside a gun barrel (2) in a simple manner, and therefore improve the intermediate ballistics and hit accuracy over those of comparable projectiles, a guide ring (8), which is segmented in the circumferential direction, and whose outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of a gun barrel (2) of the same caliber, is secured to the projectile tip (7) such that the radially spaced guide-ring segments (9) detach from the projectile (1) in the gun barrel (2) when a predetermined firing acceleration occurs in the gun barrel, and the segments (9) are pushed toward the projectile (1), axially relative to the cylindrical guide region (5), by dynamic pressure until they rest against the inside wall (18) of the gun barrel (2) and against the projectile (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Kolodzey, Thomas Heitmann, Michael Imdahl, Michael Vagedes
  • Patent number: 6758435
    Abstract: A missile includes a missile body and a guide assembly mounted on the missile body. The guide assembly has a plurality of pivots and a plurality of vanes mounted on respective pivots for a swinging motion between a folded position of rest and a deployed flight position. The vanes are arranged for free pivotal motion during flight in response to forces acting thereon to determine the flight position. In the folded position of each vane, its center of gravity is situated at a greater distance from the longitudinal axis of the missile body than the pivotal axis of the respective vanes. Abutments limit the flight position of the vanes to a maximum angle between the length dimension of the vanes and the longitudinal axis of the missile body. The maximum angle is greater than 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Niemeyer, Manfred Dieter Schwies, Uwe Naderhoff, Thomas Heitman, Michael Imdahl, Rudolf Rombach
  • Publication number: 20030101892
    Abstract: A full-caliber projectile having a cylindrical guide region (5) and an ogival projectile tip (7). To improve the stabilization of the projectile (1) inside a gun barrel (2) in a simple manner, and therefore improve the intermediate ballistics and hit accuracy over those of comparable projectiles, a guide ring (8), which is segmented in the circumferential direction, and whose outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of a gun barrel (2) of the same caliber, is secured to the projectile tip (7) such that the radially spaced guide-ring segments (9) detach from the projectile (1) in the gun barrel (2) when a predetermined firing acceleration occurs in the gun barrel, and the segments (9) are pushed toward the projectile (1), axially relative to the cylindrical guide region (5), by dynamic pressure until they rest against the inside wall (18) of the gun barrel (2) and against the projectile (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Jurgen Kolodzey, Thomas Heitmann, Michael Imdahl, Michael Vagedes
  • Patent number: 6526892
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a cartridge case having a cartridge base; a projectile having a rearward portion received by the cartridge case; a propellant primer disposed in the cartridge case and extending along the longitudinal cartridge axis; an electrically programmable projectile fuze disposed in the projectile; an electrode disposed at the cartridge base; a plug mounted on the propellant primer at a frontal end thereof; a first contact carried by the plug; a first conductor extending in the propellant primer and connecting the first contact with the electrode; a socket, formed on the rearward portion of the projectile, receives and surrounds the plug; a second contact carried by the socket and being in electric contact with the first contact; and a second conductor extending in the projectile and connecting the second contact with the projectile fuze.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Heitmann, Michael Vagedes, Michael Imdahl
  • Publication number: 20030038212
    Abstract: A missile includes a missile body and a guide assembly mounted on the missile body. The guide assembly has a plurality of pivots and a plurality of vanes mounted on respective pivots for a swinging motion between a folded position of rest and a deployed flight position. The vanes are arranged for free pivotal motion during flight in response to forces acting thereon to determine the flight position. In the folded position of each vane, its center of gravity is situated at a greater distance from the longitudinal axis of the missile body than the pivotal axis of the respective vanes. Abutments limit the flight position of the vanes to a maximum angle between the length dimension of the vanes and the longitudinal axis of the missile body. The maximum angle is greater than 90°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Torsten Niemeyer, Manfred Dieter Schwies, Uwe Naderhoff, Thomas Heitman, Michael Imdahl, Rudolf Rombach
  • Publication number: 20020108525
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a cartridge case having a cartridge base; a projectile having a rearward portion received by the cartridge case; a propellant primer disposed in the cartridge case and extending along the longitudinal cartridge axis; an electrically programmable projectile fuze disposed in the projectile; an electrode disposed at the cartridge base; a plug mounted on the propellant primer at a frontal end thereof; a first contact carried by the plug; a first conductor extending in the propellant primer and connecting the first contact with the electrode; a socket, formed on the rearward portion of the projectile, receives and surrounds the plug; a second contact carried by the socket and being in electric contact with the first contact; and a second conductor extending in the projectile and connecting the second contact with the projectile fuze.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas Heitmann, Michael Vagedes, Michael Imdahl
  • Publication number: 20010015397
    Abstract: A missile includes a missile body and a guide assembly mounted on the missile body. The guide assembly has a plurality of pivots and a plurality of vanes mounted on respective pivots for a swinging motion between a folded position of rest and a deployed flight position. The vanes are arranged for free pivotal motion during flight in response to forces acting thereon to determine the flight position. Abutments limit the flight position of the vanes to a maximum angle between the length dimension of the vanes and the longitudinal axis of the missile body. The maximum angle is greater than 90°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Torsten Niemeyer, Manfred Dieter Schwies, Uwe Naderhoff, Thomas Heitmann, Michael Imdahl, Rudolf Rombach