Patents by Inventor Robert L. Alford

Robert L. Alford 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: 9518807
    Abstract: A method of controlling a projectile includes initiating an execution mode if a roll control authority parameter is outside of a pre-determined operating range for a projectile. The execution mode includes bypassing a guidance command and sending a modified command to execute a coning maneuver to improve control response of the projectile. A projectile control system includes a processor operatively connected to a memory. The memory has instructions recorded thereon that, when read by the processor, cause the processor to execute the method operations described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Nash, Gary Willenbring, Robert L. Alford
  • Publication number: 20160018202
    Abstract: A method of controlling a projectile includes initiating an execution mode if a roll control authority parameter is outside of a pre-determined operating range for a projectile. The execution mode includes bypassing a guidance command and sending a modified command to execute a coning maneuver to improve control response of the projectile. A projectile control system includes a processor operatively connected to a memory. The memory has instructions recorded thereon that, when read by the processor, cause the processor to execute the method operations described above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Gregory Nash, Gary Willenbring, Robert L. Alford
  • Patent number: 8071926
    Abstract: Rolling airframe projectile guidance and stability systems are disclosed. Flight control surfaces, such as canards and/or tail fins are attached to a projectile airframe that is designed to roll during flight. Stepper motors are attached to the flight control surfaces and move the flight control surfaces in discrete increments. A control system generates signals that control the flight control surfaces. The control system may include a neural network that is trained to generate control signals in response to received inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L Alford
  • Publication number: 20100176238
    Abstract: Rolling airframe projectile guidance and stability systems are disclosed. Flight control surfaces, such as canards and/or tail fins are attached to a projectile airframe that is designed to roll during flight. Stepper motors are attached to the flight control surfaces and move the flight control surfaces in discrete increments. A control system generates signals that control the flight control surfaces. The control system may include a neural network that is trained to generate control signals in response to received inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert L. Alford
  • Patent number: 5452864
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling roll of a projectile is disclosed. The projectile includes two sections decoupled about a roll axis. The front section includes a stator and the rear section includes a rotor and a static spin imparting member. The spin rate of the projectile is controlled by utilizing the rotor and stator in combination as a generator to brake the spin or as a motor to establish spin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Alford, John G. Rupert