Patents Represented by Attorney George W. Finch
  • Patent number: 4452646
    Abstract: A planar process and new structure which leads to large scale integration capability by utilizing selective ion implantation into semi-insulating Gallium Arsenide substrates or any other compound semi-conducting material to yield isolated depletion enhancement mode JFETS and MESFETS, p-n junction and Schottky diodes, resistors and hot electron current limiters. The planar structure provides relatively simple integrated circuit fabrication which results in an increase of circuit device reliability and thereby improves not only the ease of fabrication but thereby increases yield of enhancement mode JFETS and MESFETS and other like devices in integrated circuit fabrication. In addition improved device structure is possible which increases device speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventor: Rainer R. Zuleeg
  • Patent number: 4448106
    Abstract: A system for identifying a hard target from a distance. A delivery vehicle, such as a missile or bomb, is adapted to be dropped from the air. The delivery vehicle contains a plurality of hard target identifier or kinetic penetrator elements. Each of the elements has a nose portion of aerodynamic shape and a plurality of fins connected thereto. When ejected from the delivery vehicle, the elements will reach a substantial velocity, and hence, kinetic energy to penetrate partially into a hard target. A soft surrounding area, such as earth or water will absorb the elements. The elements may be passive for reflecting waves, such as acoustic waves or electromagnetic energy. Alternatively, they may be active elements capable of ejecting a dye, such as a fluorescent dye, or for transmitting acoustical or electromagnetic energy upon being activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1984
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventor: Richard D. Knapp
  • Patent number: 4446536
    Abstract: An address drive circuit for use on programmable, nonvolatile, semiconductor memories which use either Metal Nitrite Oxide Semiconductor (MNOS) or "floating gate" transistors for Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory Storage (EEPROMS). The inventive drive circuit is based on the use of prior art high voltage Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductors (CMOS) transistors which have junction diode breakdown limits exceeding the maximum "device drain voltage" (V.sub.DD) to be switched. This circuit has negligible direct current power dissipation, high speed memory read/write capability, and requires minimum physical installation area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1984
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventor: Richard W. Rodgers
  • Patent number: 4444392
    Abstract: An improved driver club head for the game of golf including an internal cavity which communicates with a shaped slot in the rear of the head to provide a short-term dynamic alleviation of the base aerodynamic drag of the head when it is being swung. The head can be manufactured from traditional materials such as wood, but in its preferred embodiments, it is constructed from metal or composite materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Inventor: Clovis R. Duclos
  • Patent number: 4444249
    Abstract: A three-way heat pipe configured in a generally Y-shape having a condenser-evaporator or heat-sink end, an evaporator arm and a condenser arm. In addition to conventional internal pumping the heat pipe is mechanically pumped externally from the heat-sink end to the evaporator arm. Heat transfer can take place between any two of the three elements by thermostatically controlling the external pump. Heat or cold may be stored in a suitable medium surrounding the condenser-evaporator end of the pipe for later transfer through the condenser or evaporator ends used as heat exchangers without a secondary circulation system. Heat transfer may also take place directly between the evaporator and condenser arms without storage. In the preferred embodiment of the heat storage configuration, a valve is placed in the condenser arm to prevent unwanted heat transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventor: Edwin C. Cady
  • Patent number: 4441675
    Abstract: A drive system for high-lift devices on aircraft having two power drive units, one at each end of the connecting torque tube system, so as to force sum the outputs. A one-way brake always insures against inadvertent retraction of the device but allows extension. An asymmetrical protective device prevents the high-lift device from an asymmetrical condition even after a combined power loss and mechanical failure of the torque tube. The power drive units consist of hydraulic motors driving through a gear box and a no-back brake combination and are controlled by a servo valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventors: Wilfred E. Boehringer, Teunes Verhoeven
  • Patent number: 4441842
    Abstract: A foot actuated latch for use in an aircraft cargo bay to provide vertical and longitudinal restraint of a cargo container. The latch having a lineal engaging and disengaging action which resists lineal forces parallel to latch movement tending to disengage that latch pawl from the container. The actuation of the latch for engagement and disengagement accomplished by a downward movement of the latch levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Kosmoski
  • Patent number: 4439155
    Abstract: End caps for a launch environment simulator apparatus are provided which add realism to the firing simulation by producing smoke and a small amount of debris. The end caps serve to retain a combustible gas mixture within the apparatus prior to firing. Upon firing the end caps are consumed, producing the smoke and debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventor: George W. Roe
  • Patent number: 4439014
    Abstract: The low voltage operation of this electro-optic modulator is realized by a unique system configuration in which the input light beam is first separated into two linearly polarized components of equal intensity, the beams are then focused into two crystals where the beams propagate as pure E waves, the crystals are electrically modulated and the output beams from each crystal are then recombined and recollimated. The low voltage operation is rendered possible by the fact that there is no cancellation between the E and O components as in conventional modulation systems of this type since both beams are transmitted as pure E waves during the modulation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Stacy, Robert R. Rice
  • Patent number: 4435109
    Abstract: A dwell assembly back spotface for use with a reverse feed drill to provide an accurate depth of cut together with cutter dwell to insure a clean hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1984
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventor: Vernon H. Wilder
  • Patent number: 4435100
    Abstract: A fail-safe zero-load hinge or pivot-joint having a first load primary support path comprising a sleeve and nut combination and a secondary or redundant load support path comprising a shaft, sized to be inserted axially through the sleeve with diametrical clearance, for threaded engagement with a nut providing axial clearance from said primary members. The secondary shaft and nut combination holds the joint intact after the primary load members have failed permitting the joint assembly to perform its normal designed function of load carrying with the continued full range of movement without the risk of restricted operation seizure or jamming.A locking cap is provided for simple, safe holding of the nuts of primary and secondary member from disengagement, or even partial back off.A dye indicator may be used to indicate failure of the primary load carrying members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1984
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald L. Cox
  • Patent number: 4434479
    Abstract: A sensing system for a nonvolatile memory transistor array employs reference transistors which are substantially identical to the memory transistors within the array and employs means to program the threshold voltage levels of the reference transistors to a lower level than that of the memory transistors within the array such that the changes in the electrical characteristics of both the memory and the reference transistors are proportional over time, the system thereby being rendered self-tracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1984
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventors: Yung J. Chen, Eden Y. C. Mei
  • Patent number: 4432302
    Abstract: A hollow impregnation ring for coating fibers with a binder, the ring having a slot thru which the binder flows onto the fibers. The pressure of said binder within said ring controlling a seal and the flow of said binder from said slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Farris, Allan T. Tucci
  • Patent number: 4429707
    Abstract: A vane for use in switching a hydraulic port formed in a cylindrical surface, the vane having a wiper at the top of the vane body with a ring shaped surface whose inner edge is shaped to match the shape of the hydraulic port and surface shaped with a contour which is a portion of a cylinder so that it can mate for sliding contact with the interior cylindrical surface about the port. A ring shaped undersurface adapted to have pressure applied thereto is provided underneath the ring shaped surface to provide the force by which the vane is held against the cylindrical surface while port pressure is provided underneath the vane on an area to balance with the port area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventor: Wilfred E. Boehringer
  • Patent number: 4428196
    Abstract: A hydraulic system having two pumps, typically driven by two independent prime movers, a primary and secondary reservoir and associated valving to permit the system to run as one system or two independent systems, all for the purpose of redundancy and safety. The system senses fluid level in the primary reservoir and actuates the valves to establish two independent hydraulic systems, each with its own reservoir, when the fluid level drops below a predetermined level. The system is particularly advantageous in twin-engine aircraft where three hydraulic systems are employed, one off of each engine, and the third system uses two pumps, one driven by each engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1984
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventor: Wilfred E. Boehringer
  • Patent number: 4426707
    Abstract: This external cavity laser utilizes an unstable resonator in conjunction with a high reflectivity stripe end mirror which is oriented substantially parallel to the plane of the maximum divergence of the laser diode output beam and whose axis is substantially parallel to the plane of the junction of the laser diode. This configuration operates with high efficiency to select only the fundamental mode of the laser diode with a minimal divergence in the output beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1984
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventors: Danny W. Martin, Joseph L. Levy
  • Patent number: 4424716
    Abstract: A mechanical flowmeter is provided for measuring the flow of hydraulic fluid in a system in which the flowmeter is connected. The flowmeter contains a spring biased piston which is responsive to the rate of flow through an annular space surrounding the piston as it moves in a tapered bore. A toroidal armature of ferrous (magnetic) material is mounted on a rod extending from the piston for movement therewith. Movement of the armature and the piston rod within a hollow guide is tracked by a permanent magnet of toroidal shape which is mounted surrounding the guide in sliding relationship. A sight glass surrounding the guide and magnet is calibrated with a scale for converting the position of the magnet to an indication of flow rate. For fluid flow in the reverse direction, the piston is moved out of the tapered bore, thus permitting free flow in the reverse direction with minimal energy loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1984
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corp.
    Inventors: Wilfred E. Boehringer, James V. Walker
  • Patent number: 4423717
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for propelling balls such as baseballs and softballs with accurate and predetermined spins, speeds and placements which includes a pair of opposed spinning wheels, a guide to insert the ball to be thrown between the wheels and a motor which by means of a belt and pulleys, drives the two wheels at least at two predetermined ratios or speeds to impart the proper motion to the ball. The wheels are mounted so that the distance therebetween can be adjusted for balls of different diameters. A base is also included which optionally may include pivot means so that the plane of rotation of the spinning wheels can be rotated about the path of the ball to change the direction of the spin on the thrown ball and an automatic feed mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1984
    Inventor: Edward W. Kahelin
  • Patent number: 4420976
    Abstract: A standardized, modular, fuel quantity gaging system suitable for use with aircraft having a plurality of fuel tanks. The system utilizes a standard electronic module, preferably located on the front spar of the center wing box, to house a redundant, centralized, microprocessor-based electronic assembly. This assembly processes the tank-generated fuel quantity signals and produces a digital data stream which is distributed to display units in the cockpit and at the refueling control panel. The digital signals are transmitted over two 2-wire data busses from the standard electronic module to the cockpit and to the refueling panel. One of these buses is active, the other being held in standby, for use as needed. The two busses are part of separate data processing channels extending between the fuel quantity signal multiplexers in the standard electronic module and the indicators in the cockpit and at the refueling panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignees: McDonnell Douglas Corporation, Gull Airborne Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene F. Orloff, Martin Horowitz, Charles H. Ritter
  • Patent number: 4420270
    Abstract: A portfolio with a ring or other type binder for securing visual display material uniformly while being carried or during visual display presentations. This box-like portfolio features a double hinged top which, when mobilized by use of its pull strap feature, activates its lid and its internal members, opening the portfolio to form a unique presentation easel which serves to produce an impressive prelude to any visual display presentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1983
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventor: Henry S. Rossello