Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Harold W. Hilton
  • Apparatus for determining the burn rate of uncured propellant
    Patent number: 4430885
    Abstract: A closed vessel apparatus for rapidly determining the burning rate of uncd propellant. Apparatus includes a closed vessel enclosing a propellant in a holder. An ignition wire is mounted in the vessel for igniting the propellant. A pressure transducer is provided for detecting the pressure rise in the vessel and an electronic circuit triggers the start and stop of pressure integration. This data is fed to a data print out circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Chester W. Huskins, Leroy J. Williams
  • Fine adjusting mechanism for a level platform
    Patent number: 4423850
    Abstract: A mount for mounting a device which must be leveled. Such a device may be a round located laser designator apparatus which is used for illuminating a target at which missles are fired.The mount allows the Ground Located Laser Designator (GLLD) to be mounted on both wheeled and tracked vehicles. Vehicle mounting the GLLD requires a leveler assembly capable of leveling to an accuracy of .+-.0.5 mr over a range of .+-.15.degree..This invention is directed to a device capable of rapid precision leveling over large angular variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Alva W. Bass
  • Concentrating/tracking solar energy collector
    Patent number: 4421104
    Abstract: A concentrating/tracking solar energy collector comprised of a rotatable reflective trough assembly having a heat absorber assembly integrally therein. A heat exchange tube supports the absorber assembly in the trough and also serves as an axis point about which the collector rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Inventor: Thomas P. Adcock
  • Launch tube bore rider
    Patent number: 4385561
    Abstract: Apparatus for centering the aft end of a missile in a telescoping launch e including equally spaced bore rider members bonded in the detent groove of a missile at the aft end of the missile. Each bore rider member includes upper and lower portions having a notch therebetween. The bore rider shears at the notch as the rider impacts the inner launch tube ramp. The remaining base is retained in the detent groove and centers the missile in the smaller launch tube as the missile moves along the smaller tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Jimmy M. Madderra
  • Rocket fin hold down spring
    Patent number: 4384691
    Abstract: A missile disposed for launching from a telescoping launcher having inner d outer sections. The missile is provided with fins folded along the body. A resilient spring clip member is carried on each said fin and engages the inner surfaces of the launcher sections as the missile traverses the launcher to retain the fins in folded position in the launcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Jimmy M. Madderra
  • Ideal trajectory shaping for anti-armor missiles via gimbal angle controller autopilot
    Patent number: 4383662
    Abstract: Apparatus and method of anti-armor missile trajectory shaping for optimum rhead penetration of armor by a guided missile. The guidance system utilizes a terminal homing guidance unit in conjunction with a programmed control signal through the missile's autopilot to cause the missile to cruise at low altitudes and then dive onto the armor target. The terminal dive angle can be selected dependent upon the target's armor characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Robert E. Alongi, Robert E. Yates, John P. Leonard
  • Automatic hard-soft rocket detent system
    Patent number: 4376405
    Abstract: An automatic hard-soft detent system for releasably retaining a missile in telescoping launcher/carrier. The system includes a detent that is a beam spring having a projection thereon that is rigidly held in engagement with a detent groove in the missile by a ramp or tapered surface on the inner launch tube when the launcher is collapsed in the carry mode. When the tubes are extended, the tapered surface is moved from under the projection and the projection is held in the detent groove by spring tension. The detent projection is completely released from the detent groove responsive to forward motion of the ignited missile after the launcher/carrier has been extended to the launch position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Jimmy M. Madderra
  • Thin film plane-polarized intensity pickoff
    Patent number: 4371784
    Abstract: This invention disclosure describes a thin film plane-polarized electro magnetic energy pickoff system. The system provides a wide-angle linear range of .+-.40 degrees with a cosine nonlinear range of .+-.65 degrees. The design allows all active components to be mounted on the unstabilized housing structure, thus eliminating torque stabilization problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Aubrey Rodgers
  • Two-degree-of-freedom gyro with radiant energy pickoffs
    Patent number: 4361760
    Abstract: A two-degree-of-freedom gyro that uses a combination of fiber optics and iant energy sensors for low torque gimbal/housing position sensors. The mode of operation of the gyro is a sustained rotor displacement type instrument. The radiant energy type pickoffs eliminate gimbal wiring, slip rings, and wiper environmental problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Aubrey Rodgers
  • Log-log scale refractor
    Patent number: 4339178
    Abstract: A unique shape is mathematically prescribed for a "lens" which refracts cimated light passing through it in such a way that any linear scale modulating the incident light is distorted into a logarithmic scale at the final image plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: James L. Smith
  • High power laser irradiance display material
    Patent number: 4329583
    Abstract: A device for the passive location of irradiance display of high power infed beams at remote locations utilizing the combination of reflecting material with high thermal conductivity and an absorbing refractory material with high emissivity in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Raymond W. Conrad, Aryeh Kidron
  • Power measuring device for pulsed lasers
    Patent number: 4325252
    Abstract: Apparatus for accurately measuring the power of a pulsed laser without blocking or unduly perturbing the beam. The power of the beam is accurately and reliably measured by measuring the pressure of air which is expanded by heat from the laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Thomas G. Miller, Billie O. Rogers
  • Mechanical noise suppressor for small rocket motors
    Patent number: 4319660
    Abstract: A noise suppressor for small rocket motors including a plurality of perfoed metal cylinders disposed in concentric relation and secured to a support plate. A noise suppression material is disposed in the chamber of each adjacent cylinder. Noise suppression material is also disposed in the center cylinder and is expelled by the rocket motor thrust. A collar on the support plate secures the motor to the suppressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Charles R. Bishop
  • Optical strapdown inertia system
    Patent number: 4315693
    Abstract: An optical strapdown inertial system using passive laser gyros and passive laser accelerometers and a computer. These components may be disposed on "chips" in integrated optics format to provide an all solid-state system having no moving parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1982
    Inventor: Clifford G. Walker
  • Rocket in-tube spin device and rear sabot
    Patent number: 4307651
    Abstract: A spin device attached to the rocket nozzle to impart a relatively large unt of spin to the rocket in a short time while the rocket is guided in a tube launcher of a rearward facing step internal configuration. The device also acts as a rear shoe or sabot for the rocket. Upon contact with the rearward facing step, the spin device separates from the rocket. The forward rocket shoes leave the guidance of the forward tube at the same instant of device separation thus providing a nontip-off rocket launch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: James L. Batson, David L. Booker
  • Low cost multiple round launcher
    Patent number: 4306486
    Abstract: A multiple round rocket launcher and method of fabricating the rocket lauer which includes a plurality of tubes secured together along the length thereof. Each tube is of hexagonal cross-sectional configuration and the launcher is of a honeycomb construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Herman R. Oswell
  • Selectable drag brakes for rocket range control
    Patent number: 4295617
    Abstract: Selectable drag brakes disposed for activation for controlling the range of rtillery rockets. The brakes are remotely actuated for extension in one of three drag brake zones (full, 1/2, zero).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Herman R. Oswell
  • Reaction-jet torquer
    Patent number: 4291849
    Abstract: A reaction-jet torquer system carried in a projectile to aim the projectile o a target. The torquer system uses the thrust of sonic nozzles to control a gyro rotor inertial frame of reference. The reaction force applied to the gimbal gives the rotor the capability of tracking the target. A sensor carried by the gyro provides logic which identifies and activates the appropriate nozzle or nozzles of the system to generate the required gimbal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Aubrey Rodgers, Escar L. Bailey
  • Dopler extended depth of field imaging system with coherent object illumination
    Patent number: 4277127
    Abstract: A packageable system employs principles of Doppler holography on near-field objects to produce images from which photographs, transparencies or video reproductions can be made with simultaneous improvements in depth of field, foreground-backregion exposure ratio, and resolution (where degraded by the object medium). The apparatus consists of two units: a main unit containing a laser and optics, and an external platform that rotates at an appropriate angular velocity, through a very small arc, during image recording of an object on the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: James L. Smith, Charles R. Christensen
  • Snap-lock mechanism for high-g platform
    Patent number: 4267988
    Abstract: A high-g gimbal platform carried by a rocket projectile for supporting an tenna or other type of terminal homing sensors which are required to survive a high-g launch phase including a snap-lock mechanism for providing a rigid bearing assembly. The snap lock mechanism uses the deceleration (negative acceleration) of high velocity projectiles in conjunction with elastomeric bearing housing rings to lock the rotor and gimbal bearing assemblies of the gimbal platform into a rigid, stable position prior to stabilization and guidance phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Aubrey Rodgers