Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm William C. Townsend
  • Patent number: 5824910
    Abstract: An improved hydrostat constructed on a silicon wafer by microfabrication methods similar to those used for integrated circuits and other devices. A thin section of the wafer acts as a diaphragm, responsive to pressure of ambient water. A lever arm is affixed at its first end to one point on the surface of the wafer and extends over the diaphragm, so arranged that the lever arm will be forced away from the wafer when pressure is applied to the diaphragm. The second end of the lever arm is moved by the diaphragm so that it moves further from the wafer, by a factor of the mechanical advantage of the lever. When the second end moves away from the wafer, it mechanically releases a lock, allowing an ordnance device to which the hydrostat is attached to arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Howard R. Last, Lawrence C. Fan, Ralph E. Balestrieri, Donald R. Garvick, Robert L. Wood
  • Patent number: 5820109
    Abstract: A system for retreiving undersea salvage items from a sub-surface location. he system includes a flotation unit, winch, related remote control unit and a power supply mounted thereon, a winch, related remote control unit, and a power supply mounted on the support element. A cable or equivalent secured to the winch includes a retrieval harness or alternative means such as a shackle for securing the salvage item to the winch. A tether connects the system to a remote salvage tender on the surface. An adjustable and automatic stop is provided by the control unit to prevent certain types of salvage from rising beyond a desired depth or breaching the surface. Portions of the system used in magnetic mine retrieval are fabricated of non-magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Kevin Jermyn, Steve Gorin
  • Patent number: 5801321
    Abstract: Aerial training flare or flare simulator comprising a polymeric case, a begradable polymeric candle housing, and a candle comprising a pyrotechnic illuminant and an environmentally friendly, fast-burning ignition composition. An expulsion cartridge ejects the candle and the candle housing while the case is retained on the launching aircraft. The only major component of the flare which falls to earth is the partially melted candle housing, which is biodegradable and thus reduces requirements for environmental cleanup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Donald E. LaGrange, Dennis D. Deckard, Douglas A. Schulte
  • Patent number: 5727906
    Abstract: A heated decompression shelter for use by a diver underwater during decomssion at the end of a cold water dive. The heated decompression chamber provides a micro-environment within an enclosure for thermal protection during decompression stops in cold water, some of which can be of relatively long duration following relatively deep dives in near freezing water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: M. L. Nuckols, Billy Courson
  • Patent number: 5722090
    Abstract: A back-reinforced two-piece upper torso assembly for an articulated diving uit. The upper torso assembly includes a lower hollow rigid body of rounded shape for housing a diver's upper trunk, an upper hollow rigid body of rounded shape for housing a diver's head and being seated upon the lower hollow rigid body, and a clamping and sealing mechanism releasably coupling the upper hollow rigid body to the lower hollow rigid body about adjacent seated portions thereof so as to form a watertight joint therebetween wherein the upper hollow rigid body can rotate relative to the lower hollow rigid body. The upper torso assembly also includes a reinforcement structure connecting the upper hollow rigid body to the lower hollow rigid body along adjacent rear portions thereof so as to permit a lifting load applied to the assembly during water entry and exit to transfer to the lower hollow rigid body in such manner as to avoid stressing the watertight joint therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Robert J. Hughes
  • Patent number: 5701839
    Abstract: A marine pressure minesweeping and ship signature simulating vehicle having n inflated substantially doughnut shaped tubular float surrounding a pressurized air-filled cavity. The lower part of said float rides on the surface of the water and the upper part thereof is closed with a resilient membrane, upon the upper side of which is mounted water ballast container means, which is sufficiently open at the top to allow the water ballast to be ejected therefrom, as a result of a considerable increase in air pressure occurring in the aforesaid air filled cavity, due to a mine explosion. A motor driven fan maintains a suitable air pressure in said air-filled cavity at substantially all times, and drive and steering means are mounted on the vehicle in such manner as to enable it to be navigated along a desired course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1967
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Norman H. Jasper
  • Patent number: 5692521
    Abstract: A one piece dental appliance custom molded to a particular patient's denton for resolution of sleep apnea. The invention features a transpalatal strap extending from one side of the appliance to the opposite side joining the opposing lingual surfaces. The transpalatal strap continuously and uninterruptedly extends between and joins the right and left dental retentive portions of the appliance from one side of the maxillary arch to the opposite side of that arch. The appliance is fabricated from dental acrylic by the dentist in the office and requires a posterior access articulator to adapt acrylic lingually between the maxillary and mandibular casts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: S. E. Leasure-Nelson
  • Patent number: 5686686
    Abstract: A hand emplaced underwater mine penetration system includes a launching ambly and a munition assembly. The launching assembly includes a firing device which receives a magnetic or acoustic signal from a standoff signal generator, and a launch tube having a forward open end, an opposite rear end connected to the firing device and a bore extending between the ends. The munition assembly is adapted for insertion within and firing from the bore of the launch tube of the launching assembly and includes a cartridge having explosive elements therein and a fuze disposed at a forward end of the cartridge and adapted to detonate and explode the explosive elements in the cartridge upon impact with an underwater mine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Robert C. Woodall, Jr., Felipe A. Garcia
  • Patent number: 5680210
    Abstract: An apparatus for eliminating scattered light from unscattered light (sign in the reflection from a laser-illuminated target and its ambient. The apparatus uses a laser selected for maximum Lorentzian to Gaussian mode content, a stable interferometer having an optical path difference twice the distance to the first zero in the Gaussian pattern of the scattered interferogram, and performs subtraction of the background or scattered interferogram from the unscattered or signal interferogram. The laser is multi-mode and the interferometer is a Fizeau wedge having an optical path difference equal to twice the distance to the first zero in the Gaussian interferogram. The method of making the apparatus is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Nancy L. Swanson
  • Patent number: 5670942
    Abstract: A transparent and impervious sphere containing encapsulated within the elronics and power source for providing non-visible infrared illumination and communication in various military and non-military applications and denied-access environments. The illumination and communication light source is invisible infrared provided by light emitting diodes mounted near and equally spaced about the circumference of each of two orthogonally intersecting circular-shaped and fully encapsulated printed circuit boards. The autonomous encapsulated power source is rechargeable using an inductively coupled probe introduced to a port in the sphere. An external magnet operates encapsulated magnetic field switches to change mode of operation of the invention, including "ON", "OFF", CONTINUOUS, STROBE, and Morse modes, and to change the Morse coding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Michael L. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5662161
    Abstract: A breathing gas cooling and heating device. Warm breathing gas enters the it which consists of a heat exchanger mounted in an insulated shell and runs through the heat exchanger tubes. These tubes are in intimate thermal contact with micro-encapsulated phase change materials. The micro-encapsulated phase change material changes phase from solid to liquid, thereby absorbing heat at the temperature of the phase change material, and thereby cooling the gas flowing through the heat exchanger. In situations where heating of the breathing gas is desired, the gas stream absorbs heat from the phase change material. The unit is rechargeable for chilling applications after usage by placing the device in an ambient environment less than the temperature of the phase change of the material or by replacing the phase change material. It is rechargeable for heating applications by warming the device to a temperature above that of the phase change material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Robert Hughes, Billy Courson, Joseph Rudolph
  • Patent number: 5638004
    Abstract: A multiconductor continuity and intermittent fault analysis system that sects the cable to controlled environmental stress stimuli, such a vibration at controlled frequencies, during testing. Multiconductor cables used for the transmission of digital data and control signals include multiple individual conductors terminating at both ends in pins or sockets that are grouped together in a connector. Physical defects in these cables can be permanent, or they can be intermittent faults, such as temporary breaks or shorts caused by vibrational stress on the cables. By vibrating the cable under test and measuring continuity rapidly enough to detect short-term anomalies, even intermittent faults are located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Gary L. Combs, Ronald J. Battles, Dennis F. Frey, John H. Holman, John G. Miskimins
  • Patent number: 5546357
    Abstract: A pulsed-transmission, echo-ranging sonar system of the side scanning type ses a synthetic aperture to form search beams. The system uses multiple projectors, and a multistatic hydrophone array and a four transmission sequence, each originating at the same location thus permitting a shorter array which can travel twice as fast as conventional systems while achieving grating lobe suppression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: William J. Zehner
  • Patent number: 5546356
    Abstract: A pulsed-transmission, single frequency echo-ranging sonar system has a w-beam acoustic projector with sharp cutoff of energy radiated in directions other than the desired field of view and a nearly constant amount of acoustic energy throughout the desired vertical field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: William J. Zehner
  • Patent number: 5532974
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing beam pattern measurements for a side-scanning nar. The apparatus consists of a vertically mounted guide affixed to one end of a test pool and a vertically fixed mounting means affixed to the opposite end of the pool, the guide and mounting means orthogonal to each other. A carriage to which the transducer under test is attached is movably secured to travel up and down the guide. A gear motor having a takeup reel winds and unwinds an attached cable, the other end of which connects to the carriage, producing its up and town travel. The motor connects via a motor controller and position cable to a motor controller at a remote instrumentation facility. A position sensing device slaved to the carriage cable sends carriage position information to the facility for motor control. The array is secured immobile to the vertically fixed mounting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: William J. Zehner
  • Patent number: 5532973
    Abstract: A resolving power target for side-scanning sonars and other sound transming devices such as but not limited to ultrasonic devices. The target is a planar sheet having one smooth surface to which a resolution pattern is masked. An adhesive is applied to the masked pattern and articles such as gravel or other three-dimensional equivalents are introduced to produce the irregularity to the smooth surface within the confines of the resolution pattern. The resolution pattern for a particular application is selected experimentally, however, a Limansky pattern is used in the present invention for side-scanning sonar resolution measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: William J. Zehner
  • Patent number: 5520837
    Abstract: A cleaning composition, method of manufacture and method of cleaning of for se in cleaning equipment including life support equipment employed in the generating, handling, storage and delivery of oxygen-enriched gases and liquids are provided in which the cleaning composition is inorganic, non-flammable, non-toxic, environmentally safe, non-corrosive, and ready to use and which includes an aqueous silicate solution together with fluoroborates and molybdates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Neil E. Antin, Douglas P. Jackson
  • Patent number: H2069
    Abstract: A signal processor circuit has a phase-locked loop with a low-pass filter for removing phase-modulation components from a clock signal. The processor circuit has an isolated power supply for removing amplitude-modulation components from the same clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: James L. Rieger, Paul H. Woodworth
  • Patent number: H2076
    Abstract: An analog video processor is disclosed for coupling a CCD target acquisition and tracking seeker to a microcomputer via a video preprocessor, having a CCD automatic light control circuit, a video automatic gain control circuit, and a TV monitor/display circuit, and via a video processor, having a target acquisition mode gradient processor circuit, to detect target edge sharpness, a target tracking mode contrast processor circuit to detect targets via video amplitude, and an output control circuit, to convert analog and asynchronous target signatures to synchronous target edges for input to the microcomputer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Greg A. Watson, Richard C. St. Clair, Steven C. Tenbrink
  • Patent number: H1644
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cathodically protecting basic steel and iron sctures located in an electrolyte without requiring any auxiliary backup power means on a continual basis. The method and impressed current type system use a PV solar panel array to supply dedicated DC operating current after the structure is first initially temporarily provided with preconditioning polarization on a one-time-only basis for a predetermined extended continuous time period, such as from about 3-7 days, by a separate non-solar DC generating means, thereby impressing it with the requisite beneficial relatively high negative potential which completes the initial polarization. The temporary power source is then permanently disconnected and the solar array is promptly connected in circuit to continue to provide the requisite high negative beneficial potentials which were achieved by the preconditioning polarization, and to thereby maintain the cathodic protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Wallace W. Muehl, Sr.