Patents Examined by H. A. Blackner
  • Patent number: 6877434
    Abstract: Two distinct projectile stages are employed in a projectile configured to be fired at a remote target from a rifle, grenade launcher, gas gun or the like. A first stage comprises a pair of wire tethered contact darts for applying an immobilizing electrical discharge to the target. The second stage comprises a battery, circuits, transformer and wires used to generate a high voltage pulsed signal and apply it to the contact darts in the first stage. The higher mass of the second stage impacts the lower mass first stage at launch causing the first stage to be propelled to the target while the slower second stage hits the ground short of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: James F. McNulty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6739266
    Abstract: A high-speed supercavitating underwater vehicle includes an elongated hull of circular cross section, the hull having a cavitator at a forward end thereof and means for ventilating gas to form a cavity around the hull in underwater travel. An expandable annular skirt is fixed on the hull and is provided with an outer surface proximate an outer surface of the hull. The skirt is expandable to increase a diameter of the skirt from proximate a diameter of the hull to proximate a diameter of the cavity to define an annular gas film between the expanded skirt and a boundary of the cavity. The expanded skirt acts to substantially reduce the flow of gas from a forward high pressure zone of gas to an after low pressure zone of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: John M. Castano, Robert Kuklinski
  • Patent number: 6711980
    Abstract: An armored booth that functions as a protective enclosure permitting the occupants to approach armed individuals with reduced risk of harm to the occupants. The booth includes a housing formed of armored material and proportioned to be able to enter the doorway of a building. The housing has armored windows and gun ports. The housing has wheels and may be moved from place to place by the occupant walking inside of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Omer G. Kropf
  • Patent number: 6705231
    Abstract: A safing and arming device is provided for a warhead or round which is to be launched by a rifled gun and which includes submunitions. A slider is disposed in a housing between a detonator and lead cup and is movable between a first, safe position wherein the slider acts as an interrupter and a second, armed position wherein an opening in the slider is in alignment with the detonator and lead cup. A setback sensor initially locks the slider in the safe position and then, responsive to a setback force produced at gun launch, unlocks the slider. An ejection sensor also initially locks the slider in the safe position and continues to lock the slider against movement to the armed position during a period between gun launch and exiting of the warhead from the gun. Responsive to the ejection force produced at exiting of the warhead from the gun, the ejection sensor unlocks the slider to enable movement thereof to the armed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Alexey Zacharin
  • Patent number: 6675715
    Abstract: A device supplies electric energy for projectile detonators without a battery or additional energy generation during flight of the projectile. For operating the projectile detonator in the flight phase, a supply capacitor charged during an inductive programming phase is disposed. The capacitor has a very low leakage current in order to bridge a time in the range of minutes between the programming and the start of the flight phase without significant energy loss. The charging of the supply capacitor takes place through halfwaves, of a programming AC voltage not utilized in the programming and not under load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell AG
    Inventor: Bertram Kölbli
  • Patent number: 6672219
    Abstract: A low observable, brass ammunition cartridge casing with an exterior surface having a colored coating which renders the cartridge casing low observable. The colored coating may be deposited onto the exterior surface by various processes, such as electroplating, chemical deposition, and spray painting. The colored coating may be selected from a variety of different colors such as, black, olive green, silver, brown, tan, gray, and white. The colors are typically obtained using conventional pigments and colorants, such as metal oxides. The brass casing exterior surface may be roughened to reduce the gloss or sheen of the casing on the colored coating. The invention includes ammunition cartridges containing a low observable brass casing described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: TTI Armory, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Brad Mackerell, Ryan Payne, Rodger L. Felix, Gary M. Renlund
  • Patent number: 6659010
    Abstract: A pyrotechnic igniter arrangement, especially for occupant protection devices in motor vehicles, includes a single common carrier substrate, an electronic assembly arranged on the carrier substrate in an electronic zone, an electrically ignitable ignition bridge arranged on the carrier substrate in a pyrotechnic zone, and a pyrotechnic charge in the pyrotechnic zone. A mechanical decoupling or parting feature, such as a frangible link or an elastically bendable neck, is provided in the carrier substrate between the pyrotechnic zone and the electronic zone, so that forces arising during ignition of the pyrotechnic charge are not transmitted through the carrier substrate into the electronic zone. The decoupling feature breaks or elastically yields when a load exceeding a prescribed threshold is applied thereto. The electronic assembly is protected from damage due to excessive loads, and remains functional even after ignition of the pyrotechnic charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Goernig, Holger Wulff
  • Patent number: 6655254
    Abstract: A lightweight multiple missile launch assembly (10) adapted to carry newer heavier Maverick missiles (AGM-65D, E, F, G or K). The invention is illustrated with a BRU-33, 55 or 57 bomb rack (12) adapted to carry two LAU-117 missile launchers (24, 26). The missile launchers (24, 26) are secured to the bomb rack (12) with a suspension unit (20, 22) of unique and novel design. The suspension units (20, 22) allow for releasable engagement of the missile launchers (24, 26). This allows for different missile packages to be deployed in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Carl P. Nicodemus
  • Patent number: 6647886
    Abstract: A safety system for a motor vehicle includes a plurality of safety devices each adapted to be activated in the event that an accident should occur. Each safety device includes at least one element selected from the group comprising an electric activator for activating the safety device and a sensor to sense a parameter related to the safety device. The system includes a first conductive arrangement comprising at least one first conductor and a first group of a plurality of switches, with each switch of the first group being connected to one of the first conductors. The system includes a second conductive arrangement comprising at least one second conductor, and a second group of a plurality of switches, with each switch of the second group being connected to one of the second conductors. The elements are connected in a circuit so that each element is connected between one switch of the first group of switches and one switch of the second group of switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Roger Darraba, Denis Bourcart, Bernard Demersseman
  • Patent number: 6644197
    Abstract: An igniter arrangement for vehicle occupant protection devices includes a substrate, an electronic assembly on the substrate in an electronic zone, an electrical ignition bridge on the substrate in a pyrotechnic zone, and a pyrotechnic charge adjoining the ignition bridge. A shock absorbing elastic first material covers a first portion of the substrate in the pyrotechnic zone, and forms a shock-absorbing cushion between the charge and the electronic zone. A second material harder than the first encases a second portion of the substrate and the electronic assembly in the electronic zone, protects the electronic assembly, and separates the two zones. The ignition bridge and the electronic assembly are at opposite ends of the elongate substrate. A breakable parting feature separably connects the two substrate portions and breaks due to high forces arising during ignition of the charge, so these forces are not transmitted through the substrate into the electronic zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Goernig, Holger Wulff
  • Patent number: 6637339
    Abstract: Effects of capacitive resistances on the transmission of data between electronic igniters of an ignition system and a device for programming and triggering igniters are avoided by the disclosed method. Prior to a planned communication of an igniter with the device, a dc voltage is applied to the ignition circuit for a predetermined length of time. This voltage is higher than the voltage provided for generating the signals with which the data are generated. Subsequently, the signals that the igniter transmits in response are produced with a lower voltage than the previously elevated voltage and the dc voltage is increased once again prior to the response to an additional igniter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Dynamit Nobel GmbH Explosivstoff und Systemtechnik
    Inventors: Jan Petzold, Heinz Schäfer, Ulrich Steiner, Andreas Zemla
  • Patent number: 6636412
    Abstract: A hand-held stun gun incapacitates a human target by generating a series of powerful electrical output pulses across first and second spaced apart output terminals in response to closure of a trigger. A battery power supply includes an electronic switch, an energy storage capacitor and a transformer for converting low voltage, direct current into a series of high voltage output pulses across the first and second output terminals. Each output pulse includes a pulse energy of from 0.9 joules to 10 joules. The series of output current pulses have an RMS current flow of from 100 milliamps to 500 milliamps when the first and second output terminals are applied to a human target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Taser International, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick W. Smith
  • Patent number: 6631583
    Abstract: There is disclosed an improved insect bait station and a method of treating insects with a toxicant. The improved insect bait station comprises a screw-shaped body and a top. The screw-shaped body at least partially defines a toxicant/bait-receiving chamber and defines at least one opening to the toxicant/bait-receiving chamber intermediate opposite ends of the body. The top defines an opening to the toxicant/bait-receiving chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventor: R. Randall Rollins
  • Patent number: 6629498
    Abstract: The Fuze Safety Logic is disclosed that guards against erroneous responses created by accidents or by accidental releases of submunitions of payloads being carried by explosive ordnances. The fuze safety logic provides provisions for conservation of battery internal power, while at the same time ensures the maintenance of proper safety features of the explosive ordnances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Eugene E. Marquis
  • Patent number: 6622629
    Abstract: A fuze for a submunition is miniaturized in size by forming the fuze of a micro-electromechanical systems (“MEMS”) velocity sensor (38, 32, 34 and 36), a MEMs shock detector (31), a DC power supply (30) and one of the MEMs arm-fire device (2, FIG. 1) or MEMs safe and arm device (2, FIG. 5). Multiple fuzes may be incorporated in a fuze to ensure detonation of the explosive charge, should one fuze fail. A millimeter-microwave (“MMW”) receiver-decoder may be included to permit remote detonation on command from a remote transmitter (52) and/or a microprocessor (54) may be included to time the detonation to the physical characteristics of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Kathleen F. Hodge, David K. Hoffmaster, William W. Mogan, Marion E. Fines, Daniel V. Haun
  • Patent number: 6622647
    Abstract: A noise cancellation system and method for use with a seeker head of a marine vessel are provided according to the invention. The seeker head employs one or more hydrophones that generate one or more output signals. The noise cancellation system includes a plurality of motion sensors. The plurality of motion sensors generate a plurality of noise signals based on a hydrodynamic flow noise caused by the marine vessel and acting on the marine vessel. The noise cancellation system further includes a processor receiving the plurality of noise signals and the one or more output signals and applying an active noise cancellation to the one or more output signals to substantially cancel out the flow noise. The active noise cancellation is based on the noise signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: Martin L. DePoy
  • Patent number: 6622627
    Abstract: Actuator apparatus comprising an actuator including an at least partially hollow housing, a cap element removably mountable on the actuator, and a coil of electrical wire disposed inside the housing, a first portion of the coil being arranged for electrical connection with an electrical connector separate from the actuator and a second portion of the coil being arranged for electrical connection with the cap element, the coil being unwindable outwards from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: Arie Sansolo
  • Patent number: 6612241
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pyrotechnic initiator header having a center pin with a circumferential notch retention feature that enhances secure and effective disposition of an ignition pyrotechnic charge droplet to the header in the area of the bridgewire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Special Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Vahan Avetisian
  • Patent number: 6598532
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for electrically dischargeable primers having a conductive body, a first electrical contact area, a bottom plate area, one or more burn out area(s) on the bottom plate area, and a second electrical contact area. The conductive body provides an electrical path between a primer's inside cylindrical wall and an inside surface of the primer's cap or cup. The first electrical contact area makes an electrical contact with the inside surface of the cylindrical wall. The second electrical contact area makes an electrical contact with an inside surface of the primer's cap or cup. The bottom plate area is positioned in a bottom location of an electrically dischargeable primer. At least one, but typically two or more burn out areas are on the bottom plate area. The burn out areas have a reduced cross section area. The total cross section area of the burn out areas must be less than the cross section of any other location on the elongated conductive body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventors: Donald G. Gerard, Eileen L. Gerard
  • Patent number: 6598533
    Abstract: The invention aims to increase the overflight safety of a projectile, comprising a time-fuse which has an acceleration-activated battery. To this end, the safety device actuates a switch, whose position is interrogated during the flight phase and the fuse function is deactivated, if the switch is not in the correct position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell AG
    Inventor: Bertram Kölbli