Patents Examined by H. A. Blackner
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Patent number: 6595137Abstract: The present invention provides an arrangement for charging energy in an energy-storing arrangement such as an ignition capacitor in electronic ignition systems. To reduce the risk of malfunction, direct-current-controlled breakers controlled by environmental conditions, normally occurring on the primary side of a transformer (4) in series with the primary winding (5) have been replaced by a frequency divider (2) controlled by environmental conditions. This frequency divider divides down a signal supplied by a signal generator (1) pulse train with a lower frequency which controls a breaker (7) connected in series with the primary winding (5) of the transformer.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2001Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Saab ABInventor: Peter Karlsson
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Patent number: 6588342Abstract: A frequency addressable ignitor control device utilizes electronic bandpass filters tuned to a unique center frequency and bandwidth for each ignitor. Energy generated by the system's controller comprises one or more narrow pulses whose center frequency corresponds to one or more bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies and sufficient energy for activation. A plurality of bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies are connected in parallel in the system. The controller generates electrical pulses of different frequencies transferred to the plurality of bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies via a two wire ignitor bus. Bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies whose filter allows sufficient energy to pass to an ignitor bridge element initiates the ignitor's explosive charge.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.Inventors: James W. Griggs, III, Scott D. Gagnon, Clinton Boyd, J B Canterberry
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Patent number: 6584907Abstract: An ordnance system of the present invention may include or feature any one or more of: a control unit, one or more effectors (detonators, initiators, shaped charges and the like), and a two-, three- or four-wire communication bus between the control unit and the effectors; an addressable system in which all the effectors can be connected to the same communication bus and the control unit can issue coded signals on the bus addressed to a specific effector; inductive coupling between the effectors and the communication bus; and a multi-voltage level communication system in which communication signals are carried at a first voltage and arming signals are provided at a second, higher voltage. Other features may include two-way communication between effectors and the control unit and the de-centralization of firing control so that the control unit does not have exclusive control over whether the effectors function.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense CompanyInventors: Craig J. Boucher, Paul N. Marshall, David B. Novotney
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Patent number: 6578486Abstract: The firing apparatus for a gas generator of a restraint device in a vehicle has a firing chamber filled with a pyrotechnic material. A semiconductor chip, in which in addition to a firing resistor at least one circuit activating the latter is integrated, is arranged outside the firing chamber in such a way that the thermal energy generated by the firing resistor during a firing operation is transferred to the pyrotechnic material in the firing chamber. To ensure that upon firing, the circuit elements in the firing apparatus remain undestroyed to the greatest possible extent, the semiconductor chip is retained on a circuit board; the circuit board is retained, with the side opposite the semiconductor chip, on a wall of the firing chamber; and an opening is present in the wall of the firing chamber and in the circuit board, so that a passage exists between the firing resistor mounted on the semiconductor chip and the pyrotechnic material in the firing chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2002Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Bernhard Mattes, Jochen Seibold, Reiner Schuetz
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Patent number: 6571712Abstract: There is disclosed an electropyrotechnic igniter which contains two ignition heads each having a body containing a resisitive heating element and a pyrotechnic ignition composition. The two ignition heads also include a means of dialogue and of triggering coded information and a means of storing electrical energy. The igniter also includes external connection means intended to be connected electrically to an electronic control unit. The igniter is intended to be used in motor vehicle safety, particular to constitute the ignition device of a gas generator associated with an airbag.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2001Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Livbag S.N.C.Inventors: Franck Lebaudy, Christian Perotto
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Patent number: 6568329Abstract: A MEMS type safe and arm apparatus for a fuze includes a setback slider responsive to a first setback acceleration, the setback slider moving linearly in response to the first setback acceleration; a setforward slider responsive to a first setforward acceleration, the setback slider unlocking the setforward slider, the setforward slider moving linearly in response to the first setforward acceleration; a first rotor responsive to a second setback acceleration, the setforward slider unlocking the first rotor, the first rotor rotating in response to the second setback acceleration; a second rotor responsive to a second setforward acceleration, the first rotor unlocking the second rotor, the second rotor rotating in response to the second setforward acceleration; and an arming slider that moves linearly in response to the rotation of the second rotor to thereby arm the fuze.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2002Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventor: Charles H. Robinson
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Patent number: 6568331Abstract: An electrical igniter cap has a reproducible igniter characteristic by virtue of the fact that, at the firing side, an igniter unit 20 is covered by a sheeting of plastic material 21 which is rupture-resistant but tears quickly, and also at the firing side it bears against a sieve plate 28 with defined hole cross-sections.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: Diehl Munitionssysteme GmbH & Co. KG.Inventors: Heinz Hofmann, Eugen Feuerstake, Karl Rudolf
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Patent number: 6564717Abstract: The disclosure describes a circuit arrangement for driving an occupant protection system gas generator whose ignition process can be influenced by a magnetic field; this is based on a switching control principle, with the load coil generating the magnetic field being itself used as a component part of the switching control. For a fast reduction of the magnetic field and thus for accelerating the ignition process, a resistor may by connected into the free-wheeling branch, which is bridged in normal operation. Alternatively, it is possible to effect a return feed of the energy stored in the coil into the self-sufficiency capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbHInventors: Thomas Haerle, Johann Florian, Gerhard Roth, Guido Wetzel
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Patent number: 6564715Abstract: A frequency addressable ignitor control device utilizes electronic bandpass filters tuned to a unique center frequency and bandwidth for each ignitor. Energy generated by the system's controller comprises one or more narrow pulses whose center frequency corresponds to one or more bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies and sufficient energy for activation. A plurality of bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies are connected in parallel in the system. The controller generates electrical pulses of different frequencies transferred to the plurality of bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies via a two wire ignitor bus. Bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies whose filter allows sufficient energy to pass to an ignitor bridge element initiates the ignitor's explosive charge.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2002Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.Inventors: James W. Griggs, III, Scott D. Gagnon, Clinton Boyd, J B Canterberry
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Patent number: 6564499Abstract: A removable, adjustable attachment for fishing lures slows down and adds fish attracting movements to the motion of the lures to which it is connected.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Knight Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventor: Herman P. Firmin
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Patent number: 6550181Abstract: An elevated beetle trap which includes two interlocking bodies each having a slot formed in a surface thereof. A sex lure is disposed in the slot to attract beetles. The beetles collide with the interlocking bodies and fall to a funnel positioned at the bottom of the interlocking bodies. A bag is removably secured to the funnel to house and transport the trapped beetles. Conveniently, the trap may be positioned over a body of water so that dead beetles fall into the water for fishfood.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2001Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Inventor: Randy D. Ray
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Patent number: 6532696Abstract: A holder for a liquid insect bait, comprises of vacuum or otherwise formed upper and lower halves, which when brought together and sealed about their flanges, form a container for the liquid bait. The back end of the halves contain depression within their flanges, that furnishes a passage for charging the liquid bait into the formed container, when the two halves are sealed together. The bottom of the holder is preformed, to form various cavities, flow passages, chambers, where the liquid bait will flow, by gravity, when charging the station for usage. An entrance cavity at the front of the holder can be instructionally cut, to form an entrance passage for the insects, such as ants, to walk up an inclined ramp to attain access to the liquid bait, as deposited within the various chambers and cavities, during usage of this holder.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Senoret Chemical CompanyInventors: William Stewart Clark, III, Thomas David Kraatz
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Patent number: 6526890Abstract: A pyrotechnic igniter for adaptation to a specific gas generator or pyromechanism, the igniter including at least one pyrotechnic composition located inside a cartridge composed of a case extended by at least two pins. The cartridge is located in a casing including at least an upper shell joined to a lower shell, the upper shell containing the cartridge and the lower shell having at least two protruding electrodes internally connected an internal circuit and to the pins.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2000Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Giat IndustriesInventors: Jean-Paul Vidot, Alain Rouer
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Patent number: 6519894Abstract: A tangle-free fishing line assembly for preventing fishing hooks from getting caught in weeds and other like obstacles. The tangle-free fishing line assembly includes a fishing line; and also includes a hook member being attached at an end of the fishing line; and further includes a weight member being disposed about the fishing line; and also includes stopper members being attached to the fishing line; and further includes a hook guide member being movably disposed about the fishing line for guiding said hook member through weeds in a body of water.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Inventor: Christopher L. Geary
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Patent number: 6499417Abstract: A torpedo mounted dispenser for a coil of flex hose and control wire includes a rigid shell round in widthwise cross section, and a circular shock mount disposed centrally of the shell, the shell and the shock mount defining an annular chamber therebetween. Hooks are mounted on an exterior wall of the shell. Slots are defined by the shell, each slot being proximate one of the hooks. A retainer ring is disposed in the chamber. Retainer loops each extend at least partly around the retainer ring, through one of the slots, and is attached to one of the hooks. The coil of flex hose and control wire is disposed in the chamber and is movable lengthwise through the retainer ring while uncoiling and paying out from the dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2001Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Stephen F. Oliver, Stanley J. Olson
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Patent number: 6467414Abstract: An ignitor has an outer metal can containing a quantity of reactive material for initiating a pyrotechnic material. A circuit board has a first side that is in contact with the reactive material and a second side that is isolated from the reactive material. A metal structure adjacent the circuit board is well grounded. At least two electrical pins are electrically connected to first electrical traces formed on the second side of the circuit board. Electrical discharge gaps are formed by second electrical traces extending from the first electrical traces to form sharp points which extend to within less than about 0.127 mm of a conductive path to ground.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2001Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.Inventor: John C. Fisher