Patents Examined by Joseph F. Peters, Jr.
  • Flight control device to provide directional control
    Patent number: 5201829
    Abstract: An airplane has a control device for providing a directional moment to control yaw during high angles of attack. The control device includes a chine support member carried at the forward end of the airplane forward of the fuselage. The chine support member rotates about a chine axis which is parallel or coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the airplane. A chine is mounted to the chine support member, the chine having a pair of substantially flat, thin, flight control surfaces rigidly mounted on opposite sides of the chine support member. These flight control surfaces rotate with the chine support member to control vortices formed on the chine during flight to provide directional moments. A drive motor will rotate the chine support member to control the angle of the chine. A control means including the aircraft computer controls the drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: General Dynamics Corporation
    Inventor: Spence E. Peters, Jr.
  • Marine propulsion device having quick-disconnect connector
    Patent number: 5201680
    Abstract: An outboard motor comprising a propulsion unit adapted to be mounted on a boat for pivotal movement relative thereto about a generally horizontal axis, the propulsion unit including a propeller shaft, and an engine drivingly connected to the propeller shaft, and the outboard motor further comprising structure for pivoting the propulsion unit about the generally horizontal axis, the pivoting structure being adapted to be mounted outside the boat, and the pivoting structure comprising a housing having an interior and an exterior, an electric motor in the interior, and a first quick-disconnect connector portion which is electrically connected to the motor and which is accessible from the exterior of the housing for selective mating with another quick-disconnect connector portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Binversie, H. Norman Petersen, David J. Hall
  • System for controlling ambient pressure within an enclosed environment
    Patent number: 5201830
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for controlling ambient pressure within an enclosed environment. The system is comprised of means for outputting a first signal, generally of a predetermined value. That signal is received in a detecting and comparing means which determines the relative change in the signal over time. Based upon the determination of the signal change, a second signal is generated. The second signal is received by an active device which is capable of altering the ambient pressure within the enclosed environment and responds to the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Inventor: Marion M. Braswell
  • Device for intercepting and retaining of cargo pieces in a cargo hold
    Patent number: 5201481
    Abstract: A partition in the form of a device for intercepting and retaining of cargo in a cargo hold is mounted between the cargo hold and a passenger cabin. The wall structure itself has a first group of energy absorbers extending horizontally between two wall sections. The mounting structure for the retaining wall includes a second group of energy absorbing elements. The shock absorbing elements of the second group are arranged in pairs so that two elements of a pair extend in parallel to each other. The two elements of the pair are journalled at one end to a mounting block by a first cross-wise extending journal pin or shaft. The journal pin passes through the mounting block which in turn is adjustably secured to a support rail. The other ends of the energy absorbing elements of a pair are interconnected by a second journal shaft which in turn holds a mounting claw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Deutsche Aerospace Airbus GmbH
    Inventor: Mohammad Hararat-Tehrani
  • Self-monitoring latch pin lock for folding wing aircraft
    Patent number: 5201479
    Abstract: A latch pin and locking system for use in connection with an aircraft having folding wings or wing tips. The system includes a plurality of individual latch pin units, each of which has a pin that is hydraulically driven in extension and retraction. When extended, the pins cooperatively lock wing tip hinge structure which prevents wing tip folding movement. Each latch pin unit has a locking body that prevents pin retraction of its respective pin after extension thereof for wing tip locking. The locking bodies of all of the latch pin units are drivingly interlinked, so that all lock and/or unlock as a single network. The network is driven by a single power drive unit. In the event any one locking body in the network fails, the network is broken, and thereby provides an indication that maintenance is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Michael E. Renzelmann
  • Electric power system for marine vehicles
    Patent number: 5199912
    Abstract: An electric power system for large marine vehicles in which one or more AC generators are shared as the ship's propulsion power source and the ship's electrical service power source. The voltage from the AC generator(s) is rectified to a reduced DC voltage such that voltage transients in the propulsor motor do not reflect into the ship service power system. Silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) bridges are utilized to convert the generator's AC voltage into a reduced DC voltage. As a supplement for emergency power, a rechargeable battery is included to provide power for propulsion and ship service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company
    Inventors: Thomas B. Dade, Kenneth W. Leiding, Peter P. Mongeau
  • Launcher for radio controlled flights of a model airplane, releasing the model airplane for flight upon depressing a foot pedal thereof
    Patent number: 5199668
    Abstract: A launcher for radio controlled flights of a model airplane, which releases the previously restrained model airplane upon the depression of a foot pedal thereof, thereby eliminating the need for any person to place his or her head in or nearby the exhaust stream of the operating engine at takeoff time, supporting: rotatable, releasible, restraining, spaced, arms, which, when raised, obstruct the forward motion of the model airplane, via the stabilizers thereof; the foot pedal; and a linkage system interconnecting the foot pedal with the rotatable, releasible, restraining, spaced arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Inventor: Matthey A. Swaney, Jr.
  • Water tight door
    Patent number: 5199369
    Abstract: A water tight prehung door for a ship bulkhead, the door being formed from a plate with a peripheral band welded thereto, being stiffened by a plurality of channels extending from one side of the door to the other and having elongated dimples in the plate disposed between the channels; a double directional gasket which buckles when closed is contained in a partial enclosure and cooperates with a dogging mechanism utilizing a parallel bar linkage which moves rollers over wedge shaped lugs to dog the door closed and form a water tight seal irrespective of which side of the door is subjected to pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Jeffry R. Meyer, Richard P. Kole, Kevin V. Bridge
  • Releasable anchor plug
    Patent number: 5199916
    Abstract: An improved anchor plug allowing quick release of a leash. The anchor plug is preferably made of plastic and may be mounted on a surfboard, or any other object flush to the top surface of the surfboard. The anchor plug has a leash cavity and a retractable leash pin spanning the leash cavity. Preferably, the leash pin extends into a locking hole when it is in the extended position. A loop can be formed in a leash, the leash pin can be retracted to allow the loop to be inserted in the leash cavity, and the pin can be extended to retain the loop in the leash cavity. Preferably, the leash pin is made of stainless steel and can be locked in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Inventor: Timothy B. Prickett
  • Crane truck
    Patent number: 5199583
    Abstract: The invention relates to a crane truck with a drivable undercarriage and a superstructure supported on the undercarriage to be rotatable by means of a slewing rim, the superstructure having a counterweight, which is movable by an elevating mechanism consisting of two piston-cylinder drives between an elevated operation position and a driving position when it rests lowered onto a support on the undercarriage. The piston rods of the piston-cylinder drives are drivable to rotate between a locking and unlocking position referred to the counterweight. The desired positions of the piston rods in their positions of crane operation and release as well as their locking and unlocking position are displayable by means of proximity switches on the piston-cylinder drives, so as to eliminate operation errors and disturbances in the hydraulic system of the piston-cylinder drives by way of various control units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Faun GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Weider, Hermann Daum
  • Quick-connect sectional boom members for cranes and the like
    Patent number: 5199586
    Abstract: A quick-connect system is disclosed for sectional boom members for cranes and the like. The sectional boom members comprise chords for carrying compressive loads, each chord terminating in an end configured to abut against an end of a chord of an adjacent sectional boom member. The quick-connect system comprises at least one easily alignable connector secured to the ends of at least one of the chords, the connector comprising a compressive load bearing surface intersected by the intersection of the vertical and horizontal neutral axes of the chord to which the connector is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: The Manitowoc Company, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Pech, Wayne W. Beebe, Terry Casavant, John Lanning, Paul M. Pukita, Michael J. Wanek
  • Overwing thrust reverser
    Patent number: 5197694
    Abstract: A thrust reverser assembly is disclosed for a wing mounted gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle having an outlet for discharging exhaust gases over a surface of the wing. The assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment includes a deflector having forward and aft ends, and first and second sides joined together by a base. The deflector is positionable in a stowed position around the exhaust nozzle so that the aft end is aligned generally with the nozzle outlet for allowing substantially unobstructed discharge of exhaust gases therefrom, and in a deployed position for changing direction of exhaust gases for thrust reversal. A pair of bellcranks are positioned adjacent to respective ones of the deflector sides and actuators are povided for rotating the bellcranks for moving the deflector between the stowed and deployed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dudley O. Nash, Donald F. Keck
  • Energy dissipator
    Patent number: 5197573
    Abstract: An all metal energy dissipator construction for dissipating kinetic energy force (F) by rolling balls (26) which are forced by a tapered surface (32) on an expandable sleeve (22) to frictionally load a force rod (15). The balls (26) are maintained in an initial position (FIG. 1) by a plate member (48) which is biased by a spring member (50). A spring member (52) returns the force rod (15) to its initial position after a loading force (F) is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Horacio M. De La Fuente, Kornel Nagy, Clarence J. Wesselski
  • Outboard motor
    Patent number: 5197910
    Abstract: A number of embodiments of small lightweight outboard motors adapted to be mounted on a watercraft that does not have a transom through a mounting bracket that spans the sides of the hull and is detachably affixed thereto. The outbaord motor is powered by small internal combustion engine that is contained within the lower unit and at least partially submerged beneath the body of water in which the watercraft is operating. Excess cooling of the engine is avoided by circulating at least a portion of the exhaust gases from the exhaust port around the exterior of the internal combustion engine. The engine is powered by a gaseous fuel contained under pressure in a container that is mounted on the mounting portion. Variations in placement and orientation of pressure regulators are disclosed so that fuel pressure will be constant regardless of the trim adjustment of the outboard motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kanno, Yoshiharu Yokoyama
  • Raft fastener
    Patent number: 5197404
    Abstract: The present invention entails a fastener unit for coupling two or more rafts together. In one embodiment the fastener unit is comprised of a pair of deformable closed walls, each having a central opening and designed to lock one in another. Each closed wall includes a connector extending therefrom for connecting to a raft. In a second embodiment, the fastener unit is comprised of a pair of fasteners, each having an eyelet with a flexible hook extending therefrom. The hook is extended from one eyelet and is connected to a second eyelet, and a hook from the second eyelet is extended back to the first eyelet to form a coupled relationship between the two fasteners. Each hook and eyelet fastener having a connector extending therefrom for connecting to a raft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Inventors: David J. Haley, Marsden W. Simmons
  • Rotor flap apparatus and method
    Patent number: 5195702
    Abstract: A rotor flap apparatus is attached to the trailing edge of a wing of a craft. The rotor flap apparatus includes a rotatable rotor mounted on an attachment arm, which is pivotally mounted on a trailing edge of the wing. The attachment arm can be raised or lowered to move the plane of the rotor up or down to vary the lift and thrust characteristics of the wing, to prevent stall and also to allow very low speed take off and landing. In one embodiment, propellers are provided at the leading edge of the wing, in conjunction with the rotor flap apparatus, to provide a system which allows vertical take off and landing of the aircraft. Other embodiments include wings with rotor flap apparatus attached to land craft and underwater craft as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Inventor: Frank S. Malvestuto, Jr.
  • Air cargo container with bomb damage mitigation features
    Patent number: 5195701
    Abstract: An air cargo container with features for reducing damage caused by a bomb explosion. The container has a venting device which faces a fuselage wall of an airplane when the container is stowed. An explosion propels the venting device to pierce the fuselage wall of the airplane in the event of an explosion. This creates a hole which vents the shock waves and gas from the explosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Inventor: W. Craig Willan
  • Low speed model following velocity command system for rotary wing aircraft
    Patent number: 5195700
    Abstract: A helicopter flight control system (21) includes a model following control system architecture which operates in a velocity command mode at low ground speeds. The control system processes information from a variety of helicopter sensors (31) in order to provide a command signal to the main rotor (11) of the helicopter which results in a ground speed which is proportional to the input provided via a sidearm controller (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Donald L. Fogler, Jr., James L. Richard, Phillip J. Gold, Steven L. Glusman
  • Circuit configuration for an electronically controlled anti-lock brake system
    Patent number: 5195811
    Abstract: There is suggested a circuit configuration for an electronically controlled anti-lock brake system, wherein upon the commencement of braking pressure control pressure fluid is pumped out of a supply reservoir (13) into the pressure chambers 7, 8) of the tandem master cylinder (1) which closes the inlet valves (14 to 17) of all wheels at the onset of the control action. It regulates the braking pressure on the imminently locking wheels by opening and closing the inlet valves and outlet valves (14 to 17 and 22 to 25) in a known fashion, while on the non-locking wheels it slowly adapts the braking pressure to the pressure prevailing in the tandem master cylinder (1) by way of pulsewise actuation at a predefinable pulse-pause ratio, that means opening and closing of the inlet valves (14 to 17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbH
    Inventors: Bunther Buschmann, Frank Jourdan
  • Floatable structure propelling mechanism
    Patent number: 5194029
    Abstract: A floatable structure propelling mechanism is combined with a floatable structure filled with helium gas to propel the floatable structure for flying in the air. The floatable structure propelling mechanism comprises a pair of lateral fins supported for swing motion respectively on the opposite sides of a middle portion of the floatable structure. The driving mechanism for driving the lateral fins for swing motion alternately in opposite direcitons in a vertical plane comprises a rotative driving unit provided near the lower surface of the middle portion of the floatable structure. The rotative driving unit includes a double crankshaft which is rotated by the driving unit, first connecting rods fixed to the lateral fins, respectively, and second connecting rods interconnecting the crank pin portions of the double crankshaft and the free ends of the first connecting rods, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Jal Data Communications & Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koichi Kinoshita