Patents Examined by Lulit Semunegus
  • Patent number: 6481146
    Abstract: A rear sight including a sight housing and a threaded sleeve. The sight housing has a threaded male portion for insertion into the threaded sleeve. The threaded sleeve is connected to the firearm though bushings which stabilize the threaded sleeve, yet allow it to rotate. Rotation of the threaded sleeve causes the sight housing to move up or down, depending on the direction of the rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventor: Clifford E. Carrier, III
  • Patent number: 6474240
    Abstract: A system for attaching a priming system onto the body of a grenade, including a support integrally fastened to the grenade body and incorporating a thin cylindrical wall whose upper edge is crimped onto the priming system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Patrice Chemiere, Philip Fouqueau, Jean-Paul Dupuy
  • Patent number: 6470801
    Abstract: A configuration for triggering a restraining device has firing elements that are optically fired by an associated triggering device. In addition, an optical check signal can be transmitted to the firing element by the triggering device. An evaluation circuit evaluates light signals that have been transmitted to the triggering device. As a function of an evaluated, received light signal, a disable signal, by which emission of a firing signal is prevented, is generated by the evaluation circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Marten Swart, Josef Dirmeyer, Markus Wicke, Gerhard Kuhn, Bruno Acklin
  • Patent number: 6473481
    Abstract: The present invention is a control rod guide tube cleaning apparatus in a nuclear reactor which includes a rod member, one end side portion of which has a thickness such that the end side portion can pass through the inside of a connecting portion between a housing of a control rod drive mechanism and a control rod guide tube, a nozzle for sucking water, mounted on the rod member on the one end side so that the nozzle can go in and out of the rod member, a means for rotating the rod member in a horizontal direction, and a water passage for leading water sucked in the nozzle to an outside of the housing along the rod member. The rod member is inserted into the control rod guide tube through the inside of the housing. Then, the nozzle is rotated downward so that a suction port of the nozzle faces the bottom inside portion of the control rod guide tube for the suction of dust and debris. The nozzle is rotated in the horizontal direction by rotating the rod member in the horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Ishii, Tsumoru Miyahara, Hideo Yonemura, Kiyoshi Izumi
  • Patent number: 6470806
    Abstract: A training device for simulating the action of stun grenades and the like is provided by combining a delay cartridge with a conversion fitting that installs in a grenade body. A firing assembly fitted to the grenade body over the delay cartridge is percussively initiated through release of a hammer to activate a primer located on the end of the cartridge. The cartridge contains a delay-burning compound that subsequently activates a pyrotechnic charge. A suitable application is for training in the use of flash/bang training devices or “stun” grenades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Murray
  • Patent number: 6467415
    Abstract: A linear ignition system for a metal-sheathed linear explosive including in one embodiment the ends of two metal-sheathed linear explosives are connected by a non-electrically conductive sleeve leaving a gap between the ends, and a Pyrofuze® bridge connects the metal-sheath of one end to the metal sheath of the other end. Electrical contacts are made to the two metal sheaths and application of current to the electrical contacts ignites the Pyrofuze® bridge and the linear explosives. Embodiments can also include an explosive mixture in the gap, using a hotwire bridge, or including booster increments for initiating detonating explosives. The linear ignition systems offer robust, easy-to-install linear explosive devices for applications in automotive, commercial or military aircraft safety systems, other military and aerospace applications, and commercial blasting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: McCormick Selph, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug Menzel, Stanley Rodney
  • Patent number: 6463855
    Abstract: A fuse device for a mortar shell includes an impact weight carrying a detonation charge and arranged to impact against a firing pin when the mortar shell strikes a target. A safety arm locks the impact weight against movement toward the firing pin in a safety position. The safety arm is movable out of locking relationship with the impact arm to establish an armed condition of the fuse device. Energy for moving the safety arm is stored in a spring. That energy is stored after the mortar shell has been launched, because an impeller is rotated by an air flow generated by the moving mortar shell, and that impeller rotation is transmitted to the spring to store energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Junghans Feinwerktechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Zehnder, Günter Westphal, Wolfgang Schillinger, Frank Kienzler, Herbert Höni, Horst Moosmann
  • Patent number: 6464167
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid vehicle having one or more vertical wings in contact with the fluid for generating a forward motion. This fluid vehicle also has a stabilizing torque system for generating jets transverse to the forward motion for the purpose of counterbalancing any capsizing effect. Preferably, the system is devised to generate up and down jets to the opposite ends of at least one horizontal wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventor: James C. Hayes
  • Patent number: 6463857
    Abstract: An ignition device for triggering a restraining device of a motor vehicle has a MID support having a forward end and a rearward end. Electronic components are mounted on the MID support. An ignitor is arranged at the forward end of the MID support. The MID support has at least one unitary connector pin having at least one metallized area configured to contact the electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Hirschmann Austria GmbH
    Inventors: Günther Schmid, Helmut Fabing
  • Patent number: 6460465
    Abstract: An ignition device for triggering a restraining device of a motor vehicle has an ignition device member having a forward end and a rearward end and having an insulated exterior with an exterior surface. An ignitor is arranged at the forward end of the ignition device member. An energy transfer device extends from the rearward end of the ignition device member to the ignitor and is configured to trigger the ignitor when the rearward end is exposed to heat. The energy transfer device is arranged within an interior of the ignition device member and is located in the area of the rearward end in close proximity to the exterior surface of the ignition device member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Hirschmann Austria GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Schmid, Helmut Fabing
  • Patent number: 6460459
    Abstract: A method for exploding a high explosive material confined in a casing which includes the steps of generating a laser beam; directing the laser beam toward a location on a surface of the casing; and irradiating the surface location with the laser beam a sufficient length of time to explode the high explosive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Stephen W. Mc Cahon, Scott G. Martin, Robert W. Knox, Andrew E. Paul
  • Patent number: 6453821
    Abstract: An obturator is provided for a projectile launched from a gun barrel. The obturator includes an annular ring that is fabricated from a high-temperature resistant composite material. The annular ring has an inner surface that is in contact with the projectile. In addition, when the projectile is fired from the gun barrel, an outer surface of the annular ring contacts an inner surface of a bore of the gun barrel. When the projectile is fired from the gun barrel, the radial distance between the inner surface and the outer surface of the annular ring substantially equals or exceeds the radial distance between an outer surface of the projectile and the inner surface of the bore of the gun barrel at at least one point. This configuration restricts a flow of charge gases from an aft end of the projectile to a forward end of the projectile as the projectile is fired from the gun barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Gray E. Fowler, G. Michael Liggett, Craig E. Prevost, John W. Orem
  • Patent number: 6450450
    Abstract: Provided is a fabrication that is simple to make and cost effective in optimizing performance for moderately extended high velocity missions of high performance airborne vehicles. To counter rapid thermal loading while providing a relatively low cost structure, a laminate, in a preferred embodiment an intermediate modulus carbon fiber laminated as fabric layers in a resin matrix, is stitched through with glass fiber material. This laminate is then cured and formed as a section of skin of a supersonic missile, enabling extended supersonic operation, nominally some minutes after the laminate's Tg has been reached or exceeded. Additionally, an airframe and airframe members constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention are disclosed. Compared to existing materials, it reduces cost and weight, increases thermal stability, and maximizes internal payload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Frank D. MacDonald, Patrick B. Stickler, Ryon C. Warren, Chun-Hua Kathy Chuang
  • Patent number: 6446536
    Abstract: A loading system of artillery guns to enable modular charges that are combinable into larger units to be handled in a main magazine with a number of mutually parallel magazine tubes designed to accommodate the modular charges and a retrieval tube whose infeed/outfeed aperture can be docked with the outfeed aperture of any magazine tube. The retrieval tube is used to transfer a selected number of modular charges from the magazine tubes to a loading pendulum used for loading the gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Bofors Weapon Systems, AB
    Inventors: Lars-Olov Lindskog, Jörgen Bergmark, Björn Lundblad
  • Patent number: 6439119
    Abstract: A safe/arm apparatus includes a slider barrier having at least one notch formed therein, the slider barrier including an optically diffuse surface and an optically reflective surface; at least one mechanical lock removably disposed in the at least one notch; a linear actuator for moving the slider barrier from a safe position to an armed position; a battery; a laser diode connected to the battery, the laser diode emitting a light beam towards the optically diffuse surface when the slider barrier is in the safe position and towards the optically reflective surface when the slider barrier is in the armed position; a photodiode for receiving light reflected from the optically reflective surface; a transformer connected to the photodiode; and a capacitor connected to the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Paul J. Smith, Edward Litcher
  • Patent number: 6435095
    Abstract: A linear ignition system for a metal-sheathed linear explosive including in one embodiment the ends of two metal-sheathed linear explosives are connected by a non-electrically conductive sleeve leaving a gap between the ends, and a Pyrofuze® bridge connects the metal-sheath of one end to the metal sheath of the other end. Electrical contacts are made to the two metal sheaths and application of current to the electrical contacts ignites the Pyrofuze® bridge and the linear explosives. Embodiments can also include an explosive mixture in the gap, using a hotwire bridge, or including booster increments for initiating detonating explosives. The linear ignition systems offer robust, easy-to-install linear explosive devices for applications in automotive, commercial or military aircraft safety systems, other military and aerospace applications, and commercial blasting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: McCormick Selph, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug Menzel, Stanley Rodney
  • Patent number: 6431071
    Abstract: Miniature arm fire and safe and arm devices include an electrically operated pyrotechnic initiation device (5) to generate a detonation wave upon command and a movable pressure barrier (9) that blocks propagation of the detonation wave if the device is not intended to be fired and opens a window (12) to transfer the detonation wave externally of the device. The detonation wave may in alternate embodiments be a subsonic flame front and pressure wave or a supersonic shock wave, respectively. An electromagnet (7) may serve to move the pressure barrier. Detonation waves output from the device have application in igniting an explosive train, either directly or indirectly, the latter by operating an electrical switch. In the arm fire device, the barrier automatically prevents a detonation output when electrical power is removed from the device. In the safe and arm device, the barrier, once moved out of the way, remains out of the way, even when electrical power is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Kathleen F. Hodge, David H. Lewis, Jr., Steven D. Nelson, Victor W. Ruwe
  • Patent number: 6422146
    Abstract: An igniter unit for an inflator unit comprises a base in which electric contact pins are arranged and a plug for plugging into the base to contact the contact pins. The plug is provided with at least one key and the base is provided with at least one guide groove for the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Johann Vetter
  • Patent number: 6422145
    Abstract: The controlled electromagnetic induction detonation system for initiation of a detonatable material system includes an automated radio charge (ARCH) module connectable to an electric detonator, a transducer module for providing operational power by electromagnetic induction to the ARCH module, and a remote controller for sending instructions to the transducer module from a location remote from the detonator. Upon completion of an arming sequence, the transducer module generates an electromagnetic field which is picked up by a coil in the ARCH module and used to power the ARCH module and provide a detonation current for the detonator. The transducer module or at least a coil thereof which produces the electromagnetic field is supported on or in a stemming bar which in turn acts as a core of an electromagnet confining the magnetic flux for pick up by the ARCH module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: RockTek Ltd.
    Inventors: Mihailo Gavrilovic, Keith Wright
  • Patent number: 6418656
    Abstract: Gunstock storage assemblies for scope adjustment covers and shotgun chokes are provided. The assemblies utilize the threaded nature of such covers and chokes to provide a secure and convenient storage of the items. For adjustment covers, a cup or shaft is embedded in a gunstock. A washer and retaining mount are inserted towards the inner end of the cup or shaft and are held in place by a screw passing through the mount, washer, and cup and into the gunstock. The mount is male threaded to receive an adjustment cover. For chokes, a female threaded shaft is similarly embedded and is sized to receive a choke. Both cup and shaft may be secured with an adhesive such as epoxy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Inventor: Ned F. Christiansen