Patents by Inventor Alan B. Cain

Alan B. Cain has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9683820
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle with an improved control system and a method for increasing the maneuverability or stability of an aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for increasing the maneuverability or stability of an aircraft, missile, underwater vehicle or projectile through the use of removable control surfaces. The technical advantage of the removable control surface system (or “removable control surface”) over other systems is that the removable control surface system enables the aircraft, missile, underwater vehicle or projectile to have two or more design configurations, each configuration being tailored to the aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle's specific stability or maneuverability requirements during a specific portion of the flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Orbital Research Inc.
    Inventors: Mehul Patel, T. Terry Ng, Alan B. Cain, Zak Sowle, Jack DiCocco
  • Patent number: 9541106
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of designing or optimizing a control surface for use with plasma actuators for controlling an aircraft, missile, munition or automobile, and more particularly to controlling fluid flow across their surfaces or other surfaces using plasma actuators, which would benefit from such a method. The various embodiments provide the steps to increase the efficiency of aircraft, missiles, munitions and automobiles. The method of flow control also provides a means for reducing aircraft, missile's, munition's and automobile's power requirements. These methods also provide alternate means for aerodynamic control using low-power hingeless plasma actuator devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignees: Orbitel Research Inc., The University of Notre Dame du Lac
    Inventors: Mehul Patel, Thomas Corke, Alan B. Cain
  • Publication number: 20160327448
    Abstract: An “air-data probe” system measures at least one component of freestream velocity by tracking the motion of a laser-induced breakdown (“LIB”) spark created in a freestream flow. Neutral density filters are positioned or deployed so that the brightness of the initial LIB spark doesn't over saturate the LIB sensor system. This allows for more consistent tracking of the LIB spark throughout the duration of the LIB spark, including the later stages where the LIB spark is not nearly as bright as the initial LIB spark, thereby allowing all or substantially all of the light generated by the LIB spark to reach the sensors. This provides for enhanced visibility and more accurate detection of the LIB spark over time and as air density changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Alan B. Cain, Stanislav Gordeyev, R. Mark Rennie
  • Patent number: 8096507
    Abstract: An aircraft turret and fairing assembly for facilitating transmission of a directed energy beam from a directed energy device includes a turret section for directing an energy beam. The assembly also includes a fairing section aft of and adjacent to the turret section. Each of the turret section and the aft fairing section are coupled to an aircraft. The assembly also includes at least one sensor for detecting air speed of the aircraft and air pressure. The turret section and the aft fairing section are configured and positioned relative to one another to direct airflow for generating an aeroacoustic resonance within a desired frequency range in an area aft of the turret section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignees: Innovative Technology Applications, University of Notre Dame Du Lac
    Inventors: Alan B. Cain, Eric J. Jumper, Donald J. Wittich, III, Edward J. Kerschen, David Cavalieri, T. Terry Ng
  • Patent number: 7880125
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle with an improved control system and an improved control system for maneuvering an aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to an aircraft, missile, underwater vehicle or projectile with removable control surfaces. The technical advantage of the removable control surface system (or “removable control surface”) over other systems is that the removable control surface system enables the aircraft, missile, underwater vehicle or projectile to have two or more design configurations, each configuration being tailored to the aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle's specific stability or maneuverability requirements during a specific portion of the flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Orbital Research Inc.
    Inventors: Mehul Patel, T. Terry Ng, Alan B. Cain, Zak Sowle, Jack DiCocco
  • Patent number: 7709772
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle with an improved control system and an improved control system for maneuvering an aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to an aircraft, missile, underwater vehicle or projectile with removable control surfaces. The technical advantage of the removable control surface system (or “removable control surface”) over other systems is that the removable control surface system enables the aircraft, missile, underwater vehicle or projectile to have two or more design configurations, each configuration being tailored to the aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle's specific stability or maneuverability requirements during a specific portion of the flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Orbital Research Inc.
    Inventors: Mehul Patel, T. Terry Ng, Alan B. Cain, Zak Sowle, Jack DiCocco
  • Publication number: 20090242702
    Abstract: An aircraft turret and fairing assembly for facilitating transmission of a directed energy beam from a directed energy device includes a turret section for directing an energy beam. The assembly also includes a fairing section aft of and adjacent to the turret section. Each of the turret section and the aft fairing section are coupled to an aircraft. The assembly also includes at least one sensor for detecting air speed of the aircraft and air pressure. The turret section and the aft fairing section are configured and positioned relative to one another to direct airflow for generating an aeroacoustic resonance within a desired frequency range in an area aft of the turret section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Alan B. Cain, Eric J. Jumper, Donald J. Wittich, III, Edward J. Kerschen, David Cavalieri, T. Terry Ng