Patents by Inventor Alfred O. Smith

Alfred O. Smith 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).

  • Active spray rocket propellant ignition controller
    Patent number: 5379699
    Abstract: An igniter for solid fuel rockets in which hot gases from an initiator are hanneled to drive a piston against a reservoir of combustion modifying fluid, like ethylene glycol, so as to spray the fluid onto the propellant grain just before ignition. After the piston moves, the hot gases escape the igniter as to ignite the propellant directly or through an intermediate main ignition charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Paul T. Johnsen, Alfred O. Smith, Robert B. Dillinger
  • Vapor deposition of a thin polymer film on solid propellant rocket grain surface
    Patent number: H1824
    Abstract: A thin film of ignition inhibitor is applied uniformly to a rocket propelt grain which may be large and have a complex shape. The film is applied by condensation and polymerization of a vaporized monomer to which the grain is subjected. The monomer is prepared by thermally cracking the dimer of paraxylylene or a halogenated paraxylylene derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Paul T. Johnsen, Alfred O. Smith, Robert B. Dillinger