Patents by Inventor Chris E. Geswender

Chris E. Geswender 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).

  • Publication number: 20100058946
    Abstract: A smart fuze system includes a radome used to hold a replaceable smart fuze module in place. An internally-threaded collar screws onto threads on the main body of the smart fuze system. Pressure from the radome presses the smart fuze module against electrical connections in the main body. The smart fuze module may thereby be held in place without potting material, allowing different types of fuzes to be swapped into place. The different types of fuzes may include a type that communicates height of burst (HOB) information a type that communicates telemetry, and a type that communicates both HOB and telemetry information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Chris E. Geswender, Stephen E. Bennett, Matthew A. Zamora, Cesar Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20100032515
    Abstract: A fuze guidance system is configurable by an end user, allowing the end user to select between different configurations of canards of the system. The different configurations of canards may include canards with different surface areas, optimized for providing appropriate control with different sizes of munitions. The different configurations may be accomplished by having canards with separable portions which may be broken off or otherwise removed by the end user, to reduce canard surface area and/or span. Alternatively the fuze guidance system may come in a kit with multiple sets of canards having different sizes or otherwise having different configurations for providing different aerodynamic characteristics. The end user may select a canard set based on the munition size or type that the fuze guidance system is to be used with.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Chris E. Geswender, Matthew A. Zamora, Cesar Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20090283627
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an air brake system for a projectile according to various aspects of the present invention comprises a pivot and a protrusion mounted on the pivot. The protrusion is adapted to selectively translate outward from the projectile around a translation axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the projectile. The methods and apparatus may further operate in conjunction with an actuation system engaging the protrusion, wherein the actuation system is configured to selectively facilitate the translation of the protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Chris E. Geswender, James D. Streeter, Matthew A. Zamora, Jason J. Fink, Matthew O. Eisenbacher
  • Publication number: 20080006169
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a data link system according to various aspects of the present invention may be incorporated into a cartridge system. The cartridge system may comprise a case and a projectile. The data link system may be connected to the case and the projectile to provide signals. The data link system a first connection point and a second connection point disposed on the case and an electrical connector connected to the first connection point and the second connection point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventor: Chris E. Geswender
  • Patent number: 7163176
    Abstract: A 2-D correction system uses intermittent deployment of aerodynamic surfaces to control a spin or fin stabilized projectile in flight; correcting both crossrange and downrange impact errors. Intermittent surface deployment develops rotational moments, which create body lift that nudge the projectile in two-dimensions to correct the projectile in its ballistic trajectory. In low spin rate projectiles (“fin stabilized”), the rotational moment directly produces the body lift that moves the projectile. In high spin rate projectiles (“spin stabilized”), the rotational moment creates a much larger orthogonal precession that in turn produces the body lift that moves the projectile. The aerodynamic surfaces are suitably deployed over multiple partial roll cycles at precise on (deployed) and off (stowed) positions in the cycle to nudge the projectile up or down range or left or right cross range until the desired ballistic trajectory is restored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Chris E. Geswender, Andrew J. Hinsdale, George A. Blaha, Richard Dryer
  • Patent number: 6571715
    Abstract: A projectile (10) with extensible fins (24) is designed to be lightweight by removing material unnecessary to structural strength and filling the resulting voids with a non-metallic filler material (26). Although particularly suited where the extensible fins (24) are mounted behind the obturator (22) and that are therefore subjected to turbulent, destructive shock waves when the projectile is accelerated down the gun barrel, the method and apparatus can be used elsewhere as well. The filler material (26) may be high temperature grease, an epoxy, a silicone or other similar materials. The filler material (26) may be designed to fall away as soon as the projectile (10) exits the gun barrel, or it may be permanently adhered to the material of the projectile. The filler may be surrounded by a frangible boot (66, 66′) to protect the filler during storage, shipment and loading into the gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Stephen E. Bennett, Chris E. Geswender, Kevin R. Greenwood
  • Patent number: 5149011
    Abstract: A system for correcting the distortion of the plane waves passing through the radome covering an antenna on a missile airframe by nutating the airframe, in both pitch and yaw to quantify the error in accordance with the nutation, and then determining the radome boresight error, and then correcting it in accordance with the solution of certain algorithms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Harvey J. Gratt, Chris E. Geswender