Patents by Inventor Clifton A. Kirby

Clifton A. Kirby 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: 3952980
    Abstract: A translatory shock absorber is provided for mounting an attitude sensor thereon for isolating a sensor from translatory vibrations. The translatory shock absorber includes a hollow block structure formed as one piece to form a parallelogram. The absorber block structure includes a movable top plate for supporting the attitude sensor and a fixed base plate with opposed side plates interposed therebetween. At the junctions of the side plates, and the base and top plates, there are provided machined-out grooves which act as flexible hinges for attenuating translatory vibrations. A damping material is supported on a pedestal which is carried on the base plate between the side plates thereof. The top of the damping material rests against the bottom surface of the top plate for eliminating the resonant peaks of vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1976
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: George L. VON Pragenau, Irvin T. Morgan, Jr., Clifton A. Kirby