Patents by Inventor Craig A. Phillips

Craig A. Phillips 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: 8775001
    Abstract: A control system for a powered wheelchair that detects when a user is in a first orientation to cause movement of the powered wheelchair. The control system inhibits movement of the wheelchair when the user is not in the first orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventors: Alan C. Phillips, Craig A. Phillips, Kevin C. Fisher
  • Patent number: 8513580
    Abstract: A method is provided for guiding a mortar projectile fired longitudinally from a launcher along a ballistic trajectory. The method includes providing a first inertial navigation system (INS), a laser emitter and optical sensor on the launcher, providing a second INS and a laser reflector on the projectile, and presetting the second INS to an initial reference position prior to firing the projectile. Subsequent to launch, the method further includes emitting a longitudinally directed laser beam from the emitter to the reflector; receiving the reflected signal to the optical sensor; establishing a position and velocity of the projectile based on the reflected signal; transmitting a correction signal to the projectile from the launcher; resetting the second INS at a position prior to reaching maximum altitude; and guiding the projectile along the trajectory by adjusting control fin orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Craig A. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8150621
    Abstract: An operating system is provided for controlling an unmanned vehicle. The system includes a stratified plurality of instruction layers, a behavior axiom block and a set of operation parameters. The instruction layers are substantially arranged in descending priority order. Each layer provides an information signal to either an adjacent descending layer or an operation device on board the unmanned vehicle. The behavior axiom block provides an independent protocol signal to a first instruction layer in said stratified plurality. The operation parameters provide an environmental condition that neighbors the unmanned vehicle to a second instruction layer. Preferably, the behavior axiom block includes prioritization adjustment to an instruction layer for overriding the information signal from an adjacently ascendant layer, such as by an interrupt signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represeneted by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Craig A. Phillips, David B. Hanger
  • Patent number: 6776369
    Abstract: Guidance of a gliding vehicle is disclosed. A method of the invention allows the range of the glide phase of a gliding vehicle to be maximized, while satisfying final flight path angle and aimpoint requirements. The method controls the time-of-flight of the gliding value to a desired value. The time-of-flight control can correct for winds, off-nominal launch conditions, and rocket motor variations, among other factors. Both time-of-flight control and range and cross-range maximization can be achieved by the inventive method, utilizing a compact closed-loop approach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Craig A. Phillips, David S. Malyevac
  • Publication number: 20040099769
    Abstract: Guidance of a gliding vehicle is disclosed. A method of the invention allows the range of the glide phase of a gliding vehicle to be maximized, while satisfying final flight path angle and aimpoint requirements. The method controls the time-of-flight of the gliding value to a desired value. The time-of-flight control can correct for winds, off-nominal launch conditions, and rocket motor variations, among other factors. Both time-of-flight control and range and cross-range maximization can be achieved by the inventive method, utilizing a compact closed-loop approach.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Craig A. Phillips, David S. Malyevac
  • Patent number: 6676071
    Abstract: Guidance of a gliding vehicle is disclosed. A method of the invention allows the range of the glide phase of a gliding vehicle to be maximized, while satisfying final flight path angle and aimpoint requirements. The method controls the time-of-flight of the gliding value to a desired value. The time-of-flight control can correct for winds, off-nominal launch conditions, and rocket motor variations, among other factors. Both time-of-flight control and range and cross-range maximization can be achieved by the inventive method, utilizing a compact closed-loop approach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Craig A. Phillips, David S. Malyevac
  • Publication number: 20030234319
    Abstract: Guidance of a gliding vehicle is disclosed. A method of the invention allows the range of the glide phase of a gliding vehicle to be maximized, while satisfying final flight path angle and aimpoint requirements. The method controls the time-of-flight of the gliding value to a desired value. The time-of-flight control can correct for winds, off-nominal launch conditions, and rocket motor variations, among other factors. Both time-of-flight control and range and cross-range maximization can be achieved by the inventive method, utilizing a compact closed-loop approach.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Craig A. Phillips, David S. Malyevac