Patents by Inventor Dean E. Rich

Dean E. Rich 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).

  • Methods and apparatus for active deployment of a samara wing
    Patent number: 7415931
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for the controllable deployment of a samara wing from a spinning housing by use of an active deployment system. The active deployment system operates to deploy the samara wing as a function of time, for example a step function, or a monotonic function. The samara wing may be attached to a base, which may include a releasable portion. The active deployment system may include an electronic control unit and release means. Suitable release means include, but are not limited to pin actuators, explosively actuated cutters, and the like. Suitable electronic control units include programmable electronic sequencers and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P. McConville, James A. Hollowell, Ralph L. Nardone, Norman C. Lariviere, Dean E. Rich, Robert Kingsley