Patents by Inventor Dirk Kilfitt

Dirk Kilfitt 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: 5929363
    Abstract: A method of destroying hidden land mines includes steps of providing a hole in the ground of a mine-contaminated area; placing into the hole a device which generates a shock wave by wire explosion; connecting the device to a switchable current source; and applying a current pulse from the current source to the device for causing a wire explosion thereof to generate a shock wave in the ground for destroying mines hidden in the area within the effective range of the shock wave. The device has a plastic tube filled with a liquid; a wire passing through the liquid; and electrodes disposed at opposite ends of the tube. The wire is connected to the electrodes, and the electrodes are connectable to a current source for applying a current pulse from the current source to the wire to effect explosion thereof for generating the shock wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignees: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH, TZN Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum Unterluss
    Inventors: Helmut Neff, Alexei Voronov, Dirk Kilfitt
  • Patent number: 5664357
    Abstract: A weapon bolt assembly includes a bolt portion including a recess; a firing pin unit including a striker plunger axially slidably received in the recess and having an axially measured length and a firing pin attached to the striker plunger. The firing pin unit has a first position in which the firing pin projects from the bolt portion and a second position in which the firing pin is situated in its entirety within the bolt portion. A firing spring is disposed in the recess and has a relaxed state and a stressed state. In the relaxed state of the firing spring and in the first position of the firing pin unit a clearance is defined between the two components. In the stressed state the firing spring exerts a force on the firing pin unit urging it into its first position. The axially measured length of the firing pin unit is such that in the second position the firing spring remains in the relaxed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Industrie GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Kilfitt, Heinz-Peter Hellmeister, Olaf Kersten, Frank Junker
  • Patent number: 5648632
    Abstract: A weapon system for a combat vehicle includes a weapon movably mounted on the vehicle; an electronic weapon control device connected to the weapon; a weapon operating station for accommodating a gunner; a plurality of angled mirrors disposed in an array in the weapon operating station to provide a panoramic view for the gunner when situated in the weapon operating station; a separate switch associated with each angled mirror and connected with the electronic weapon control device; a camera attached to the weapon to be movable therewith; a display screen connected with the camera for reproducing an image representing a view seen by the camera; a support arrangement for movably supporting the display screen for travel along the array; a positioning drive connected to the electronic weapon control device and the display screen whereby upon operation of one of the switches belonging to one of the angled mirrors through which a target is observed, the electronic weapon control device moves the weapon at the target
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Industrie Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilfried Becker, Dirk Kilfitt, Hans-Ulrich Desgranges
  • Patent number: 5631442
    Abstract: A missile includes a warhead accommodated in an inner space at a front portion of the missile; a ball joint being in alignment with the longitudinal missile axis and pivotally supporting the warhead; and an aiming device for placing the warhead into a desired pivotal orientation. The aiming device includes a plurality of inflatable vessels arranged axially adjacent the warhead in a distribution about the missile axis. Each vessel has a first end oriented toward the warhead and a second end oriented away therefrom. The vessels are supported at their second end by a disk situated in the inner space of the missile. A gas generator is coupled to each vessel for charging the vessel with a gas to place the vessel into its inflated state. In the inflated state each vessel exerts a torque on the warhead about the ball joint by an engagement between the first end of the respective vessel and the warhead. Further, an electronic control system is accommodated in the inner space of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Industrie GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Becker, Dirk Kilfitt, Werner Grosswendt
  • Patent number: 5577432
    Abstract: A target-protecting device for rendering harmless a projectile impacting on the device includes a reactive armor extending over the target and being composed of a plurality of individually electrically ignitable modules. Each module has an explosively acceleratable armor plate. An additional armor extends over and is positioned at a distance from, the reactive armor. A sensor arrangement is provided at the additional armor for emitting a signal identifying a location of projectile impact on the additional armor. An electronic monitoring device receives signals from the sensor arrangement for determining, from the signals, a position of the projectile upon penetration of the additional armor and for applying an ignition signal to a respective module to explosively accelerate the armor plate of such module toward the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Industrie GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Becker, Herbert Scholles, Dirk Kilfitt