Patents by Inventor Don D. Winfree
Don D. Winfree 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).
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Patent number: 6467578Abstract: A test fixture will test windage on high-speed gears. The test fixture has a case with a sump. A shaft is rotatably mounted in the case for receiving and rotating a test gear. A power source is coupled to the shaft for driving the shaft. A nozzle is mounted in the case for discharging a liquid onto the gear teeth, the liquid then collecting in the sump. A pump is connected to the sump and the nozzle for pumping the liquid from the sump to the nozzle. A baffle mounts to a wall of the case and encloses at least a portion of the gear. The power to the motor as well as temperature are sensed to determine various baffle configuration efficiencies.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2000Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Don D. Winfree
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Patent number: 6439503Abstract: A pulse detonation cluster includes a cluster housing and a plurality of pulse detonation engines mounted within the housing. Each pulse detonation engine has an inner tubular housing rigidly and concentrically mounted within a cylindrical bore of an outer tubular housing. The inner housing has a plurality of inner housing ports, and the outer housing has a plurality of outer housing ports. A detonation chamber is formed in the annulus between the inner housing and the outer housing. An outer valve sleeve is rotatably mounted to the outer housing for selectively allowing air to enter the detonation chamber through the outer housing ports. A fuel delivery member is aligned with each inner housing port to deliver fuel to the detonation chamber through the inner housing ports. An inner sleeve is mounted to the inner housing to protect the fuel delivery members during detonation. The air and fuel mixture is detonated by several igniters located in the detonation chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2000Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Don D. Winfree, Louis G. Hunter, Jr., Billy D. Couch
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Patent number: 5937635Abstract: A pulse detonation engine has a pulse ignition system, a plurality of detonation chambers (15), an oxygen source (33), and a fuel source (35). The oxygen source and the fuel source supply oxygen and fuel, respectively, to both the pulse ignition system and to the detonation chambers. The pulse ignition system creates detonation waves by igniting a first series of fuel mixtures inside a plurality of igniter tubes (39) equal to the number of detonation chambers (15). One detonation wave is delivered by each igniter tube into each detonation chamber for igniting a second series of fuel mixtures inside the detonation chambers. The detonation waves increase in magnitude as they travel through the detonation chambers before exiting the rearward ends of the detonation chambers. After detonation, the detonation engine is purged of residual gases by a ventilation system (81) and the process is repeated sequentially as described.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 1996Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Don D. Winfree, Louis G. Hunter, Jr.
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Patent number: 5615548Abstract: A pulse detonator particularly for an aircraft power supply has a tubular housing. A valve sleeve rotates within the bore of the housing. The valve sleeve and housing have ports which align with each other at least once per revolution. A manifold is mounted to the exterior of the housing. The manifold has outer valves which open to admit fuel and oxygen simultaneously with the alignment of the valve sleeve ports with the housing ports. The fuel and oxygen flow into a detonation chamber where they mix. Igniters ignite the mixture to create a detonation wave which passes out the downstream end.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1995Date of Patent: April 1, 1997Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Don D. Winfree, Louis G. Hunter, Jr.
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Patent number: 5579633Abstract: A pulse detonation apparatus utilizes a rotatable core feed cylinder. The core feed cylinder is carried within a inner sidewall of a stationary annular detonation chamber. The core feed cylinder has ports in the sidewall that will register with ports in the inner sidewall of the annular detonation chamber at least once each revolution. A fuel valve means mounted to the outer sidewall of the annular detonation chamber supplies pulses of gaseous fuel. The oxygen content at the forward end of the detonation chamber is richer than toward the rearward end. The fuel is ignited to create a detonation wave. A purge gas flowing through the core feed cylinder enters the detonation cavity after the detonation wave has discharge for purging.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1994Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Louis G. Hunter, Jr., Don D. Winfree
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Patent number: 5557926Abstract: A pulse detonation device is used to create high temperature high pressure pulses, such as for generating thrust for an aircraft or rocket. The device has a rotating cylinder located within a sleeve. A jacket is spaced outward from the sleeve. The seal and the sleeve are rotatable relative to each other. Each has ports which align with each other to communicate the annular passage with the annulus between the jacket and the sleeve. The jacket has at least one outer port. An outer valve in the exterior of the jacket opens and closes the outer port. A first portion of a fuel mixture, such as oxygen, is supplied to the inner passage within the cylinder, to flow into the annulus through the inner ports. The second ingredient of the fuel mixture, such as fuel, is supplied through the outer valves and outer ports to the annulus. An igniter in the annulus creates a detonation wave.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1995Date of Patent: September 24, 1996Assignee: Lockheed-MartinInventors: Louis G. Hunter, Jr., Don D. Winfree
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Patent number: 5546744Abstract: A pulse detonation apparatus utilizes an inner housing which rotates relative to an outer housing. The inner housing has spherical inner seal surfaces that rotate with it. The outer housing has mating spherical seal surfaces that rotationally receive the inner seal surfaces. Ports extend through the inner seal surface and the outer seal surface. These ports register at least once per revolution. An inlet supplies a fuel mixture to the interior of the inner housing and each time the inner and outer housing ports align, the fuel mixture is transmitted into an annular detonation chamber where an igniter ignites the mixture to create a detonation wave. Circular seals surround the outer housing port to provide sealing against the high pressure, high temperature detonations. Purge air is admitted into the detonation chamber, a new fuel mixture is delivered to the detonation chamber, and the cycle is repeated.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1995Date of Patent: August 20, 1996Assignee: Lockheed MartinInventors: Don D. Winfree, Louis G. Hunter, Jr.
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Patent number: 5473885Abstract: A pulse detonation engine has a detonation chamber with a sidewall. At least two fuel ports are located in the sidewall, spaced longitudinally apart from each other. An oxygen fuel mixture is introduced into the forward port and detonated. This creates a detonation wave which propagates with an air fuel mixture introduced into the rearward fuel port. After the detonation, purge air passes through the chamber before the next detonation. A rotating sleeve valve mounted around the detonation opens and closes the fuel ports as well the purge ports.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1994Date of Patent: December 12, 1995Assignee: Lockheed CorporationInventors: Louis G. Hunter, Jr., Don D. Winfree