Patents by Inventor Donald M. Merhar

Donald M. Merhar 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: 5092243
    Abstract: A piezoelectric power supply for a fuze assembly includes a stacked array of piezoelectric ceramic discs, a hollow can for holding the stacked piezoelectric discs, flexible electrical circuits interposed between the discs and the interconnecting respective positive and negative faces of the discs. The can is deformable upon receipt of a predetermined pressure impulse for transmitting the pressure to the discs. The flexible circuits conduct electrical current and provide positive and negative terminals for supplying electrical power upon deformation of the can and the piezoelectric discs by the pressure impulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Warren E. Hawkins, Donald M. Merhar
  • Patent number: 4110730
    Abstract: A rate sensitive system for a seismic sensing pedestrian range containment evice monitors the shift in relative energy of a footstep as a function of footstep rate. A rate sensitive relative energy measurement circuit operates in conjunction with the detection of human footsteps and classification of personnel to limit the detection range of a seismic sensor to specific distance range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1978
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Charles P. Varecka, Donald M. Merhar
  • Patent number: 3987320
    Abstract: A multiaxis transducer including a spherical conductive core, surrounded by pair of piezoelectric hemispheres which are insulated from one another except at contact with the core. The piezoelectric hemispheres are surrounded by a pair of conductive hemispheres which are insulated from each other and are positioned to compress the piezoelectric hemispheres between the conductive hemispheres and the core so as to permit generation of electrical signals by the piezoelectric material through either compression or release of compression. Also included are means for receiving electrical signals generated by the piezoelectric hemispheres during application of acceleration force towards one of the conductive hemispheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1976
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Donald M. Merhar