Patents by Inventor Donald N. Olson

Donald N. Olson 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: 5067406
    Abstract: A low-drag supersonic tubular projectile with self-contained thrust augmetion and capable of simultaneous dual internal air flows. One is a centrally located supersonic flow for providing low-drag characteristics, and the other a subsonic flow annularly arranged about the supersonic flow path, comprising a ramjet structure with solid fuel for deriving thrust augmentation enabling the projectile to achieve a terminal velocity which is substantially the same as or exceeding muzzle velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Donald N. Olson, Joseph Huerta
  • Patent number: 4270293
    Abstract: A sabot launching device attachable to the muzzle of a standard rifle for launching a non-lethal ring airfoil projectile at a desired velocity and for imparting a desired rate of spin to the projectile, the invention comprises a housing having rifle grooves formed proximous to an open distal end thereof for imparting spin to the projectile as said projectile is launched from the open end of the housing. A sabot member engages the projectile within the housing prior to launch and is projected forwardly within the housing while in engagement with the projectile under pressure produced by firing of a gas-producing round in the standard rifle. The forward movement of the sabot member is rapidly slowed by a buffer mechanism disposed within anterior portions of the housing after initial acceleration to cause only the projectiles to exit and thus be launched from the housing, the sabot member thereby remaining within the housing and being reusable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Roy D. Plumer, Donald N. Olson
  • Patent number: 4262597
    Abstract: The invention is a non-lethal projectile for use in riot control. The strure is an improvement over prior similar projectiles, in that the sealing of the riot control agent payload is enhanced, thereby preventing leakage and consequent rejection. The invention allows for the complete sealing of the payload cavity, before filling, and then the introduction of the payload by a hypodermic type needle to penetrate the sturdier rubber-like final closure cover which self-seals when the needle is withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Donald N. Olson
  • Patent number: 4190476
    Abstract: A process of making and filling an envelope shaped as a ring airfoil for use as a projectile. The envelope is formed of resilient material into a tubular shape with an outer wall portion and an inner wall portion located along the tubular extent thereof with a foldable portion therebetween. The walls are relatively moved to form a payload cavity by moving the inner wall to nest within the outer wall by folding at the foldable portion with the ends contiguous. The foldable portion forms the leading edge of the airfoil. The trailing edge is formed by joining the contiguous ends. Payload filling and final sealing steps complete the airfoil projectile shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1980
    Inventors: Abraham Flatau, Donald N. Olson, Miles C. Miller
  • Patent number: 3982489
    Abstract: A rotatable airfoil non-lethal sting projectile comprising a hollow closed circular ring wing surrounding a central open area. The projectile consists of an aerodynamic lifting body of a thick ring wing geometry which uses spin imparted to it from a launching means for its gyroscopic stability. The combination of aerodynamic stability characteristics and high spin rate (i.e. above 2,000 rpm) results in a flat trajectory and extended range capability.The projectile is intended as a riot control weapon. Impact is non-lethal, but may be painful. The subsonic launch velocity, the non-metallic light weight structure, the soft resilience, and relatively large size of the projectile avoids serious bodily harm due to impact with a person even at point-blank range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1972
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1976
    Inventors: Abraham Flatau, Donald N. Olson, Miles C. Miller
  • Patent number: 3951070
    Abstract: A rotatable airfoil projectile comprising a hollow closed circular ring wing surrounding a central open area with a non-lethal riot control agent positioned within the hollow ring. The projectile consists of an aerodynamic lifting body of a thick ring wing geometry which uses spin imparted to it from a launching means for its gyroscopic stability. The combination of aerodynamic stability characteristics and high spin rate (i.e. above 2,000 rmp) results in a flat trajectory and extended range capability.The projectile ruptures on impact due to centrifugal and impact forces to distribute the non-lethal riot control payload about the target area. The sub-sonic launch velocity avoids bodily harm due to impact with a person even at point-blank range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1973
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1976
    Inventors: Abraham Flatau, Donald N. Olson, Miles C. Miller
  • Patent number: H685
    Abstract: This invention offers a simple, inexpensive solution to both the dispersion nd orientation problems, and can also be very effective for inducing scanning of the ground in flight of a munition, for target location. A munition, such as a cylindrical body, is provided with two curved, full-length wings or fins attached longitudinally along an upper half of the cylindrical body, both directed concavely against the air flow. (An example is shown in FIG. 1). As munitions so equipped with said wings are dropped and descend through the air of their own power, several effects are achieved. First, the munitions will land right side up. Secondly, dispersal of plurality released munitions will occur and not land lumped-up in a single group for instance. Slots and tabs can be cut in opposite corners of the wings to produce a pin-wheel effect which will improve ground coverage in scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Donald N. Olson, Miles C. Miller