Patents by Inventor James Linick

James Linick 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: 5647558
    Abstract: A system for controlling the placement of a gun launched projectile adapted with a radial impulse motor incorporated into the projectile for imparting a thrust subsequent to launching and a receiver incorporated into the projectile for targeting information for determining the projectile trajectory and the projectile roll rate, roll position, and pitch, i.e., vertical reference; and a computer linked to the receiver and the radial impulse motor for determining the projectile trajectory and the projectile roll rate, roll position, and vertical reference time after launch of the projectile and angle of corrective vector to ignite the radial impulse motor to affect the trajectory of the projectile to land the projectile on a desired target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Bofors AB
    Inventor: James Linick
  • Patent number: 4886330
    Abstract: A search apparatus and method for use in conjunction with an electro-optical sensor that does not require its own integral scanning mechanism for searching object space for potential targets. The apparatus of the invention comprises a plano mirror movable azimuthally a line perpendicular to and geometrically centered on the focal plane of the electro-optical imaging sensor and further movable about an elevational axis perpendicularly offset from the azimuthal axis of rotation and outside of the field of view of the electro-optical imaging system.The method of the invention comprises rotating the plano mirror about its azimuthal axis of rotation while inclining (or declining) the mirror about its elevational axis of rotation to produce a spiral, substantially full hemispherical search without any corresponding movement of the electro-optical imaging sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Inventor: James Linick
  • Patent number: 4679748
    Abstract: An artillery shell radar system is disclosed including an antenna directed off axis to produce, in conjunction with the spin of the artillery shell, a conical scan of the target area, with the off axis angle being adjustable by changing the phase shift used in a phased array. Radiation reflected from the target after transmission by a transmitter within the artillery shell is processed to detect and select a target whose position is used to guide the artillery shell by adjustment of guide fins. Gyroscopic inertial navigation equipment and ECM detection may be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Inventors: Ake Blomqvist, James Linick
  • Patent number: 4453087
    Abstract: A scanning mechanism for a fast framing thermal imaging system such as a FLIR is disclosed. The scanning mechanism comprises two prisms which are canted with respect to one another and positioned in front of the final image forming lens of the FLIR. The two prisms are precisely counter-rotated with respect to one another by a drive train assembly and motor means. An annular timing disc is positioned about one of the prisms to enable an optically sensitive transducer to sense the rotational position of the prisms. The counter-rotating prisms function to enable the detector array of the FLIR to dissect the thermal image in a 2:1 interlacing technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Inventor: James Linick
  • Patent number: 4407464
    Abstract: A steering mechanism is described for use in conjunction with a thermal imaging system. The steering mechanism comprises a pair of prisms which are positioned serially in front of the scanning mechanism of the thermal imaging system. The prisms are individually rotated by a motor means. A position encoder is connected to each of the prisms to provide feedback position information to a search computer which controls the rotation of the prisms. The refraction of the thermal image produced by the rotating prisms enables the scanning mechanism of the thermal imaging system to search in any searching pattern within a variable field of regard in the field of search of the steering mechanism. The steering mechanism may also function to boresight a laser on the same target viewed by the thermal imaging system. In one embodiment, the laser comprises a pulsed-type laser whose pulsed laser beam is transmitted through the prisms onto an acquired target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1983
    Inventor: James Linick