Patents by Inventor James M. VanDerwerken

James M. VanDerwerken 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: 5261310
    Abstract: To serve a turret-mounted tank cannon, automated loading apparatus includes a pair of arcuate guide tracks vertically mounted to the turret. The guide tracks, lying on radii centered with the cannon elevating axis, guide a trolley for movement between magazine and cannon loading postions. A rammer, carried by the trolley, is activated to retrieve an ammunition round from magazine storage and to ram the round into the cannon breech regardless of cannon position in elevation and azimuth. The trolley is propelled by a ballscrew, while the rammer is activated by a ballscrew and stiff-backed chain arrangement to achieve an extra long rammer stroke. The rammer is pivotally mounted to the trolley for movement between essentially opposite end-for-end orientations to permit round retrieval from ammunition magazines located in the turret bustle and tank hull, as well as in the turret basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Mary B. Sullivan, James M. VanDerwerken, Robert E. Chiabrandy