Patents by Inventor Jerry D. Ward

Jerry D. Ward 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: 6231003
    Abstract: An apparatus for defending a vehicle against an approaching threat is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a body deployable from the vehicle having at least one reference axis thereon. A plurality of spaced divert thruster means are associated with the body for translating the body relative to the threat upon deployment from the vehicle. A plurality of spaced attitude control thruster means are associated with the body for providing roll, pitch and yaw to orient the reference axis to a desired orientation relative to the threat. A guidance system, associated with the reference axis, is provided for communicating electronic signals to the attitude control thruster means and divert thruster means for controlling the position of the body relative to the threat to eliminate the threat. The guidance system preferably operates independently of the vehicle after deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Hibma, Richard W. Hilscher, Carlos T. Miralles, Jerry D. Ward, Blaine G. Wright