Patents by Inventor Johnny E. Banks

Johnny E. Banks 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: 9620861
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a multi-fractal pattern antenna, system and method of making multi-fractal pattern antennas. The antenna comprises a fractal antenna pattern having at least one resonant frequency and having a plurality of joined-chevron fractal segments arranged as a function of at least one resonant frequency. Each joined-chevron fractal segment comprising a first chevron comprising a first V-shaped fractal element having a first leg, second leg and a first vertex where the first leg and second leg are separated by a first angle. Each joined-chevron fractal segment comprising a second chevron joined to the first chevron to form a joined-chevron fractal segment and comprising a second V-shaped fractal element having a third leg, fourth leg and a second vertex where the third leg and the fourth leg are separated by a second angle. A set of the plurality of joined-chevron fractal segment approximates a staircase shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Johnny E. Banks
  • Patent number: 8468923
    Abstract: An apparatus for selectively affecting a launch trajectory of a projectile from a canister includes means for selectively positioning the projectile with respect to the canister and a sabot operably associated with the projectile and the means for selectively positioning the projectile. A projectile launch system includes a canister, a projectile disposed in the canister, and means for selectively positioning the projectile with respect to the canister. A method for affecting a launch trajectory of a projectile includes providing a canister and a projectile disposed in the canister and adjusting a position of the projectile with respect to the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Umang R. Patel, Wayne K. Schroeder, Johnny E. Banks
  • Publication number: 20100269677
    Abstract: An apparatus for selectively affecting a launch trajectory of a projectile from a canister includes means for selectively positioning the projectile with respect to the canister and a sabot operably associated with the projectile and the means for selectively positioning the projectile. A projectile launch system includes a canister, a projectile disposed in the canister, and means for selectively positioning the projectile with respect to the canister. A method for affecting a launch trajectory of a projectile includes providing a canister and a projectile disposed in the canister and adjusting a position of the projectile with respect to the canister.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Umang R. Patel, Wayne K. Schroeder, Johnny E. Banks
  • Patent number: 7752976
    Abstract: A warhead includes a barrel operatively associated with the vehicle, the barrel being extendable from and retractable into the vehicle; a penetrator disposed in the barrel; and means for expelling the penetrator from the barrel. A vehicle includes a barrel extendable from and retractable into the vehicle; a penetrator disposed in the barrel; and means for expelling the penetrator from the barrel. A method includes transporting a warhead to a position proximate a target; angularly or translationally positioning a barrel of the warhead; and expelling at least one penetrator from the barrel toward the target. A vehicle includes an airfoil; a barrel operably associated with the airfoil; a penetrator disposed in the barrel; and means for expelling the penetrator from the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Johnny E. Banks
  • Publication number: 20090308274
    Abstract: A pusher plate assembly for launching a projectile includes a pusher plate, a pressure seal circumferentially extending about the pusher plate, a cage extending from an aft side of the pusher plate, and a plurality of propellant portions disposed in the cage. A projectile system includes a launching tube, a projectile disposed in the launching tube, a pusher plate assembly disposed between an aft end of the projectile and the launching tube, a fuze, a charge igniter operatively associated with the fuze and the plurality of propellant portions, and a retainer disposed within the launching tube proximate a mouth of the launching tube. The pusher plate assembly includes a pusher plate, a pressure seal circumferentially extending about the pusher plate to seal an annulus between the pusher plate and the launching tube, a cage extending from an aft side of the pusher plate, and a plurality of propellant portions disposed in the cage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wayne K. Schroeder, Umang R. Patel, Johnny E. Banks
  • Publication number: 20090308272
    Abstract: A lethality device includes a penetrator structure configured to penetrate a target and an incendiary material disposed near the penetrator structure. The incendiary material self-ignites and is injected into the target after penetration of the target. A projectile includes a penetrator structure configured to penetrate a target, an incendiary material disposed near the penetrator structure, and one or components other than the penetrator structure and the incendiary material disposed aft of the penetrator structure. Loads from the one or more components are transferred to the penetrator structure upon impact with the target. The incendiary material self-ignites and is injected into the target after penetration of the target. A method for defeating a target containing an ignitable material includes broaching or puncturing an outer skin of the target, self-igniting an incendiary material, injecting the ignited incendiary material into the target, and igniting a material disposed within the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Wayne K. Schroeder, Johnny E. Banks
  • Publication number: 20080258065
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting a propagation direction of electromagnetic energy includes a plurality of receptors oriented in different directions for absorbing at least a portion of the electromagnetic energy, each of the plurality of receptors comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes or nanofibers. The sensor further includes a processor electrically coupled with the plurality of receptors for determining the propagation direction of the electromagnetic energy based upon the electromagnetic energy absorbed by the plurality of receptors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Johnny E. Banks
  • Publication number: 20080006736
    Abstract: A trajectory control system includes a first control mechanism having a pair of outputs operably associated with a first pair of control surfaces, the first control mechanism operable to articulate the first pair of control surfaces in unison and a second control mechanism having a pair of outputs operably associated with a second pair of control surfaces, the second control mechanism operable to articulate the second pair of control surfaces in unison. The second control mechanism is nested in the first control mechanism such that the pair of outputs of the first control mechanism is substantially coplanar with the pair of outputs of the second control mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventor: Johnny E. Banks
  • Patent number: 7261040
    Abstract: A penetrator includes a fore body comprising a pin and having a center of aerodynamic pressure forward of a center of gravity and a stabilizing portion comprising a material of lower density than that of the fore body and a plurality of outwardly extending fins for improving an aerodynamic stability of the projectile and defining a bore in which the pin is received for removably attaching the fore body thereto such that, when attached to the fore body, a center of gravity for the penetrator is forward of a center of aerodynamic pressure for the penetrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Hunn, Johnny E. Banks, Carlton B. Cowan
  • Patent number: 7107910
    Abstract: A penetrator includes a fore body comprising a pin and having a center of aerodynamic pressure forward of a center of gravity and a stabilizing portion comprising a material of lower density than that of the fore body and a plurality of outwardly extending fins for improving an aerodynamic stability of the projectile and defining a bore in which the pin is received for removably attaching the fore body thereto such that, when attached to the fore body, a center of gravity for the penetrator is forward of a center of aerodynamic pressure for the penetrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp.
    Inventors: David L. Hunn, Johnny E. Banks, Carlton B. Cowan
  • Patent number: 7097132
    Abstract: A fin assembly includes a fin base, a fin tip rotatably connected with the fin base, and means for selectively locking the fin tip in a chosen configuration. A vehicle includes a body defining a cavity therein and defining an opening through a wall thereof, a fin control mechanism disposed within the cavity, and a fin base having an axle extending through the opening and engaged with the fin control mechanism. The vehicle further comprises a fin tip rotatably connected with the fin base, and means for selectively locking the fin tip in a chosen configuration. A method for configuring a fin assembly on a vehicle includes providing a fin tip rotatably connected with a fin base being operably coupled with the vehicle and selectively locking the fin tip in a first position relative to the fin base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Johnny E. Banks, Brian C. Baker
  • Patent number: 6843179
    Abstract: A penetrator includes a fore body comprising a pin and having a center of aerodynamic pressure forward of a center of gravity and a stabilizing portion comprising a material of lower density than that of the fore body and a plurality of outwardly extending fins for improving an aerodynamic stability of the projectile and defining a bore in which the pin is received for removably attaching the fore body thereto such that, when attached to the fore body, a center of gravity for the penetrator is forward of a center of aerodynamic pressure for the penetrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Hunn, Johnny E. Banks, Carlton B. Cowan
  • Publication number: 20040055502
    Abstract: A penetrator includes a fore body comprising a pin and having a center of aerodynamic pressure forward of a center of gravity and a stabilizing portion comprising a material of lower density than that of the fore body and a plurality of outwardly extending fins for improving an aerodynamic stability of the projectile and defining a bore in which the pin is received for removably attaching the fore body thereto such that, when attached to the fore body, a center of gravity for the penetrator is forward of a center of aerodynamic pressure for the penetrator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Hunn, Johnny E. Banks, Carlton B. Cowan
  • Publication number: 20040055501
    Abstract: A penetrator includes a fore body having a center of aerodynamic pressure forward of a center of gravity and a stabilizing portion removably attached to the fore body such that, when attached to the fore body, a center of gravity for the penetrator is forward of a center of aerodynamic pressure for the penetrator. A method of using a penetrator includes propelling the penetrator toward a first target, penetrating the first target with a fore body of the penetrator, and detaching a stabilizing portion of the penetrator from the fore body. The method further includes impacting the second target with the fore body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: David L. Hunn, Johnny E. Banks, Carlton B. Cowan
  • Publication number: 20040050997
    Abstract: A fin assembly includes a fin base, a fin tip rotatably connected with the fin base, and means for selectively locking the fin tip in a chosen configuration. A vehicle includes a body defining a cavity therein and defining an opening through a wall thereof, a fin control mechanism disposed within the cavity, and a fin base having an axle extending through the opening and engaged with the fin control mechanism. The vehicle further comprises a fin tip rotatably connected with the fin base, and means for selectively locking the fin tip in a chosen configuration. A method for configuring a fin assembly on a vehicle includes providing a fin tip rotatably connected with a fin base being operably coupled with the vehicle and selectively locking the fin tip in a first position relative to the fin base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Johnny E. Banks, Brian C. Baker
  • Patent number: 6682250
    Abstract: A position-adjustable fastening apparatus capable of maintaining a position of a first member with respect to a second member includes a cam receiver disposed in a bore of the first member, a cam disposed in a bore of the cam receiver, and a fastener disposed in the bore in the cam. A method for fastening a first member and a second member positioning the first member with respect to the second member, orienting a cam receiver with respect to a bore in the first member, and placing the cam receiver in the bore of the first member. The method further includes orienting a cam with respect to a bore in the cam receiver, placing the cam in the bore in the cam receiver, and engaging the fastener with the second member through the bore in the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Johnny E. Banks
  • Patent number: 6637699
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a trajectory of a projectile includes a planetary drive train, a yaw drive assembly engaged with the planetary drive train, and a pitch drive assembly engaged with the planetary drive train. The apparatus further includes a plurality of fin assemblies linked with the planetary drive train such that, as the planetary drive train is actuated by at least one of the yaw drive assembly and the pitch drive assembly, corresponding displacements are produced in the plurality of fin assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Johnny E. Banks, Brian C. Baker
  • Publication number: 20030178526
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a trajectory of a projectile includes a planetary drive train, a yaw drive assembly engaged with the planetary drive train, and a pitch drive assembly engaged with the planetary drive train. The apparatus further includes a plurality of fin assemblies linked with the planetary drive train such that, as the planetary drive train is actuated by at least one of the yaw drive assembly and the pitch drive assembly, corresponding displacements are produced in the plurality of fin assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Johnny E. Banks, Brian C. Baker
  • Publication number: 20030086758
    Abstract: A position-adjustable fastening apparatus capable of maintaining a position of a first member with respect to a second member includes a cam receiver disposed in a bore of the first member, a cam disposed in a bore of the cam receiver, and a fastener disposed in the bore in the cam. A method for fastening a first member and a second member positioning the first member with respect to the second member, orienting a cam receiver with respect to a bore in the first member, and placing the cam receiver in the bore of the first member. The method further includes orienting a cam with respect to a bore in the cam receiver, placing the cam in the bore in the cam receiver, and engaging the fastener with the second member through the bore in the cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: Johnny E. Banks
  • Patent number: 6092264
    Abstract: A mechanism (10, 100) is disclosed for deploying a mechanism, such as an air foil or antenna (14, 102, 104) which utilizes a pivot axle (16) and a torsion spring (18) to pivot the erectable surface to the erected position. A locking pin 22 can be provided to lock the erectable surface (14) in the erected position. In one embodiment, a wing (102) and a control fin (104) can be deployed about a single axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Johnny E. Banks