Patents by Inventor Matthew A. Zamora

Matthew A. Zamora 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: 8552351
    Abstract: A projectile has a fuze kit that includes deployable canards. The canards are ends of a strip of material. The strip of material is initially in an angled recess of a collar of the fuze kit, with the angled recess angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the projectile, defining a plane that is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. At some point in flight of the projectile, for example during mid-course of the projectile flight after a ballistic phase of the projectile flight, the canards are deployed by releasing the ends of the strip. This causes the ends of the strip to pull away from the longitudinal axis of the projectile, out of the recess, into the airstream around the projectile. Resilient forces in the strip may cause the ends to be moved out of the recess when the ends are released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Chris E. Geswender, Matthew A. Zamora
  • Patent number: 8513581
    Abstract: A multi-caliber fuze kit includes a fuze housing configured for coupling with multiple projectiles. One or more canards are moveably coupled with the fuze housing. The one or more canards are adjustable between two or more canard configurations. In a first canard configuration, the one or more canards are at a first canard angle relative to a bore sight of the fuze housing, and the first canard angle is configured for use with a first projectile. In a second canard configuration, the one or more canards are at a second canard angle relative to the bore sight of the fuze housing, and the second canard angle is configured for use with a second projectile. The first and second canard angles are different. In another example, in the first canard configuration the one or more canards include a first canard shape configured to provide a first specified trajectory with the first projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Chris E. Geswender, Cesar Sanchez, Matthew A. Zamora
  • Publication number: 20120211592
    Abstract: A multi-caliber fuze kit includes a fuze housing configured for coupling with multiple projectiles. One or more canards are moveably coupled with the fuze housing. The one or more canards are adjustable between two or more canard configurations. In a first canard configuration, the one or more canards are at a first canard angle relative to a bore sight of the fuze housing, and the first canard angle is configured for use with a first projectile. In a second canard configuration, the one or more canards are at a second canard angle relative to the bore sight of the fuze housing, and the second canard angle is configured for use with a second projectile. The first and second canard angles are different. In another example, in the first canard configuration the one or more canards include a first canard shape configured to provide a first specified trajectory with the first projectile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Chris E. Geswender, Cesar Sanchez, Matthew A. Zamora
  • Patent number: 8203108
    Abstract: A fuze guidance system is configurable by an end user, allowing the end user to select between different configurations of canards of the system. The different configurations of canards may include canards with different surface areas, optimized for providing appropriate control with different sizes of munitions. The different configurations may be accomplished by having canards with separable portions which may be broken off or otherwise removed by the end user, to reduce canard surface area and/or span. Alternatively the fuze guidance system may come in a kit with multiple sets of canards having different sizes or otherwise having different configurations for providing different aerodynamic characteristics. The end user may select a canard set based on the munition size or type that the fuze guidance system is to be used with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Chris E. Geswender, Matthew A. Zamora, Cesar Sanchez
  • Patent number: 8049149
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an air brake system for a projectile according to various aspects of the present invention comprises a pivot and a protrusion mounted on the pivot. The protrusion is adapted to selectively translate outward from the projectile around a translation axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the projectile. The methods and apparatus may further operate in conjunction with an actuation system engaging the protrusion, wherein the actuation system is configured to selectively facilitate the translation of the protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Chris E. Geswender, James D. Streeter, Matthew A. Zamora, Jason J. Fink, Matthew O. Eisenbacher
  • Patent number: 7849797
    Abstract: A projectile fuze sends a signal having encoded telemetry data. The telemetry data may be encoded by modulating an aspect or characteristic of the signal, such as frequency modulation of the signal. The fuze may receive and interpret reflections in order to determine proximity to a target or other object, such as by functioning as a height of burst sensor. The signal may include a series of random or seemingly random pulses (a keyed pattern of pulses), such as pulses in amplitude of the signal. The fuze includes a pair of transceivers for sending signals of different frequencies through an antenna, and for receiving signals through the antenna. The transceivers are configured such that one or the other is used at any one time when telemetry data is sent, with telemetry being encoded by changes in frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Chris E. Geswender, Stephen E. Bennett, Cesar Sanchez, Matthew A. Zamora
  • Publication number: 20100288870
    Abstract: A projectile has a fuze kit that includes deployable canards. The canards are ends of a strip of material. The strip of material is initially in an angled recess of a collar of the fuze kit, with the angled recess angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the projectile, defining a plane that is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. At some point in flight of the projectile, for example during mid-course of the projectile flight after a ballistic phase of the projectile flight, the canards are deployed by releasing the ends of the strip. This causes the ends of the strip to pull away from the longitudinal axis of the projectile, out of the recess, into the airstream around the projectile. Resilient forces in the strip may cause the ends to be moved out of the recess when the ends are released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Chris E. Geswender, Matthew A. Zamora
  • Patent number: 7819061
    Abstract: A smart fuze system includes a radome used to hold a replaceable smart fuze module in place. An internally-threaded collar screws onto threads on the main body of the smart fuze system. Pressure from the radome presses the smart fuze module against electrical connections in the main body. The smart fuze module may thereby be held in place without potting material, allowing different types of fuzes to be swapped into place. The different types of fuzes may include a type that communicates height of burst (HOB) information a type that communicates telemetry, and a type that communicates both HOB and telemetry information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Chris E. Geswender, Stephen E. Bennett, Matthew A. Zamora, Cesar Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20100107915
    Abstract: A projectile fuze sends a signal having encoded telemetry data. The telemetry data may be encoded by modulating an aspect or characteristic of the signal, such as frequency modulation of the signal. The fuze may receive and interpret reflections in order to determine proximity to a target or other object, such as by functioning as a height of burst sensor. The signal may include a series of random or seemingly random pulses (a keyed pattern of pulses), such as pulses in amplitude of the signal. The fuze includes a pair of transceivers for sending signals of different frequencies through an antenna, and for receiving signals through the antenna. The transceivers are configured such that one or the other is used at any one time when telemetry data is sent, with telemetry being encoded by changes in frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Chris E. Geswender, Stephen E. Bennett, Cesar Sanchez, Matthew A. Zamora
  • Publication number: 20100058946
    Abstract: A smart fuze system includes a radome used to hold a replaceable smart fuze module in place. An internally-threaded collar screws onto threads on the main body of the smart fuze system. Pressure from the radome presses the smart fuze module against electrical connections in the main body. The smart fuze module may thereby be held in place without potting material, allowing different types of fuzes to be swapped into place. The different types of fuzes may include a type that communicates height of burst (HOB) information a type that communicates telemetry, and a type that communicates both HOB and telemetry information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Chris E. Geswender, Stephen E. Bennett, Matthew A. Zamora, Cesar Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20100032515
    Abstract: A fuze guidance system is configurable by an end user, allowing the end user to select between different configurations of canards of the system. The different configurations of canards may include canards with different surface areas, optimized for providing appropriate control with different sizes of munitions. The different configurations may be accomplished by having canards with separable portions which may be broken off or otherwise removed by the end user, to reduce canard surface area and/or span. Alternatively the fuze guidance system may come in a kit with multiple sets of canards having different sizes or otherwise having different configurations for providing different aerodynamic characteristics. The end user may select a canard set based on the munition size or type that the fuze guidance system is to be used with.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Chris E. Geswender, Matthew A. Zamora, Cesar Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20090283627
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an air brake system for a projectile according to various aspects of the present invention comprises a pivot and a protrusion mounted on the pivot. The protrusion is adapted to selectively translate outward from the projectile around a translation axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the projectile. The methods and apparatus may further operate in conjunction with an actuation system engaging the protrusion, wherein the actuation system is configured to selectively facilitate the translation of the protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Chris E. Geswender, James D. Streeter, Matthew A. Zamora, Jason J. Fink, Matthew O. Eisenbacher