Patents by Inventor Matthew P. Francis

Matthew P. Francis 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).

  • Lightweight deployment system and method
    Patent number: 7908973
    Abstract: The disclosed system, device and method for deploying a sub-module from a carrier vehicle generally includes: a sub-module projectile (100) housed within a carrier vehicle; a rolling diaphragm (115) sealed between a first pressure chamber volume (145) and a second sub-module containment volume (e.g., substantially formed on the opposing side of rolling diaphragm 115 relative to pressure chamber 145); and a release mechanism (500), wherein the sub-module projectile (100) is secured until releasable deployment from the carrier vehicle. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to improve ejection, deployment and/or dispersal of a variety of sub-modules from a variety of carrier modules. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally provide for the ejection and dispersal of kinetic energy rod warheads from a kill-vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Charles M. De Lair, Christopher P. Owan, Jeffrey P. Sowers, Derek L. Budisalich, Matthew B. Castor, Matthew P. Francis
  • Lightweight deployment system and method
    Publication number: 20090301457
    Abstract: The disclosed system, device and method for deploying a sub-module from a carrier vehicle generally includes: a sub-module projectile (100) housed within a carrier vehicle; a rolling diaphragm (115) sealed between a first pressure chamber volume (145) and a second sub-module containment volume (e.g., substantially formed on the opposing side of rolling diaphragm 115 relative to pressure chamber 145); and a release mechanism (500), wherein the sub-module projectile (100) is secured until releasable deployment from the carrier vehicle. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to improve ejection, deployment and/or dispersal of a variety of sub-modules from a variety of carrier modules. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally provide for the ejection and dispersal of kinetic energy rod warheads from a kill-vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Charles M. De Lair, Christopher P. Owan, Jeffrey P. Sowers, Derek L. Budisalich, Matthew B. Castor, Matthew P. Francis