Patents by Inventor Richard P. McConville

Richard P. McConville 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: 8208130
    Abstract: In a sensor-fuzed munition system and method, the munition is provided with an additional laser designator/repeater mode of operation. In the laser designator/repeater mode, the munition has the option of initiating a target strike additionally based on whether a laser appointer energy is detected as being present on the target. The laser appointer energy signal is generated at a wavelength that is consistent with the wavelength of the laser rangefinder of the munition, and is generated based on the detected presence of a designator signal at a designator spot on the target. The laser appointer signal is directed to the designator spot and detected by the munition laser rangefinder receiver. In one embodiment, the repeater system for detecting the designator signal and for generating the appointer signal is provided on the delivery vehicle for the submunition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Textron Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P. McConville, Ralph Nardone
  • Publication number: 20120050714
    Abstract: In a sensor-fuzed munition system and method, the munition is provided with an additional laser designator/repeater mode of operation. In the laser designator/repeater mode, the munition has the option of initiating a target strike additionally based on whether a laser appointer energy is detected as being present on the target. The laser appointer energy signal is generated at a wavelength that is consistent with the wavelength of the laser rangefinder of the munition, and is generated based on the detected presence of a designator signal at a designator spot on the target. The laser appointer signal is directed to the designator spot and detected by the munition laser rangefinder receiver. In one embodiment, the repeater system for detecting the designator signal and for generating the appointer signal is provided on the delivery vehicle for the submunition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Richard P. McConville, Ralph Nardone
  • Patent number: 7436493
    Abstract: In a sensor-fuzed munition system and method, the munition is provided with an additional laser designator mode of operation. In the laser designator mode, the munition has the option of initiating a target strike additionally based on whether laser designator energy is detected as being present on the target. This additional mode of operation is preferably achieved using the existing laser receiver of the rangefinder hardware, with minimal additional hardware and software systems for detecting and processing the additional laser designator signal energy. In this manner, collateral damage and false-target firings are decreased to near-zero probability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P. McConville, David DeLude
  • Patent number: 7415931
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for the controllable deployment of a samara wing from a spinning housing by use of an active deployment system. The active deployment system operates to deploy the samara wing as a function of time, for example a step function, or a monotonic function. The samara wing may be attached to a base, which may include a releasable portion. The active deployment system may include an electronic control unit and release means. Suitable release means include, but are not limited to pin actuators, explosively actuated cutters, and the like. Suitable electronic control units include programmable electronic sequencers and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Textron Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P. McConville, James A. Hollowell, Ralph L. Nardone, Norman C. Lariviere, Dean E. Rich, Robert Kingsley
  • Publication number: 20040107861
    Abstract: A method and system for extracting and targeting multiple submunitions from a delivery vehicle. Each submunition may be self-extracting, recoil-less extracting, self-spin initiating, and/or sensor fuzed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Textron Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph L. Nardone, Richard P. McConville
  • Publication number: 20030226467
    Abstract: A method and system for extracting and targeting multiple submunitions from a delivery vehicle. Each submunition may be self-extracting, recoil-less extracting, self-spin initiating, and/or sensor fuzed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Ralph L. Nardone, Richard P. McConville