Patents by Inventor Roy T. Minert

Roy T. Minert 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: 5033390
    Abstract: A gas generator which may be used for ejecting submunitions. The gas generator comprises a diffuser chamber which is flanked by differently sized combustion chambers whereby three different ejection velocities may be achieved by firing only one of the combustion chambers or by firing both of them together. The generated gas is exited from the gas generator at the same central location, i.e., the centrally located diffuser chamber, to control submunition yaw and loading locations. The provision of combustion chambers at opposite ends of the diffuser chamber permits minimization of gas generator diameter, and a tie member in the diffuser chamber permits a non-complicated and inexpensive structure which is rugged and reliable. The gas generator may have other applications such as for inflating airbags for automobiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy T. Minert, Larry K. Hansen, George F. Kirchoff, Donald R. Lauritzen
  • Patent number: 4765247
    Abstract: A tether line is connected between a rocket launched flare and the canopy of a supporting parachute to cause the parachute to collapse and fall to the earth along with the burned out flare upon release of the single support cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Morton Thiokol, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry R. Sorenson, Roy T. Minert
  • Patent number: 3964700
    Abstract: An elongated, cylindrical case has an intermediate partition dividing it into a canister and a housing. A parachute is attached into the housing with deployment means releasable by a timer. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the timer withdraws radial pawls to release an end cap from the housing, allowing the parachute to be deployed. The canister is equipped with a special end cap capable of hermetically sealing the canister so that it may convey any of a variety of cargo via airdrop. This end cap is essentially a cylinder, recessed at both ends. A disk is held adjacent the inner end of the cylinder by a center post that passes through central holes in the cylinder by the disk and is pivoted to a plurality of radial pawls that may be extended or withdrawn by rotation of the center post, so that they may engage a shoulder in the end of the canister. The center post is equipped with means for locking it in one position so that the end cap cannot be removed by accident from the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1976
    Assignee: Thiokol Corporation
    Inventors: Gary V. Adams, Roy T. Minert
  • Patent number: 3946672
    Abstract: The forward end of a rocket motor is attached, by a threaded adapter, to a cylindrical housing that is in turn attached to an elongated tube, the opposite end of which is fitted with a releasable nose cone. The elongated tube is filled with a series of bombs. Each bomb is a conical, shaped charge equipped at one end with a parachute protected by a split, conical, plastic shield loosely held together by a band and a pronged clip--all of which is seated in the conical recess of an adjacent bomb. A conical partition separates the tube from the housing; and the main parachute is attached in the housing. An acceleration actuated fuse in the adapter ignites a time delay charge, which ignites an explosive charge that when exploded forces a piston against the housing, so that it separates the housing and tube from the adapter and rocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1976
    Assignee: Thiokol Corporation
    Inventors: Gary V. Adams, Roy T. Minert, James R. Thurston