Patents by Inventor Toby D. Thomas
Toby D. Thomas 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).
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Patent number: 10809032Abstract: A device, comprising a first end cap having a bullet exiting aperture. The device includes a second end cap having an automatic-firing weapon barrel connector. The device includes a tubular sleeve having a main chamber through which a bullet passes, a first end coupled to the first end cap and a second end coupled to the second end cap. The tubular sleeve comprising an insulating liner layer of material configured for sustained temperatures of 1260° C. (2300° F.). The device suppresses sound of a muzzle blast as the bullet passes through the main chamber. A weapon system and method are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Toby D. Thomas, David L. Hunn, Kenneth W. Havens
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Patent number: 10312526Abstract: A thermal battery including a casing; a stack of cells disposed within the casing; a pressurizing element; an actuator when actuated, translates the pressurizing element to automatically engage and repressurize the stack of cells; and a latch configured to inhibit movement of the pressurizing element in a direction away from the stack of cells.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2013Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Toby D. Thomas, Thomas E Byrd, Charles T Fixico, III, Ralph E. Tate
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Patent number: 10082376Abstract: A projectile has a liner forming an interior void, and a core disposed in a first region of the void proximal to a trailing end portion of the liner, with a portion of the void disposed forward with respect to the core. An outer jacket covers a leading end portion of the liner to enclose the interior void. When the projectile impacts a target object, the core travels in a direction of flight through the leading end portion of the liner to impact the object. When the projectile impacts a target surface at a non-zero angle of approach with respect to the normal of the target surface, the projectile creates a deformation in the target surface immediately before the core travels through the leading end portion of the liner to impact the target. This deformation reduces the probability that the core will ricochet off the deformed portion of the surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2016Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Toby D. Thomas, James C. Copp, Kenneth Havens
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Patent number: 10074925Abstract: A connector including a biodegradable base material and a biodegradable binder material, comprising at least one of a protein and a residue, configured to hold together the base material to form a biodegradable connector element. The biodegradable connector element affects an operational condition of an apparatus the biodegradable connector element is used within. Degradation of at least one of the biodegradable base material, the biodegradable binder, and the biodegradable connector element provides for a limited operational lifespan of the apparatus resulting in the apparatus becoming inoperable. A system is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2014Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Toby D. Thomas, Caleb Santiago
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Patent number: 9778006Abstract: An explosive device contains a water-reactive material that ignites upon exposure to water. The water-reactive material ignites a water-activated fuse that has a predetermined burn rate and length. The predetermined burn rate and length allows the device to sink to a desired depth before exploding. Hence, the device explodes after a desired period of time and/or at a desired depth. Defense against underwater swimmers is an advantageous feature of embodiments of the disclosure. The device can use a forty millimeter (40 mm) form factor, which permits launch of the device from convention grenade launchers.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Toby D. Thomas, Jonathan H. Record, Kenneth W. Havens, David L. Hunn
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Patent number: 9423222Abstract: A less-than-lethal (LTL) cartridge is disclosed. The LTL cartridge includes a case, a sabot that includes an end portion configured to fit within the case, and an interior volume configured to contain a teardrop-shaped bladder. The sabot is configured to release the teardrop-shaped bladder subsequent to exiting a barrel of a firearm. The teardrop-shaped bladder includes a leading end, a tapered body with weakened sections to facilitate rupturing of the tapered body upon impact with an object, a trailing end, and a drogue tail coupled to the trailing end.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Toby D. Thomas, Jonathan H. Record
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Patent number: 9366515Abstract: An explosive device contains a water-reactive material that ignites upon exposure to water. The water-reactive material ignites a water-activated fuse that has a predetermined burn rate and length. The predetermined burn rate and length allows the device to sink to a desired depth before exploding. Hence, the device explodes after a desired period of time and/or at a desired depth. Defense against underwater swimmers is an advantageous feature of embodiments of the disclosure. The device can use a forty millimeter (40 mm) form factor, which permits launch of the device from convention grenade launchers.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2013Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Toby D. Thomas, Jonathan H. Record, Kenneth W. Havens, David L. Hunn
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Patent number: 9366514Abstract: Embodiments relate to a projectile system, method and computer program product for controlling the flight of a projectile to make a course change by approximately 90°, greater than 90° or up to 90°. The projectile system comprises a gun-fired projectile having a body, at least one tail fin, a motor firing during a first flight phase and during a second flight phase and at least one controllable canard. The projectile system includes one or more processors configured to determine a turn maneuver profile to a target during the first flight phase, produce control signals to destabilize the body, create a pitch attitude change for the turn maneuver profile and effectuate a turn of the projectile in a direction corresponding to the turn maneuver profile during the first flight phase. The processors control the motor to start the second flight phase to the target after the turn.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2015Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Harry R. Barnard, Toby D. Thomas
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Patent number: 9200876Abstract: A multiple-charge cartridge is disclosed. The cartridge includes an annular casing having an interior void and a primer. A rotatable selector ring is positioned circumferentially about at least a portion of the annular casing. A cam is positioned in the interior void and includes a first charge and a second charge. The cam is coupled to the rotatable selector ring and is configured to rotate about an axis in response to a rotation of the rotatable selector ring. The cam is configured to align the first charge with the primer in response to a rotation of the rotatable selector ring to a first user-selectable position, and to align the second charge with the primer in response to a rotation of the rotatable selector ring to a second user-selectable position.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2014Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Toby D. Thomas, Jonathan H. Record
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Patent number: 9140528Abstract: A covert taggant dispersing grenade includes: a shell, the covert taggant disposed in the shell; a dispersal apparatus operably associated with the covert taggant to disperse the covert taggant; and a propulsion section operably associated with the shell for propelling the shell through an atmosphere. A method for dispersing a taggant includes: launching a grenade containing a taggant over a target, the taggant being invisible in the spectrum of the human eye; and covertly dispensing the taggant over the target.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2011Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Toby D. Thomas, Richard L. Green, Jonathan H. Record, David L. Hunn
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Patent number: 9103637Abstract: A covert taggant dispersing grenade includes: a shell, the covert taggant disposed in the shell; a dispersal apparatus operably associated with the covert taggant to disperse the covert taggant; and a propulsion section operably associated with the shell for propelling the shell through an atmosphere. A method for dispersing a taggant includes: launching a grenade containing a taggant over a target, the taggant being invisible in the spectrum of the human eye; and covertly dispensing the taggant over the target.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2011Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Toby D. Thomas, Richard L. Green, Jonathan H. Record, David L. Hunn
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Patent number: 9068807Abstract: A rocket-propelled grenade includes a payload section, a selectable fuzing section joined to the payload section, and a propulsion section joined to the selectable fuzing section. A rocket-propelled grenade includes a propulsion section and a payload section operably associated with the propulsion section. The payload section includes a shell, one or more penetrators disposed in the shell, and a charge for compromising the shell to deploy the one or more penetrators when the charge is initiated.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2010Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Toby D. Thomas, Richard L. Green, Jonathan H. Record, Robbie S. Strauch, David L. Hunn
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Patent number: 9032879Abstract: A rocket-propelled grenade includes a payload section, a selectable fuzing section joined to the payload section, and a propulsion section joined to the selectable fuzing section. A rocket-propelled grenade includes a propulsion section and a payload section operably associated with the propulsion section. The payload section includes a shell, one or more penetrators disposed in the shell, and a charge for compromising the shell to deploy the one or more penetrators when the charge is initiated.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2010Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Toby D. Thomas, Richard L. Green, Jonathan H. Record, Robbie S. Strauch, David L. Hunn
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Publication number: 20140266749Abstract: Ink-printed electric circuits including light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for validation of items is disclosed. In one embodiment, the flexible circuit includes a pliant substrate, and an ink-printed electric circuit. The ink-printed electric circuit comprises at least one ink-printed LED printed on the pliant substrate. The ink-printed electric circuit is configured to couple to a power source, determine an open circuit condition, and cause the at least one LED to transition from a first state to a second state upon determining the open circuit condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Toby D. Thomas, Steven D. Roper, Becky B. Wallace, Joseph G. Metzger
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Patent number: 8715846Abstract: A slow-burn thermal battery includes a cathode, an anode, and a meltable electrolyte disposed between the cathode and the anode. The slow-burn thermal battery further includes a burnable fuse operably associated with the meltable electrolyte for melting the electrolyte.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2009Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: David L. Hoelscher, Toby D. Thomas
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Patent number: 8618772Abstract: A transportable electrical energy storage system includes an electrical energy storage unit, an electrical energy storage unit management system operably associated with the electrical energy storage unit, an AC/DC rectifier operably associated with the electrical energy storage unit management system, and a DC/DC converter operably associated with the electrical energy storage unit management system. The system further includes at least one bi-directional adapter operatively associated with the electrical energy storage unit and a case for protecting the electrical energy storage unit, the electrical energy storage unit management system, the AC/DC rectifier, the DC/DC converter, and the at least one bi-directional adapter.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2008Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Toby D. Thomas, James C. Copp, David L. Hoelscher, Lloyd K. Farris
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Patent number: 8540829Abstract: An electrically initiated security device includes a first energetic sheet, a second energetic sheet, and a corrugated energetic sheet disposed between the first energetic sheet and the second energetic sheet. A first surface of the corrugated energetic sheet defines at least one channel and a second surface of the corrugated energetic sheet defines at least one channel. The electrically initiated security device further includes a first constituent portion disposed in the at least one channel defined by the first surface and a second constituent portion disposed in the at least one channel defined by the second surface. The first constituent portion and the second constituent portion, when mixed, comprise an energetic material.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2012Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Toby D. Thomas, James Horning
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Publication number: 20120295128Abstract: An electrically initiated security device includes a first energetic sheet, a second energetic sheet, and a corrugated energetic sheet disposed between the first energetic sheet and the second energetic sheet. A first surface of the corrugated energetic sheet defines at least one channel and a second surface of the corrugated energetic sheet defines at least one channel. The electrically initiated security device further includes a first constituent portion disposed in the at least one channel defined by the first surface and a second constituent portion disposed in the at least one channel defined by the second surface. The first constituent portion and the second constituent portion, when mixed, comprise an energetic material.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Toby D. Thomas, James Horning
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Patent number: 8242621Abstract: An energy-harvesting, self-propelled buoy includes a housing, an inertial power pump for converting wave motion to electrical energy, an electrical energy storage pod operably associated with the inertial power pump, and a propulsion unit for propelling the buoy. The inertial power pump is extensible from the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Ralph E. Tate, Toby D. Thomas
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Patent number: 8241443Abstract: An electrically initiated security device includes a first energetic sheet, a second energetic sheet, and a corrugated energetic sheet disposed between the first energetic sheet and the second energetic sheet. A first surface of the corrugated energetic sheet defines at least one channel and a second surface of the corrugated energetic sheet defines at least one channel. The electrically initiated security device further includes a first constituent portion disposed in the at least one channel defined by the first surface and a second constituent portion disposed in the at least one channel defined by the second surface. The first constituent portion and the second constituent portion, when mixed, comprise an energetic material.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Toby D. Thomas, James R. Horning