Patents by Inventor Wilfried Becker

Wilfried Becker 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: 8534180
    Abstract: A weapon system includes a carrier vehicle and a vehicle dependent mortar, wherein the carrier vehicle has a crew space and a weaponry space to house the mortar, and the mortar is charged in an index position with mortar grenades, with several sheddable propellant modules on the tail shaft thereof. The weapon system avoids manual loading of the mortar with mortar grenades because an automatic loader is arranged in a weapon space separated from the crew space by a separating wall. The loader transports the mortar grenade from a magazine in the weapon space into the index position of the barrel of the mortar and axially inserts it into the mouth of the barrel, and an automatic shedding device is arranged in the weapon space to automatically remove unnecessary propellant modules from the mortar grenade after fixing target parameters and before insertion of the mortar grenade into the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Becker, Wolfgang Boer, Hans-Ulrich Desgranges, Hans Moser
  • Publication number: 20120024141
    Abstract: A weapon system includes a carrier vehicle and a vehicle dependent mortar, wherein the carrier vehicle has a crew space and a weaponry space to house the mortar, and the mortar is charged in an index position with mortar grenades, with several sheddable propellant modules on the tail shaft thereof. The weapon system avoids manual loading of the mortar with mortar grenades because an automatic loader is arranged in a weapon space separated from the crew space by a separating wall. The loader transports the mortar grenade from a magazine in the weapon space into the index position of the barrel of the mortar and axially inserts it into the mouth of the barrel, and an automatic shedding device is arranged in the weapon space to automatically remove unnecessary propellant modules from the mortar grenade after fixing target parameters and before insertion of the mortar grenade into the barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: RHEINMETALL LANDSYSTEME GMBH
    Inventors: Wilfried BECKER, Wolfgang BOER, Hans-Ulrich DESGRANGES, Hans MOSER
  • Patent number: 6357733
    Abstract: An elastic spring element includes a fiber-reinforced ceramic that is resistant to temperatures greater than 1,000° C. The fibers are in the form of endless fibers and the elastic spring element has a corrugated geometric shape. The elastic spring elements may be used for sealing a control surface against hypersonic flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Georg Wulz, Wilfried Becker, Helmut Knabe
  • Patent number: 6059989
    Abstract: The deicing composition described consists essentially of a) from 87 to 99.45% by weight of an alkali metal acetate or an alkali metal formate or a mixture thereof, b) from 0.5 to 10% by weight of an alkali metal silicate, and c) from 0.05 to 3% by weight of an alkali metal phosphate. It can be employed in solid form (powder, granules and the like) or in the form of an aqueous solution. It ensures a short thaw time and corrosion protection, especially with regard to magnesium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Clariant GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Stankowiak, Wilfried Becker
  • Patent number: 6000313
    Abstract: A carrier vehicle (1) for a tube weapon (2) having a resiliently arranged undercarriage (3) and a support arrangement (5) which in the combat-ready position is arranged between the vehicle (1) and the ground (4), with the support arrangement comprising at least one support (6). To avoid manual readjustment of the support arrangements (5), even when firing from a position with a soft underground, the supports (6), which are disposed at the tail of the vehicle (1), are arranged so as to be slidable in the direction of their longitudinal axes (7) via a positioning motor (15). The positioning motor (15) is connected to an electronic control device (16) which actuates the positioning motor (15) in a manner such that the support (6) is pressed against the ground (4) with a definable force before a shot is fired and compensation is provided for the gap (18) which occurs between the support (6) and the ground (4) after a shot has been fired because of the resilient yielding and rebounding of the undercarriage (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Industrie AG
    Inventors: Wilfried Becker, Hans-Ulrich Desgranges, Uwe Eisenkolb, Heinz Haas, Udo Weinfurth
  • Patent number: 5945624
    Abstract: In order to accommodate the ammunition (7) in an ammunition magazine (1) in a space- and mass-saving manner without an external drive, and to subsequently remove the ammunition quickly from the magazine, the individual ammunition bodies (7) are disposed, with the aid of holders (10), on the chain links (8, 9) of a rigid-backed chain (6) (ammunition chain) seated to be displaced in two rails (3, 4). In such an arrangement, the ammunition (7) can be removed quickly from the magazine (1) through the withdrawal of the chain (6) and the pivoting of the individual chain links (8, 9) toward the rear side (15) of the chain (6), and stowed again when the chain (6) is pushed back into the magazine frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W&M GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Becker, Hans-Ulrich Desgranges, Heinz Haas, Uwe Eisenkolb
  • Patent number: 5922241
    Abstract: The deicing composition described comprises essentially a) from 87 to 99.45% by weight of an alkali metal halide and/or an alkaline earth metal halide, b) from 0.5 to 10% by weight of an alkali metal silicate and c) from 0.05 to 3% by weight of an alkali metal phosphate. It can be employed in solid form (powder, granules and the like) or as an aqueous solution. It ensures a short thaw time and protects metals, especially steel, against corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Clariant GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Becker, Achim Stankowiak
  • Patent number: 5880395
    Abstract: A weapon assembly for an armored vehicle includes a turret; a turret cage attached to and being disposed underneath the turret; a weapon supported in the turret and having a barrel; and a belt magazine received in part in the turret and in part in the turret cage. The belt magazine has a loading belt and a plurality of horizontally disposed, ammunition-accommodating container tubes attached to the loading belt. The belt magazine further has a frontal receiving position above the turret cage and laterally of the turret. A loading tube is swingably supported behind the weapon for movement between a first position and a second position. In the first position the loading tube is in alignment with the container tube when the latter is in the frontal receiving position. In the second position the loading tube is in alignment with the weapon barrel in a rearward receiving position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Industrie AG
    Inventors: Herbert Krumm, Wilfried Becker, Udo Weinfurth
  • Patent number: 5750407
    Abstract: The method described comprises the steps of, firstly, a water content of from 3 to 20 wt %, based on the water-containing fluid, being set in the hydraulic fluid to be tested, followed by the water-containing fluid being mixed with at least 1 part by volume of tetrahydrofuran or monoethylene glycol dimethyl ether per part by volume of water-containing fluid, whereupon the formation or nonformation of a precipitate is ascertained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Wilfried Becker
  • Patent number: 5677507
    Abstract: A mortar includes a weapon tube; a breech ring affixed to a rear part of the weapon tube; a loading tray supported by the weapon tube and extending rearwardly of the breech ring for receiving a mortar grenade prior to an introduction thereof into the weapon tube; and a breechblock plug movable along the loading tray for pushing a mortar grenade from the loading tray into the weapon tube. The breechblock plug has first and second positions: in the first position the breechblock plug is situated at a rear part of the loading tray and in the second position the breechblock plug is situated in the weapon tube. Further, a firing pin is provided which traverses the breechblock plug. The breechblock plug is secured in its second position by a locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Industrie GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Becker, Hans-Ulrich Desgranges, Klaus Bornefeld
  • Patent number: 5648632
    Abstract: A weapon system for a combat vehicle includes a weapon movably mounted on the vehicle; an electronic weapon control device connected to the weapon; a weapon operating station for accommodating a gunner; a plurality of angled mirrors disposed in an array in the weapon operating station to provide a panoramic view for the gunner when situated in the weapon operating station; a separate switch associated with each angled mirror and connected with the electronic weapon control device; a camera attached to the weapon to be movable therewith; a display screen connected with the camera for reproducing an image representing a view seen by the camera; a support arrangement for movably supporting the display screen for travel along the array; a positioning drive connected to the electronic weapon control device and the display screen whereby upon operation of one of the switches belonging to one of the angled mirrors through which a target is observed, the electronic weapon control device moves the weapon at the target
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Industrie Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilfried Becker, Dirk Kilfitt, Hans-Ulrich Desgranges
  • Patent number: 5631442
    Abstract: A missile includes a warhead accommodated in an inner space at a front portion of the missile; a ball joint being in alignment with the longitudinal missile axis and pivotally supporting the warhead; and an aiming device for placing the warhead into a desired pivotal orientation. The aiming device includes a plurality of inflatable vessels arranged axially adjacent the warhead in a distribution about the missile axis. Each vessel has a first end oriented toward the warhead and a second end oriented away therefrom. The vessels are supported at their second end by a disk situated in the inner space of the missile. A gas generator is coupled to each vessel for charging the vessel with a gas to place the vessel into its inflated state. In the inflated state each vessel exerts a torque on the warhead about the ball joint by an engagement between the first end of the respective vessel and the warhead. Further, an electronic control system is accommodated in the inner space of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Industrie GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Becker, Dirk Kilfitt, Werner Grosswendt
  • Patent number: 5577432
    Abstract: A target-protecting device for rendering harmless a projectile impacting on the device includes a reactive armor extending over the target and being composed of a plurality of individually electrically ignitable modules. Each module has an explosively acceleratable armor plate. An additional armor extends over and is positioned at a distance from, the reactive armor. A sensor arrangement is provided at the additional armor for emitting a signal identifying a location of projectile impact on the additional armor. An electronic monitoring device receives signals from the sensor arrangement for determining, from the signals, a position of the projectile upon penetration of the additional armor and for applying an ignition signal to a respective module to explosively accelerate the armor plate of such module toward the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Industrie GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Becker, Herbert Scholles, Dirk Kilfitt
  • Patent number: 5433399
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for guiding a missile (1; 30) with a missile tip (2) and a cylindrical section (3) adjoining the tip of the missile; the device is provided with at least one control block (4; 31, 32) with exhaust openings (13-15) of corresponding nozzle bodies (10-12) arranged perpendicularly in relation to the missile's surface.In order to accomplish effective guidance, particularly of high-speed missiles (1; 30), in a simple and cost-effective manner it is proposed that the control block (4; 31, 32) be constructed with a plurality of small, fast-burning rocket motors (7-9; 33-36) that are arranged radially on the missile's periphery (1; 30) and that are ignitable in a predeterminable sequence and number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Becker, Werner Grosswendt, Michael Schwenzer
  • Patent number: 5395540
    Abstract: A mixture of isomers of the formula C.sub.6 F.sup.12, which contains at least 80% by weight of the trans isomer of perfluoro-4-methyl-2-pentene and at most 3% by weight of perfluoro-2-methyl-2-pentene, is suitable as a cooling and insulating medium and can be used as a substitute 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alfons Gisser, Konrad Von Werner, Joachim Naumann, Heiner Debrodt, Wilfried Becker
  • Patent number: 5272983
    Abstract: A casing bottom for a propelling charge including a circular ring shaped (annular) base plate (1) which accommodates a centrally arranged primer sleeve (7) in a form-locking manner. In order to be able to unload ammunition, particularly two-part ammunition including sub-caliber projectiles, the rear surface of the primer sleeve is provided with a recess for form-fittingly receiving an extractor. Preferably the recess is of a size which can be accommodated on a sub-caliber projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Sippel, Heinz-Josef Kruse, Gisbert Bartsch, Egon Gampe, Wilfried Becker
  • Patent number: 5261629
    Abstract: A fin stabilized ballistic projectile comprises a projectile body having a plurality of stabilizing fins and an ejectable projectile tip detachably attached to the front of the projectile body. An ejection mechanism is operatively disposed for ejecting the projectile tip. A sensor is disposed in the projectile tip for scanning a target area. A warhead is disposed at the front of the projectile body behind the projectile tip and includes a curved fragmentation plate for discharging fragments at a target, with the fragmentation plate being openly exposed when the projectile tip is ejected, and an explosive charge disposed behind the fragmentation plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Becker, Gerhard Glotz, Josef Osthues, Hans-Peter Opitz, Heinz-Josef Kruse, Jutta Peters, Helmut Peller
  • Patent number: 5148750
    Abstract: A unitary ammunition unit comprising a propellant charge. An explosive sub-caliber projectile having a pull-drive type of sabot is mounted on the propellant charge. The sub-caliber projectile is at least partially formed of a heavy-metal-sinter alloy of high density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Becker, Karl W. Bethmann, Bernhard Bisping, Ulrich Theis
  • Patent number: 5133262
    Abstract: A subcaliber projectile including a penetrator preferably made of tungsten eavy metal, and having a penetrator tip section and a section following thereafter and extending over the major portion of the penetrator length which is provided with an external thread (helical groove) or circumferential annular grooves to provide a form-locking connection with a discardable propelling cage sabot. To realize improved piercing power for the penetrator, the form-locking region is composed of annular grooves without a pitch, or of a fine metric thread having a thread valley, with a width of approximately one to three times the base width of the groove defining wall or of a thread peak. Preferably a more brittle material is employed in the front penetrator region than in the tail region, and a further indentation structure is incorporated in the first frontal thread turns or grooves of the form-locking region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignees: Rheinmetall GmbH, L'Etat Francais represente per le Delegue Ministeriel pour L'Armement
    Inventors: Henning Schaake, Jurgen Bocker, Wilfried Becker, Jurgen Winkelmann, Marc Berville, Joel Leblond, Patrick Montier, Jean-Claude Sauvestre
  • Patent number: 5112008
    Abstract: A fin stabilized projectile in which measures are taken for increasing the thermal resistance of its guide fins against the uncontrollable danger of burning or melting due to overheating of the material as a result of air friction during the flight of the projectile. Each guide fin is composed, at least in the region of its leading edge of a heat resistant fiber material or a heat resistant composite fiber material. The fins may be composed entirely of the heat resistant material or the leading edges of the fins, the leading and outer edges of the fins, or the entire front fin portion may be configured as a strip of the fiber material in front of and fastened to a metal body member comprising the remainder of the respective guide fin. Moreover, the connecting region between any such strip and the metal body member is preferably configured with a sloped, and thus as a contact area which has a larger surface area. The strip is glued, riveted and/or screwed to the body member in the connection region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Pahnke, Wilfried Becker