Patents by Inventor William G. Kuhnle

William G. Kuhnle 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: 5153371
    Abstract: A weapon arranged to travel in a given orientation when in flight, has a body and a ribbon. The body has a payload casing and a spindle rotatably mounted at the rear of the payload casing. The ribbon is formed into a flexible loop for trailing behind the body in flight. This ribbon is attached to the spindle. The ribbon has an impelling surface shaped to apply a torque to the spindle when in flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by The Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: John C. Grau, William G. Kuhnle, Arthur J. Fiorellini
  • Patent number: 5111576
    Abstract: A grenade device for use with and for ejection from an artillery shell is ovided. The device includes a stabilizing propeller and a grenade body. The propeller has two opposite blades disposed on opposite sides of a rotation axis. Each blade has an upper tilted portion and a lower substantially flat portion and a connecting return bend tip portion. Each such portion has a leading edge and a trailing edge. Each upper tilted portion has a transverse angle of attack. The upper tilted portions have a common longitudinal upper projected axis. The lower flat portions also have a common longitudinal lower projected axis. The common longitudinal upper projected axis and the common longitudinal lower projected axis form a projected displacement angle therebetween. The propeller is made from a flexible metal or fabric ribbon. The blades are folded in a nested arrangement before descent. During descent, the blades unfold to their overall aerodynamic shape. The propeller has a windmill type of rotation during descent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: William G. Kuhnle, James F. Murnane, II
  • Patent number: 5067410
    Abstract: A flexible wing which is connected to a submunition provides a substantia vertical descent and provides torque which power submunition electronics. The flexible wing is deployed in a low drag configuration to avoid collision with other submunitions. The flexible wing is canted to allow rotation of the wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: James F. Murnane, III, William G. Kuhnle
  • Patent number: 4986185
    Abstract: A grenade device for use with and for ejection from an artillery shell is ovided. The device includes a stabilizing propeller and a grenade body. The propeller has two opposite blades disposed on opposite sides of a rotation axis. Each blade has an upper tilted portion and a lower substantially flat portion and a connecting return bend tip portion. Each such portion has a leading edge and a trailing edge. Each upper tilted portion has a transverse angle of attack. The upper tilted portions bave a common longitudinal upper projected axis. The lower flat portions also have a common longitudinal lower projected axis. The common longitudinal upper projected axis and the common longitudinal lower projected axis form a projected displacement angle therebetween. The propeller is made from a flexible metal or fabric ribbon. The blades are folded in a nested arrangement before descent. During descent, the blades unfold to their overall aerodynamic shape. The propeller has a windmill type of rotation during descent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William G. Kuhnle, James F. Murnane, II