Patents by Inventor William S. Wilkinson

William S. Wilkinson 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: 6502457
    Abstract: A test fixture for testing hovering performance of a tailcone of a countermeasure device is disclosed. The tailcone includes a motor and a propeller which is driven by the motor. The test fixture includes an upper support device, a lower support device, at least one cable connected between the upper and lower support devices and a connection device which slidably attaches the tailcone to the at least one cable, thereby restricting movement of the tailcone along the at least one cable. The upper support device is supported above a water-filled tank, the lower support is disposed in the water-filled tank and the hovering capability of the tailcone is tested by operating the tailcone in the tank. The connection device includes a number of extensions affixed to the tailcone. The extensions each include a clasp spaced from the tailcone. The clasps, are slidably joined along the cables, thereby attaching the tailcone to the cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Neil J. Dubois, William S. Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 6418794
    Abstract: A system is provided for testing a propulsor having a first end that can attach to a payload and a second end at which thrust is generated. A bulkhead is sealed to the first end of the propulsor. The bulkhead with the propulsor coupled thereto is suspended vertically by a support that is placed in tension when thrust is generated at the second end of the propulsor. A load cell coupled to the support measures tension therein as a measure of thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Neil J. Dubois, William S. Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 6131530
    Abstract: A platform for servicing of vertically positioned missiles in a ballistic ssile submarine. The platform includes a vertically inclined rail and a horizontal frame. In the frame there is a first element having a first and a second end superimposed over the inclined rail. This first element is movably mounted directly on the rail at the first end and movably mounted in vertically spaced relation above said inclined rail at said second end. At least one second element is spaced laterally from the first element to enclose a missile tube access opening. A vertical support means is also positioned in opposed relation to the inclined rail. The vertical support means is adjustable to the curved hull surface of the submarine to maintain the frame horizontal. The platform is constructed from a lightweight material such as aluminum, and it can be carried and assembled by two men for the efficient servicing of VLS equipped submarines and other similar vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Leonard E. Burgmyer, James C. Butts, Earl S. Nickerson, William S. Wilkinson, Wayne C. Tucker
  • Patent number: 6058769
    Abstract: An assembly for positioning a measurement probe proximate a test body disposed for a fluid tunnel test includes a frame having a forward frame portion for attachment to a fluid flow tunnel fluid outlet, an aft frame portion aligned with the forward frame portion, and axial support members interconnecting the forward and aft frame portions. The assembly further includes a probe mount portion having a base slidably mounted on one or more of the axial support members, a probe supporting strut mounted on the base, and a probe mounted in the strut and movable in directions radially of the frame, and a probe moving member for moving the probe radially inwardly and outwardly of the frame portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Pierre J. Corriveau, Richard E. Dooley, Stanley J. Polhemus, Jr., William S. Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 6053549
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a single point lifting device is rovided for a torpedo nose section. The device has two parallel plates, spaced slightly apart with edges placed longitudinally on the nose section. The edges are shaped to fit the nose section contour. A T-shaped member is inverted and fixed between the two plates, each edge of the horizontal leg suitably attached to one of the plates to form an H-shaped section with the vertical leg of the T extending upwards. Two cinch straps extend around the nose section and lifting device to securely hold the plates against the nose section. A metal strap extends between the cinch straps on the opposite side of the nose section from the plates to prevent the cinch straps from slipping off the contoured nose section. To accommodate the varying centers of gravity for different nose component configurations, the lifting hook placement along the T-section can be varied or the T-section can be moved fore and aft between the parallel plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: William S. Wilkinson