Did You Know...
...that Charles Goodyear performed some of his experiments on rubber while in debtor's prison? He was there so often he referred to it as his "hotel". Chronically in debt because of poor business sense and ill health, Goodyear depended on the generosity of friends and family. Even after he unlocked the secret to vulcanizing rubber, he was unable to improve his financial situation. When he died, his estate was $200,000 in debt.
PatentStorm News
Make the Most of Our Site
See this month's Top Inventors and Most Cited Patents.
Stay on top of the latest innovations by subscribing to an RSS feed.
Registered users: Manage your profile.
| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8186260 | Translating adjacent-blast shield and method for protecting external slots of missiles in launcher tubes Embodiments of a translating adjacent-blast shield and method of protecting external slots of a missile from a high-temperature, high-pressure gas plume of a missile that is launched from an adjacent or nearby launcher tube of a launcher are disclosed herein. The tr... | 05/29/2012 |
| 8087336 | Rotating and sliding hatch door for a launcher system A system and method for actuating a hatch door. One embodiment includes a vertical launcher system that has a hatch door disposed in a plane at the top of a hold. The hatch door includes a leading edge and a trailing edge at opposite ends of the hatch door. When an ... | 01/03/2012 |
| 7673552 | Countermeasure system and method of using the same The present invention relates to a countermeasure system having a substantially vertical launch tube that is at least generally rotatable about a vertical reference axis that extends through and along a length of the launch tube. This rotation capability of the laun... | 03/09/2010 |
| 7464634 | Cold launch system comprising shape-memory alloy actuator A cold-launch uses shape-memory-alloy (“SMA”) actuators to accelerate materiel to a required launch velocity. The SMA actuators are arranged into one or more actuation stages. SMA actuators within a given actuation stage are simultaneously triggered. Actuation s... | 12/16/2008 |
| 7350744 | System for changing warhead's trajectory to avoid interception A system for increasing a warhead's chance of hitting a target comprises a system for causing the warhead to deviate from its projected trajectory so that it will have an increased chance of avoiding intercepting force such as a kill vehicle a missile, an airplane, ... | 04/01/2008 |
| 7350451 | Apparatus comprising an exhaust duct and anti-fratricide shield A missile launcher that combines the functionality of a gas management system and an anti-fratricide shield is disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of gas-uptake ducts are arranged on a boundary that surroun... | 04/01/2008 |
| 7313995 | Inclinable munitions launcher A deck-mounted inclined munitions launcher is disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the launcher includes a platform, two pivotally-coupled munitions canisters, and a drive system. An exhaust end of each munitions canister is movably coupled to ... | 01/01/2008 |
| 7273001 | Modular launch-cell system A modular launch-cell system for a launch vehicle. The method includes a number of launch-cells, a base and an upper attachment arrangement. The launch-cells include a missile and are arranged in a structure which includes a number of layers, each of the layer inclu... | 09/25/2007 |
| 7252270 | System and method for launching a missile from a flying aircraft System for launching a missile from a launch region within the atmosphere of a planet, the missile being located within a flying vehicle before launching the missile, the system including a missile support coupled with the missile, and a foldable control-surface mec... | 08/07/2007 |
| 7219590 | Method for positioning a body along continuous-range inclination and rotation angles In a system for controlling the inclination angle and rotation angle of a body, a rotary actuator is coupled to a base. A pivot actuator is coupled to an output shaft of the rotary actuator. The rotary actuator controls the angular position of the pivot actuator. A ... | 05/22/2007 |
| 7202809 | Fast acting active protection system A fast acting active protection system for military vehicles defeats RPG (rocket propelled grenade) threats fired from close ranges. The system minimizes the hazard to troops and civilians nearby. The system uses a plurality of passive sensors to locate the threat a... | 04/10/2007 |
| 7198231 | Method of applying ablative insulation coatings and articles obtained therefrom A method of forming ablative insulation coatings on aerospace structures and articles produced thereby. The method includes forming a mold having a cavity configured to complementarily receive at least a portion of the structure and directly molding the ablative coa... | 04/03/2007 |
| 7185575 | Weapon mounting and remote position recognition system A system for remote tracking of a tactical missile assembly orientation during targeting and leading to launch from a platform, including a weapon station frame rotatably attached to the platform and a command launch unit attached to the weapon station frame. A laun... | 03/06/2007 |
| 7163176 | 2-D projectile trajectory correction system and method A 2-D correction system uses intermittent deployment of aerodynamic surfaces to control a spin or fin stabilized projectile in flight; correcting both crossrange and downrange impact errors. Intermittent surface deployment develops rotational moments, which create b... | 01/16/2007 |
| 7159501 | Stackable in-line surface missile launch system for a modular payload bay An underwater missile launch system includes one or more missile loading modules for supporting a plurality of missiles in a stackable, in-line configuration within a pressure vessel. The missiles are arranged inside the modules, which may be stacked in groups insid... | 01/09/2007 |
| 7140289 | Stackable in-line underwater missile launch system for a modular payload bay An underwater missile launch system includes one or more missile loading modules for supporting a plurality of missiles disposed within protective capsules in a stackable, in-line configuration within a pressure vessel. The missiles are arranged inside the modules, ... | 11/28/2006 |
| 7118065 | Lateral thrust control A lateral thrust control is provided for influencing the flight trajectory of a projectile. The control has a main control unit; a central, axially extending main recess in the main control unit; a plurality of thruster recesses in the main control unit for acceptin... | 10/10/2006 |
| 7093802 | Pressurized sonobuoy deployment system A jet aircraft with integrated, rotary sonobuoy launch system has storage racks for a number of sonobuoys in sonobuoy launch containers; and one or more launcher units in its cabin. Each launcher unit has a pressure shell with a door allowing loading of sonobuoys in... | 08/22/2006 |
| 7089842 | Methods of using a marine vessel countermeasure system A marine vessel equipped with a countermeasure system having a substantially vertical launch tube that is at least generally rotatable about a vertical reference axis that extends through and along a length of the launch tube. This rotation capability of the launch ... | 08/15/2006 |
| 7040246 | Submarine countermeasure and launch assembly In a submarine countermeasure vehicle and launch assembly the vehicle includes a forward end portion, an aft end portion provided with a propeller and fins, a hull portion extending between the forward and aft portions, the hull portion being circular in cross-secti... | 05/09/2006 |
| 6971300 | Reloadable concentric canister launcher A reloadable launcher for use with rocket-propelled projectiles. An inner and outer tube define a concentric tube arrangement with at least one gas flow channel being defined therebetween. A ring is fixedly coupled to a first end of the outer tube that is adjacent t... | 12/06/2005 |
| 6931994 | Tandem warhead A tandem warhead for destroying a target, the tandem warhead including a kinetic energy rod section with a plurality of lengthy individual projectiles, a blast fragmentation section deployable proximate the target, and a guidance subsystem for deploying the projecti... | 08/23/2005 |
| 6931775 | Remote control module for a vehicle The invention is a remote control module for controlling the movement of a vehicle, the module for mounting on a rifle. The module includes a housing suitable for use as a forward handgrip for the rifle. A mechanism is included to mount the housing on the rifle in t... | 08/23/2005 |
| 6907812 | Pop-up weapon system A remote pop-up weapon system utilizes an elevating deck and a rotating gun base to allow the weapon(s) to be positioned in locations that are preferred over the locations available for traditional weapon systems. The use of the elevating deck allows the weapon stat... | 06/21/2005 |
| 6782826 | Decoy A method of decoying an incoming missile from a target. The method comprises deploying an array of barrels each containing multiple projectiles, determining a position and orientation for a decoy image of the target in relation to the incoming missile, and firing mu... | 08/31/2004 |
| 6679454 | Radial sonobuoy launcher A radial sonobuoy launch system comprising a clam-shell launch tube and method for launching a sonobuoy. The clam-shell launch tube radially releases a sonobuoy and the clam-shell launch tube is reloaded during flight. The sonobuoys are pneumatically ejec... | 01/20/2004 |
| 6508178 | Aerial fireworks product having synthetic resinous stabilizing base The product includes a self-propelled aerial pyrotechnic device and an upright launch tube for the device. The device is closely confined within the launch tube so as to be maintained in an essentially truly vertical orientation in preparation for launch.... | 01/21/2003 |
| 6415211 | Weapon and launcher test set (WALT) A portable data acquisition system for use in certifying torpedo tube-launched weapons such as a Mark 48/ADCAP, a Tomahawk missile or a Harpoon and the like. The system includes a portable computer, a rugged four slot chassis, a 32 channel multiplexing mo... | 07/02/2002 |
| 6401645 | Vehicle launch assembly for underwater platforms A vehicle launch assembly for underwater platforms includes a water tank mounted on the platform, and a plunger movably disposed in the tank and dividing the tank into first and second zones, the first zone being in communication with a. water environment... | 06/11/2002 |
| 6394392 | Aircraft having multiple fuselages The present invention relates to an aircraft having a plurality of fuselages for increased payload. More specifically, the aircraft has a central fuselage, and first and second side-saddle fuselages mounted on opposite sides of the central fuselage. The f... | 05/28/2002 |
| 6321631 | Modular launch pad system A launch vehicle mounting system for use in launching either of first and second launch vehicles having different booster diameters is disclosed. In one embodiment, the launch vehicle mounting system includes a mounting frame and a plurality of arms pivot... | 11/27/2001 |
| 6213043 | Method and device for counteracting of heeling of a vessel A method for counteracting heeling of a vessel due to a movement of first masses on the vessel, by means of movement of second masses thereon, which movements create respective static movements upon the vessel's center of gravity. The movement of the seco... | 04/10/2001 |
| 6125734 | Multi-warfare area launcher A modular horizontal launching system is disclosed comprised of modules hng scalable dimensions so as to easily accommodate the handling of different launchable devices. The launching system has a canister that not only serves as a launch tube but also h... | 10/03/2000 |
| 6123005 | Extended canister fly-through cover A cover closes off the open end of a missile launch canister. The cover is esigned so as to seal off the interior compartment of the canister to protect the missile or the like contained within it from moisture, contaminants and the conflagration created b... | 09/26/2000 |
| 6119573 | Carbon fiber flocking for thermal management of compact missile electronics Carbon fiber material and carbon fiber material that is saturated with hydrocarbon solid-liquid phase change material may be used as thermal management materials for providing a thermally conductive interface between a heat source and its housing. Such ca... | 09/19/2000 |
| 6067851 | Presettable launchable vehicle system and method A test system and a method for testing the final stages of a submarine wen fire control system so as to obtain a complete end-to-end test of the submarine weapon fire control system. The test system includes a launchable test vehicle that can be inserted... | 05/30/2000 |
| 5974939 | Modular launch pad system A launch vehicle mounting system for use in launching either of first and second launch vehicles having different booster diameters is disclosed. In one embodiment, the launch vehicle mounting system includes a mounting frame and a plurality of arms pivot... | 11/02/1999 |
| 5950372 | Sheltering apparatus and method of sheltering same An apparatus and methods are provided for sheltering and/or launching devices such as projectiles or a tracking device. The apparatus preferably includes a main body having a bottom, a plurality of walls connected to and extending upwardly from the bottom... | 09/14/1999 |
| 5942712 | Method and apparatus for retaining wires in a cylindrical tube A submarine signal launcher is disclosed for preventing pinched control ws therein. The submarine signal launcher includes a gas generator, an acoustic device countermeasure, a launch tube for housing the gas generator and the countermeasure, and a ram p... | 08/24/1999 |
| 5931414 | Missile for combatting moving targets A missile, in particular for combatting moving targets, has several propulsion units arranged one after the other along the longitudinal axis of the missile. At least two propulsion units arranged one after the other can be operated simultaneously, and th... | 08/03/1999 |
