Benjamin R Conaway

US Patent:

58457461, Dec 8, 1998

Filed:

Dec 13, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/764169

Inventors:

Sarah E. Henrickson - Takoma Park MD
Benjamin G. Conaway - Silver Spring MD
Rakhi Goel - North Potomac MD

International Classification:

B62M 114
B60T 106

US Classification:

188 2F

Abstract:

An automatic braking system for wheelchairs which prevents rearward, downhill motion of wheelchairs while having no effect on horizontal or uphill motion. The braking system is made up of circular ratcheted plates which are attached to the axles of the driving wheels of the wheelchair and L-shaped members slightly in front of and beneath the ratcheted. The L-shaped members are rotatable about axles located in their angles. The long leg of an L-shaped member is directed downwardly by gravity and maintains the short leg in a substantially horizontal position. The short leg forms a pawl which engages the ratchets of the plate when the wheels start to roll backwards when the wheelchair is directed upwardly, thus automatically stopping the wheelchair.

US Patent:

20200208952, Jul 2, 2020

Filed:

Jan 2, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/732659

Inventors:

- Washington DC, US
Benjamin Gary CONAWAY - Gaithersburg MD, US
John Walter RAPP - Manassas VA, US
John GRANIER - Round Rock TX, US

International Classification:

F42C 15/40
B63G 8/28
F42B 19/00
B63G 8/00

Abstract:

An article comprising an electronic safe-arm and fire (ESAF) device for a supercavitating cargo round (SCR) includes discrete electronics, a high-voltage capacitor, a high-voltage switch, and an exploding foil initiator. The discrete electronics includes digital-delay timer circuits, discrete logic circuits, accelerometers, and circuitry for enabling the high-voltage switch. In a method for implementing the safe and arm protocols, sensor readings from sensors on a weaponized UUV are obtained and, when certain conditions are achieved, remove inhibit signals are forwarded to a controller onboard the UUV. When such signals are received in a specified order, and within certain optional specified time delays, the controller arms the ESAF within the SCR. After the SCR fire and leaves the barrel on the UUV, the ESAF monitors certain acceleration/deceleration conditions unique to supercavitation, and applies same to determine whether to detonate the SCR's energetic payload.