David M Pickett

US Patent:

62130218, Apr 10, 2001

Filed:

Dec 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/461229

Inventors:

David M. Pickett - Clarksburg MD

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

F42D 300
F42D 3306

US Classification:

102402

Abstract:

A vehicle is towed underwater by an air traveling helicopter through a towing cable to induce powered rotation of impellers on the vehicle during its underwater travel at a preselected seawater depth. An electrical generator driven by such impeller supplies electrical energy conditioned to produce a sternwise extending signature simulating magnetic field which is effective to detonate a sea mine in the underwater vicinity toward which the underwater vehicle is being towed.

US Patent:

44637012, Aug 7, 1984

Filed:

Feb 28, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/125735

Inventors:

David M. Pickett - Clarksburg MD
Richard K. Knutson - Gaithersburg MD
William VonFeldt - Gaithersburg MD

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

B63B 2100

US Classification:

114245

Abstract:

A paravane includes an elongated fuselage; a wing section of spaced wing bers attached to an intermediate portion of the fuselage; stabilizer fins for maintaining the paravane lined-up with the direction of tow; a depth control flap positioned adjacent the wing section and having a pivot axis extending closely adjacent to the towing point; and depth control means for controlling the position of the control flap. The wing members have a straight leading edge portion, a straight trailing edge portion and a curved intermediate portion wherein the wing members are arranged such that the chord lines extend at oblique angles with the longitudinal axis of the fuselage and such that the resultant hydrodynamic lift force vector acting on the wing section passes through the tow point.

US Patent:

52613445, Nov 16, 1993

Filed:

Nov 21, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/795436

Inventors:

David M. Pickett - Clarksburg MD

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

B63B 2166

US Classification:

114221A

Abstract:

A minesweeping system, self-contained within the water vessel sought to be rotected against contact-actuated moored mines, effective against moored mines which are directly in the path of the vessel, featuring a beam-and-float arrangement. A ruddered float is maintained by a control system in virtually forward position with respect to the vessel and is attached at the fore end of a long boom beam, the aft end of which is pivotably attached to the bow of the vessel. A depressor for maintaining submergence of the lower end of the tow wire and the inward ends of the sweepwires is attached at the lower end of the tow wire, the upper end of which is attached to the beam near the float. Port and starboard sweepwires are attached to the tow wire near the depressor, each sweepwire projecting generally horizontally and backwardly obliquely. Diverters attached at the outward ends of the two sweepwires maintain their proper orientation. Cutters are situated along the outward ends of the sweepwires.