Frederick Barker Koehler

US Patent:

7950634, May 31, 2011

Filed:

Feb 23, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/710381

Inventors:

Frederick B. Koehler - Tucson AZ, US
Ward D. Lyman - Tucson AZ, US
Kenneth E. Schmidt - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Waltham MA

International Classification:

F16F 1/00

US Classification:

267182, 2671412

Abstract:

A spring including a wire having an elasticity by which the wire is compressible by an external force to a first position at which first and second ends thereof of are separated by a first distance and when the force is removed or an electrical current applied, the wire is extensible in response to an internal spring force to a second position at which the wire is substantially straight. A spring assembly is disclosed including a plurality of inventive wires cross-coupled with a support structure consisting of a plurality of coaxial rings. In the assembly, the wires extend parallel to an axis through a center of the rings.

US Patent:

8056858, Nov 15, 2011

Filed:

Feb 27, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/679324

Inventors:

Frederick Koehler - Tucson AZ, US
Wing Cheng - Sunnyvale CA, US

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Waltham MA

International Classification:

G02B 23/16
B64G 1/52

US Classification:

244121, 2441717, 359612

Abstract:

An extendable device for providing radiation occlusion and/or aero-thermal protection is disclosed. In various representative aspects, the present invention generally includes an extendable collar and a flexure configured to provide elastic properties (e. g. , to facilitate stowage and/or deployment with respect to conformational disposition of the flexure). The flexure is coupled to a collar and is also coupled to the housing of an optical device.

US Patent:

8058595, Nov 15, 2011

Filed:

Jun 18, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/141426

Inventors:

Frederick B. Koehler - Tucson AZ, US
Ward D. Lyman - Tucson AZ, US
Terry M. Sanderson - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Waltham MA

International Classification:

B64C 7/00

US Classification:

244 31, 244121, 244133

Abstract:

A nose cone formed from a shape memory alloy (SMA) having a recoverable strain of at least 2% collapses about the dome for storage, deploys at launch to protect the sensor dome and reduce drag during atmospheric flight and is shed to allow sensing for terminal maneuvers. The SMA is shape-set at elevated temperatures in its Austenite phase with a memorized shape having a radius of curvature greater than that of the sensor dome to reduce aerodynamic drag. The temperature is reduced and the SMA collapsed to conform to the curvature of the sensor dome within the recoverable strain for storage. A first mechanism is configured to return the collapsed SMA to its memorized shape at launch or prior to going supersonic. In one embodiment, the SMA is stored below its Martensite finish temperature in a temperature-induced Martensite phase in which case the mechanism heats the SMA above the Austenite finish temperature to return the material to its memorized shape. In another embodiment, the SMA is stored above its Austenite finish temperature in which case collapsing the SMA places the material in a strain-induced Martensite phase.

US Patent:

8215621, Jul 10, 2012

Filed:

Mar 17, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/050754

Inventors:

Frederick B. Koehler - Tucson AZ, US
Ward D. Lyman - Tucson AZ, US
Kenneth E. Schmidt - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Waltham MA

International Classification:

F16F 1/00

US Classification:

267182, 2671412

Abstract:

A spring including a wire having an elasticity by which the wire is compressible by an external force to a first position at which first and second ends thereof of are separated by a first distance and when the force is removed or an electrical current applied, the wire is extensible in response to an internal spring force to a second position at which the wire is substantially straight. A spring assembly is disclosed including a plurality of inventive wires cross-coupled with a support structure consisting of a plurality of coaxial rings. In the assembly, the wires extend parallel to an axis through a center of the rings.

US Patent:

8418455, Apr 16, 2013

Filed:

Dec 10, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/332004

Inventors:

Ward D. Lyman - Tucson AZ, US
Frederick B. Koehler - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Waltham MA

International Classification:

F01B 29/10
F02G 1/04

US Classification:

60529, 60527, 60528

Abstract:

Embodiments of separating apparatuses are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In an embodiment, a separating apparatus is provided that comprises a pre-strained member formed from a shape memory alloy that is configured to separate upon application of heat.

US Patent:

8531657, Sep 10, 2013

Filed:

Sep 15, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/233225

Inventors:

Ernest Dean Fasse - Tucson AZ, US
Frederick B. Koehler - Tucson AZ, US
Peter Val Messina - Santa Monica CA, US

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Waltham MA

International Classification:

G01B 11/26

US Classification:

35613904, 356138, 356153, 35613908

Abstract:

This document discusses apparatus and methods for aligning and centering an articulated laser projection system. In an example, a laser projection system can include an alignment stabilization system configured to align an optical path to a reference and a centration stabilization system configured to center the optical path within an aperture. The alignment stabilization system can have an alignment stabilization processing path configured to receive alignment information from an alignment sensor, and the centration stabilization system can have a centration stabilization processing path configured to receive centration information from a centration sensor.

US Patent:

20100128244, May 27, 2010

Filed:

Nov 26, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/323967

Inventors:

Frederick B. Koehler - Tucson AZ, US
William D. Werries - Tucson AZ, US
David J. Markason - Tucson AZ, US
David G. Anthony - Marana AZ, US
Robert Rinker - Tucson AZ, US
Thomas E. Roberts - Tucson AZ, US

International Classification:

G01C 3/08
H04B 10/00

US Classification:

356 401, 398156

Abstract:

Embodiments of a gimbaled system with an optical coudé path and method for transferring data are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the gimbaled system includes optical coudé path to provide a data communication path with a gimbaled payload, an on-gimbal communication laser to transmit modulated camera data via the coudé path, and an off-gimbal communication detector to detect the camera data received via the coudé path. In some embodiments, the optical coudé path may include at least two mirrors to provide a bi-directional communication path through an azimuth axis and an elevation axis of the gimbaled payload.

US Patent:

20110232278, Sep 29, 2011

Filed:

Jun 8, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/155575

Inventors:

Ward D. Lyman - Tucson AZ, US
Frederick B. Koehler - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - Waltham MA

International Classification:

F01B 29/08
B23P 11/00

US Classification:

60527, 29428

Abstract:

A shape memory stored energy assembly includes a projectile housing having a projectile lumen. A projectile is within the projectile lumen and the projectile is movable relative to the projectile housing. A shape memory actuator is coupled between the projectile anchored end and the projectile housing. The shape memory actuator is configured to transition from a strained energy stored configuration to a fractured kinetic delivery configuration at a specified temperature range to propel the projectile through the projectile lumen. A method includes storing energy in a shape memory actuator coupled with a projectile. The stored energy in the shape memory actuator is released and propels the projectile. Releasing the stored energy includes heating the shape memory actuator, tensioning the shape memory actuator, and fracturing the tensioned shape memory actuator at a fracture locus to propel the projectile away from the fracture locus.