Theodore P Slack

US Patent:

56243987, Apr 29, 1997

Filed:

Feb 8, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/597423

Inventors:

Kevin W. Smith - Coral Gables FL
Juergen A. Kortenbach - Miami Springs FL
Charles R. Slater - Fort Lauderdale FL
Anthony I. Mazzeo - Fort Lauderdale FL
Theodore C. Slack - Miami FL
Thomas O. Bales - Coral Gables FL

Assignee:

Symbiosis Corporation - Miami FL

International Classification:

A61M 3700
B25J 1502

US Classification:

604 95

Abstract:

The methods and devices of the invention include an encoder, an endoscopic robotic instrument, and an encoder/robotic instrument interface. A preferred embodiment of the encoder has a chest/shoulder plate provided with telescoping tubes and joints. Each joint is provided with a direct drive potentiometer to monitor movement and provide a corresponding signal. The chest plate is preferably adaptable to a large range of human chest sizes and the telescopic segments are strapped to the arms of the practitioner at the elbows. A pistol grip is provided at the wrist end of the telescopic segments. According to the presently preferred embodiment, the encoder encodes flexion and rotation at the shoulder, elbow and wrist of each arm in addition to gripping at each hand. The encoding device is coupled to a circuit which operates a servo system. The servo system includes a series of servo motors.

US Patent:

60166525, Jan 25, 2000

Filed:

Apr 15, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/834212

Inventors:

Kevin W. Smith - Coral Gables FL
Korey R. Kline - San Fernando CA
Theodore C. Slack - Miami FL

Assignee:

Hy-Pat Corporation - Miami FL

International Classification:

F02K 972

US Classification:

60251

Abstract:

A solid/fluid hybrid propulsion system for a projectile launchable from a launch platform includes a container having a fluid reactant therein, an outer casing, and a cartridge. The cartridge is constructed and arranged to be moved between an operative position in which at least a substantial portion of the cartridge is received within the outer casing and an inoperative position in which the cartridge is dissociated from the outer casing. The cartridge includes at least a combustion chamber containing a solid reactant therein, a thrust nozzle proximal to one end of the combustion chamber, an oxidizer distribution plate proximal to the opposite end of the combustion chamber and having an injection nozzle therethrough, and a protective liner extending along at least the length of the combustion chamber and being interposed between the exterior surface of the solid reactant and the interior surface of the outer casing when the cartridge is in the operative position. A fluid-flow pathway connects the fluid reactant container and the combustion chamber.

US Patent:

60855169, Jul 11, 2000

Filed:

Apr 9, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/288934

Inventors:

Kevin W. Smith - Coral Gables FL
Korey R. Kline - San Fernando CA
Theodore C. Slack - Miami FL
Andrew E. Mossberg - South Miami FL

Assignee:

Hy-Pat Corporation - Miami FL

International Classification:

F02K 972

US Classification:

60251

Abstract:

A hybrid rocket system and motor includes an oxidant tank communicating with a combustion chamber containing a solid fuel grain. The passage from the oxidant tank to the combustion chamber is obstructed by a fill tube which fills the oxidant tank with oxidant and pressurizes it. Once the tank is full, the fill tube is displaced from the tank-chamber passage to deliver oxidant to the grain and initiate the combustion process. The motor may be an integral part of the rocket, or it may be a modular, expendable or exchangeable cartridge-type device inserted into a reusable body.

US Patent:

62966359, Oct 2, 2001

Filed:

May 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/312501

Inventors:

Kevin W. Smith - Coral Gables FL
Juergen Andrew Kortenbach - Miami Springs FL
Charles R. Slater - Fort Lauderdale FL
Anthony I. Mazzeo - Ft. Lauderdale FL
Theodore C. Slack - Miami FL
Thomas O. Bales - Coral Gables FL

Assignee:

Symbiosis Corporation - Miami FL

International Classification:

A61B 1818

US Classification:

606 19

Abstract:

The methods and devices of the invention include an encoder, an endoscopic robotic instrument, and an encoder/robotic instrument interface. A preferred embodiment of the encoder has a chest/shoulder plate provided with telescoping tubes and joints. Each joint is provided with a direct drive potentiometer to monitor movement and provide a corresponding signal. The chest plate is preferably adaptable to a large range of human-chest sizes and the telescopic segments are strapped to the arms of the practitioner at the elbows. A pistol grip is provided at the wrist end of the telescopic segments. According to the presently preferred embodiment, the encoder encodes flexion and rotation at the shoulder, elbow and wrist of each arm in addition to gripping at each hand. The encoding device is coupled to a circuit which operates a servo system. The servo system includes a series of servo motors.

US Patent:

58336567, Nov 10, 1998

Filed:

Jan 3, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/778641

Inventors:

Kevin W. Smith - Coral Gables FL
Juergen Andrew Kortenbach - Miami Springs FL
Charles R. Slater - Fort Lauderdale FL
Anthony I. Mazzeo - Ft. Lauderdale FL
Theodore C. Slack - Miami FL
Thomas O. Bales - Coral Gables FL

Assignee:

Symbiosis Corporation - Miami FL

International Classification:

A61M 3700
B25J 1502

US Classification:

604 95

Abstract:

The methods and devices of the invention include an encoder, an endoscopic robotic instrument, and an encoder/robotic instrument interface. A preferred embodiment of the encoder has a chest/shoulder plate provided with telescoping tubes and joints. Each joint is provided with a direct drive potentiometer to monitor movement and provide a corresponding signal. The chest plate is preferably adaptable to a large range of human chest sizes and the telescopic segments are strapped to the arms of the practitioner at the elbows. A pistol grip is provided at the wrist end of the telescopic segments. According to the presently preferred embodiment, the encoder encodes flexion and rotation at the shoulder, elbow and wrist of each arm in addition to gripping at each hand. The encoding device is coupled to a circuit which operates a servo system. The servo system includes a series of servo motors.

US Patent:

59546921, Sep 21, 1999

Filed:

Jul 9, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/890366

Inventors:

Kevin W. Smith - Coral Gables FL
Juergen Andrew Kortenbach - Miami Springs FL
Charles R. Slater - Fort Lauderdale FL
Anthony I. Mazzeo - Ft. Lauderdale FL
Theodore C. Slack - Miami FL
Thomas O. Bales - Coral Gables FL

Assignee:

Symbiosis - Miami FL

International Classification:

A61M 3700
B25J 1502

US Classification:

604 95

Abstract:

The methods and devices of the invention include an encoder, an endoscopic robotic instrument, and an encoder/robotic instrument interface. A preferred embodiment of the encoder has a chest/shoulder plate provided with telescoping tubes and joints. Each joint is provided with a direct drive potentiometer to monitor movement and provide a corresponding signal. The chest plate is preferably adaptable to a large range of human chest sizes and the telescopic segments are strapped to the arms of the practitioner at the elbows. A pistol grip is provided at the wrist end of the telescopic segments. According to the presently preferred embodiment, the encoder encodes flexion and rotation at the shoulder, elbow and wrist of each arm in addition to gripping at each hand. The encoding device is coupled to a circuit which operates a servo system. The servo system includes a series of servo motors.

US Patent:

60923660, Jul 25, 2000

Filed:

Apr 9, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/288935

Inventors:

Kevin W. Smith - Coral Gables FL
Korey R. Kline - San Fernando CA
Theodore C. Slack - Miami FL
Andrew E. Mossberg - South Miami FL

Assignee:

Hy-Pat Corporation - Miami FL

International Classification:

F02K 972

US Classification:

60251

Abstract:

A hybrid rocket system and motor includes an oxidant tank communicating with a combustion chamber containing a solid fuel grain. The passage from the oxidant tank to the combustion chamber is obstructed by a fill tube which fills the oxidant tank with oxidant and pressurizes it. Once the tank is full, the fill tube is displaced from the tank-chamber passage to deliver oxidant to the grain and initiate the combustion process. The motor may be an integral part of the rocket, or it may be a modular, expendable or exchangeable cartridge-type device inserted into a reusable body.

US Patent:

60820977, Jul 4, 2000

Filed:

Sep 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/397601

Inventors:

Kevin W. Smith - Coral Gables FL
Korey R. Kline - San Fernando CA
Theodore C. Slack - Miami FL

Assignee:

Hy Pat Corporation - Miami FL

International Classification:

F02K 972

US Classification:

60251

Abstract:

A solid/fluid hybrid propulsion system for a projectile launchable from a launch platform includes a container having a fluid reactant therein, an outer casing, and a cartridge. The cartridge is constructed and arranged to be moved between an operative position in which at least a substantial portion of the cartridge is received within the outer casing and an inoperative position in which the cartridge is dissociated from the outer casing. The cartridge includes at least a combustion chamber containing a solid reactant therein, a thrust nozzle proximal to one end of the combustion chamber, an oxidizer distribution plate proximal to the opposite end of the combustion chamber and having an injection nozzle therethrough, and a protective liner extending along at least the length of the combustion chamber and being interposed between the exterior surface of the solid reactant and the interior surface of the outer casing when the cartridge is in the operative position. A fluid-flow pathway connects the fluid reactant container and the combustion chamber.