US4264045A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Despinning method and apparatus
Assignee: Textron Systems Corp
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Filing: 1979-09-04
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Granted: 1981-04-28
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Expires: 1999-09-04
Abstract
Abstract In a method for changing the spin of bodies released from an aggregate, the bodies are connected by straps or bars which serve as tension or compression members. Spin of the connected bodies results in either compressive or tensile forces in the connecting member. Those forces in turn provide torque which counters or enhances the spin and converts that spin to or from translational energy. Once the spin of the bodies has been changed a predetermined amount, the connecting member is released.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J. Campbell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 03:18
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B10/00; F42B10/32; F42B10/48; F42B12/00; F42B12/02; F42B12/36; F42B12/56; F42B12/58; F42B12/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of changing the individual spins of at least two bodies released from a spinning aggregate comprising: connecting the bodies with a connecting means; causing the bodies to spin as an aggregate; subsequently releasing the bodies simultaneously from the aggregate while remaining connected by said connecting means so that the motion of each body is simultaneously providing torque to the other body or bodies through the connecting means to thereby change the spin of the other body or bodies while still connected; and subsequently disconnecting the bodies from the connecting means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of changing the individual spins of at least two bodies released from a spinning aggregate comprising: connecting the bodies with a connecting means; causing the bodies to spin as an aggregate; subsequently releasing the bodies simultaneously from the aggregate while remaining connected by said connecting means so that the motion of each body is simultaneously providing torque to the other body or bodies through the connecting means to thereby change the spin of the other body or bodies while still connected; and subsequently disconnecting the bodies from the connecting means.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of changing the individual spins of at least two bodies released from a spinning aggregate comprising: connecting the two bodies with elongated, flexible connecting means with the connecting means wrapped about each of the bodies; subsequently releasing the two bodies from the spinning aggregate with the motion of each body providing torque to the other body through the elongated, flexible connecting means to change the spin of the other element; and subsequently disconnecting the two bodies.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of changing the individual spins of at least two bodies released from a spinning aggregate comprising: connecting the two bodies with elongated, flexible connecting means with the connecting means wrapped about each of the bodies; subsequently releasing the two bodies from the spinning aggregate with the motion of each body providing torque to the other body through the elongated, flexible connecting means to change the spin of the other element; and subsequently disconnecting the two bodies.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the bodies are connected by the connecting means such that the spin of each is in opposition to the spin of the other through the connecting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the two bodies have about the same moment of inertia and the spin of each is reduced to near zero.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the spins of more than two bodies released from the aggregate are similarly changed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the more than two bodies in the aggregate are joined by elongated, flexible connecting elements which intersect a common axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the elongated flexible elements are joined at the common axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the bodies are disconnected by disconnecting each from the connecting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the connecting means includes at least one strap.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
94 words
An aggregate of bodies, the bodies to be released as individual projectiles from the spinning aggregate, comprising: at least two bodies; self-disconnecting connecting means attached to each body and extending in other than a radial direction from each body in order to apply torque to each body when released from a spinning aggregate to change the spin of each body in a controlled manner while the bodies are connected by the connecting means; and holding means for releasably holding the bodies fixed relative to each other in the aggregate with spinning of the aggregate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
94 words
An aggregate of bodies, the bodies to be released as individual projectiles from the spinning aggregate, comprising: at least two bodies; self-disconnecting connecting means attached to each body and extending in other than a radial direction from each body in order to apply torque to each body when released from a spinning aggregate to change the spin of each body in a controlled manner while the bodies are connected by the connecting means; and holding means for releasably holding the bodies fixed relative to each other in the aggregate with spinning of the aggregate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
An aggregate of bodies to be released as individual projectiles from the spinning aggregate comprising: at least two bodies; disconnectable, elongated, flexible connecting means attached to each body and wrapped circumferentially about each body to oppose the spin of each once released from the aggregate; and holding means for releasably holding the bodies fixed relative to each other in the aggregate with spinning of the aggregate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
An aggregate of bodies to be released as individual projectiles from the spinning aggregate comprising: at least two bodies; disconnectable, elongated, flexible connecting means attached to each body and wrapped circumferentially about each body to oppose the spin of each once released from the aggregate; and holding means for releasably holding the bodies fixed relative to each other in the aggregate with spinning of the aggregate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
An aggregate of bodies as claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein the bodies have about the same mass and the connecting means is disconnectable at an orientation relative to the bodies at which the spin of the bodies is near zero after bgeing released from the holding means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
An aggregate of bodies as claimed in claim 10 or 11 including more than two bodies similarly attached to the disconnectable connecting means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
An aggregate of bodies as claimed in claim 13 wherein the more than two bodies have about the same moment of inertia and are joined by elongated, flexible connecting elements which intersect a common axis.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
An aggregate of bodies as claimed in claim 14 wherein the elongated, flexible connecting elements are joined at the common axis.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
An aggregate of bodies as claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein the connecting means is disconnectable at each end thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
An aggregate of bodies as claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein the connecting means is at least one strap.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
An aggregate of bodies as claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein the moments of inertia of the bodies are of the same order of magnitude.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-04-27 | 1984-10-27 | 1985-04-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-04-27 | 1988-10-27 | 1989-04-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-04-27 | 1992-10-27 | 1993-04-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |