DAVID PETERSON SMITH
Pilots at Almar Ave, Pacific Palisades, CA

3942461, Mar 9, 1976

Mar 31, 1975

5/563348

David A. Smith - Pacific Palisades CA

B63H 2508

114144C

A windvane powered, self-steering device for sail boats of the type employing a steering rudder and trim tab. The windvane pivots about an axis that is tiltably adjustable for light or heavy winds. The windvane axis is also rotatably adjustable with respect to the center line of the sail boat to provide course adjustment. When engaged for operation, the windvane senses the relative ship-wind direction and, when the ship is off course, translates the wind forces on the windvane into corrective movements of the trim tab and rudder to return the sail boat to course. In this operational or steering mode, the self-steering device is characterized by its ability to fully transmit wind power at all angles of tilt of the windvane axis, also, by its ability to be separately adjusted to any desired angle of tilt (wind sensitivity adjustment) or rotation (course adjustment). A preferred embodiment of the self-steering device includes means to initially employ the windvane in a trailing operation to establish a desired steering position for course (trailing mode) and thereafter to employ the windvane in a weathervaning operation for steering corrections (operational mode).

6279482, Aug 28, 2001

Oct 31, 1997

8/961900

David P. Smith - Pacific Palisades CA
Jane M. Lin - Rancho Palos Verdes CA

TRW Inc. - Redondo Beach CA

F42B 1260

102374

There is provided a countermeasure defense system against hostile missiles by employing non-explosive intercepting ("NEI") elements 14 deployed by the spin stabilized rocket 10. The NEI are carried in a payload section 17 and contained by a sleeve assembly 16 which is removed by a drive mechanism 20 or a pyrotechnic device 152 after a countdown time delay programmed into the trigger release assembly 46 as controlled by the control unit 150. The drive assembly includes a drive rod 26 that is releasably held by a release assembly 46 a compressed coiled spring unit 30 drives the sleeve assembly 16 forward exposing the payload section 17 to the centrifugal force of the spin stabilized rocket propelling the NEI elements out from the rocket at constant angular velocity creating an interceptor cloud of elements. In another embodiment the pyrotechnic device 152 detaches the shearable screws 170 that secure the payload section 117 from the rocket engine housing 102 thereby setting the sleeve 121 free from the rocket housing 102.