George E Vernon, 731610 Bunker Hill Ct, Albuquerque, NM 87124

7051656, May 30, 2006

Aug 14, 2003

10/641980

David R. Koehler - Placitas NM, US
Darren A. Hoke - Albuquerque NM, US
Louis S. Weichman - Albuquerque NM, US
George E. Vernon - Rio Rancho NM, US
Randy J. Shul - Albuquerque NM, US
Michael H. Beggans - Albuquerque NM, US

Sandia Corporation - Albuquerque NM

F42C 15/24

102249, 102231, 102222, 102226, 102229, 102235

A two-stage acceleration sensing apparatus is disclosed which has applications for use in a fuze assembly for a projected munition. The apparatus, which can be formed by bulk micromachining or LIGA, can sense acceleration components along two orthogonal directions to enable movement of a shuttle from an “as-fabricated” position to a final position and locking of the shuttle in the final position. With the shuttle moved to the final position, the apparatus can perform one or more functions including completing an explosive train or an electrical switch closure, or allowing a light beam to be transmitted through the device.

7148436, Dec 12, 2006

Aug 14, 2003

10/641860

Robb M. Lee - Albuquerque NM, US
Randy J. Shul - Albuquerque NM, US
Marc A. Polosky - Albuquerque NM, US
Darren A. Hoke - Albuquerque NM, US
George E. Vernon - Rio Rancho NM, US

Sandia Corporation - Albuquerque NM

H01H 35/02

200 6148, 200181

An acceleration-sensing apparatus is disclosed which includes a moveable shuttle (i. e. a suspended mass) and a latch for capturing and holding the shuttle when an acceleration event is sensed above a predetermined threshold level. The acceleration-sensing apparatus provides a switch closure upon sensing the acceleration event and remains latched in place thereafter. Examples of the acceleration-sensing apparatus are provided which are responsive to an acceleration component in a single direction (i. e. a single-sided device) or to two oppositely-directed acceleration components (i. e. a dual-sided device). A two-stage acceleration-sensing apparatus is also disclosed which can sense two acceleration events separated in time. The acceleration-sensing apparatus of the present invention has applications, for example, in an automotive airbag deployment system.

7236345, Jun 26, 2007

Dec 4, 2003

10/729614

Alexander W. Roesler - Tijeras NM, US
George E. Vernon - Rio Rancho NM, US
Darren A. Hoke - Albuquerque NM, US
Virginia K. De Marquis - Tijeras NM, US
Steven M. Harris - Albuquerque NM, US

Sandia Corporation - Albuquerque NM

F23Q 3/00

361247

A compact monolithic capacitive discharge unit (CDU) is disclosed in which a thyristor switch and a flyback charging circuit are both sandwiched about a ceramic energy storage capacitor. The result is a compact rugged assembly which provides a low-inductance current discharge path. The flyback charging circuit preferably includes a low-temperature co-fired ceramic transformer. The CDU can further include one or more ceramic substrates for enclosing the thyristor switch and for holding various passive components used in the flyback charging circuit. A load such as a detonator can also be attached directly to the CDU.

7383774, Jun 10, 2008

Mar 22, 2006

11/386345

David R. Koehler - Sherwood OR, US
Darren A. Hoke - Albuquerque NM, US
Louis S. Weichman - Albuquerque NM, US
George E. Vernon - Rio Rancho NM, US
Randy J. Shul - Albuquerque NM, US
Michael H. Beggans - Albuquerque NM, US

Sandia Corporation - Albuquerque NM

F42C 15/24

102249, 102231, 102222, 102226, 102235

A two-stage acceleration sensing apparatus is disclosed which has applications for use in a fuze assembly for a projected munition. The apparatus, which can be formed by bulk micromachining or LIGA, can sense acceleration components along two orthogonal directions to enable movement of a shuttle from an “as-fabricated” position to a final position and locking of the shuttle in the final position. With the shuttle moved to the final position, the apparatus can perform one or more functions including completing an explosive train or an electrical switch closure, or allowing a light beam to be transmitted through the device.

6328903, Dec 11, 2001

Mar 7, 2000

9/520643

George E. Vernon - Rio Rancho NM

Sandia Corporation - Albuquerque NM

B81B 500
B81B 704

216 2

A surface-micromachined chain and a microelectromechanical (MEM) structure incorporating such a chain are disclosed. The surface-micromachined chain can be fabricated in place on a substrate (e. g. a silicon substrate) by depositing and patterning a plurality of alternating layers of a chain-forming material (e. g. polycrystalline silicon) and a sacrificial material (e. g. silicon dioxide or a silicate glass). The sacrificial material is then removed by etching to release the chain for movement. The chain has applications for forming various types of MEM devices which include a microengine (e. g. an electrostatic motor) connected to rotate a drive sprocket, with the surface-micromachined chain being connected between the drive sprocket and one or more driven sprockets.