Abstract: This propulsion system of a rocket motor assembly includes an array of attitude-control rocket engines, one or more oxidizer-fluid sources, one or more ignition-fluid sources, and, optionally, one or more primary rocket engines. Each of the attitude-control rocket engines has a respective combustion chamber and is offset from the longitudinal axis of the rocket motor assembly so that when a selected one or group of the attitude-control rocket engines is fired, the flight path of the assembly is diverted and/or the rocket assembly spins. The oxidizer-fluid and ignition-fluid sources are in operative communication with the attitude-control rocket engines to respectively permit oxidizer fluid and ignition fluid to be supplied to selected ones or groups of the attitude-control rocket engines. Optionally, a portion of the ignition fluid from the ignition-fluid source can be cooled and used to pressurize the oxidizer-fluid source.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for making black powder and black powder substitutes without requiring binder-effective amounts of a binder and lacquers.

Abstract: Glycerol is nitrated with at least one nitrating source in a solvent to form a nitrated glycerol solution containing dinitroglycerin. The nitrated glycerol solution is treated with at least one cyclizing agent to convert the dinitroglycerin into glycidyl nitrate, which is polymerized into poly(glycidyl nitrate) (PGN). Distillation or other vaporization techniques are not required to remove nitroglycerin from the glycidyl nitrate prior to polymerization of the glycidyl nitrate. Rather, the nitroglycerin can be carried along with the dinitroglycerin during polymerization. As a consequence, the glycidyl nitrate is not exposed to elevated temperatures sufficient to cause accidental explosion or deflagration of the nitrate ester. Still more preferably, the glycidyl nitrate is not heated above room temperature at any time prior to polymerization. Moreover, given the high energy performance of nitroglycerin, the nitroglycerin can optionally be retained with the PGN, i.e.

Abstract: A gas generating eject motor includes a case containing an ignitable low temperature gas generant material that does not produce toxic gases upon the combustion thereof. The gas generant material is generally contained with a screen enclosure housed within the case. An igniter is disposed within the gas generant material for selectively igniting the gas generant to thereby generate combustion gases. A nozzle is disposed within an open aft end of the case for focusing and directing the combustion gases generated by the ignited gas generant material. The case is constructed and arranged to be separably attached to the aft end of a rocket to be launched from a launch platform, so that, upon ignition of the gas generant, the combustion gases focused by the nozzle will apply a thrust to the rocket and thereby propel, or eject, the rocket from the launch platform, at which time the combustible propellant of the rocket motor will ignite and the eject motor will be separated from the rocket.

Abstract: CL-20 is crystallized from a solution containing a CL-20 organic solvent and a CL-20 non-solvent miscible with the solvent. The CL-20 non-solvent is a nitrate ester, preferably poly(glycidyl nitrate) and/or triethyleneglycol-dinitrate, although other nitrate ester plasticizers having acceptable volatilities and impact sensitivities can be used. The solution is saturated with CL-20, and CL-20 is then crystallized from the saturated solution by adding &egr;-polymorph CL-20 crystalline seeds to the solution and evaporating off the CL-20 solvent, preferably under vacuum. The nitrate ester non-solvent is then separated from the crystalline CL-20, such as by filtration of the CL-20 crystals or by diluting the slurry of non-solvent and CL-20 with an environmentally acceptable solvent that is miscible with the non-solvent but in which the CL-20 is insoluble.

Abstract: A method is provided for treatment of infectious medical waste. The method in a broad sense includes washing the infectious medical waste with a liquid to convert the infectious medical waste into noninfectious waste. In accordance with another aspect, a method is provided which includes a first step of wetting the infectious medical waste with a first liquid to remove loose particles and materials that are soluble in the first liquid from the infectious medical waste, and a second step of wetting the infectious medical waste with a disinfecting liquid to disinfect the infectious medical waste. An apparatus also is provided for treatment of infectious medical waste. The apparatus comprises a substantially liquid-tight volume for containing the infectious medical waste.

Abstract: Ceramic liners for use with closed bomb devices are disclosed. The closed bomb devices measure performance properties of energetic materials, such as solid propellant, explosive, and pyrotechnic formulations. The closed bomb devices include a body and a ceramic liner. Alumina silicate and boron nitride are two currently preferred ceramic liner materials which have low compressibility, low thermal conductivity, and excellent durability.

Abstract: A media storage device for storing a plurality of media, such as compact disks, audio cassettes, VHS cassette tapes, DVD cartridges, and ZIP disks. The media storage device comprises a tray including a bottom panel and a plurality of media storage bins. Each media storage bin includes a front panel and a first shoulder member. The first shoulder member includes first and second shoulders, and the second shoulder member includes first, second and third shoulders. Each storage bin can include six cavities, wherein each of the cavities supports at least one type of media format. The base and tray can include transportation guide mechanisms that allow the tray to be moved relative to the base to facilitate viewing and access to the stored media.

Abstract: A composite tubular article such as a nozzle or a polar boss for a rocket motor wherein straight matrix impregnated yarn portions extend from one end portion to the other in a non-cylindrical ply to achieve increased strength while affording lighter weight. The matrix material may be at least partially curable by actinic radiation to anchor the yarn portions in position as they are applied on a mandrel so that radial rods or the like for anchoring the yarn may be eliminated. For high performance rocket motor nozzle components and the like, the yarn portions may be straight or non-straight and applied by braiding or the like, and the matrix material may be decomposed to a char adequate to anchor the yarn portions and subjected to one or more densification cycles whereby the matrix material may be carbonized.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing solder balls in a pattern on a substrate, e.g., to form a ball grid array, the apparatus comprising a template having a first plane, a second plane, and a plurality of holes passing substantially orthogonally through the first and second planes parallel to an axis and corresponding in location to the pattern. Each of the holes is slightly larger than a solder ball diameter. The apparatus also including a porous base having first and second planes, wherein the first plane of the base contacts the second plane of the template. The base is permeable to a fluid in a first direction from the first plane of the template toward the second plane of the base. The apparatus further includes a fluid controller in fluid communication with the base for selectively causing the fluid to pass through the holes and through the base in the first direction to force the solder balls into the holes.

Abstract: Thrusting apparatus for guiding missiles or other projectiles. A plurality of side-by-side solid propellant gas generators are provided to discharge axially into a plate which has a rim and a plurality of nozzles which extend radially in the plate and discharge radially from the rim so as to produce thrust normal to the projectile axis on a single plane. The nozzle structure is of laminant construction whereby the materials may be varied from materials which are resistant to high temperature gas flow and erosion in the area of the nozzles and gas flow passageways to medium temperature resistance materials which require good structural properties at other locations for high quality at minimum cost. The configuration also allows minimum volume and length.

Abstract: Apparatus for machining workpiece made of an explosive material, the apparatus including: a drive system and a cutting tool assembly for cutting a workpiece made of an explosive material; an elongate member carried by, and projecting along an axis from, the drive system for holding the workpiece at a machining location while being rotated about the axis by the drive system; and a first shield element interposed between the machining location and the drive system for protecting the drive system against damage in the event of explosion of the workpiece.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly including a nozzle structure and liner is disclosed. The nozzle structure is made of at least one carbon-based material and includes a nose tip region, a restricted cross-sectional throat region, and an exit cone region that collectively provide an interior surface configured to define a converging-diverging pathway. The liner includes leg and body portions. The leg portion protrudes over an edge or into a groove of the nozzle structure to engage the liner to the nozzle structure. The body portion of the liner covers at least the throat region of the nozzle structure along the flow path to obstruct high temperature combustion products from causing recession of the nozzle structure. The erosion-resistant liner has at least one irregularity that extends, in a continuous manner, radially at least along the leg portion and, optionally, longitudinally along the body portion.