Patents Examined by Aileen B. Felton
  • Patent number: 10919818
    Abstract: A gas generator 10 includes a composition that contains a nonmetal perchlorate such as ammonium perchlorate as a first oxidizer, a secondary metal nitrate oxidizer such as strontium nitrate or sodium nitrate, a first fuel such as maleic hydrazide and salts thereof, and a second nitrogen-containing fuel such as nitroguanidine or guanidine nitrate. Gas generating systems 180 such as vehicle occupant protection systems 180, containing the gas generator 10, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLC
    Inventor: Scott M. Rambow
  • Patent number: 10913692
    Abstract: A reduced toxicity pyrotechnic strobe composition and method includes creating a mixture of strontium nitrate, magnalium, sulfur, and no more than 10 parts by weight of a nitrocellulose binder. The strontium nitrate may comprise 27 percent of the mixture. The magnalium may comprise a 50:50 blend of magnesium and aluminum. The magnalium may comprise 18 percent of the mixture. The sulfur may comprise 55 percent of the mixture. The mixture may include a pulse rate of approximately one pulse per minute. The method may further include modifying the pulse rate of the mixture. The method may further include using a reduced particle size of the magnalium. The method may further include substituting no more than 12.5% of the strontium nitrate with potassium nitrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Amee W LaBonte, Michael F Kauzlarich
  • Patent number: 10906848
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing and optimizing energetic propellant grains includes generating an optimal surface area to mass fraction burned ratio profile for a predetermined solid structure including propellant grains; using the profile as a target function of a topological optimization process to generate a 3D form of a propellant grain; developing a negative of the 3D form of the propellant grain; mixing and densifying the negative with an energetic material in an uncured form in a mixer to create a structure including the energetic material and embedded negative; and solvating the negative from the structure, wherein the negative comprises a 3D propellant grain. The developing of the negative of the 3D form of the propellant grain may occur using a predetermined material in an additive manufacturing process. The negative may be soluble in the predetermined material, and the energetic material may be insoluble in the predetermined material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Paul J. Conroy, Raymond A. Wildman, Eric J. Robinette, John R. Schmidt, Andrew T. Gaynor
  • Patent number: 10906849
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an explosive composition for soft and wet ground. The explosive composition comprises an explosive comprising an oxidiser component in a water in oil emulsion or a water gel, and a bulking agent comprising discrete particles of a combustible substance. The combustible substance is water soluble but, in the explosive composition, migration of the combustible substance from the discrete particles to the oxidiser component is inhibited. Also disclosed is a method for delivering an explosive composition to a borehole, for example a borehole in soft and wet ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific Pty Limited
    Inventors: Nathan Paris, Jeff Gore, Paul Thornley
  • Patent number: 10889529
    Abstract: A rocket motor propellant including a low molecular weight hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) polymer and, a high molecular weight isocyanate. In some implementations, a rocket motor propellant hereof is plasticizer free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Inventor: Gary C. Rosenfield
  • Patent number: 10889531
    Abstract: A nanoparticle of a decomposition product of a transition metal aluminum hydride compound, a transition metal borohydride compound, or a transition metal gallium hydride compound. A process of: reacting a transition metal salt with an aluminum hydride compound, a borohydride compound, or a gallium hydride compound to produce one or more of the nanoparticles. The reaction occurs in solution while being sonicated at a temperature at which the metal hydride compound decomposes. A process of: reacting a nanoparticle with a compound containing at least two hydroxyl groups to form a coating having multi-dentate metal-alkoxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Albert Epshteyn, Zachary J. Huba
  • Patent number: 10882799
    Abstract: A primer includes a layered thermite coating comprising alternating layers of metal oxide and reducing metal (thermite) deposited upon a substrate. The layered thermite coating may include a primary ignition portion adjacent to the substrate, and a secondary ignition portion deposited on the primary ignition portion. The alternating thermite layers may be thinner within the primary ignition portion than in the secondary ignition portion. The primary ignition portion is structured for sensitivity to a firing pin strike to the opposite side of the substrate. The secondary ignition portion is structured to burn at a rate that will ignite smokeless powder or other ignitable substances used in munitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignees: SPECTRE MATERIALS SCIENCES, INC., UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Coffey, Jonathan Mohler, Timothy Mohler, Edward Alan Dein, Daniel Yates
  • Patent number: 10858297
    Abstract: An explosive composition, an insensitive munition with a metal eutectic binder, and a method include using a metal eutectic binder with metal coated explosive particles. The metal eutectic binder concept represents novel melt-cast solid mixtures having explosives such as RDX (cyclonite) or HMX (octogen) distributed in an alloy including, for example, eutectic bismuth (Bi)/tin (Sn). Eutectic alloys are particularly considered to provide a melting point of the mixture below the exothermic point of the explosive so that vented munitions disarm by melting without exploding in the event of fire or other elevated heating. Particularly novel is the pre-coating of crystals of explosive (RDX/HMX) with a metal to promote wetting and bonding during melt fabrication of the final mixture. Copper, aluminum, and other metals are considered for use as coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Thomas Krawietz, Victor Bellitto
  • Patent number: 10858296
    Abstract: Flash-cooled freestanding silicon particles are provided for electrochemical use. The particles are solidified from a vapor or molten phase at a cooling rate of at least about 1×103 degrees Celsius per second. The particles have a major dimension less than 1 micron, comprising silicon, and an electrically conductive component within the freestanding submicron particles having an electrical conductivity higher than that of silicon. The silicon is in the form of elemental silicon or lithiated silicon, and the electrically conductive component has a weight ratio to the silicon in the range of from about 0.01 to about 0.25 to 1. The electrically conductive component is in the form of electrically conductive zones within the flash-cooled freestanding silicon particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventor: James J. Myrick
  • Patent number: 10836687
    Abstract: A method of producing DEMN eutectic comprises reacting a reactant mixture comprising ethylenediamine and diethylenetriamine with aqueous nitric acid to form a reaction mixture comprising diethylentriamine trinitrate and ethylenediamine dinitrate. The reaction mixture is combined with methylnitroguanidine and nitroguanidine to form an aqueous slurry. Water is removed from the aqueous slurry. A method of producing an energetic composition, and a system for producing DEMN eutectic are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Velarde, Harold E Johnston
  • Patent number: 10835892
    Abstract: This invention provides a CO2 desorption catalyst that has an excellent CO2 desorption activity and that can be used to replace metal filler. This invention provides a CO2 desorption catalyst comprising an inorganic powder or inorganic powder compact, the inorganic powder or inorganic powder compact having a BET specific surface area of 7 m2/g or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: THE KANSAI ELECTRIC POWER CO., INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Deguchi, Tsunenori Watanabe, Yasuyuki Yagi
  • Patent number: 10766831
    Abstract: A method for gas atomization of oxygen-reactive reactive metals and alloys wherein the atomized particles are exposed as they solidify and cool in a very short time to multiple gaseous reactive agents for the in-situ formation of a protective reaction film on the atomized particles. The present invention is especially useful for making highly pyrophoric reactive metal or alloy atomized powders, such as atomized magnesium and magnesium alloy powders. The gaseous reactive species (agents) are introduced into the atomization spray chamber at locations downstream of a gas atomizing nozzle as determined by the desired powder or particle temperature for the reactions and the desired thickness of the reaction film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Iver E. Anderson, Andrew D. Steinmetz, David J. Byrd
  • Patent number: 10759718
    Abstract: A method continuously produces emulsion explosive by emulsification and sensitization in a static state without a loading pump. After the water phase and oil phase enters a static emulsifier for emulsification, the emulsion enters a static sensitization device; the sensitizer enters the static sensitization device through the sensitizer charging inlet and mixes with the emulsion in the static sensitization device. After emulsification and sensitization, the sensitized explosive directly enters an injection pipe for encapsulation. By adopting the static emulsifier and sensitization device, the explosive material storage amount is greatly reduced, and mechanical stirring and shearing for emulsification is avoided. Meanwhile, mechanical mixing for sensitization is omitted and replaced with full-static high-temperature sensitization, and the safety of sensitization is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: SHIJIAZHUANG SUCCESS MACHINERY ELECTRICAL CO., LTD
    Inventors: Qiuming Tang, Ziqing Guo, Mushen Wang, Aijun Zhang
  • Patent number: 10752561
    Abstract: Inorganic fuel selected from the group of sulphocyanides of noble metals as specially copper, as well as the derivatives of urea and semicarbazide and theirs derivatives and organic fuel selected from the group of thiols with sulphur bound in the —SH group or in the heterocyclic rings and the metal salts of these compounds, mostly cuprous or cupric, which are suitable for the infrared tracer compositions used in bullets. With a suitable oxidant, which is zinc peroxide, the fuel forms binary mixtures that, during combustion, emit radiation in the near-infrared region that is invisible to the naked eye. On the basis of this invention tracer compositions do not require any additional auxiliary pyrotechnic systems. They are intended for use in infrared tracers of conventional calibres of bullet ammunition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: SELLIER & BELLOT A.S.
    Inventor: Jiri Nesveda
  • Patent number: 10731062
    Abstract: Provided is a gas-generating material which exhibits a high adhesive property to a member to be adhered and which makes it possible to generate a gas in a large amount per unit time even when the gas-generating material contains a silane coupling agent. The gas-generating material according to the present invention contains: a binder resin; a gas-generating agent which is an azo compound or an azide compound; and a silane coupling agent having an amino group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeru Nomura, Yoshinori Akagi, Shuichiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10723670
    Abstract: A blasting explosive composition containing a solid inorganic oxidising salt as the oxidizer component, a hydrocarbon liquid as the fuel component, and a binding agent. The composition can also contain an ammonium nitrate based emulsion. The binding agent can increase the water resistance, or increase the sleep time, of the explosive composition, or increase the fuel oil absorbency of the solid inorganic oxidising salt. The binding agent is selected from one or more of a long chain carboxylic acid and its salts and derivatives, especially those having from 8 to 100 or preferably 10 to 50 carbon units. The binding agent may preferably be selected from one or more of: dimer acid, trimer acid, polyisobutylene succinic anhydride, oleic acid, stearic acid, sorbitan tristearate, and their salts and esters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific Pty Limited
    Inventors: Emma McPhail, Brendan Griggs, Jeff Gore, Nathan Paris
  • Patent number: 10724198
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for mineral precipitation of porous particulate starting materials using isolated urease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents, a body corporate of the State of Arizona acting for and on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Edward Kavazanjian, Nasser Hamdan
  • Patent number: 10703687
    Abstract: Stabilized, amorphous high energetic compositions having crystallization inhibiting polymers dispersed throughout the solid composition. The compositions disclosed herein are an improvement over crystalline high energetic compositions in that such disclosed compositions are stable and possess physical properties desirable in propellant and high explosive applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Victor Stepanov, Rajen Patel, Chris Pizzo, Alexander Paraskos, Ruslan Mudryy, Hongwei Qiu
  • Patent number: 10696786
    Abstract: A method of producing an energetic polymer comprises reacting at least one energetic diol with at least one of a diacid halide and a diacid halide derivative to produce a geminal dinitro polyester. A method of producing an energetic binder, and a method of producing an energetic composition are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Straessler, Michael O. Killpack, Daniel W. Doll
  • Patent number: 10654762
    Abstract: A combustible element includes regions of fuel material interspersed with regions of oxidizer material. The element may be made by additive manufacturing processes, such as three-dimensional printing, with the fuel material regions and the oxidizer material regions placed in appropriate locations in layer of the combustible element. For example, different extruders may be used to extrude and deposit portions of a fuel filament and an oxidizer filament at different locations in each layer of the combustible element. The combustible element may define a combustion chamber within the element, where combustion occurs when the combustible element is ignited. The fuel material and the oxidizer material may be selected, and their relative amounts may be controlled, such that desired relative amounts of fuel and oxidizer are present for combustion with desired characteristics, such as combustion rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Jeremy C. Danforth, Mark T. Langhenry, Matt H. Summers, Teresa Perdue