Patents Examined by James Bergin
  • Adaptable smart warhead charge and method for use
    Patent number: 8365671
    Abstract: A method for detonating a munition comprising the steps of providing a plurality of micro-detonators and microprocessors in said munition and initiating said micro-detonators in a predetermined sequence by means of said microprocessor. Depending on the specific predetermined sequence which is selected, one of a variety of explosive modes may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Paul R. Rohr
  • Composite projectile
    Patent number: 8359979
    Abstract: A projectile formed from dissimilar materials. The projectile includes a metallurgical interlayer that joins the dissimilar materials together. The metallurgical interlayer also matches the shock impedance of the two materials to prevent delamination during launch and during impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: B6 Sigma, Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek R. Dave, Mark J. Cola, Daniel A. Hartman, C. Robert Kline, Jr., Joel W. House, Geremy Jason Kleiser
  • Projectiles for marking targets and methods of manufacturing such projectiles
    Patent number: 8359978
    Abstract: Projectiles containing a fluorophore composition comprising a fluorophore compound and an activator composition comprising an activator compound for marking targets are disclosed. Some embodiments include a nose structure with a cavity radially segmented into a plurality of radially isolated compartments by at least one laterally and radially extending internal wall. Additional embodiments include a fore compartment and an aft compartment sealed by a septum. Yet additional embodiments include at least one pressurized cavity and may further include a plunger positioned and configured to pierce each pressurized cavity. Methods of manufacturing target marking projectiles and methods of marking targets are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Endicott, Daniel W. Doll, R. Brad Cragun, Jared K. Olson, Michael T. Rose, Mark A. Moore, James D. Rozanski, Russell J. George
  • Projectile made of steel softened to the core
    Patent number: 8356555
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a projectile made of steel or based on iron, for a hunting or sports cartridge, for the purpose of giving it a Vickers hardness at room temperature of between 40 HV 10 and 110 HV 10, preferably between 40 HV 10 and 85 HV 10, characterized at least by the following successive steps:—liquid pig iron or steel is used, hereafter called liquid metal, the carbon content of which is between 0.8 and 4.0% C by weight, preferably between 0.8 and 2.0% C by weight;—the liquid metal is cast using a steam or water-vapor granulation process to obtain spheroidal steel particles; —said particles are subjected to a heat treatment for softening the solidified metal by graphitization, while remaining in the ferritic range; and—optionally, said particles are subjected to a surface coating treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Centre de Recherches Metallurgiques asbl—Centrum voor de Research in de Metallurgie vzw
    Inventors: Alain Schmitz, Gisele Walmag, Vittorino Tusset
  • Lead free reduced ricochet limited penetration projectile
    Patent number: 8347788
    Abstract: A frangible projectile with a specific gravity similar to a lead projectile. The projectile comprises 34-94%, by weight, binder. The binder comprises poly ether block amide resin. The projectile further comprises 6-66%, by weight, ballast. The ballast comprises at least one member selected from a group consisting of tungsten, tungsten carbide, molybdenum, tantalum, ferro-tungsten, copper, bismuth, iron, steel, brass, aluminum bronze, beryllium copper, tin, aluminum, titanium, zinc, nickel silver alloy, cupronickel and nickel. The projectile can be prepared with a particularly preferred specific gravity of 5-14 and more preferably 11-11.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: John D. LeaSure
  • Non-lethal wireless stun projectile system for immobilizing a target by neuromuscular disruption
    Patent number: 8342098
    Abstract: A projectile launched from a conventional weapon; upon impact with a human target the projectile attaches to the target and stuns and disables the target by applying a pulsed electrical charge. The electric round is defined as non lethal ammunition directed to incapacitate a human, to prevent him from moving for a short time, to prevent him from committing a crime and to allow authorized personnel to arrest the target. A novel thin film technology transformer and thin film technology battery produce an electrical shock capable of stunning a human being in a device the size of a conventional bullet. The transformer and battery are smaller and lighter than conventional transformers and batteries with similar power output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Security Devices International Inc.
    Inventors: Ilan Shalev, Matwey Bereznitsky, Haim Danon, Nathan Blaunstein, Ginnadii Swarzshtein
  • Self-stemming cartridge
    Patent number: 8342095
    Abstract: A cylindrical casing (18) has first and second ends (33 and 31), the first end (33) being closed. The casing (18) encloses an accelerant (22) disposed adjacent the first end (33), at least one stemming mechanism (21), and a fuse (14 or 14?) extending from the accelerant (22) out of the second end (31) of the cylindrical casing (18). The cartridge (12) is made of a rupturable cylindrical casing (18) with accelerant (22) and self-stemming mechanism (22) inserted therein. A method of breaking hard (R) materials involves detonating a self-stemming cartridge (12) disposed in a borehole (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventor: Carroll Bassett
  • Caseless projectile and launching system
    Patent number: 8342097
    Abstract: A launcher system includes a launcher having a barrel adapted to receive a projectile with a charge of propellant and a magazine adapted to hold additional projectiles, with each projectile including a piston shiftably mounted for movement relative to a main body. When propellant in the projectile is ignited, either mechanically or electrically, the propellant forces the piston from a retracted position during a period of initial thrust and then the propellant exits through at least one vent hole to provide an additional thrust for the projectile upon the piston moving to a fully extended position and safely discharge pressure from within the projectile. The projectile may be fired at lethal or non-lethal velocities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Widder, Christopher A. Perhala
  • Marking paint ball and method for making same
    Patent number: 8342099
    Abstract: A marking paint ball includes a shell made of non-water-soluble polymer material and having a substantially spherical shape. A marking paint composition is contained in the shell. The shell is made of an oxo-biodegradable material. A method for making such a ball is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventor: David Delhaye
  • Perforating gun assembly and method for controlling wellbore pressure regimes during perforating
    Patent number: 8336437
    Abstract: A perforating gun assembly for use in a wellbore. The perforating gun assembly includes a carrier gun body and a charge holder disposed within the carrier gun body. A plurality of shaped charges are supported within the carrier gun body. A secondary pressure generator is operably associated with at least one of the shaped charges. The secondary pressure generator optimizes the wellbore pressure regime immediately after detonation of the shaped charges by controlling the dynamic underbalance created by the empty gun chambers to prevent excessive dynamic underbalance which may detrimentally effect the perforating operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Ross Barlow, Cam Van Le, James Marshall Barker
  • Gastight electrical bushing and its use in a projectile
    Patent number: 8336458
    Abstract: A projectile in which the metallic base body itself is used as a ground wire and only the signal line is passed through the inside of the base body so that it is insulated by a suitable bore of the base body. The signal line is insulated from the ground wire by a coating of an electrically insulating material applied to the base body, before the signal line is introduced into the bore. The two ends of the signal line are provided with connecting contacts, which preferably can be screwed at least partially into the base body and are mounted in such a way that they are insulated from the base body. To allow contacting of the ground wire, which is formed by the base body itself, the front end and the rear end of the base body are provided with coating-free blind bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Baumann, Torsten Niemeyer, Juergen Pellnath
  • Inflator
    Patent number: 8333154
    Abstract: An inflator (1) comprised of an inner case (19) and an outer case (28). The inflator (1) includes a combustion chamber located inside the inner case (19), a plurality of gas discharge ports (16) formed on the outer case (28), a gas outlet port (11) formed on an outer surface of the inner case (19) and a gas guide section that guides the inflation gas exited the gas outlet port (11) toward the gas discharge ports (16). The gas guide section includes between the outer case (28) and inner case (19) a guide wall (13a) provided with a guide plane that contacts with and redirects the inflation gas. The guide plane is formed into an arc face so as to swivel the inflation gas exited the gas outlet port (11) in a swirl or helical fashion, guide the inflation gas toward the gas discharge ports (16) and capture residuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaki Fukuyama, Toru Ozaki, Hiroki Murase, Osamu Fukawatase, Yasushi Itou, Naoki Matsuda, Yusuke Komine, Tomoharu Kobayashi
  • Projectile that includes an umbilical interface cover
    Patent number: 8333152
    Abstract: Some embodiments pertain to an example projectile that includes an enclosure and an umbilical interface that is exposed on the enclosure. The projectile further includes an umbilical interface cover attached to the enclosure such that the umbilical interface cover protects the umbilical interface. The umbilical interface cover includes a casing and a sensing system inside the casing. The sensing system monitors conditions that the projectile is exposed to until the umbilical interface cover is removed to expose the umbilical interface. The sensing system allows the umbilical interface cover to record data related to the conditions that the projectile is exposed to until the umbilical interface on the projectile is mated to a launcher's umbilical interface. The recorded data may provide valuable information in diagnosing why there was a projectile mission failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Bruce R. Woollard
  • Launching devices enabling sub-caliber artillery projectiles
    Patent number: 8333153
    Abstract: The invention relates to a launching device for a sub-caliber artillery projectile employing a base with sliding band, the base being linked to sabot sectors by means of hinges that can be detached during flight, the opening of the sabot being activated thanks to the dynamic air pressure on the flared shapes to the fore of the sectors, said hinge is flanged radially so as to prevent its becoming separated from the sabot sectors 5 outside of the flight phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Nexter Munitions
    Inventor: Lionel Caillat
  • Energetic linear timing element
    Patent number: 8327766
    Abstract: A timing element for an initiator is made from a reactive polymeric material such as, e.g., a glycidyl azide polymer. The reactive polymeric material may include pulverulent oxidizer additives, such as ammonium, perchlorate and/or ferric oxide. The oxidizer additives are used to increase the rate of reaction and the output spark of the polymer material. The timing element serves to delay the travel of an initiation signal between an input, such as a signal transmission input line, and an explosive output charge, for a predetermined period of time, usually about 5 to about 10,000 milliseconds, e.g., about 9 to about 9600 milliseconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Dyno Nobel Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Twarog, Jr., John C. Campbell, Jr., Tyson J. Plitt, Kim Chi Ho
  • Perforators
    Patent number: 8322284
    Abstract: A composite material case (19) and liner (21) is described for use in a perforator (17) for completing wells such as oil, gas and water wells (1). The materials selected are intended to exhibit stability during prolonged periods at the raised temperatures and pressures present in a well (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Russell Vaughan Meddes, Michael John Hinton
  • Combined firework
    Patent number: 8322285
    Abstract: A combined firework is disclosed. In the combined firework, several tubular holes whose central longitudinal axes are parallel to each other are uniformly distributed in a body, the tubular holes have openings upward and bottom ends closed. The closed end of the bottom of each tubular hole is provided with two small through holes penetrating through the bottom of the body and respectively provided with an inward fuse and an outward fuse in series connection. The body, the tubular holes and the small through holes thereof are an integrally molded structure. On the bottom in the tubular hole propellant powder is provided and connected with the outward fuse and the inward fuse. On the propellant powder an inner cylinder or effect powder is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventors: Ziyou Zhong, Yongzhang Liu, Weimin Zhong, Liang Zhong, Binbo Gong
  • Single piece non-lethal projectile
    Patent number: 8316769
    Abstract: A reloadable training munition having a reusable shell base having a propulsion system reload inserted into a hollow cavity of the shell base and a reusable single piece projectile inserted into the shell base, the projectile having a hollow body portion, a driving band adjacent the body portion, and a nose portion adjacent the driving band having void spaces for controlling both density and mass properties of the nose portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Safariland, LLC
    Inventor: Chris Wilson
  • Munition having payload of high-density spheroids
    Patent number: 8316770
    Abstract: A munition round includes a cartridge case; a canister disposed at a forward end of the cartridge case, the canister including a piston movable in the canister; a plurality of high-density spheroids having a diameter in a range of about 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches; a rear container disposed in the canister adjacent the piston, and fully loaded with the high-density spheroids; a front container disposed in the canister and partially loaded with the high-density spheroids, a remaining volume of the front container occupied by a spacer disc disposed atop the high-density spheroids; and a cap that closes a forward end of the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Patrick Fisher, Meghan Abraham, Bhuvanesh Thoguluva, Keith Martin, Robin Zeto
  • Simulated hand grenade having a multiple integrated laser engagement system
    Patent number: 8312814
    Abstract: A hand grenade simulator includes a hand grenade simulator housing configured to simulate the appearance of a hand grenade. The hand grenade simulator also includes a trigger mechanism coupled to the hand grenade simulator housing. The hand grenade simulator further includes a timer coupled to the trigger mechanism. The hand grenade simulator additionally includes at least one transmitter coupled to the timer. The transmitter is operable to transmit the first signal simulating a hand grenade blast pattern a first amount of time after activation of the trigger mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Eric R. Davis, Giles D. Jones, William W. Price, Christopher A. Tomlinson, Peter M. Wallrich, Jeffrey E. Decker