Patents by Inventor Christopher Crouse

Christopher Crouse has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220259118
    Abstract: A method of making RDX nanoparticles comprises dissolving RDX in acetone; injecting the RDX/acetone through an inner tube of a turbulent mixer to form an inner flow; injecting an anti-solvent through an outer tube of a turbulent mixer to form an outer flow, wherein the inner tube is concentric with the outer tube, wherein turbulent mixing of the inner flow and outer flow precipitates nanoparticle of RDX. The concentration of RDX in acetone may be 0.5-1.0 mg RDX/mL acetone. The anti-solvent is a mixture of hexane and cyclohexanone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Brian K. Little, Dylan K. Smith, Christopher A. Crouse, Dylan T. Slizewski
  • Patent number: 10883808
    Abstract: A munition includes a munition body containing explosive material. An electronic subsystem is active between release and detonation of the explosive material. One or more batteries are electrically connected to the electronic subsystem to provide power to the electronic subsystem prior to detonation. The one or more batteries are positioned adjacent to the explosive material to be accelerated outward as corresponding munition projectiles after detonation, increasing the effective payload of the munition by performing dual functions. In one or more embodiments, the explosive material is cylindrically shaped and longitudinally aligned in a warhead section of the munition body. The one or more batteries are annularly positioned on lateral surface of the explosive surface to form a cellular fragmenting structure. In a particular embodiments, the munition body is a missile body containing a rocket propulsion system and the electronic subsystem comprises a missile guidance system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Geremy Kleiser, Christopher Crouse, Christopher Lindsay, Ian Kowalczyk, Walter McCracken, Alan Yeates
  • Publication number: 20200248996
    Abstract: A munition includes a munition body containing explosive material. An electronic subsystem is active between release and detonation of the explosive material. One or more batteries are electrically connected to the electronic subsystem to provide power to the electronic subsystem prior to detonation. The one or more batteries are positioned adjacent to the explosive material to be accelerated outward as corresponding munition projectiles after detonation, increasing the effective payload of the munition by performing dual functions. In one or more embodiments, the explosive material is cylindrically shaped and longitudinally aligned in a warhead section of the munition body. The one or more batteries are annularly positioned on lateral surface of the explosive surface to form a cellular fragmenting structure. In a particular embodiments, the munition body is a missile body containing a rocket propulsion system and the electronic subsystem comprises a missile guidance system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Geremy Kleiser, Christopher Crouse, Christopher Lindsay, Ian Kowalczyk, Walter McCracken, Alan Yeates, Robert Tompkins
  • Patent number: 9120710
    Abstract: Reactive nanocomposites, foams, and structures comprising functionalized metal nanoparticles that are incorporated into a fluorinated polymer matrix using an in-situ polymerization process and methods of making and using the same. The reactive nanocomposites, foams, and structures according to the present invention demonstrate enhanced mechanical properties due to the direct chemical integration of the nano-metal fuel particles into the fluoropolymer matrix. In addition, the reactive nanocomposites, foams, and structures may be processed using conventional polymer processing and may be used to fabricate materials such as reactive liners, casings, and other components and inserts. The intense heat produced during reaction may further be used in a variety of applications such as disinfection, decontamination, and/or destruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Christopher A. Crouse, Jonathan E. Spowart, Christian J. Pierce, Breanna K. Hardenstein
  • Patent number: 9102576
    Abstract: Reactive nanocomposites, foams, and structures comprising functionalized metal nanoparticles that are incorporated into a fluorinated polymer matrix using an in-situ polymerization process and methods of making and using the same. The reactive nanocomposites, foams, and structures according to the present invention demonstrate enhanced mechanical properties due to the direct chemical integration of the nano-metal fuel particles into the fluoropolymer matrix. In addition, the reactive nanocomposites, foams, and structures may be processed using conventional polymer processing and may be used to fabricate materials such as reactive liners, casings, and other components and inserts. The intense heat produced during reaction may further be used in a variety of applications such as disinfection, decontamination, and/or destruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Spowart, Christopher A. Crouse, Christian J. Pierce, Breanna K. Hardenstein