Patents by Inventor Denis D. Rickman

Denis D. Rickman 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).

  • Patent number: 7926423
    Abstract: A lightweight man-packable system for breaching in a single application reinforced structure such as steel reinforced concrete (SRC) walls. Embodiments comprise two explosive charge arrays installed in a housing that is abutted against a wall using either studs or prop sticks. One embodiment positions a secondary linear shaped charge (LSC) or self-forming fragment charge (SFF) spaced apart from a primary high explosive (HE) charge that contacts the structure. The HE is detonated to remove concrete in a pattern sufficient to enable a human to transit the resultant opening and the secondary charge cuts the reinforcement shortly thereafter enabling a “clean” breach via a single application of the system. In select embodiments the second array is positioned on a hinged frame to increase stand-off from the first array and moves into place to detonate over the opening immediately after detonation of the first array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Denis D. Rickman, Jon E. Windham, John Q. Ehrgott, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100122639
    Abstract: A lightweight man-packable system for breaching in a single application reinforced structure such as steel reinforced concrete (SRC) walls. Embodiments comprise two explosive charge arrays installed in a housing that is abutted against a wall using either studs or prop sticks. One embodiment positions a secondary linear shaped charge (LSC) or self-forming fragment charge (SFF) spaced apart from a primary high explosive (HE) charge that contacts the structure. The HE is detonated to remove concrete in a pattern sufficient to enable a human to transit the resultant opening and the secondary charge cuts the reinforcement shortly thereafter enabling a “clean” breach via a single application of the system. In select embodiments the second array is positioned on a hinged frame to increase stand-off from the first array and moves into place to detonate over the opening immediately after detonation of the first array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventors: Denis D. Rickman, Jon E. Windham, John Q. Ehrgott, JR.
  • Patent number: 6032538
    Abstract: A mounting device for pressure transducers comprises a housing with two cbers separated by an acoustic filter/heat sink. A blast shield having at least one opening allows communication between the measured environment and the first chamber and provides protection to the acoustic filter/heat sink film blast particles and flame. The acoustic filter/heat sink comprises a plurality of tortuous paths through a material having a high thermal conductivity and high specific gravity. The pressure transducer is located in the second chamber and is mounted on a thermally insulating mounting plate. The tortuous paths provide attenuation of high frequency, high amplitude pressure transients, cools the medium entering the filter due to the pressure transient and protects the transducer from corrosive particles and aerosols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Denis D. Rickman, Bruce C. Barker, John H. Stout
  • Patent number: 5614659
    Abstract: A device for measuring soil pore-air pressure in a high shock environment characterized by a shock resistant housing containing a plurality of pressure sensing ports with sintered metal filters mounted therein which filter fine soil particles, withstand high pressure shock, and permit high air flow. When the device is installed in the ground and an explosive is detonated nearby, soil particles are filtered from the air blast by the sintered metal filters, thereby enabling the device to provide accurate pore-air pressure measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Denis D. Rickman
  • Patent number: 5303596
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for a piezoelectric airblast gage includes a steel insert into which the gage is screwed. The insert is contained within a steel housing to provide a protective enclosure for the piezoelectric gage and its associated electronics. The insert is clamped inside the housing by means of a steel clamping ring which is bolted to the housing. Gaskets surround the insert on all surfaces which might come in contact with the steel housing or clamping ring. Prior to final assembly, the external electronics package for the piezoelectric gage is shock-isolated by filling the cavity beneath the insert with a shock-mitigating substance. Once fully assembly, the top of the insert and the piezoelectric gage are flush with the top of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Army Corps of Engineers
    Inventor: Denis D. Rickman