Patents by Inventor Harold E. Johnston
Harold E. Johnston 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).
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Publication number: 20210253492Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2020Publication date: August 19, 2021Inventors: Stephen P. Velarde, Harold E. Johnston
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Patent number: 10836687Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 1, 2017Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Inc.Inventors: Stephen P. Velarde, Harold E Johnston
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Publication number: 20170233307Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2017Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventors: Stephen P. Velarde, Harold E. Johnston
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Patent number: 9650307Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Orbital ATK, Inc.Inventors: Stephen P. Velarde, Harold E. Johnston
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Patent number: 8460486Abstract: A percussion primer composition that comprises an explosive and a sensitizer, the explosive being a moderately insensitive explosive having an impact sensitivity in the range from about 0.3 kp m to about 0.75 kp m. The moderately insensitive explosive may comprise CL-20, PETN, RDX, HMX, or mixtures thereof. The sensitizer may comprise aluminum, titanium, zirconium, magnesium, melamine, styrene, lithium aluminum hydride, or mixtures thereof. In some instances, the percussion primer composition may comprise the moderately insensitive explosive precipitated onto the sensitizer. The percussion primer composition may contain an oxidizer, which in certain situations comprises a conventional oxidizer or a bismuth compound. The bismuth compound is bismuth trioxide, bismuth subnitrate, bismuth tetroxide, bismuth sulfide, or mixtures thereof. A gun cartridge and other primer-containing ordnance assemblies employing the percussion primer composition are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2012Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.Inventors: Harold E. Johnston, Kristin F. Warner, Reed J. Blau, Scott K. Lusk
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Publication number: 20130126057Abstract: A percussion primer composition that comprises an explosive and a sensitizer, the explosive being a moderately insensitive explosive having an impact sensitivity in the range from about 0.3 kp m to about 0.75 kp m. The moderately insensitive explosive may comprise CL-20, PETN, RDX, HMX, or mixtures thereof. The sensitizer may comprise aluminum, titanium, zirconium, magnesium, melamine, styrene, lithium aluminum hydride, or mixtures thereof. In some instances, the percussion primer composition may comprise the moderately insensitive explosive precipitated onto the sensitizer. The percussion primer composition may contain an oxidizer, which in certain situations comprises a conventional oxidizer or a bismuth compound. The bismuth compound is bismuth trioxide, bismuth subnitrate, bismuth tetroxide, bismuth sulfide, or mixtures thereof. A gun cartridge and other primer-containing ordnance assemblies employing the percussion primer composition are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2012Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.Inventors: Harold E. Johnston, Kirstin F. Warner, Reed J. Blau, Scott K. Lusk
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Patent number: 8282751Abstract: A sensitized explosive that comprises an explosive precipitated onto a sensitizer. The explosive is CL-20, PETN, RDX, HMX, or mixtures thereof and the sensitizer is aluminum, titanium, zirconium, magnesium, melamine, styrene, lithium aluminum hydride, or mixtures thereof. The sensitized explosive is used in a percussion primer that includes a bismuth compound and a melt binder. The bismuth compound is bismuth oxide, bismuth subnitrate, bismuth tetroxide, bismuth sulfide, or mixtures thereof and the melt binder is a wax having a melting point above ambient temperature, trinitrotoluene, poly(3,3-bis(azidomethyl)oxetane), poly(3-azidomethyl-3-methyloxetane), ethyl-3,5-dinitrobenzoate, or mixtures thereof. A gun cartridge and other primer-containing ordnance assemblies employing the percussion primer are also disclosed. Methods of forming the sensitized explosive and the percussion primer are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2009Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.Inventors: Harold E. Johnston, Kirstin F. Warner, Reed J. Blau, Scott K. Lusk
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Publication number: 20100116385Abstract: A sensitized explosive that comprises an explosive precipitated onto a sensitizer. The explosive is CL-20, PETN, RDX, HMX, or mixtures thereof and the sensitizer is aluminum, titanium, zirconium, magnesium, melamine, styrene, lithium aluminum hydride, or mixtures thereof. The sensitized explosive is used in a percussion primer that includes a bismuth compound and a melt binder. The bismuth compound is bismuth oxide, bismuth subnitrate, bismuth tetroxide, bismuth sulfide, or mixtures thereof and the melt binder is a wax having a melting point above ambient temperature, trinitrotoluene, poly(3,3-bis(azidomethyl)oxetane), poly(3-azidomethyl-3-methyloxetane), ethyl-3,5-dinitrobenzoate, or mixtures thereof. A gun cartridge and other primer-containing ordnance assemblies employing the percussion primer are also disclosed. Methods of forming the sensitized explosive and the percussion primer are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2009Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.Inventors: Harold E. Johnston, Kirstin F. Warner, Reed J. Blau, Scott K. Lusk
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Patent number: 7238336Abstract: A method of forming ?-alane. The method includes reacting aluminum trichloride and an alkali metal hydride to form an alane-ether complex solution. An aqueous diethyl ether solution is optionally added to the alane-ether complex solution to form a partially hydrolyzed ether/alane-ether complex solution. A solution of a first crystallization additive is added to the alane-ether complex solution or to the aqueous ether/alane-ether complex solution to form a crystallization solution. The first crystallization additive is selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, polybutadiene, polystyrene-co-polybutadiene, polyisoprene, poly-alpha-methylstyrene, polystyrene-co-polyindene, poly-alpha-pinene, and mixtures thereof. Optionally, a second crystallization additive is added to the crystallization solution.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2006Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.Inventors: Gary K. Lund, Jami M. Hanks, Harold E Johnston
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Patent number: 6984746Abstract: A method of forming ?-alane. The method includes reacting aluminum trichloride and an alkali metal hydride to form an alane-ether complex solution. An aqueous ether solution is optionally added to the alane-ether complex solution to form a partially hydrolyzed ether/alane-ether complex solution. A solution of a crystallization additive is added to the alane-ether complex solution or to the aqueous ether/alane-ether complex solution to form a crystallization solution. The crystallization additive is selected from the group consisting of squalene, cyclododecatriene, norbornylene, norbornadiene, a phenyl terminated polybutadiene, 2,4-dimethyl anisole, 3,5-dimethyl anisole, 2,6-dimethyl anisole, polydimethyl siloxane, and mixtures thereof. Ether is removed from the crystallization solution to crystallize the ?-alane.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2004Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.Inventors: Gary K. Lund, Jami M. Hanks, Harold E. Johnston
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Patent number: 6870061Abstract: A continuous and scalable process for producing glycidyl nitrate, or glyn, from glycerin, nitric acid, and caustic wherein the process includes the reaction of glycerin and nitric acid to form dinitroglycerin and the reaction of dinitroglycerin with caustic, such as sodium hydroxide, system for producing the inventive material is also disclosed. The vessel, a second reaction vessel, and a separation apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2003Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.Inventors: Thomas K. Highsmith, Harold E. Johnston
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Publication number: 20040138481Abstract: A continuous and scalable process for producing glycidyl nitrate, or glyn, from glycerin, nitric acid, and caustic wherein the process includes the reaction of glycerin and nitric acid to form dinitroglycerin and the reaction of dinitroglycerin with caustic, such as sodium hydroxide, to produce glycidyl nitrate. A system for producing the inventive material is also disclosed. The system includes a first reaction vessel, a second reaction vessel, and a separation apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2003Publication date: July 15, 2004Inventors: Thomas K. Highsmith, Harold E. Johnston
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Publication number: 20040133046Abstract: A continuous process for preparing alkoxynitroarenes, such as 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) and 1-isopropoxy-2,4-dinitrobenzene, is provided. The continuous process of the present invention provides for the effective handling and manufacture of alkoxynitroarenes and permits the utilization of the continuous processing equipment already in place in a number of trinitrotoluene (TNT) manufacturing facilities. Thus, the present invention provides a continuous process for the large scale manufacture of TNT alternatives which does not require re-facilitization.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Inventors: Thomas K. Highsmith, Harold E. Johnston
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Patent number: 6610157Abstract: A process for producing prills containing an energetic material other than ammonium dinitramide (ADN) or ammonium nitrate (AN), is performed in a prilling column having at least one heated zone and at least one cooling zone. Solid particulate feedstock of the energetic material is introduced into said prilling column and allowed to fall through the heated zone and form melted particles as pre-prills. A countercurrent flow of inert fluid medium is sufficient for spheridization of the pre-prills into spherical pre-prills. The spherical pre-prills pass through the cooling zone in the prilling column, in which the spherical pre-prills harden into prills, while excessive condensation in the cooling zone is avoided. The prills are then collected.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2001Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.Inventors: Thomas K. Highsmith, Harold E. Johnston
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Patent number: 6512113Abstract: A process for preparing 4,10-dinitro-2,6,8,12-tetraoxa-4,10-diazatetracyclo[5.5.0.05,903,11]-dodecane involves reacting at least one hexa-substituted piperazine derivative with at least one nitrate source and optionally at least one strong acid and heating the mixture to a temperature sufficient to induce an exothermic initial stage of the between the hexa-substituted piperazine derivative and the nitrate source. The mixture is maintained at a temperature in a range of at least ambient to not more than about 80° C. during the exothermic initial stage and at least a portion of a subsequent non-exothermic intermediate stage of the reaction by cooling the mixture during at least a portion of the exothermic initial stage of the reaction so that the reaction proceeds in a controlled manner. The mixture is then cooled to a temperature sufficiently low to prevent commencement of an exothermic NOx autocatalytic stage.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2000Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.Inventors: Andrew J. Sanderson, Robert M. Hajik, Thomas K. Highsmith, Harold E. Johnston
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Patent number: 6416601Abstract: Nitramines are one of the more expensive and often the more plentiful ingredients found in energetic materials, such as solid rocket motor propellants, explosives, and pyrotechnics. By treating aluminized energetic material with an aqueous nitric acid solution containing not more than 55% by weight aqueous nitric acid at a weight ratio of aqueous nitric acid to energetic material of about 4:1 to about 6:1, most constituents of conventional aluminized energetic materials are digested into solution, with the exception of nitramines, which remain substantially insoluble in the aqueous nitric acid and can be recovered without requiring recrystallization of the nitramines. A mineral acid other than nitric acid, preferably hydrochloric acid, is added to increase the rate of aluminum digestion. Treatment of the energetic material can be performed without volatile organic solvents, thus obviating ecological, cost, and safety concerns raised by the use of volatile organic solvents.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2001Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.Inventors: Kirstin F. Warner, Louis F. Cannizzo, Robert M. Hajik, Harold E. Johnston
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Publication number: 20020028971Abstract: Nitramines are one of the more expensive and often the more plentiful ingredients found in energetic materials, such as solid rocket motor propellants, explosives, and pyrotechnics. By treating aluminized energetic material with an aqueous nitric acid solution containing not more than 55% by weight aqueous nitric acid at a weight ratio of aqueous nitric acid to energetic material of about 4:1 to about 6:1, most constituents of conventional aluminized energetic materials are digested into solution, with the exception of nitramines, which remain substantially insoluble in the aqueous nitric acid and can be recovered without requiring recrystallization of the nitramines. A mineral acid other than nitric acid, preferably hydrchloric acid, is added to increase the rate of aluminum digestion. Treatment of the energetic material can be performed without volatile organic solvents, thus obviating ecological, cost, and safety concerns raised by the use of volatile organic solvents.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2001Publication date: March 7, 2002Applicant: Cordant Technologies Inc.Inventors: Kirstin F. Warner, Louis F. Cannizzo, Robert M. Hajik, Harold E. Johnston
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Patent number: 4164930Abstract: A compact cooking stove including a combustion area partially surrounded by a wind screen having a side opening which faces the wind to direct air to the burning fuel. An exhaust opening is formed adjacent a cooking pan placed at the top of the wind screen so that hot exhaust gases from the burning fuel pass upwardly toward the pan. In a first embodiment heat is supplied by a generally cylindrical burner plate including a recessed, central portion forming an alcohol fuel dish surrounded by a fairly broad rim. A plurality of pot-supporting tabs project upwardly from circumferentially spaced points about the rim to support a cooking pan above the fuel dish and rim. Heat from the burning fuel imparted to the bottom of the pan is radiated to the rim of the burner plate to heat the fuel in the fuel dish in order to promote vaporization of the fuel which increases the heat generated by the stove.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1977Date of Patent: August 21, 1979Inventor: Harold E. Johnston