Patents by Inventor Richard K. Polly

Richard K. Polly 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: 10520289
    Abstract: A munition has preformed fragments at two radial distances from a center axis, for instance having inner fragments in or within or adjacent to a casing, and outer fragments outside of the casing. The outer fragments may be between the casing and an outer enclosure that surrounds the casing. The casing may be part of a warhead, and may be a penetrator casing. The fragments at different radial distances from the center may have different sizes, different materials, and/or different shapes. The use of fragments at different radial distances aids in providing enhanced fragmentation effects, such as controlling dispersal of fragments to limit fragmentation effects and/or provide more even distribution of fragments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Thomas H. Bootes, George D. Budy, Wayne Y. Lee, Richard K. Polly, Jason M. Shire, Jesse T. Waddell
  • Patent number: 10401135
    Abstract: A munition, such as a warhead, includes a penetrator casing for penetrating hard targets, such as a fortification or reinforced building or other structure, with the penetrator casing having reduced-thickness portions. The reduced-thickness portions provide weak points to the casing that facilitate the casing being transformed into fragments of a desired size/quantity when an explosive within the casing is detonated after the penetration occurs, thus enhancing the effectiveness of the munition. In addition, the warhead may have lethality-enhancing materials, such as additional fragments and/or energetic materials, at the reduced-thickness portions of the penetrator casing. The reduced-thickness portions may be holes, such as longitudinal holes, in the casing, or may be grooves on an inner and/or outer surface of the casing. The munition may be a dual-use munition, with the explosive able to be detonated at a burst height for use of the warhead as a non-penetrating area fragmentation weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Thomas H. Bootes, George D. Budy, Wayne Y. Lee, Richard K. Polly, Jason M. Shire, Jesse T. Waddell
  • Patent number: 10267607
    Abstract: A munition may include a warhead, such as a penetrator warhead, enclosed in airframe. The airframe may enable connection to standard mountings, and/or to standard nose kits or tail kits. The airframe may have preformed fragments in it, packed between the airframe and the warhead. The preformed fragments may be loose, may be packed in a potting material, or may be in flexible bags. The fragments may enhance performance of the munition. The warhead may also contain preformed fragments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Thomas H. Bootes, George D. Budy, Wayne Y. Lee, Richard K. Polly, Jason M. Shire, Jesse T. Waddell
  • Patent number: 10184763
    Abstract: A munition, such as a warhead, includes a penetrator casing for penetrating hard targets, such as a fortification or reinforced building or other structure. The penetrator casing has a relatively thick nose, and a relatively thin aft section extending back from the nose. A cable interface is in the aft section, and an electrical harness extends from the cable interface, external of the casing, and forward to a nose kit. The penetrator casing may have reduced-thickness portions, to provide weakness points to the casing that facilitate the casing being transformed into fragments of a semi-controlled and desirable size when an explosive within the casing is detonated after the penetration occurs, thus enhancing the effectiveness of the munition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Thomas H. Bootes, George D. Budy, Wayne Y. Lee, Richard K. Polly, Jason M. Shire, Jesse T. Waddell
  • Publication number: 20180156585
    Abstract: A munition, such as a warhead, includes a penetrator casing for penetrating hard targets, such as a fortification or reinforced building or other structure. The penetrator casing has a relatively thick nose, and a relatively thin aft section extending back from the nose. A cable interface is in the aft section, and a electrical harness extends from the cable interface, external of the casing, and forward to a nose kit. The penetrator casing may have reduced-thickness portions, to provide weakness points to the casing that facilitate the casing being transformed into fragments of a semi-controlled and desirable size when an explosive within the casing is detonated after the penetration occurs, thus enhancing the effectiveness of the munition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas H. Bootes, George D. Budy, Wayne Y. Lee, Richard K. Polly, Jason M. Shire, Jesse T. Waddell
  • Publication number: 20180156586
    Abstract: A munition may include a warhead, such as a penetrator warhead, enclosed in airframe. The airframe may enable connection to standard mountings, and/or to standard nose kits or tail kits. The airframe may have preformed fragments in it, packed between the airframe and the warhead. The preformed fragments may be loose, may be packed in a potting material, or may be in flexible bags. The fragments may enhance performance of the munition. The warhead may also contain preformed fragments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas H. Bootes, George D. Budy, Wayne Y. Lee, Richard K. Polly, Jason M. Shire, Jesse T. Waddell
  • Publication number: 20160377396
    Abstract: A munition has preformed fragments at two radial distances from a center axis, for instance having inner fragments in or within or adjacent to a casing, and outer fragments outside of the casing. The outer fragments may be between the casing and an outer enclosure that surrounds the casing. The casing may be part of a warhead, and may be a penetrator casing. The fragments at different radial distances from the center may have different sizes, different materials, and/or different shapes. The use of fragments at different radial distances aids in providing enhanced fragmentation effects, such as controlling dispersal of fragments to limit fragmentation effects and/or provide more even distribution of fragments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas H. Bootes, George D. Budy, Wayne Y. Lee, Richard K. Polly, Jason M. Shire, Jesse T. Waddell
  • Publication number: 20160370159
    Abstract: A munition, such as a warhead, includes a penetrator casing for penetrating hard targets, such as a fortification or reinforced building or other structure, with the penetrator casing having reduced-thickness portions. The reduced-thickness portions provide weak points to the casing that facilitate the casing being transformed into fragments of a desired size/quantity when an explosive within the casing is detonated after the penetration occurs, thus enhancing the effectiveness of the munition. In addition, the warhead may have lethality-enhancing materials, such as additional fragments and/or energetic materials, at the reduced-thickness portions of the penetrator casing. The reduced-thickness portions may be holes, such as longitudinal holes, in the casing, or may be grooves on an inner and/or outer surface of the casing. The munition may be a dual-use munition, with the explosive able to be detonated at a burst height for use of the warhead as a non-penetrating area fragmentation weapon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas H. Bootes, George D. Budy, Wayne Y. Lee, Richard K. Polly, Jason M. Shire, Jesse T. Waddell
  • Patent number: 8240251
    Abstract: Embodiments of a reactive shaped charge, a reactive liner, and a method for penetrating a target are generally described herein. The reactive shaped charge comprises a reactive liner having a matrix of reactive metal particles in a hydrocarbon fuel, a high explosive, and an inner barrier separating the reactive liner from the high explosive. The hydrocarbon fuel fills the interstitial spacing between the reactive metal particles, and the matrix is tightly packed or compresses to exhibit a solid like property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Jesse T. Waddell, Thomas H. Bootes, George Darryl Budy, Richard K. Polly, Jason M. Shire, Wayne Lee
  • Publication number: 20120024180
    Abstract: Embodiments of a reactive shaped charge, a reactive liner, and a method for penetrating a target are generally described herein. The reactive shaped charge comprises a reactive liner having a matrix of reactive metal particles in a hydrocarbon fuel, a high explosive, and an inner barrier separating the reactive liner from the high explosive. The hydrocarbon fuel fills the interstitial spacing between the reactive metal particles, and the matrix is tightly packed or compresses to exhibit a solid like property.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Jesse T. Waddell, Thomas H. Bootes, George D. Budy, Richard K. Polly, Jason M. Shire, Wayne Lee
  • Patent number: 8037829
    Abstract: Embodiments of a reactive shaped charge, a reactive liner, and a method for penetrating a target are generally described herein. The reactive shaped charge comprises a reactive liner having a matrix of reactive metal particles in a hydrocarbon fuel, a high explosive, and an inner barrier separating the reactive liner from the high explosive. The hydrocarbon fuel fills the interstitial spacing between the reactive metal particles, and the matrix is tightly packed or compresses to exhibit a solid like property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Jesse T. Waddell, Thomas H. Bootes, George D. Budy, Richard K. Polly, Jason M. Shire, Wayne Lee
  • Publication number: 20110239888
    Abstract: Embodiments of a reactive shaped charge, a reactive liner, and a method for penetrating a target are generally described herein. The reactive shaped charge comprises a reactive liner having a matrix of reactive metal particles in a hydrocarbon fuel, a high explosive, and an inner barrier separating the reactive liner from the high explosive. The hydrocarbon fuel fills the interstitial spacing between the reactive metal particles, and the matrix is tightly packed or compresses to exhibit a solid like property.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Jesse T. Waddell, Thomas H. Bootes, George D. Budy, Richard K. Polly, Jason M. Shire, Wayne Lee