Shells Patents (Class 102/473)
  • Publication number: 20080115686
    Abstract: Projectile fuze setback generator power source apparatuses and methods of use and manufacture are disclosed. An explosive projectile contains a fuze with a setback generator and associated fuze electronics. Upon initiation of projectile launch, the setback generator produces a voltage for use by the fuze electronics during flight. The setback generator includes a magnet maintained in place within a surrounding coil by a fastener. When a projectile is fired, rapid acceleration thereof causes the fastener to break and the magnet to be displaced longitudinally within the surrounding coil, which decreases the magnetic field and induces a current in the surrounding coil. The induced current produces a voltage that is stored in a capacitor operably coupled to the setback generators which then is used to power the fuze electronics during flight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Scott D. Crist, Mark J. Tomes, Hossein Aliaghai, Erik J. Elmer
  • Patent number: 7360490
    Abstract: A spin-stabilized artillery projectile (10) with a brake device (16) for reduction of the longitudinal deviation of the artillery projectile (10) in a target area (26) that has a number of impulse elements (24) distributed around its circumference that are provided to reduce the lateral deviation of the artillery projectile (10) in the target area (26) and thus improve the accuracy of aim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Junghans Microtec GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Kautzsch, Albrecht Reindler
  • Patent number: 7347147
    Abstract: In order to move a textile braking element (16) which is in the form of an annular disk and which is deployed radially under the effect of centrifugal force rapidly into a contour which is stable in respect of shape and which is always properly defined even under afflux flow conditions, a cloth (33) which is cut in the form of a circular ring is provided by virtue of radially extending tucks or darts, with a reduced outside periphery (32) in such a way that the opening movement is thereby limited to the shape of a flat obtuse-angled hollow truncated cone which, by means of reinforcing bands (34) which are sewn on along generatrices of the frustoconical surface, is pivotably mounted to the holding ring (15) at the inside periphery (31) while along the outside periphery (32), it is provided with a peripherally extending accumulation of mass (29) for increasing the centrifugal deployment forces; wherein in the front end region of the stowage space (14), the ring (15) is axially fitted into the contour of the fus
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Diehl BGT Defence GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Bär, Karl Kautzsch
  • Patent number: 7331292
    Abstract: An ordnance venting system has one or more adapters that separate the warhead section from other sections of a rocket, or submunition compartments within the warhead itself. The adapters structurally fail at given temperatures and pressures to reduce the danger of explosion from heat induced over-pressurization. By dividing the sections of the rocket with the adapters, the separate sections of the rocket become physically separated by the structural failure of the adapters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Steven S. Kim, Eric Hawley, Joni Johnson, Matt Nolder, John Luense
  • Patent number: 7226016
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and an arrangement for low or non-rotating artillery shells fired from launch weaponry, and which introduces a portion of the barrel pressure built up in the barrel during the launch phase into a chamber arranged in the low or non-rotating artillery shell which is delimited in at least one direction by an element which is movable relative to the rest of the shell when a differential pressure between the chamber and the external environment of the shell is sufficient to move the element. The moveable element may be a protective casing covering fins of the artillery shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: BAE Systems Bofors AB
    Inventors: Stig Johnsson, Ulf Hellman, Ulf Holmqvist
  • Patent number: 7174834
    Abstract: An explosive shell comprising a fusible explosive load placed in a casing incorporating an opening, such shell comprising shimming means placed in the vicinity of the shell opening, such shimming means comprising a ring made of an elastic material placed between a front part of the shell casing and the explosive load, such ring being compressed by compression means, shell wherein the shimming ring incorporates a flange housed in a groove made in the casing of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: GIAT Industries
    Inventors: Dominique Dion, Sylvain Jayet, Règis Aumasson
  • Patent number: 7174835
    Abstract: A covert tracer round has an infrared emitter of radiation mounted to its front, side or back. The radiation (which may be coherent or incoherent) is detected by a sensor that displays an image of the target and the beam. The sensor receives the beam directly if the emitter is on the back of the round and by reflection off the target or nearby objects if the emitter faces forward. The round may include a fixed or moveable collimating lens. The emitter may radiate radially from the round to signal troops or devices located along its path. The round may include sensors that gather significant information about chemicals or biological agents, about magnetic or gravitational anomalies or any other remotely detectable property and transmit that information to the sensor by modulating the emitted radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: David James Knapp
  • Patent number: 7152532
    Abstract: A low-speed projectile is designed for forming relatively large apertures in walls against which the projectile is fired. The projectile includes a penetrator core having a cavity containing an explosive charge activated by a time delay fuse circuit. The time delay is chosen to cause explosive ignition when the cavity and explosive is within the wall to be pierced. The construction of the projectile directs the explosive impulse radially, creating a hole in the wall considerably larger than the outside diameter of the penetrator's core. A preferred application is a projectile for a shoulder-fired weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Ruag Land Systems, Warhead Division
    Inventor: Markus Marcellus Conrad
  • Patent number: 7114449
    Abstract: A method for producing a large-caliber, high-explosive projectile (1, 1?), and a projectile formed according the method, having a projectile casing (2, 2?) that surrounds a chamber (6, 6?) filled with an explosive charge (9, 9?), and that has a mouth (5, 5?) at its tip that can be sealed, and through which the explosive charge (9, 9?) is inserted into the chamber (6, 6?) of the high-explosive projectile (1, 1?). The explosive charge (9, 9?) is disposed in a plastic casing (8), comprised of an elastic material, inside the chamber of the high-explosive projectile (1, 1?). Additional tensioning means (11, 11?, 17, 17?) are provided to compensate for the varying volume of the explosive charge (9, 9?) relative to the projectile casing (2, 2?) if the temperature fluctuates dramatically and maintain the explosive charge (9, 9?) under a pre-stress, particularly when using a plastic bound explosive charge (9, 9?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventor: Ernst-Wilhelm Altenau
  • Patent number: 7104496
    Abstract: An interceptor device for protecting a platform against an incoming threat is provided. The interceptor device comprises a housing and a countermeasure device. At least one detonating charge is capable of deploying the countermeasure device. A controller device housed by the housing is capable of directing the detonating charge(s) to deploy the countermeasure device at least partially radially outward of the housing, corresponding to the threat trajectory. A sensor device is in communication with the controller device, and comprises a range-finding apparatus including one of a LADAR, a RADAR, and a LIDAR device, capable of sensing the threat and/or a range thereof, at least partially radially outward of the housing, and notifying the controller device if the threat is sensed, to cause the controller device to direct the detonating charge(s) to deploy the countermeasure device to impact the threat in the intercept zone. Associated systems, and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Chang Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Yu-Wen Chang
  • Patent number: 7066427
    Abstract: An interceptor device adapted to protect a platform associated therewith against an incoming threat having a trajectory by intercepting the threat in an intercept zone is provided. Such an interceptor device comprises a housing defining an axis and a countermeasure device operably engaged with the housing. At least one detonating charge is housed by the housing and is operably engaged with the countermeasure device. A controller device is in communication with the at least one detonating charge, wherein the controller device is housed by the housing and is configured to direct the at least one detonating charge to deploy the countermeasure device at least partially radially outward with respect to the axis of the housing and in correspondence with the trajectory of the threat to thereby cause the countermeasure to impact the threat in the intercept zone. Associated apparatuses, systems, and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Chang Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Yu-Wen Chang
  • Patent number: 7047886
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for fragmenting rock obstacles and obstructions in mines. The system uses a projectile having a flat or concave nose and a detonating device that has a safety pin to prevent a striker from prematurely igniting the primer during handling of the projectile. The primer is designed to initiate a detonator which detonates an explosive charge upon impact of the projectile with the target rock. The system can include transmitters and receivers and counters to provide remote operation of projectile launch, prearming, arming and/or detonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: RockTek Limited
    Inventors: Brian P. Micke, Mihailo Gavrilovic, Keith W. Wright
  • Patent number: 7004075
    Abstract: An ammunition unit, such as a missile, the casing of which contains at least one explosive charge as well as warhead modules arranged in or on the fuselage or casing that comprise a constituent part of the unit's warhead function when the explosive charge is actuated. The warhead effect modules are of modular design, and the various modules are secured to the fuselage or casing by securing devices and/or retention parts. The device includes a range of modules pertaining to different types of warhead effects. When engaging an actual type of target the ammunition unit is assembled with an array of modules-selected from the range of modules-matched to different types of targets or engagement situations, with the array of modules secured to the fuselage or casing by securing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Bofors Defence AB
    Inventors: Torsten Ronn, Jan Fixell
  • Patent number: 6978717
    Abstract: A projectile in a cartridge designed to be launched from a grenade launcher. The projectile is adapted to be secured to the housing of the cartridge. The projectile includes a camera contained in the projectile body and connected thereto by a cord, and a transmitter contained in the projectile body and connected to the camera. In addition, the projectile includes elements for pinning the front part of the projectile body to a target, and elements for separating the front part of the projectile body from the back part of the projectile body and expelling the camera from the projectile body when the projectile is pinned to the target so that the camera is freely suspended from the projectile by the cord and can rotate in a wind through 180 degrees to observe its surroundings and transmit images thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Harry N. Hambric
  • Patent number: 6889935
    Abstract: A missile includes one or more arrays of barrel assemblies that are displaced from the centre of gravity of missile. Each barrel assembly includes a plurality of projectiles axially disposed within a barrel, and each projectile is associated with a discrete propellant charge for propelling the projectile sequentially from the barrel. Each array of barrel assemblies is capable of selectively firing the projectiles from selected barrels, whereby the missile is accelerated by the reactionary force generated by said firing of projectiles and the missile is deflected onto a new course or trajectory. This enables the missile to be steered to intercept its target, even if the target is undertaking evasive manoeuvres. Each barrel assembly may include multiple projectiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Metal Storm Limited
    Inventor: James Michael O'Dwyer
  • Patent number: 6883435
    Abstract: A penetrator, including a penetrator housing in which there is arranged an explosive charge and an ignition system for the triggering of the explosive charge. The penetrator housing consists of a composite of a steel outer housing and a heavy-metal inner component, whereby the heavy-metal inner component, at predetermined external dimensions of the penetrator, is provided for the reduction of the mass of the steel outer housing and thus leads to an increase in the volume of the explosive charge and correspondingly to an increase in the mass of the explosive charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Diehl GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Manfred Schildknecht, Karl Rudolf
  • Patent number: 6880467
    Abstract: A covert tracer round has an infrared emitter of radiation mounted to its front, side or back. The radiation (which may be coherent or incoherent) is detected by a sensor that displays an image of the target and the beam. The sensor receives the beam directly if the emitter is on the back of the round and by reflection off the target or nearby objects if the emitter faces forward. The round may include a fixed or moveable collimating lens. The emitter may radiate radially from the round to signal troops or devices located along its path. The round may include sensors that gather significant information about chemicals or biological agents, about magnetic or gravitational anomalies or any other remotely detectable property and transmit that information to the sensor by modulating the emitted radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: David James Knapp
  • Patent number: 6860448
    Abstract: A method for protecting a second location against a first projectile fired from a first location at the second location. The method includes: firing at least one second projectile toward the first projectile; and deploying one or more projections from the second projectile to increase its footprint and increase the probability of destroying or changing the trajectory of the first projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Omnitek Partners, LLC
    Inventor: Jahangir S. Rastegar
  • Patent number: 6846372
    Abstract: The invention, as embodied herein, comprises a new composition that provides different outputs depending upon the level of stimulus supplied to the composition. More specifically, if the composition is subjected to a weak shock, the composition produces fragments that burn upon their surfaces. If the composition is subjected to a strong shock, the bulk of the fragments will initiate, and, depending upon the make-up of the fragments, an explosive, propellant, or pyrotechnic, a different output will result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Raafat H. Guirguis
  • Patent number: 6834592
    Abstract: A modular construction system includes identical container-like shell bodies (1), fillings (2) matched to the respective application, and different shell heads (3, 3′, 3″) suitable for the respective application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Armaturen-Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventor: Gottfried Koger
  • Patent number: 6810816
    Abstract: A tracking system for ammunition cartridges where the cartridge casings are provided with serial indicia on an inside surface such that spent casing found at a crime scene can be tracked to the purchaser of the ammunition via a machine scannable system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Inventor: Carl J. Rennard
  • Patent number: 6796244
    Abstract: A ballistic projectile (10) includes a body (12) defining a hollow, open-ended payload cavity (22) covered by means of a cover portion (26) fitting as a spigot into a socket (12.1) defined by the body (12). Peripheral seats in the form of grooves (32), (34) are provided in register in peripheral slide surfaces of respectively the cover portion (26) and the body (12) forming the spigot-socket combination. A peripheral, discontinuous shear ring (36) is received within the respective grooves (32), (34) to bridge the interface and thus to lock the cover portion to the body. Pressure selectively generated in the payload cavity shears the ring (36) to allow parting of the cover portion to expose the payload cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Denel (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: Petrus Hugo Loubser
  • Patent number: 6764042
    Abstract: A tacital base for a guided projectile includes a base structure, and an adaptor structure for securing the base structure to a forward section of the projectile. The base further includes a plurality of fin slots. A plurality of deployable fins are pivotally mounted to the base structure and supported for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: James L. Moore, Gary H. Johnson, William S. Peterson, Rajesh H. Shah, Richard Dryer
  • Publication number: 20030172775
    Abstract: Medium- and high-density articles are formed from melting and casting alloys containing tungsten, iron, nickel and optionally manganese and/or steel. In some embodiments, the articles have densities in the range of 8-10.5 g/cm3, and in other embodiments, the articles have densities in the range of 10.5-15 g/cm3. In some embodiments, the articles are ferromagnetic, and in others the articles are not ferromagnetic. In some embodiments, tungsten forms the largest weight percent of the alloy, and in other embodiments the alloy contains no more than 50 wt % tungsten. In some embodiments, the articles are shell shot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Darryl D. Amick
  • Patent number: 6615738
    Abstract: A fragmentation explosive munition element comprising a casing capable of generating fragments, having an axis of revolution, an explosive charge surrounded by the casing having the same axis of revolution and comprising a hole in the form of a cylindrical canal, the generatrices of which are parallel to the axis of revolution of the charge, a single peripheral and punctual means of initiating the charge. A design of this type makes it possible, for a given explosive charge, to obtain a markedly higher fragment velocity that is obtained with known designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: SNPE
    Inventor: Serge Lecume
  • Publication number: 20030164108
    Abstract: An ammunition unit such as a missile, the casing of which contains at least one explosive charge as well as warhead modules arranged in or on the fuselage or casing that comprise a constituent part of the unit's warhead function when the explosive charge is actuated. The warhead effect modules are of modular design, and the various modules are secured to the fuselage or casing by securing devices and/or retention parts. The device includes a range of modules pertaining to different types of warhead effects. When engaging an actual type of target the ammunition unit is assembled with an array of modules-selected from the range of modules-matched to different types of targets or engagement situations, with the array of modules secured to the fuselage or casing by securing devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Torsten Ronn, Jan Fixell
  • Patent number: 6601517
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a warhead for penetrating hardened or buried targets. In general, the invention comprises a warhead for penetrating hardened or buried targets comprising a warhead that employs a super-cavitating nose along with a cellular structural design that uses a reinforced central post as the main load-bearing component and subdivides the explosive cavity into shorter sections. Also, initiation means for initiating the explosives are present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Raafat H. Guirguis
  • Publication number: 20030140813
    Abstract: A projectile with a penetrator, which on impact with an obstacle (wall, door, glass pane etc.) pierces it, so that immediately afterwards an active substance which is carried along by the penetrator, is set free behind said obstacle. Such a projectile is of particular use by special police, military or other operations as a so called barricade-penetrator, in order to set out of action persons to be overpowered in closed rooms. The release of the active substance occurs without a pyrotechnic detonation; the active substance is expelled exclusively through mechanical means, and preferably by a piston action resulting when the projectile contacts the obstacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Felix Rosenkranz, Peter Anderegg, Peter Spatz, Christoph Streun
  • Patent number: 6588700
    Abstract: A tactical base for a guided projectile includes a base structure, and an adaptor structure for securing the base structure to a forward section of the projectile. The base further includes a plurality of fin slots, with a plurality of insert structures fitted into corresponding ones of the fin slots. A plurality of deployable fins are pivotally mounted to the base structure and supported within the insert structures for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: James L. Moore, Gary H. Johnson, William S. Peterson, Rajesh H. Shah, Richard Dryer, Conlee O. Quortrup
  • Patent number: 6543365
    Abstract: A non-lethal projectile system for non-lethally inhibiting a living target, multi-functional launching devices for delivering the non-lethal projectile systems to a target, methods of assembling the non-lethal projectiles, and tactical methods of the use of the non-lethal projectile, the non-lethal projectile consists of a projectile body to be impacted with a living target and an inhibiting substance within the projectile body, wherein upon impact with the target, the inhibiting substance is dispersed on and about the target. In a variation, the projectile body ruptures upon impact releasing the substance. In another variation, the inhibiting substance is a powdered substance comprising a powdered pepper derived substance, for example, oleoresin capsicum or capsaicin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Jaycor Tactical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Vasel, Scott C. Nunan, Gregory A. Niederhaus, Peter G. Coakley, Eric Wenaas, Roger Behrendt
  • Publication number: 20030051627
    Abstract: A shell cap of plastic material has longitudinal depressions (6) arranged in a radiating configuration and additional peripheral grooves (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Johann Stogermuller
  • Publication number: 20030051626
    Abstract: 1. For manufacturing shells for different uses, a modular construction system is described that is provided with identical container-like shell bodies (1), fillings (2) matched to the respective purpose of application, and different shell tips (3, 3′, 3″) suitable for the respective purpose of application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Gottfried Koger
  • Patent number: 6494140
    Abstract: A modular boosted penetrator (BPEN) is disclosed that includes a penetrating warhead in tandem with a booster motor. The modular BPEN can also include suitable guidance and control systems. The configuration of the modular BPEN is such that it can function as either a direct strike weapon, or as a launchable submunition, without substantial modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Frank F. Webster
  • Patent number: 6457416
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for fragmenting rock obstacles and obstructions in mines. The system uses a projectile having a flat or concave nose and a detonating device that has a safety pin to prevent a striker from prematurely igniting the primer during handling of the projectile. The primer is designed to initiate a detonator which detonates an explosive charge upon impact of the projectile with the target rock. The system can include transmitters and receivers and counters to provide remote operation of projectile launch, prearming, arming and/or detonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: RockTek Limited
    Inventors: Brian P. Micke, Mihailo Gavrilovic, Keith W. Wright
  • Patent number: 6453790
    Abstract: A system for communicating hardened, buried target arrival-related data from an airborne warhead device to a remote mission analysis location is disclosed. The communicated information especially relates to impact deceleration events encountered by a hardened target penetration warhead, events arising from the warhead impacting with the earth and then with one or more layers of hardening material such as concrete disposed in or adjacent a subterranean target. Verification of warhead detonation may also be included in the communicated data. The system includes ultra high radio frequency communication from the subterranean warhead to a repeater apparatus disposed at or above the point of warhead earth impact followed by conventional signal relaying of the collected warhead experience data from the repeater to a remote mission analysis facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: John L. Cesulka, Kenneth J. Williamson
  • Publication number: 20020121213
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for fragmenting rock obstacles and obstructions in mines. The system uses a projectile having a flat or concave nose and a detonating device that has a safety pin to prevent a striker from prematurely igniting the primer during handling of the projectile. The primer is designed to initiate a detonator which detonates an explosive charge upon impact of the projectile with the target rock. The system can include transmitters and receivers and counters to provide remote operation of projectile launch, prearming, arming and/or detonation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Applicant: Rock Tek Limited.
    Inventors: Brian P. Micke, Mihailo Gavrilovic, Keith W. Wright
  • Patent number: 6374744
    Abstract: A shrouded bomb is provided having components which are substantially free of weld lines and rivets. The shroud assembly includes a nose cone having a forward end and a rear end, a central tube having a forward end contiguous with the rear end of the nose cone, and a rear end, and an aft tube having a forward end contiguous with the rear end of the central tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce E. Schmacker, Ronald L. Wooten
  • Patent number: 6293204
    Abstract: The invention is ammunition and ammunition components labeled so that either a projectile or a shell casing found at a crime scene can be associated with all documented handlers from the last documented recipient back to the manufacturer. The likely labeling code is a two-dimensional binary array with at least six cells (digits) in each dimension. Several different methods of imparting the label to a projectile at or near its rear end are described, some of which can be used in combination, including: adding a labeled identification member beneath the projectile's rear surface, embossing the projectile's rear surface, injecting pins through the projectile's rear end, embossing the projectile beneath the projectile's rear surface at a transition between metal layers of different melting temperatures, printing the projectile's rear surface with detectable material, etching the projectile's rear surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: David M Regen
  • Patent number: 6272998
    Abstract: A tracer sleeve having a self-destruction charge, for use with a projectile. The tracer sleeve is screwed into a threaded bore in a rearward end of the projectile. The self-destruction charge is situated in a recess in a forward bottom of the tracer sleeve. A closed bushing bottom in the projectile separates the bore from a more forwardly situated charge member. The recess being a blind bore from the front side of the bottom of the tracer sleeve, and the blind bore being closed by a disc which is sealingly attached in front of the blind bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Nammo Raufoss AS
    Inventor: Kåre R. Strandli
  • Patent number: 6244156
    Abstract: A blast shell is launched as a defense against an attacking tail fin-stabilized projectile, such as in particular a KE penetrator, from an object which is to be protected. Gas fumes and a reaction pressure blast wave from a fired blast warhead of the shell act principally on the tail region of the attacking projectile and thereby deflect the latter from a trajectory in the attack direction so that the object under attack is either missed or at least is not hit in a head-on direction, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the attacking projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Diehl Stiftung & Co.
    Inventors: Raimar Steuer, Christian Klee, Helmut Ertel, Gunter Weihrauch
  • Patent number: 6227119
    Abstract: The present invention is devoted to providing projectiles which can be configured as relatively lightweight warhead assemblies that are comparable to heavier warhead assemblies in target-destruction effectiveness. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, the lightweight warhead assemblies can be more efficiently carried in greater numbers on, for example, aircraft platforms. Because these lightweight warhead assemblies can replace existing, larger warhead assemblies, a standard size warhead assembly can be used to attack different types of targets. In addition, various submunitions or unitary warheads can be incorporated into payload containers having a common external shape with common aerodynamic and mass properties, as well as common guidance, sensor, fuzing, and mechanical and electrical interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce E. Schmacker
  • Patent number: 6179944
    Abstract: This invention is a non-fragmenting warhead casing prepared from at least one thermosetting epoxy resin and carbon fibers wherein the epoxy resin is characterized as a liquid, low viscosity resin at ambient temperatures, curable at temperatures ranging up to 175° F. and further characterized has having a glass transition temperature T(g) ranging from about 200° F. to 250° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Joseph C. Monolo, Fred W. Watson, Jr., George R. Evans, John W. Hannick, Robert G. Lam
  • Patent number: 6135028
    Abstract: A penetrating, dual-mode warhead having soft target, surface burst mode and a hard target, penetrating mode is provided. The warhead has a cylindri outer fragmenting shell which contains an explosive surround. A long-rod penetrator with an explosive payload is located within the outer fragmenting shell. By arming selection prior to launch, the warhead can be configured for the surface burst mode which uses proximity sensor to initiate the outer shell explosive. The outer shell initiates the penetrator payload thereby detonating both explosives and fragmenting both the shell and penetrator casing. In the penetrating mode, the outer shell is stripped away on impact but is initiated just as the penetrator exits the shell. By this method the penetrator remains undamaged, but the outer shell nevertheless detonates to engage any surface targets. The penetrator continues into the hardened target, detonating on either a void sensor or on timing, whichever occurs first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Lucia D. Kuhns, Leonard T. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6109185
    Abstract: Anti-armor projectiles comprising a main projectile having a single warhe and an additional autonomous precursor warhead which is stowed with the main projectile and attached to the main projectile just before firing, thereby providing a tandem warhead capability and improved lethality for the main projectile. The attachable precursor warhead is packaged with the main projectile so that the length and diameter of the main projectile is not increased while it is stored and until the autonomous precursor warhead is attached just prior to firing. The autonomous warhead may be a chemical energy (CE) warhead or a kinetic energy (KE) warhead so that when attached to existing CE warhead or KE warhead projectiles, tandem CE-CE, tandem CE-KE, tandem KE-KE, or tandem KE-CE warhead projectiles are created. The autonomous, attachable warhead is completely self-contained and prior to firing is affixed to and stowed adjacent the main projectile without exceeding the length and diameter constraints of the main projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Ameer G. Mikhail
  • Patent number: 6038979
    Abstract: The present invention is a process and material for forming warhead casin The material itself consists of tightly wound carbon fiber bonded by a low temperature (room temperature) resin. This process of formation gives several advantages, including the ease of manufacturing and the elimination of the need to do inside threading as the interior of the casing can be totally formed during winding of the carbon thread. This also increases the speed of the formation process. The use of carbon thread and low temperature resins also gives several key advantages. First, the low temperature aspect of the resin allows the resulting casing to break down at temperatures significantly less than the ignition point of the munitions held within it. Because the fibers tend to separate as the ambient temperature increases, the casing will auto-ventilate at high temperatures. Additionally, since the casing is formed from carbon fibers, it maintains a high tensile strength while minimizing the weight of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Fred W. Watson, Wayne Hannock, Robert Lam, George Evans
  • Patent number: 6012393
    Abstract: A penetration warhead of a positively position-controlled roll-stabilized missile. The warhead has a main axis and includes a nose section which is asymmetric with respect to the main axis of the warhead, the asymmetry is selected such that upon impacting a target the forces acting on the nose section create a moment about the warhead's center of gravity which directs the penetration warhead in a direction which is substantially toward the perpendicular, thereby increasing the warhead's penetration depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: State of Israel-Ministry of Defense, Rafael-Armamient Dieve
    Inventor: Zeev Tal
  • Patent number: 5996501
    Abstract: A dual explosive charge is described that simultaneously enhances blast and fragmentation characteristics of the charge, including an inner driven charge of a non-ideal explosive surrounded by an outer charge sleeve of a more nearly ideal explosive, detonation of the outer charge resulting in an extremely high temperature, high pressure environment that accelerates reaction kinetics in the inner charge, resulting in enhanced blast and fragmentation performance of the explosive charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Arthur F. Spencer, John D. Corley
  • Patent number: 5988071
    Abstract: A penetrator having a plurality of stacked penetrator segments is disclosed. One or more of the segments contains an explosive element Each segment has a nose portion and a rear portion. The rear portion of each segment has a rearwardly opening cavity therein and a plurality of fins pivotally mounted thereon. The segments are stacked such that the cavity of the forwardmost segment contains the nose portion of the following segment, and the following segments are similarly positioned such that the nose portion of each following segment is positioned in the cavity of the immediately preceding segment. The fins of each segment are restrained in a stowed position when the cavity of the respective segment contains the nose portion of a following segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5945629
    Abstract: A fuse-less ballistic explosive projectile (1) with a great fragmentation effect has a secondary explosive (50) with a special structure (75), the secondary explosive detonating upon impact. The secondary explosive (50) surrounds within a projectile cap (24) a conical projection (30) of a penetration core (18). Transmission of the firing effect from the secondary explosive (50) is effected through a central through bore (40) of the penetration core (18) to a large-volume bursting charge (60) arranged in a projectile body (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Diehl Stiftung & Co.
    Inventors: Manfred Schildknecht, Karl Rudolf, Hans Strauss
  • Patent number: 5939662
    Abstract: A hard-target penetrating warhead (10) adapted for use with length constrained warhead payload bays. The warhead (10) includes a warhead case (12) for containing warhead explosives (22, 27). A tungsten ballast (16) is disposed within the case (12) for providing a high warhead sectional pressure upon impact of the warhead (10) on a target. A fuse (19) detonates the warhead explosives (22, 27) upon penetration of the target. The fuse (19) is housed by a fuse well (18) that is attached to the case (12) at one end. A slip fit section of the fuse well (18) provides structural support to the case (12) and prevents dislodging of the fuse well (18) and the fuse (19) from the case (12) upon warhead target impact. Explosives blowout ports (24) included in the fuse well (18) inhibit undesirable explosion or detonation of the warhead explosives (22, 27) by accidental exposure to high heat or fire. In a specific embodiment, the case (12) has a 6 caliber radius head nose (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Thomas H. Bootes, Mel Castillo