Abstract: A shot charge and wad structure includes a thick-walled plastic shot wad cup having integrally connected base and continuous sidewall portions which together define a shot pocket with an open end for receiving and supporting a charge of shot. The structure also includes a shot pellet charge in the shot pocket composed of tungsten and having a hardness generally at least equal to that of the gun barrel in which a shotshell containing the pellets is to be fired. An insert disk is disposed in the pocket below and in supporting relation to the charge of shot pellets in the pocket. The disk is composed of a material, such as aluminum, having a hardness sufficient to prevent any of the pellets in the charge thereof from embedding therein or in the base portion. Instead, the charge cleanly separates from the pocket of the cup upon firing of a shotshell containing the charge. The shot pocket can be either generally square or circular in cross-section.

Abstract: A semi-wadcutter bullet useful for target practice includes a lead core partially contained and locked in a metal cup-shaped jacket. The lead core has a cylindrical body, a frusto-conical nose formed integral with the body and extending forwardly therefrom, and a forward-facing annular ledge formed on the body and surrounding a base of the nose. The metal jacket has a cylindrical sidewall with an annular rim portion thereon. The core body is seated within the jacket sidewall with the core nose protruding thereabove. The rim portion of the jacket sidewall is bent into overlying relation with the ledge on the core body so as to lock the jacket on the core body and define a forwardly-facing sharp profile for making clean cut holes in the target paper.

Abstract: A monopropellant propulsion system has a tank which includes a liquid chamber and a gas plenum. A monopropellant liquid is contained in the liquid chamber, and a monopropellant gas generator communicates with the gas plenum and the liquid chamber. The gas generator is operable to generate pressurized monopropellant gas in the gas plenum upon receiving monopropellant liquid from the liquid chamber. A one-way flow control valve controls flow of monopropellant liquid from the liquid chamber to the monopropellant gas generator. There is always a standing supply of pressurized monopropellant gas in the gas plenum such that a thrust chamber communicating with the gas plenum will always be supplied with gas. A thrust-generating mechanism is disposed in the thrust chamber in the form of an integrated valve and nozzle.

Abstract: A non-erosive arcjet starting control system and method are provided in combination with an arcjet thruster which includes an anode, a cathode and a gap defined therebetween.

Abstract: An improved efficiency arcjet thruster has a constrictor and electrically-conductive nozzle anode defining an arc chamber, and an electrically-conductive rod having a tip spaced upstream from the constrictor and defining a cathode spaced from the anode by a gap generally coextensive with the arc chamber. An electrical potential is applied to the anode and cathode to generate an electrical arc in the arc chamber from the cathode to anode. Catalytically decomposed hydrazine is supplied to the arc chamber with generation of the arc so as to produce thermal heating and expansion thereof through the nozzle. The constrictor can have a electrically insulative portion disposed between the cathode tip and the nozzle anode, and an electrically-conductive anode extension disposed along the insulative portion so as to define an auxiliary gap with the cathode tip substantially smaller than the gap defined between the cathode and nozzle anode for facilitating startup of arc generation.

Abstract: An improved composite wad structure has a unique laminated shot pocket portion. The wad structure is useful in a shotshell with hard shot pellets, such as steel or tungsten shot, having a hardness generally at least equal to that of the barrel of a gun in which the shotshell is to be fired. The laminated shot pocket portion includes a thin-walled, cup-shaped inner liner for supporting a column of the hard shot and thick-walled, cup-shaped outer tubular body encompassing the inner liner. The inner liner is formed of a tough, high tensile strength material capable of withstanding compressive forces generated by acceleration of the hard shot, when the shotshell containing the wad structure is fired in the barrel of the gun, so as to protect the gun barrel from being scored by the hard shot. The outer body is formed of a soft, low tensile strength material capable of expanding to obturate the combustion gases produced in the gun barrel when the shotshell is fired.

Abstract: A method of assembling a shaped charge projectile employing a fluted liner includes the steps of, first, loading an explosive propellant material in a hollow projectile case, next, preforming a shaped cavity in the propellant material, then, loading a fluted hollow linear into the cavity and, finally, consolidating the propellant material in the projectile case. The consolidation is carried out by engaging the liner with an interface sleeve mounted on an end of a punch and applying consolidating pressure against the propellant material via the sleeve and the liner. The sleeve is composed of resiliently-yieldable and deformable elastomer material having an original shape similar to that of the hollow interior of the liner but without any flutes formed thereon which would match the fluted liner.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sabot projectile is disclosed in which the projectile core is used as the core pin of a mold and a sabot is molded directly onto and in alignment with the projectile core and the core nose is held by a special alignment ring.

Abstract: A high velocity traced armor penetrating subcaliber projectile core having sealed radial spin-up notches on its base is disclosed. Also disclosed, is a plastic sabot for launching a traced subcaliber high velocity armor penetrating projectile core, which sabot is a cup shaped plastic body with a sealed passageway through its base and longitudinal weakening slots on the inside of its walls, the slot extending only part way down the inner surface of the wall to leave a cylindrical sealing surface adjacent the sabot base, whereby to provide a waterproof seal surrounding the rearend of the core and the tracer charge.

Abstract: An improved shot wad structure has a longer outer wad cup, a shorter inner wad cup and a plastic wad insert, and is useful in a shotshell with hard shot pellets, such as steel or tungsten shot. The outer cup, formed of a soft, low tensile strength material, such as polyethylene, is capable of obturating combustion gases produced in a gun barrel when the shotshell is fired, whereas the inner cup, formed of a tough, high tensile strength material, such as nylon, is adapted to support a shot column and is capable of withstanding compressive forces generated by shot acceleration to protect the barrel from being scored by the hard shot.

Abstract: A fluidic valve-operating system has a reciprocally-movable plunger for moving a valve of an internal combustion engine between closed and opened conditions. A main circuit has feed and return paths for flow of hydraulic fluid from a reservoir to the plunger and a pump interposed in the feed path and driven by the engine. A breather circuit has feed and return paths for flow of hydraulic fluid from an accumulator to the plunger. A control valve interposed in the feed and return paths of the respective main and breather circuits is actuatable by a piezoelectric valve for switching each of the main and breather circuits between pressure supply and return flow modes with respect to the plunger. The main circuit when switched to its pressure supply mode applies a drive pressure to the plunger which varies proportionally with the speed of the engine to accelerate the plunger along a drive stroke to move the valve form its closed toward its opened condition.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing double base propellant powder of a low density (specific gravity 1.15 to 1.275). This process uses a salt-free liquor.

Abstract: A priming method for rimfire cartridges is disclosed in which a propellant solution is disposed adjacent a centrifugally located primer material in a rimfire cartridge. The solvent is then evaporated to leave a propellant film near the primer material in order to provide slower, more uniform ignition to thereby allow use of propellant powders which would otherwise be too fast or too sensitive.

Abstract: This invention relates to priming compositions for ammunitions containing manganese dioxide as oxidizer agent in the primer mix, and to the rimfire cartridge containing dinol, manganese dioxide, tetrazene and glass.

Abstract: This invention relates to non-toxic, non-corrosive, lead-free rimfire ammunition.

Abstract: The invention provides a technique for vapor blasting the interior of regular production bullet jackets prior to lead seating. The controlled vapor blasting significantly increases the surface roughness of the bullet jacket interior. As a result, the formed bullet has greater adhesion between the bullet jacket and lead core.

Abstract: The invention relates to propellant powders and specifically to stabilizers for nitrocellulose-based propellant powders.

Abstract: A high velocity ammunition sabot with internal notches of special design to give reliable break-up upon exit from a rifled gun barrel due to centrifugal forces.

Abstract: A plastic covered armor piercing projectile with tubular monocoque penetrator surrounded by lightweight metal washers mounted on a metal butt plug all surrounded by an aerodynamic plastic skin.

Abstract: A projectile with enhanced power for penetrating a target includes an elongated thick-walled casing having a main body with a cavity and a nose with a bore. The nose is interfitted with the main body such that its bore merges with the cavity. An elongated rod-like heavy penetrator extends longitudinally through the main body cavity and into the nose bore. An incendiary charge is disposed in the nose bore, whereas an explosive charge is disposed in the main body cavity. An annular ring is anchored to the main body at the location where the nose bore merges with the main body cavity. The ring has a central opening through which the penetrator is received and aligned for forward penetrating travel upon impact of the nose with the target. The ring separates the nose bore and the main body cavity, retaining the incendiary charge in the nose bore.