Patents Assigned to Alliant Techsystems
  • Patent number: 9170080
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to reloading kits containing a packaged high-density metal-filled polymer composition that is moldable and used in producing lead-free or “green” bullets for individual firearms. Such kits and compositions may be used by individuals in their reloading process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Rochelle D. Poore, Daniel B. Shipman
  • Publication number: 20150226705
    Abstract: A method for detecting defects in an object of interest comprises applying an ultrasonic signal including a tone burst having a predetermined frequency and number of cycles into an object of interest, receiving a return signal reflected from the object of interest, and processing the return signal to detect defects in the at least one inner material. The object may have an outer material and at least one inner material that have different acoustic impedances. An ultrasonic sensor system includes an ultrasonic sensor configured to generate an ultrasonic signal having a tone burst at a predetermined frequency corresponding to a resonant frequency of an outer material of an object of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Hartman, Lee H. Pearson
  • Publication number: 20150208887
    Abstract: A vacuuming device for neutralizing flammable powders. The device includes a container having an upper chamber and a lower chamber separated by a baffle, with the upper chamber being in fluid communication with the lower chamber proximate an outer annular region of baffle. A liquid such as water is disposed in the lower chamber, and an air jet drawn into the lower chamber via a vacuum inlet line. In one embodiment, the air jet passes through the liquid for generation of a tangential flow that causes the body of liquid to rotate within the lower chamber. The rotation in the lower chamber can also cause the air in the upper chamber to rotate, so that liquid droplets entrained therein migrate to the outer wall centrifugally. Flammable particles entrained in the air jet are wetted and neutralized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventor: Scott E. Moore
  • Publication number: 20150203415
    Abstract: A reactive material that includes at least one of a fuel, an oxidizer, and a class 1.1 explosive and is formulated for use in a reactive material projectile. The reactive material is formulated to provide at least one of an overpressure of greater than approximately 9 pounds per square inch at a radial measurement of 12 inches from a point of impact on a target, a hole greater than approximately 2 square inches at an optimum penetration level in a target, and pressure, damage, and a flame when the reactive material bullet impacts a target. The fuel may be a metal, a fusible metal alloy, an organic fuel, or mixtures thereof. The oxidizer may be an inorganic oxidizer, sulfur, a fluoropolymer, or mixtures thereof. A reactive material projectile having the reactive material disposed therein is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel B. Nielson, Benjamim N. Ashcroft, Daniel W. Doll
  • Publication number: 20150174710
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus of an improved cooling structure having cooling passages are provided. A method includes forming pilot holes with an electrical discharge machine (EDM) drill near a heated flow surface. The pilot holes are then shaped with a wire EDM into cooling passages having a desired shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Guinan, James B. Philpott, Henry K. Webster, Christopher Gettinger
  • Patent number: 9023121
    Abstract: A solid feed system may comprise a supersonic nozzle, an isolated injection section having a port for injection of solid feedstock positioned downstream from the supersonic nozzle, and a supersonic diffuser positioned downstream from the isolated injection section. Additionally, a gasification system may comprise such a solid feed system and a reaction chamber downstream thereof. Furthermore, a method of reacting a solid feedstock under pressure may include directing a fluid flow through a supersonic nozzle to provide a supersonic flow stream, and directing the supersonic flow stream through an isolated injection section at a static pressure at least fifty percent (50%) lower than an operating pressure within a reaction chamber (e.g., at a static pressure near ambient pressure).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventor: Jason S. Tyll
  • Patent number: 8985026
    Abstract: Techniques are described for penetrating protective vehicle armor. In one example, a penetrator round assembly comprises a main penetrator rod comprising a tungsten alloy and a solid nose engaged to the main penetrator rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventor: Eric E. Volkmann
  • Patent number: 8973503
    Abstract: A fragmentation body comprising a substantially monolithic structure comprising a metal material and comprising a major surface having an indentation pattern therein, and an opposing major surface having an opposing indentation pattern therein, the opposing indentation pattern being substantially aligned with the indentation pattern. A warhead and an article of ordnance are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystem Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Dunaway, John E. Bott
  • Patent number: 8967046
    Abstract: Gas generators may be utilized for launching a projectile. Launch tubes may include gas generators. Methods of launching a projectile may include utilizing gas generators to impart an initial velocity to a projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Dunaway, Duane J. Garbe, William P. Sampson, Robert L. Hatch
  • Patent number: 8967284
    Abstract: Fire suppression apparatuses include a housing with gas generant material disposed therein, an initiator for igniting the gas generant material, and a cooling system. The cooling system includes a first chamber with a coolant material disposed therein and a second chamber. The coolant material is caused to flow from the first chamber into the second chamber to cool gas formed by the ignition of the gas generant material upon exiting from the housing under pressure. The cooling system may further include a piston disposed within the first chamber and movable responsive to gas pressure. Methods for cooling a fire suppressant gas and methods for suppressing a fire include flowing a fire suppressant gas into first and second chambers of a cooling system, flowing a coolant material from the first chamber into the second chamber, and contacting the fire suppressant gas with the coolant material to cool the fire suppressant gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventor: William P. Sampson
  • Patent number: 8968685
    Abstract: A fuel processing system for converting a logistical fuel and air into a liquid product comprising methanol. One such system comprises a fuel injection system configured to combine a logistical fuel and ambient air to produce a logistical fuel and air mixture, a synthesis gas production system configured to convert the logistical fuel and air mixture to synthesis gas, and a methanol synthesis system configured to convert the synthesis gas to a crude methanol liquid. Related methods are additionally disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Alliant TechSystems Inc.
    Inventors: Sabrina Hawkins, Jason S. Tyll, Florin Girlea
  • Patent number: 8971048
    Abstract: An electronics package comprising a plurality of mutually parallel, vertically spaced circuit boards of generally circular configuration and electrically connected by a flex circuit comprising a trunk extending circumferentially around the circuit boards and having a branch extending to each circuit board. An electronics package precursor structure and a method of configuring the electronics package from the precursor structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Lucas, Christopher A. McKellips
  • Patent number: 8952304
    Abstract: In one example, a rocket nozzle assembly is disclosed that has stowed and deployed positions, and includes a casing including an outer wall and an inner surface, at least a portion of the inner surface defining a diverging region, wherein the casing defines a plurality of fin slots, and wherein each of the plurality of fin slots extend through the outer wall of the casing and the inner surface of the casing, and wherein the diverging region defines a bell-shaped contour. The assembly further includes a plurality of fins pivotally engaged to the casing, wherein in the stowed position, each of the plurality of fins extends into the diverging region through a respective one of the fin slots, and wherein in the deployed position, each of the plurality of fins extend outwardly from the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph O. Bellotte, Thomas F. Farabaugh, Aaron C. Caba
  • Patent number: 8939225
    Abstract: A fire suppression apparatus that includes a housing defining a first chamber containing a gas generant. The apparatus further includes an initiator operatively associated with the first chamber and in reaction initiating communication with the gas generant. The initiator, upon actuation, acts to ignite at least some of the gas generant to form gas. The housing further defines a second chamber adjacently disposed to the first chamber. The second chamber contains an endothermically-alterable material and a piston assembly including a piston. Upon actuation, the piston moves to expel at least a portion of the endothermically-alterable material from the second chamber such that the expelled endothermically-alterable material contacts and cools gas formed by the ignition of the gas generant. The housing further has at least one discharge opening to permit cooled gas to exit the housing. Corresponding or associated methods for suppressing a fire are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Cox, Bradley W. Smith, David W. Parkinson
  • Patent number: 8931415
    Abstract: Initiator systems for warheads include a first initiation device configured to detonate at least a portion of an explosive material contained in an explosive device and a second initiation device configured to deflagrate at least a portion of an explosive material of a warhead. Scalable output explosive devices include an explosive material at least partially disposed within a housing and an initiator system including a first initiation device configured to detonate at least a portion of the explosive material and a second initiation device configured to deflagrate at least another portion of the explosive material. Methods of igniting warheads include deflagrating a portion of an explosive material disposed within the warhead and detonating at least another portion of the explosive material disposed within the warhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Volkmann
  • Patent number: 8927527
    Abstract: The present invention provides cyclic nitro compound, pharmaceutical compositions of cyclic nitro compounds and methods of using cyclic nitro compounds and/or pharmaceutical compositions thereof to treat or prevent diseases or disorders characterized by abnormal cell proliferation, such as cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignees: EpicentRx, Inc., Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Bednarski, Susan Knox, Louis Cannizzo, Kirstin Warner, Robert Wardle, Stephen Velarde, Shoucheng Ning
  • Patent number: 8909385
    Abstract: An infrared (IR) signature matching system comprises a heating and cooling device, a plurality of sensors configured to detect information related to the IR signature of the heating and cooling device and a background environment, a controller operably coupled with the heating and cooling device and the plurality of sensors. The controller is configured to receive the information from the plurality of sensors and adjust the temperature of the heating and cooling device until the IR signature of the heating and cooling device and the IR signature of the background environment are at least substantially matched in a selectable sub-region of the IR spectrum. Other systems, control circuits and related methods for matching IR signatures and cloaking objects in the IR spectrum are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Jared K. Olson, James Child, Roger Jackson, Jared S. Teter, Evan Crocker
  • Patent number: RE45318
    Abstract: A method for processing explosives containing a high loading of CL-20 may advantageously include a binder system having naphthenic oil and/or paraffinic oil. Solid energetic ingredients are added into the binder system and mixed to form a free-flowing suspension in which the solid energetic ingredients are homogeneously mixed and coated with the binder system. The binder system is then cured and cast to form a cross-linked explosive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Hatch
  • Patent number: D723653
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan P. Peterson
  • Patent number: D724690
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Erik K. Carlson, Joshua L. Edel, Lawrence P. Head