Patents Assigned to Alliant Techsystems
  • Patent number: 7928900
    Abstract: An antenna array includes at least one transmit array comprising a plurality of metamaterial elements. The antenna array further includes at least one near-field stimulator for inputting electromagnetic signal to the transmit array so that a sub-wavelength target is illuminated with an electromagnetic wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Fuller, John R. Lamberg, John J Geddes, Michael J Gawronski
  • Patent number: 7929586
    Abstract: An electromagnetic pumped alkali metal vapor cell system is provided. The system comprises a vapor cell and windings. The vapor cell contains alkali metal and a buffer. The windings are positioned around the vapor cell and are configured to create an electromagnet field in the vapor cell when an AC signal is applied to the windings. The electromagnetic field pumps unexcited alkali vapor into unionized D1 and D2 states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Canham
  • Patent number: 7913928
    Abstract: Adaptive structures, systems incorporating such adaptive structures and related methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an adaptive structure is provided that includes a first structure and at least one microstructure associated with the first structure. The at least one microstructure may include a microscale beam configured to be displaced relative to the first structure upon the adaptive structure being exposed to a specified temperature. The beam may be formed for example, of a metallic material, of multiple different metallic materials, or of a shape memory alloy. In one embodiment, a plurality of the adaptive structures may be associated with micropores of a skin panel. The adaptive structures may be utilized to control the flow rate of a coolant or other fluid through the micropores responsive to a sensed environmental parameter such as, for example, temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Tiliakos, Anthony Castrogiovanni
  • Patent number: 7915525
    Abstract: A lightning direction device is provided. The lightning direction device includes a drag member, a pendant mass and a conductor. The drag member is configured to have a select amount of wind resistance. The pendant mass has a select weight and shape. Moreover, the conductor is coupled between the pendant mass and the drag member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Canham
  • Patent number: 7910776
    Abstract: Methods of producing 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB), from alkoxy derivatives of phloroglucinol, such as 5-methoxyresorcinol, 3,5-dimethoxyphenol, or 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene, are disclosed. The alkoxy derivatives may be exposed to and directly nitrated with a reaction mixture comprising a sulfuric acid solution and at least one nitrate salt. The nitrated alkoxy derivative of phloroglucinol may be alkoxylated and, thereafter, aminated to produce the TATB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Straessler, Stephen P. Velarde
  • Patent number: 7905358
    Abstract: Apparatuses for screening granular solid particulate material include a generally planar first screen and a second screen. A plurality of apertures extends through the first screen. At least a portion of the second screen is oriented at an angle to the first screen, and apertures extend through a perforated region of the second screen. The second screen includes at least one region configured to prevent at least some particles of solid material from passing through the second screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Backes, Clay B. Poulter, Max R. Godfrey, Dennis K. Tolman, Melinda S. Dutton
  • Patent number: 7884579
    Abstract: An energy capture circuit for capturing energy in response to an input pulse. The circuit is constructed and arranged to transfer input energy in time divided portions among subcircuits. This includes a storage means, a clock means, at least two subcircuits, and at least one transfer circuit. Each subcircuit includes a first inductive means in operative communication with the input source, a rectifying means for producing a positive current in operative communication with the first inductive means, a capacitive means in operative communication with the rectifying means, and a switch means in operative communication with the capacitive means. At least one transfer circuit is in operative communication with each of the switch means of the at least two subcircuits. The output of the clock means is in operative communication with both a first switch means and an inverter means, the inverter means having an output in operative communication with a second switch means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Overland, James L. Yost
  • Publication number: 20110000390
    Abstract: A percussion primer composition including at least one explosive, at least one nano-size non-coated fuel particle having natural surface oxides thereon, at least one oxidizer, optionally at least one sensitizer, optionally at least one buffer, and to methods of preparing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Erickson, Joel Sandstrom, Gene Johnston, Neal Norris, Patrick Braun, Reed Blau, Lisa Spendlove Liu
  • Patent number: 7857921
    Abstract: A primer composition that includes stabilized, encapsulated red phosphorus, at least one oxidizer, at least one secondary explosive composition, at least one light metal, and at least one acid resistant binder. The stabilized, encapsulated red phosphorus may include particles of red phosphorus, a metal oxide coating, and a polymer layer. The metal oxide coating may be a coating of aluminum hydroxide, bismuth hydroxide, cadmium hydroxide, cerium hydroxide, chromium hydroxide, germanium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, manganese hydroxide, niobium hydroxide, silicon hydroxide, tin hydroxide, titanium hydroxide, zinc hydroxide, zirconium hydroxide, or mixtures thereof. The polymer layer may be a layer of epoxy resin, melamine resin, phenol formaldehyde resin, polyurethane resin, or mixtures thereof. A percussion cap primer that includes the primer composition, a tertiary explosive composition, and a cup is also disclosed, as are ordnance devices including the primer composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Randall T. Busky, Tod R. Botcher, Joel Sandstrom, Jack Erickson
  • Patent number: 7849695
    Abstract: A rocket thruster of this invention includes a nozzle and a valve assembly. The valve subassembly includes a pintle with a head portion, which has a truncated substantially conical surface region facing and concentric with converging and throat regions of the nozzle to provide a variable effective throat area therebetween. The truncated portion of the head portion has an outer edge defining a bleed passageway opening communicating with a primary bleed passage leading through the head portion to a bleed cavity located on an opposite side of the head portion. During activation of a rocket motor to which the rocket thruster is coupled, gases imparting a load on the head portion pass through the primary bleed passage to the opposite side of the head portion for counterbalancing loads acting on the head portion. A thrust control subassembly moves the pintle axially for changing the effective throat area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Cary L. Cover, Albert S. Drendel
  • Patent number: 7848624
    Abstract: An evaporator includes a liquid barrier wall made of a ceramic material, a vapor barrier wall made of a ceramic material, and a wick made of a ceramic material and being positioned between the liquid barrier wall and the vapor barrier wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Walter R. Zimbeck, Edward J. Kroliczek, David C. Bugby
  • Patent number: 7845423
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for suppression of fires are provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a housing is provided with a first opening (or set of openings), a second opening (or set of openings) and a Row path defined between the first and second openings. A fire-suppressing gas is produced, such as from a solid propellant composition, and is introduced into the flow path in such a way that a volume of ambient air is drawn from a location external to the housing, through the first opening and into the flow path. The volume of ambient air may be subjected to an oxygen-reducing process and mixed with the fire-suppressing gas to form a gas mixture. The gas mixture is discharged from the flow path through the second opening and into an associated environment for suppression of a fire located therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Gary K. Lund, James D. Rozanski
  • Publication number: 20100294158
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a shotshell comprises a casing defining an internal chamber, a plurality of first shot pellets within the internal chamber and a plurality of second shot pellets within the internal chamber. The first shot pellets comprise a first shape and the second shot pellets comprise a second shape that is different from the first shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Rochelle Diane Poore, Drew Lee Goodlin, Lawrence Peter Head
  • Publication number: 20100280899
    Abstract: An interactive system for assisting a user in the selection of ammunition based upon user entered parameters. A stand-alone kiosk includes a computer having a microprocessor and a memory, an input device in operative communication with the computer for permitting a user to enter parameters, and an output device in operative communication with the computer for providing information from the system to the user. A program is stored in the computer for execution by the microprocessor, the program interactively displaying a series of prompts on the output device, each prompt eliciting a response from the user concerning hunting parameters. The program stores the user inputted parameters in memory, applies predefined rules and/or recommendations against the user inputted parameters to thereby suggest advantageous ammunition, and displays the selected ammunition to the user on the output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Smith, Mihai Moldoveanu, Jason M. Nash
  • Publication number: 20100269724
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cartridge comprising providing a cartridge body with forward and rearward cavities interconnected by an aperture, providing a piston with a primer retaining cavity, inserting primer into the primer retaining cavity, securing the primer, placing a seal member around the piston, inserting the piston and seal member combination into the rearward cavity of the cartridge body, and crimping at least a portion of the cartridge body to the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Peter Head, Drew Lee Goodlin, Rochelle Diane Poore, Richard Dean Hurt, Joel Lee Sandstrom
  • Patent number: 7820092
    Abstract: Methods of forming an elongated composite structural member are provided. One method includes, providing a substantially elongated mandrel having an exterior surface exhibiting a desired geometry. Laying up a first ply of preimpregnated fiber reinforced material over the mandrel. Applying a force to the first ply to establish a desired amount of tension within the first ply and then pressing the first ply onto the mandrel in a conformal manner. This includes passing at least one roller over the mandrel and the first ply while maintaining the desired amount of tension within the first ply. The at least one roller is at least partially complementary in shape with the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Vernon M. Benson, Jason K. Slack, Todd A. Rosevear, James L. Harvey, Mark Roman, Timothy Olschewski
  • Patent number: 7819651
    Abstract: A composite structure is provided. In one embodiment, the structure includes at least one ply of preimpregnated material formed into a curved elongated member of continuous fibers onto a mandrel. The fibers have a select orientation and the curved elongated member has a defined length. The curved elongated member further has a cross-sectional geometry that varies along the length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Vernon M. Benson, Jason K. Slack, Todd A. Rosevear, James L. Harvey, Mark Roman, Timothy Olschewski
  • Patent number: 7814834
    Abstract: A fuze mounting assembly for a penetrating weapon configured as a projectable device, the fuze mounting assembly having fasteners, a fuze well and a fuze. The fuze includes an integral bolt flange for securing to the fuze well with the fasteners, wherein an amplification of acceleration of less than 3.0 is satisfied when the penetrating weapon is subjected to impact and penetration shock. Additionally, a projectable device having the fuze is provided. Also, a fuze mounting and a method for mounting a fuze are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley N. Schwantes, Bradley M. Biggs, Michael A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7810421
    Abstract: A method of preventing initiation of an explosive device. The method comprises substantially encasing an explosive device with a conductive foam. The explosive device is configured to be initiated by an electromagnetic radiation signal, such as that emitted by a transmitter of a wireless door bell device. Deactivated explosive devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah B. Hiza, Daniel W. Doll, Jared K. Olson
  • Patent number: 7802518
    Abstract: A fuze mounting assembly for a penetrating, the fuze mounting assembly includes a fuze well and a fuze. The fuze includes an integral flange for securing to the fuze well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley N. Schwantes, Bradley M. Biggs, Michael A. Johnson