Abstract: A platform with a platform body having a plate attachment portion. The plate attachment portion includes a platform opening and the platform opening includes a projection that extends into a portion of the platform opening. A platform plate portion is coupled to an accessory plate portion, through the platform opening, such that the platform plate portion and the accessory plate portion are rotatable relative to the platform body. A portion of the platform plate portion is rotatably slidable along a surface of the internal projection, and a portion of the accessory plate portion is rotatably slidable along a surface of the internal projection. A release lever is pivotably attached to the platform body and the release lever is pivotable between a locking position and an unlocking position. The release lever is capable of releasably interacting with a primary notch of the platform plate portion.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 3, 2012
Date of Patent:
June 25, 2013
Assignee:
Alliant Techsystems Inc.
Inventors:
Thomas M. Gregory, Robert A. Kincaid, Thomas A. Marx
Abstract: Battery sub-arrays are configured for electrical and mechanical coupling with each other to form a multi-cell battery. A sub-array may be an individual cell or a group of cells. Each sub-array includes a bypass switch to connect the sub-array within the multi-cell battery or bypass the sub-array. Monitor and control circuitry controls the bypass switch in response to voltage measurements, temperature measurements or a combination thereof for the sub-array. Each sub-array is contained in a holder including a housing and a thermal container encompassing a substantial portion of the housing. The housing includes a cell cavity, a sensor cavity, and a circuit cavity. Positive terminals and negative terminals are positioned on sides of the holder such that when holders are mechanically abutted in an array, various electrical connections can be made to connect the cells in series, parallel, or a combination thereof.
Abstract: A tourniquet system, having at least one circumferential enclosed channel formed in a garment; a tourniquet band positioned in the at least one circumferential enclosed channel; a tightening and securing mechanism associated with the tourniquet band, wherein the tightening and securing mechanism includes two or more apertures formed therethrough, and wherein at least a portion of the tourniquet band loops through the apertures of the tightening and securing mechanism, such that when the tightening and securing mechanism is turned, a diameter of the tourniquet band is decreased and a tourniquet force is applied to an inside wall of the circumferential enclosed channel; and at least one portal in the garment, proximate the circumferential enclosed channel, to provide access to the tightening and securing mechanism.
Abstract: A percussion primer composition that comprises an explosive and a sensitizer, the explosive being a moderately insensitive explosive having an impact sensitivity in the range from about 0.3 kp m to about 0.75 kp m. The moderately insensitive explosive may comprise CL-20, PETN, RDX, HMX, or mixtures thereof. The sensitizer may comprise aluminum, titanium, zirconium, magnesium, melamine, styrene, lithium aluminum hydride, or mixtures thereof. In some instances, the percussion primer composition may comprise the moderately insensitive explosive precipitated onto the sensitizer. The percussion primer composition may contain an oxidizer, which in certain situations comprises a conventional oxidizer or a bismuth compound. The bismuth compound is bismuth trioxide, bismuth subnitrate, bismuth tetroxide, bismuth sulfide, or mixtures thereof. A gun cartridge and other primer-containing ordnance assemblies employing the percussion primer composition are also disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 22, 2012
Date of Patent:
June 11, 2013
Assignee:
Alliant Techsystems Inc.
Inventors:
Harold E. Johnston, Kristin F. Warner, Reed J. Blau, Scott K. Lusk
Abstract: A multifunctional composite having high strength, low weight, low distortion, low CTE, impact resistance, and multi-faceted radiation protection.
Abstract: An offset mountable accessory, including an accessory having an accessory body; and an accessory mounting clamp coupled to the accessory body, wherein the accessory mounting clamp is capable of mounting the accessory body to an accessory rail, such that the accessory body is mounted offset from the accessory rail.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 6, 2011
Date of Patent:
June 4, 2013
Assignee:
Alliant Techsystems Inc.
Inventors:
Robert A. Kincaid, Craig Adam Lamb, Birten L. Todd, Thomas M. Gregory, Eric M. Yeates
Abstract: A percussion primer composition including at least one explosive, at least one nano-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:
Grant
Filed:
May 16, 2012
Date of Patent:
June 4, 2013
Assignee:
Alliant Techsystems Inc.
Inventors:
Jack Erickson, Joel L. Sandstrom, Gene Johnston, Neal Norris, Patrick Braun, Reed Blau, Lisa Spendlove Liu
Abstract: A percussion primer composition including at least one explosive, at least fuel particle having a particle size of about 1500 nm or less, at least one oxidizer, optionally at least one sensitizer, optionally at least one buffer, and to methods of preparing the same.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 26, 2012
Date of Patent:
June 4, 2013
Assignee:
Alliant Techsystems Inc.
Inventors:
Jack Erickson, Joel L. Sandstrom, Gene Johnston, Neal Norris, Patrick Braun, Reed Blau, Lisa Spendlove Liu, Rachel Hendrika Newell
Abstract: A non-toxic, non-hydroscopic percussion primer composition and methods of preparing the same, including at least one explosive component that has been traditionally considered a moderately insensitive explosive or secondary explosive, and at least fuel particle component having a particle size of about 1.5 microns to about 12 microns, which allows the use of moderately active metal oxidizers. The sensitivity of the primer composition is created by the interaction between the moderately insensitive explosive and the fuel agent such that traditional primary explosives such as lead styphnate or DDNP are not needed. The primer composition also eliminates the risks and dangers associated with traditional nano-sized fuel particles.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 22, 2012
Publication date:
May 30, 2013
Applicant:
Alliant Techsystems Inc.
Inventors:
Joel Sandstrom, Aaron A. Quinn, Jack Erickson
Abstract: A liner assembly for an explosively formed projectile device may include a reactive material liner and a primary liner configured to form into a projectile responsive to initiation of an explosive material. The reactive material liner may be configured and formulated to increase the velocity of the projectile after formation thereof. An ordnance device for generating an explosively formed projectile may include a case, an explosive material, and a reactive material liner and a primary liner configured, in combination, to form into a projectile. An explosively formed projectile may include a deformed primary liner and a deformed reactive material liner having an ignited portion increasing the velocity of the projectile. Methods of explosively forming a projectile may include explosively expelling a primary liner and a secondary liner and increasing the velocity of the projectile by combusting at least a portion of the secondary liner.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 27, 2009
Date of Patent:
May 21, 2013
Assignee:
Alliant Techsystems Inc.
Inventors:
Frederick P. Stecher, Richard M. Truitt
Abstract: A target, made of two layers, that has an animal design. The animal design on the bottom layer has at least two zones which correspond to a level of effectiveness of a bullet strike within that zone. Each level of effectiveness is indicated by a color and each animal design has at least two levels of effectiveness.
Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for power conversion for fuzes and other electrical power consumers. A current monitor coupled to a power source signal generates a source current indicator. A controller generates a control signal responsive to the source current indicator. A filter well is coupled to the power source signal. An inductive switch circuit switchably grounds a rectified inductive load coupled to an output side of the filter well in response to the control signal, developing a pulsed power signal. A resonance rectifier presents substantially lossless resistive impedance for the pulsed power signal and rectifies the pulsed power signal to charge a charge storage device and generate a power output signal. The filter well, the inductive switch circuit, and the controller maintain the source current indicator within a predetermined current range by filtering the pulsed power signal and adjusting the control signal's frequency responsive to the source current indicator.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 4, 2011
Date of Patent:
May 21, 2013
Assignee:
Alliant Techsystems Inc.
Inventors:
James L. Yost, John E. Overland, Jason A. Christensen
Abstract: An ionic liquid is disclosed. A precursor composition that comprises at least one ionic liquid and at least one energetic material is also disclosed, as is a method of synthesizing an ionic liquid and a method of desensitizing an explosive composition.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 6, 2011
Date of Patent:
April 23, 2013
Assignee:
Alliant Techsystems Inc.
Inventors:
Steven M. Nicolich, Alexander J. Paraskos, Daniel W. Doll, Gary K. Lund, Wendy A. Balas
Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems of producing hydrogen using ammonia borane, which has a high hydrogen density while being stable and easily stored. Ammonia borane may be exothermically reacted with a strong oxidizer, such as a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water. The reaction between ammonia borane and the strong oxidizer may occur spontaneously and may produce heat. Unreacted ammonia borane may be exposed to and thermally decomposed using the heat produced during the exothermic reaction between ammonia borane and the strong oxidizer. The heat may be retained by performing the reactions in a vessel or reactor including a material capable of retaining the heat. A high gravimetric hydrogen yield is obtained from the reaction of ammonia borane with hydrogen peroxide and the thermal decomposition of unreacted ammonia borane. Hydrogen production using the methods and systems may yield a high gravimetric hydrogen content of at least about 10%.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 19, 2009
Date of Patent:
April 16, 2013
Assignee:
Alliant Techsystems Inc.
Inventors:
Ighor K. Uzhinsky, Fernando Aguirre, Anthony G. Castrogiovanni
Abstract: A releasable vest having a first panel, at least one shoulder strap element having at least one shoulder strap element attachment opening, a first waist belt element having at least one waist belt element attachment opening, a second waist belt element having at least one an attachment loop that is capable of being aligned with and passed through a waist belt attachment opening of the first waist belt element and a shoulder strap element attachment opening of the at least one shoulder strap element, a second panel, and a release lanyard that is capable of releasably securing the first waist belt element and the at least one shoulder strap element to the attachment loop.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 27, 2007
Date of Patent:
April 16, 2013
Assignee:
Alliant Techsystems Inc.
Inventors:
Frederick W. Storms, Jr., Eric M. Yeates, Thomas A. Marx
Abstract: A fire suppression system for producing an inert gas mixture having a minimal amount of carbon monoxide, particulates, or smoke. The inert gas mixture may be generated by combusting a gas generant. The gas generant may be a composition that includes hexa(ammine)-cobalt(III)-nitrate. The fire suppression system also includes a heat management system to reduce a temperature of the inert gas mixture. In one embodiment, the system includes multiple gas generators and is configured to ignite the respective gas generant of each gas generator in a predetermined, time based sequential order. For example, the gas generant of each gas generator may be ignited in a sequential order at specified time intervals. Methods of extinguishing fires are also disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 21, 2006
Date of Patent:
April 2, 2013
Assignee:
Alliant Techsystems Inc.
Inventors:
Reed J. Blau, James D. Rozanski, Richard M. Truitt, Gary K. Lund, William P. Sampson
Abstract: Initiator modules for munitions control systems include a mounting portion for receiving a portion of an initiation device, a detonator device disposed within the initiator module, a connection portion configured to connect the initiator module with a munitions control system, and an electronics assembly configured to electronically couple with a munitions control system and transmit a signal to the detonator device. Munitions systems may include initiator modules received in a socket of a munitions control system. Methods of igniting explosive devices include coupling a shock tube to an explosive device, connecting an initiator module to a munitions control system, mounting a portion of the shock tube to the initiator module, and igniting the shock tube with a detonator device disposed within the initiator module.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 12, 2010
Date of Patent:
April 2, 2013
Assignee:
Alliant Techsystems Inc.
Inventors:
James D. Lucas, Denny L. Kurschner, Thomas E. MacPherson
Abstract: An orbital debris removal assembly is provided. The orbital debris removal and asset protection assembly includes a plurality of spaced layers of netting. Each netting layer includes a plurality of sub-layers of meshed composite fibers that are configured and arranged to break up debris that comes in contact with the assembly.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 22, 2010
Date of Patent:
March 26, 2013
Assignee:
Alliant Techsystems Inc.
Inventors:
Steven F. Stone, Jose L. Guerrero, Doyle L. Towles
Abstract: A radiation-hardened semiconductor structure including an insulator material doped with at least one of a transition metal, a lanthanide, and an actinide, and a semiconductor material located over the insulator material. A semiconductor device including the radiation-hardened semiconductor structure is also disclosed, as are methods of forming the radiation-hardened semiconductor structure and the semiconductor device.