Patents Assigned to Alliant Techsystems
  • Patent number: 8282757
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming an annular composite structure is provided. In one embodiment an apparatus for forming annular composite structures is provided. The apparatus includes an annular shaped tool and a forming head. The annular shaped tool includes a forming surface of a select cross-sectional geometry. The forming head is configured to form continuous ply layers one ply at a time circumferentially about the forming surface of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Madsen, Eric McNabb, John Schowengerdt, John B. Healey, Todd Rosevear, Kevin Fehlmann
  • Patent number: 8282751
    Abstract: A sensitized explosive that comprises an explosive precipitated onto a sensitizer. The explosive is CL-20, PETN, RDX, HMX, or mixtures thereof and the sensitizer is aluminum, titanium, zirconium, magnesium, melamine, styrene, lithium aluminum hydride, or mixtures thereof. The sensitized explosive is used in a percussion primer that includes a bismuth compound and a melt binder. The bismuth compound is bismuth oxide, bismuth subnitrate, bismuth tetroxide, bismuth sulfide, or mixtures thereof and the melt binder is a wax having a melting point above ambient temperature, trinitrotoluene, poly(3,3-bis(azidomethyl)oxetane), poly(3-azidomethyl-3-methyloxetane), ethyl-3,5-dinitrobenzoate, or mixtures thereof. A gun cartridge and other primer-containing ordnance assemblies employing the percussion primer are also disclosed. Methods of forming the sensitized explosive and the percussion primer are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Harold E. Johnston, Kirstin F. Warner, Reed J. Blau, Scott K. Lusk
  • Patent number: 8276361
    Abstract: A thermal protection system and a method of manufacturing are disclosed. The thermal protection system may be configured to protect a movable joint, for example, a flexible bearing of a rocket motor nozzle. The thermal protection system includes a series of annular shims separated by a plurality of discrete spacers. Each shim of the series of annular shims may have a larger diameter than the previous shim, and the shims may nest. The shims may comprise a thermally stable material, and the discrete spacers may comprise an elastomer. Optionally, an annular bearing protector may separate the annular shims from the flexible bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventor: Duane J. Garbe
  • Patent number: 8263027
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the production of hydrogen using a reformer including a housing, a first plate having a first plurality of fin structures and a second plate having a second plurality of fin structures assembled such that the first plurality of fin structures is interleaved with the second plurality of fin structures. At least one inlet port is formed in at least one of the first plate and the second plate, and at least one outlet port is formed in at least one of the first plate and the second plate. The fin structures may be coated with a catalytic material to enhance or stimulate reactions taking place within the apparatus. A heat exchange device may also be integrated into one or both plates of the reformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Florin Girlea, John C. Leylegian
  • Patent number: 8251266
    Abstract: An accessory attachment platform, including a platform body having a plate attachment portion, wherein the plate attachment portion includes a platform opening; a platform plate portion 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; and a release lever pivotably attached to the platform body, wherein the release lever is pivotable between a locking position and an unlocking position, and wherein the release lever is capable of releasably interacting with a primary notch of the platform plate portion such that when the release lever is in the locking position relative to the primary notch of the platform plate portion, the platform plate portion is unable to rotate relative to the platform body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Gregory, Robert A. Kincaid, Thomas A. Marx
  • Patent number: 8235263
    Abstract: A holster for a handgun, comprising a holster body defining a cavity for receiving and holding a handgun; a retention guard pivotably coupled to the body, wherein the retention guard is pivotable between a closed position for securing a handgun within the cavity and an open position for removal of the handgun; and a guard release lever for releasably securing the retention guard in the closed position, wherein the guard release lever is biased to a guard retention position, but wherein the guard release lever is capable of being pivoted to a guard release position when a user's thumb/finger applies a pivoting force to the thumb/finger engagement portion such that the guard locking portion is sufficiently withdrawn from the guard locking means to allow the retention guard to pivot to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Eric M. Yeates, Clifton L. Cook, Thomas M. Gregory, Robert A. Kincaid
  • Patent number: 8232924
    Abstract: A patch antenna includes a ground plane on a surface of a substrate. Patch radiators are formed on another surface of the substrate. Each patch radiator includes tuning slots extending from an edge of the patch radiator toward an interior section such that the slot is separate from a feed point of the patch radiator. In some embodiments, the patch antenna includes a first feed-through conductor disposed through the ground plane and substrate and coupled to the patch radiator. In some embodiments the patch antenna with the first feed-through conductor is a razor patch antenna. An antenna system includes a patch antenna and a transceiver board, which includes a substrate and a ground plane on the substrate. A second feed-through conductor runs through the ground plane and transceiver substrate to connect to a transceiver device. The transceiver board and patch antenna are abutted such that the first and second feed-through conductors connect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Bucca, Mike Gawronski
  • Patent number: 8226787
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for forming elongated composite structural members are provided. One disclosed method includes providing a substantially elongated mandrel having an exterior surface exhibiting a desired geometry. A plurality of plies of fiber material preimpregnated with a thermosetting resin are laid up and pressed onto the mandrel, Pressing the plies of material may include passing one or more rollers over the mandrel and over the plurality of plies along a length of the mandrel. The roller or rollers may be at least partially complementary in shape with the mandrel while maintaining the plies of material in a substantially uncured state during the pressing. The method may include sequentially passing a plurality of rollers over the mandrel and the plies of material. The method may also include configuring a first roller to partially complementarily engage the mandrel and configuring another roller to substantially fully complementarily engage the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Vernon M. Benson, Jason Slack, Todd A. Rosevear
  • Publication number: 20120182541
    Abstract: Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) apparatus comprises a laser generator configured to generate an output laser signal toward a target area, at least one detector configured as an array of light sensitive elements, the array including a plurality of rows and columns of the light sensitive elements, and at least one wavelength dispersion element positioned in a return path of a returning laser signal returning from the target area. The at least one wavelength dispersion element is configured to separate wavelengths of the returning laser signal onto the plurality of rows and columns of the array, wherein the plurality of columns of the array are associated with the separated wavelengths that correspond with a position along a row of the array, the position along the row of the array corresponding with a spatial position of the target area along a first axis. Methods for scanning a target area and obtaining spectral and spatial data are disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Canham
  • Patent number: 8223342
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an interferometer system. An interferometer system may comprise a plurality of light sources, wherein each light source of the plurality is configured to transmit a source beam. The interferometer system may also include an interferometer including a polarizing beam splitter and a reference reflector. The interferometer is configured to receive the source beam and transmit a measurement beam to a target reflector and a reference beam to the reference reflector. Additionally, the interferometer system may include a plurality of receivers, wherein each receiver of the plurality is associated with a light source and configured to receive a mixed beam comprising a reflected measurement beam and a reflected reference beam. Moreover, the interferometer is configured to receive at least one source beam at an angle with respect to an axis perpendicular to a side of the interferometer configured to receive the source beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Tucker
  • Patent number: 8218593
    Abstract: Optical devices include a doped glass material in which the dopant facilitates the transmission of energy out from the glass material. The doped glass may not significantly absorb a selected wavelength of laser radiation to be manipulated by the optical devices. The dopant may comprise one or more of a transition metal element, an actinide element, and a lanthanide element. Laser systems include at least one such optical device and a laser device configured to emit a beam to be manipulated by the optical device. Methods for forming optical devices and laser systems including such optical devices include dispersing a dopant within a glass material to form, and forming the glass material into a body having a size and shape configured to manipulate a beam of radiation emitted by a laser device. The dopant is selected to comprise a material that facilitates the transmission of energy out from the glass material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Canham
  • Patent number: 8215097
    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: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Cary L. Cover, Albert S. Drendel
  • Patent number: 8210083
    Abstract: An energetic material initiation device having a receiver assembly and an initiator assembly that includes an electronic initiator and a pellet assembly with an energetic material. The receiver assembly is configured to be coupled to a firing circuit. When the firing circuit is to be armed, the initiator assembly can be pressed into a socket in the receiver assembly to electrically couple the receiver assembly and the initiator assembly. A method for mounting an energetic material initiation device to a firing circuit is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignees: Reynolds Systems, Inc., Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Nance, Christopher A. McKellips, James D. Lucas
  • Patent number: 8205371
    Abstract: A recoil reduction system having a stock with a track formed therein and extending a bottom wall; a sliding member that includes a rail extending from the right side and the left side of the rail, and wherein the sliding member is slidably received within the track by interaction of the track and the rail; a handgrip member formed as a portion of the stock, wherein the handgrip member includes a chamber that extends within the handgrip member; a first recoil reduction means mounted within the chamber, wherein the first recoil reduction means is configured to oppose sliding by the sliding member in at least one direction; and a second recoil reduction means mounted within the track, wherein the recoil reduction means is configured to oppose sliding by the sliding member in at least one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Clifton L. Cook, Thomas M. Gregory, Robert A. Kincaid, Kurtis Sparing, Eric M. Yeates, Birten L. Todd, Gary Cauble, Chris Michaels, James K. Bentley
  • Patent number: 8206522
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Sandstrom, Aaron A Quinn, Jack Erickson
  • Patent number: 8201354
    Abstract: A firearm having a receiver having a front end and a rear end, an elongated gun barrel having a front end and a rear end, the rear end of the gun barrel being connected to the front end of the receiver; an elongated long gun stock having a butt portion, a middle portion and a front portion; the receiver and the gun barrel being supported in the long gun stock; and recoil reduction means attached to the front portion of the long gun stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventor: James K. Bentley
  • Patent number: 8203123
    Abstract: A system for detecting radiation using an array of cells containing a metastable material together with sensing apparatus and display apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventor: Ivan M. Lorkovic
  • Patent number: 8202377
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Erickson, Joel Sandstrom, Gene Johnston, Neal Norris, Patrick Braun, Reed Blau, Lisa Spendlove Liu
  • Patent number: 8192568
    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: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Erickson, Joel Lee Sandstrom, Gene Johnston, Neal Norris, Patrick Braun, Reed Blau, Lisa Spendlove Liu, Rachel Hendrika Newell
  • Patent number: 8178698
    Abstract: The present invention provides cyclic nitro compounds, 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: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Louis F. Cannizzo, Kirstin F. Warner, Robert B. Wardle, Stephen P. Velarde