Patents Assigned to Giat Industries
  • Large-caliber long-range field artillery projectile
    Patent number: 6234082
    Abstract: An artillery projectile to be fired from a large-caliber gun barrel. The projectile comprises a body whose rear part is fitted with deployable stabilizing fins, wherein the body is sub-calibered and carries at least one ejectable guiding sabot fitted with a sliding drive band to reduce the spin rate of the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Anne-Laure Cros, Gérard Lamorlette
  • Device to regulate the counter-recoil rate artillery cannon according to the temperature
    Patent number: 6227097
    Abstract: The technical scope of the invention is that of devices to regulate the counter-recoil rate of an artillery cannon according to the temperature. The regulation device according to the invention comprises a buffer co-operating with a ring, so as to ensure the gradual braking of the cannon at the end of the counter-recoil operation by rolling the brake oil through a leakage section located between the buffer and the ring. It is characterized in that it incorporates at least one modulation device comprising a heat-sensitive element made in a shape-memory alloy, such element ensuring, by its distortion, an increase in the leakage section when the temperature drops below a given threshold. Application to recoil mechanisms of artillery cannons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Joël Brianne, Alain Charton
  • Projectile having a radial direction of action
    Patent number: 6216597
    Abstract: The technical scope of the invention is that of projectiles comprising at least one payload associating at least one explosive warhead and at least one target sensor, such warhead having an inclined direction of action with respect to the projectile axis and whose initiation is triggered further to the detection of a target by the sensor, said sensor having an observation direction close to the action direction. The projectile incorporates scanning means enabling the payload, at a given time during the trajectory, to be provided with a ratio of longitudinal velocity V over spin rate &OHgr; which is less than or equal to a limit value so as to ensure ground scanning in the observation direction at a sufficiently small pitch to enable a target to be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventor: Thierry Bredy
  • Muzzle brake for weapon barrel
    Patent number: 6216578
    Abstract: A muzzle brake for a large caliber gun barrel incorporating at least two vents making the inside of the brake communicate with at least two vanes, receiving the gases, that are integral with the outside of the brake. The brake has at least one internal cylindrical support of the same caliber as the barrel and placed downstream of the vents according to the direction of movement of a projectile fired from the barrel. The internal cylindrical support is separated from the vent or vents that precede it by a concave surface of revolution whose concavity is oriented towards the rear of the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Francis Ledys, Jacques Bachelier
  • Process for the in-flight programming of a trigger time for a projectile element
    Patent number: 6216595
    Abstract: A process for the in-flight programming of a trigger time for an element of a projectile by a fire control system of a weapon, wherein the muzzle velocity (Vo) of the projectile is measured and the distancing velocity of the projectile at at least one other point during its trajectory after exiting the weapon barrel it measured. Based on these measured values an optimal trigger time is determined for the element so as to minimize the difference between the actual ground impact point and the desired ground impact point for the projectile or for a payload released during the payload's trajectory, and a programming or corrective programming is transmitted to the projectile which takes this optimal trigger time into account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Gérard Lamorlette, Thierry Bredy
  • Mechanism for feeding munition elements to an artillery cannon
    Patent number: 6205904
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is an ammunition element (3,4) feed device (1) for an artillery cannon, notably in projectiles (3) or propellant charge modules (4), and comprising at least one storage magazine (2) for the ammunition elements that incorporates at least one row (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), a device (28) to transfer the ammunition elements from the magazine to a loading chute (5) and motor means enabling the ammunition elements to be moved up one row to bring them onto the transfer device (28), feed device is characterized in that each row (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) of the magazine comprises: a support plate (12) on which the ammunition elements (3,4) are arranged with their axes perpendicular to their direction of movement in the row, at least one conveyor belt (15) activated by motorization (16), said belt pressed to the ammunition elements of the row and constituting the motor means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Claude Boutet, Thierry Fougeroux
  • Fastening device for a muzzle mirror
    Patent number: 6178648
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is a fastening device for a muzzle mirror at one end of an artillery gun barrel, device comprising a mirror support incorporating at least two flanges encircling the gun barrel and connected to one another by a first linking means. In this device the flanges are housed in a groove made in the barrel and are linked in rotation to said barrel by means of an obstacle, such as a pin, such device also comprising a centering collar constituted by at least two jaws connected by a second linking means, such collar having a tapered support co-operating with a matching tapered support arranged on the flanges such that tightening the second linking means ensures both the axial and radial retention of the flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Francis Ledys, R{acute over (e)}gis Dupuy
  • Method for manufacturing a device for burning off thermal energy produced by electronic components embedded in a printed circuit card, and resulting device
    Patent number: 6161280
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a device to dissipate the thermal energy produced by electronic components embedded in a printed circuit card, such method consisting in depositing on the card a first layer of a first thermally conductive and electrically insulating material to cover at least the connecting tabs for the electronic components to be cooled, and putting this first layer in contact with a metallic drain connected to a thermal mass to drain the calories towards the exterior of the card, wherein the method consisting is making the drain in the form of a flexible porous metallic structure, and in depositing on the drain a second layer of a second material that adheres to the first layer through the pores of the drain to hold the latter in place on the card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Emmanuel Moreau, Christophe Dessaux
  • Color marker munition
    Patent number: 6155174
    Abstract: The invention relates to the technical field of exercise munitions and more particularly to the color marker compositions for such munitions.The marker composition according to the invention comprises at least one container (12) holding a marker composition (14) and a dispersive explosive charge (16). It is characterized in that the container (12) is substantially cylindrical, the dispersive explosive charge (16) being situated at the level of the container axis and in that the marker composition comprises at least one pigment in the form a solid, coloring powder dispersed in water, the powder being combined with a water-soluble binder and with a rheological component which is also water-soluble and which is intended to agglomerate the pigments and to increase the composition's viscosity, the composition further including an antifreeze agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Ghislain Hervieu, Jean-Pierre Le Pezennec, Henri Thepin
  • Structural composite material absorbing radar waves and use of such a material
    Patent number: 6111534
    Abstract: The invention relates to structural composite material able to absorb radar waves at frequencies of 18 GHz, 35 GHz and 94 GHz. This material comprises at least three layers of non-magnetic, dielectric material obtained by stacks of impregnated plies, including an outer layer with a low reflection index and losses having an effective dielectric permittivity of around 3, to promote the penetration of the incident radar waves, an intermediate layer having an effective dielectric permittivity of around 5, and an inner layer loaded with electrically conductive particles and having a substantial effective dielectric permittivity of around 15 to 20. The material may have applications in the manufacture of chests for military vehicles, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventor: Jean-Fran.cedilla.ois Escarmant
  • Process for inspecting bonding of a laser amplifier disc
    Patent number: 6069693
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laser amplifier disc comprising a neodymium-dope phosphate glass and a copper-doped phosphate glass cladding to entrap photons. The two glasses are bonded together using an adhesive film. The adhesive film is an epoxy resin. The invention also relates to a process inspecting the bonding of the laser amplifier disc cladding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventor: Victor Licchesi
  • Overpressure ventilation device for a gas mask
    Patent number: 6050262
    Abstract: An overpressure ventilation device for a gas mask air filter integrated into a case closed by a lid, formed of a caseless centrifugal ventilator connected before the filter, wherein it comprises a support integral with the filter lid enabling the motor and ventilator fan wheel to be centered on the longitudinal axis of the filter, such as to obtain the axial operation of the ventilator. The lid is provided with a well in which to receive the support, which comprises a first lateral wall cooperating with the connection means, a second lateral wall prolonging the first one and a bottom wall provided with apertures to let the air through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventor: Christian Jay
  • Automatic pick-up system for propellant charge modules stored in a magazine
    Patent number: 6048159
    Abstract: A system to automatically pick up the propellant charge modules stored in a magazine, such system includes at least one pick-up device carried by a mobile support bracket activated by a driving motor to be able to penetrate inside the magazine and pick up at least one module, wherein the pick-up device has two forks arranged opposite one another and marking out between them a housing to receive at least one module, and at least one retractable retention device intended to protrude inside the housing to retain the module inside the housing after the two forks have moved on either side of the module to be picked up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Christophe Nicolas, Dominique Guesnet, Jean Luc Pelissier, Didier Thebault, Francois Roger, Christian Gay, Laurent Legrand
  • Explosively-formed charge with attachment means between the liner and the casing
    Patent number: 6035785
    Abstract: A shaped charge, notably an explosively formed charge, incorporating an explosive charge arranged in a casing and onto which is placed a liner intended to be set into motion by the detonation of said explosive charge. The liner incorporates at least two plates, a rear plate which is in contact with said explosive charge and which is connected to said casing by attachment means and at least one front plate which is connected to said rear plate by bonding. The attachment means is positioned between a cylindrical peripheral surface of said rear plate and an inner cylindrical surface of said casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Patrick Sabathier, Thierry Soulat, Jean-Marie Montigny, Jean-Luc Renaud-Bezot
  • Casing for propellant charge
    Patent number: 6012394
    Abstract: A casing for a propellant charge for a piece of ammunition comprises a projectile and a stub. The casing comprises a substantially cylindrical envelope and a closing cover. The cylindrical envelope is made of a plastic material and is in the shape of a lattice formed of strands defining openings. The lattice is formed by a repetitive rectangular mesh. The width of the mesh openings is less than a predetermined diameter of a grain of the propellant charge intended to fill the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Dominique Dion, Regis Aumasson
  • Mine-clearing coil and device using same
    Patent number: 6002321
    Abstract: A demining coil to be fastened to a demining vehicle, which coil comprises a magnetic core and wherein the ratio of length to the largest transversal dimension of the core of the coil is greater than or equal to 4. The core of the coil may be fluted in shape and/or magnetically laminated. A demining device utilizes a plurality of demining coils spaced in different directions to maximize the area of detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventor: Loic Laine
  • System for adjusting in elevation and azimuth a support for a weapon mounted on a carrier
    Patent number: 5996463
    Abstract: An elevation and traverse control system for a weapon support mounted on a carrier strut, comprising elevation control means (S) and traverse control means (G) for the weapon support with respect to a carrier reference, wherein said means (S, G) are fully integrated into the weapon support said weapon support is fastened to the carrier strut by two hooking elements, and said traverse control means (G) are split into two similar devices (G1, G2) which incorporate the two hooking elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Christian Gyre, Miguele Fabiani, Maurice Capy
  • Plasma torch with improved gas-tightness
    Patent number: 5938950
    Abstract: The plasma torch according to the invention comprises an anode and a cathode separated by a capillary tube made of an electrically insulating material which can be ablated through the action of the plasma. It is characterized in that the anode incorporates a conductive casing closed at a first end casing inside which the capillary tube is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Christain Gay, Patrice Fournier, Gilles Guillot, Emmanuel Mornay
  • Support jack for fragile heavy structures
    Patent number: 5907441
    Abstract: A dual action support cylinder placed between a support (2) and a load (1) for applying on said load a nominal force of about 400 to 3900N for a low displacement of less than 1 cm, having a body (1) forming a vessel connected to said support (2) and closed on both sides by a cover (11, 12), said covers and body defining a housing with two chambers (32, 33), each sealed by a flexible membrane (36, 39). The two covers (11, 12) are connected to each other by connecting means (16) comprising ties (45) arranged through the body (10) and the covers (11, 12). The body (10) has a cylinder flange (30, 31) placed on either side of a core member (50) and cooperating with a collar (37, 40) for gripping the inner edge of each membrane (36, 39), wherein the movement of the cylinder is guided by metallic membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Sapy
  • Method for applying a protective coating to the components of a printed circuit board
    Patent number: 5897913
    Abstract: Method for applying a protective coating to the components on a printed circuit board, said coating being comprised of a polymerizable material such as a resin, characterized in that it consists in preparing the material of which the coating is composed from an initial mixture of at least two ingredients (A, B) and adding to this initial mixture at least one third ingredient (C) in a variable quantity in order to vary the viscosity of the initial mixture according to the type of component to be protected during the coating of the printed circuit board components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Christophe Dessaux, Emmanuel Moreau