Patents Assigned to Luchaire Defense AS
  • Patent number: 5841059
    Abstract: The invention concerns projectiles having an explosive load generating splinter and/or a core and of which the operation is triggered by a fuse. This projectile is characterized in that the load comprises at least one direction of action and in that the fuse comprises at least one detector detecting laser radiation reflected by a target, said detector comprising a direction of detection which is close to one of the directions of action of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Luchaire Defense S.A.
    Inventors: Pascal Laurend, Jean-Noel Bilbaut
  • Patent number: 5685503
    Abstract: A deployment device for stabilizing fins of a projectile includes at least one pallet and a holding device for each fin. The pallet is oriented to receive an aerodynamic flow when the projectile is fired and thus transfers a resultant strain to the fin to deploy it away from the projectile. The deployment device can be used for fins of a projectile fired from smooth barrelled weapons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Luchaire Defense AS
    Inventors: Christian Trouillot, Alain Verstraete
  • Patent number: 5583314
    Abstract: A single-use firing indicator device for a projectile having a hollow rear extension includes a stopper and an indicator member. The stopper is shaped to at least partially cover the rear extension of the projectile. The indicator member is connected to the stopper and may secure the firing indicator device to the projectile. Removing the firing indicator device to prepare the projectile for firing requires permanently deforming the indicator member. As a result, the firing indicator device reliably conveys the firing status of the projectile without requiring costly modification or added parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Luchaire Defense SA
    Inventors: Dominique Devaux, Rene Pinton, Jean-Michel Loas
  • Patent number: 5551330
    Abstract: A dispersible countermass system for a recoilless weapon, designed to be installed in a weapon barrel and to be ejected on firing through a rear portion thereof by a piston driven by the pressure of the combustion gases of a propellant charge while a projectile is simultaneously being launched towards the front portion of the barrel, the system comprising a charge of dispersible and inert matter disposed inside a case that is closed by a cover and by an end, wherein the case is formed by a cylindrical wall that fits inside the barrel and that is prevented from moving in translation relative thereto, and wherein the cover is connected to the case via connection means that are ruptured by the piston on firing, the case serving to guide the piston which has a peripheral rim that remains in contact with the case so as to provide sealing for the gases, the piston thus serving to eject the inert matter from the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Luchaire Defense SA
    Inventor: Marc Reuche
  • Patent number: 5515786
    Abstract: A projectile includes an explosive charge, a corresponding initiating device, a penetrator that only deforms upon impact with a target having a predetermined mechanical resistance, an internal impact contactor arranged between the penetrator and the charge, and a device to ensure initiation of the charge following crushing of the internal impact contactor and after the explosive charge has begun to be deformed following impact on the target. The projectile is particularly effective against hard targets such as stone, brick or cement structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Luchaire Defense SA
    Inventors: Michel Schilling, Jean-Gabriel Misse, Bruno Lang
  • Patent number: 5370032
    Abstract: A housing has a scored cylindrical casing that is designed to slidably fit into the barrel of a weapon and that is delimited by two side walls. After the casing breaks, due to the pressure of gases generated by a propellant charge, the housing is divided into at least two parts that are free to move relative to each other. Each housing part carries one casing element, ensuring gas tightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Luchaire Defense SA
    Inventors: Marc Reuche, Bruno C. Lang
  • Patent number: 5349906
    Abstract: A cartridge tube for a grenade capable of being fired by a live round of a weapon has a bullet trap to stop the bullet and a plug made of a deformable material to prevent the fragments produced when the bullet impacts on the bullet trap from escaping from the cartridge tube. The plug bears against a wall positioned between the plug and the bullet trap. The wall is attached to the cartridge tube and is substantially perpendicular to the center-line of the tube. The wall is positioned at a distance from the bullet trap along the center-line of the cartridge tube, thus establishing an empty space between the wall and the bullet trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Luchaire Defense SA
    Inventors: Dominique Devaux, Caroline Hellio, Jean-Gabriel Misse
  • Patent number: 5257936
    Abstract: Completely inert training grenade intended to be fired by a rifle and a propellant cartridge, comprising a metal tube (1) equipped with a rear stabilizing tail unit (2) and with a front solid part (3) which closes off the tube. This front part (3) carries a hollow nose (4) containing a marking substance (5), this nose (4) being fastened removably by engagement to the front solid part (3) of the tube. The nose (4) is sufficiently resistant to withstand the shot, but is destructible on impact. The solid front part (3) of the tube is produced in one piece with the tube, the diameter of this part being substantially equal to or slightly larger than that of the rest of the tube. The nose (4) engaged on this solid front part has an inner annular shoulder (11) bearing on the front surface (3a) of the solid part (3) of the tube, and the front end of the nose (4) is flat. The nose (4) is shaped so that its wall can break in the event of its impact on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Luchaire Defense S.A.
    Inventors: Francois Ambrosi, Pierre Laurent, Thierry Dupre