Abstract: A primer structure is provided for holding a deposited ignitable material, and for holding the ignitable material within a firearm cartridge or within another munition. The primer includes a disk and a retaining ring. Ignitable material is deposited on a surface of the disk. The retaining ring is positioned in front of the disk. The retaining ring includes angled passageways for reaction products to travel from the ignitable material to the propellant. The forwardmost surface of the retaining ring, as well as the angle of the passageways, dissipate pressure that would otherwise be borne by the disk. Both the disk and retaining ring include angled or stepped surfaces to resist movement under pressure.

Abstract: One example of a sound suppressor for a firearm includes a tubular housing and a plurality of individual tubular baffle elements that fit within the tubular housing to form a baffle assembly having a symmetrical or an asymmetrical baffle structure. Different examples of the tubular baffle elements may abut each other or may interlock with each other. Another example of the sound suppressor includes an outer housing that resists passage of heat therethrough.

Abstract: A propellant in the form of a pellet includes adjoining pellet sections. Each pellet section includes a smokeless powder, a burnable metal, and a polymer. The smokeless powder in each pellet section will in many examples be different from the burn rate of the smokeless powder in other pellet sections. A nonignitable tube passes through the center of the pellet. When the pellet is used within a firearm cartridge, the ignition products from the primer travel through the nonburnable tube, igniting the pellet sections sequentially from the front to the rear of the cartridge. The pressure generated by the propellant within a cartridge casing can be maximized and controlled through the selection of the burn rate for each pellet section.

Abstract: A cup for a primer facilitates the use of deposited ignitable material, for example, a layered thermite material, within a cup that fits within a standard primer pocket within a firearm cartridge casing or other location designed for a presently available primer. The primer cup includes a tube and a disk. The ignitable material can be deposited on one surface of the disk. The disk can then be inserted within the tube, wherein it is retained within the tube by an inwardly projecting ledge at one end of the tube.

Abstract: A rotating binding for a snowboard or other recreational equipment to which a user's foot is attached includes a lever having teeth at one end for engaging corresponding teeth in a disk attached to the snowboard or other equipment. Movement of the lever is resisted until an additional movement of the lever is performed in order to unsecure the lever from a secured position in which it engages the teeth within the disk. Some examples of the snowboard or other recreational equipment may include retractable fins that may be extended downward from the snowboard, or secured in a retracted position.

Abstract: A fusion reactor includes a columnating panel disposed between the positive electrode and negative electrode for channeling deuterium ions along predetermined paths that are likely to lead to fusion-producing collisions with previous deuterium ions. Deuterium ions are introduced to the reactor adjacent to the positive electrode, and then pass from the columnating panel, through a reduced pressure chamber, and then proceed towards the negative electrode. Once the deuterium ions strike the negative electrode, they remain attached to the negative electrode so that subsequent deuterium ions following the same channels through the columnating panel are more likely to collide with them.

Abstract: A system for initiating and controlling a reaction between a metal and water is provided for use in propelling a rocket, torpedo, or other munition. A thermite charge having a quantity of reducing metal in excess of that required to react with the metal oxide is utilized to melt and/or vaporize the excess reducing metal. Water may be added to the munition immediately before use, or in the case of a torpedo, may be taken in from the surrounding water. The principles embodied by Bernoulli's equation may be used to regulate the intake of water for the reaction with the reducing metal.

Abstract: A charge system for destroying chips on a circuit board is provided. The charge system has a first substrate having a number of recesses formed therein with each of the recesses having a housing disposed therein. A high density charge is disposed within the housing. A number of recesses are formed within the high density charge. A number of low density charges are disposed within each of the recesses formed within the high density charge. A second substrate is located proximate to the first substrate. The low density charge and the high density charge are structured to destroy the second substrate after ignition. A method of destroying chips is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for cutting target material which includes a housing having an inner cavity and an elongated nozzle extending from the inner cavity to communicate with the exterior of the housing. The apparatus is provided with a charge for generating a cutting flame and an activating device coupled to the charge. A method for cutting target material is also provided in which the cutting apparatus has an elongated nozzle positioned generally adjacent to a surface of a target material to be cut. The cutting apparatus may be joined with one or more housings to provide a ganged together or joined cutting apparatus. The effect of this ganged cutting apparatus is to provide an extended linear cutting action on the surface of the target material. In addition, in an opposed cutting apparatus, two housings are positioned with their nozzle channels in opposition to permit cutting target material from two directions.