Abstract: An electro-explosive device (“EED”) having resistors fabricated on a thermally conductive substrate and interconnected by a central bridge element. The resistance of the bridge element is lower than that of the resistors, which have a larger surface area to volume ratio. The conductive bridge of the EED is overcoated with a composite overcoat comprising a metal and an oxidizer, which produce a chemical explosion upon plasma vaporization of the conductive bridge.

Abstract: A projectile includes a core having a substantially conical head extending from a tip to an outwardly projecting annular lip. A substantially cylindrical body projects from the conical head adjacent to the annular lip and extends to a substantially flat tail end face. An annular slot is bounded between the annular lip and the cylindrical body. An annular groove encircles the body between the conical head and the tail end face. A plastic sabot has a front end with a chamber recessed therein. The chamber is bounded by an inner side surface having a substantially dome shaped annular bulge radially inwardly projecting therefrom. The body of the core is received within the chamber of the sabot such that the front end of the sabot is received within the annular slot on the core and the bulge on the sabot is received within the groove on the core. In another embodiment, a plurality of spaced apart fins inwardly project from the inner side surface of the sabot.

Abstract: A projectile designed to be fired from firearms. The projectile has a generally conically shaped jacket having a forward tip, rear base, a body portion, and a central axis. The jacket is formed of a first metal. Located inside the jacket is a generally conically shaped penetrant which is formed of a second metal. The penetrant is formed with a forward tip, a rear base, a body portion, and a central axis. The tip of the penetrant is positioned substantially adjacent the tip of the jacket with their longitudinal axis being aligned. Finally, a core, which is formed of a third metal, fills the jacket and is located about the tip, body, and base of the penetrant. The third metal has a hardness less than that of the first and second metals while the second metal has a hardness greater than that of the first metal.

Abstract: An infrared radiation Coanda suppressor of an exhaust system encloses a Coanda surface for guiding exhaust gases into the atmosphere. The infrared radiation suppressor further uses cooling films for reducing the temperature of the Coanda surface and other exposed surfaces. A cool air entrainment flow of the exhaust gases prevents the buildup of recirculating hot gases in the exhaust chamber. As a result, IR radiation is suppressed from areas of the exhaust system which are exposed to IR detectors.

Abstract: A bullet comprised of a jacket of malleable metal having a closed nose portion encapsulating a forward core made of rubber, the nose portion having circumferentially spaced, axially extending deep scores in its nose-defining walls, and a rear core within the jacket made of a malleable metal preferably softer than that of the jacket and hard-seated against the rear of the rubber core to bring pressure against the interior surface of the meplat and the interior surface of the nose-defining walls of the nose portion, whereby upon the bullet striking and penetrating a target, the scores will rupture and the nose-defining walls of the nose portion will collapse axially and open, and together with the rubber core, will expand substantially in a radial direction to thereby provide an adequate penetration, optimum expansion bullet.

Abstract: A detonator with a base portion including opposing electrical leads; an exploding foil initiator on the base portion, the exploding foil initiator including two conductive lands separated by a bridge portion therebetween; and a connecting barrel of a predetermined thickness on the exploding foil initiator for optimizing the spacing between the exploding foil initiator and an explosive charge and for robustly interconnecting the lands of the exploding foil initiator with the electrical leads of the base portion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an expansion projectile capable of achieving complete expansion at a subsonic speed. The projectile consists of a malleable core and a jacket of more structural integrity. Complete expansion is achieved through the use of a guaranteed misalignment of jacket scoring in relation to premade cuts within the projectile's core. Expansion is further facilitated through use of a gradient density bearing insert which is contained within the core. Upon impact of the projectile at its target the bearing insert will rupture and expand. This will guarantee complete disintegration of the projectile.

Abstract: A fold-out fin has a fin geometry defined by two cross-sectional cuts through the cylindrical projectile body, both cuts being parallel to the boattail surface. This geometry insures that the stowed fin assembly fits within the gun tube. This geometry also exhibits low drag and good aerodynamic behavior. Upon launch, the fins are deployed and then locked in the fully open position with a spring loaded pin.

Abstract: A shaped charge explosive device for defeat of advanced armor is presented. In operation, a conically capped hemispherical liner is collapsed in reverse sequence. Detonation of the base of the hemisphere, done earlier in sequence, produces a thick massive jet for initial penetration as a deep crater, in the armor. The conical liner is collapsed afterward, producing a thin jet which reaches the armor deep into the crater earlier produced, at an increased distance than would be usual without a crater. The increased standoff is a further contribution in destructive improvement since adding travel distance to the target for a destructive jet, up to a point, will increase destruction of the target. Various detonation mechanisms, inhibitors, and judicious use of various high explosives and detonation arrangements, all provide the tools for formation of a desired particular two-jet sequence, to accomplish a desired destructive potential.

Abstract: An ammunition cartridge has a tube extending along a central longitudinal axis from an aft end to a fore end. The tube has an interior surface and an exterior surface. A metallic head has a sleeve portion secured to the tube along an aft section of the tube and has a centrally-apertured web portion spanning the sleeve portion so as to form a base of the cartridge. A basewad is contained within the tube and is separately formed therefrom. The basewad is located proximate the aft end of the tube. The basewad has a generally cylindrical exterior surface engaging the interior surface of the tube, an aft surface contacting the metal head, an interior surface. The interior surface extends from a generally forward-facing inner portion, forward and outward to a generally inward-facing fore portion so as to define a skirt portion of the basewad between the exterior surface and interior surface. At least one projectile is carried within a fore volume of the tube. A propellant charge is located aft of the projectile.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in the event of a collision comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) and an inflator (14, 114). The inflator (14, 114) has a source of inflation fluid (48, 148) in a chamber (46) of the inflator (14, 114) for inflating the protection device (12). The inflator (14, 114) includes a passage (68) through which inflation fluid flows from the chamber (46) into the protection device (12). The inflator (14, 114) also has a burst disk (44) which blocks the passage (68). An actuatable source (90) of laser light, when actuated, emits laser light which impinges on the burst disk (44) to cause the burst disk to rupture and release the inflation fluid from the chamber (46).

Abstract: The instant invention is a lightweight enhanced velocity bullet consisting of a hollow cylindrically shaped metal jacket component made of brass, the body of which is filled nearly to capacity with a malleable tin-copper-silver alloy material and with the body having a flattened posterior end and with there being a second end anterior to the body which said second end is hollow within, devoid of any alloy material and tapering symmetrically to a blunt point.

Abstract: A detonator with a base portion including a header wall terminating in a support surface; an initiator on the support surface; an explosive charge spaced from the initiator; and a cap having an interior top surface and an enclosure wall extending downward from the interior top surface and surrounding the initiator and the explosive charge. The wall terminates in a rim secured at a location along the header wall corresponding to the thickness of the initiator, the spacing between the initiator and the explosive charge, and the thickness of the explosive charge thereby ensuring that the explosive charge is in communication with the interior top surface of the cap.

Abstract: An expansion projectile (1) with a projectile body (2) forms a central arbor (3) at its end face and a collar (4) coaxially surrounding the arbor (3), where the collar (4) has an outer shape (6) tapering towards the free collar edge (5), and between collar (4) and arbor (3) there is provided a cavity (7) open towards the front. In order to achieve a monobloc projectile free from lead with a high efficiency and a wide range of applications in an economic way, the arbor (3) consists of shaft (31) and tip (32) the collar (4) touches the arbor (3) at least in the transition area (33) between shaft (31) and tip (32), and the arbor (3) protrudes at least up to the axial height of the collar edge (5).

Abstract: A frangible payload-dispensing projectile has a spherical capsule filled h a dispersible fill material. The exterior surface of the capsule has a plurality of spaced-apart dimples formed therein. Thickness at the base of each dimple is insufficient to withstand impact forces delivered thereto upon contact with a target whereas thickness between dimples is sufficient to withstand launch forces.

Abstract: A precursor warhead for a high-explosive, anti-armor (HEAA) warhead is provided. The precursor warhead is a cylindrically-shaped attachment adapted for a friction fit over the nose cone of existing HEAA warheads. The precursor warhead has an instantaneous fuse which initiates a precursor penetrator which causes early detonation of reactive armor, thereby protecting the main charge and penetrator on the HEAA round from damage. The precursor warhead replaces the existing crush switch on the HEAA round and also initiates, with appropriate time delay, the main explosive charge.

Abstract: An inverter fluid that intermixes with a non-aqueous (e.g., oil) external/aqueous internal fluid to cause external/internal inversion is designed. This includes testing a selected inverter fluid with a test fluid having a composition nominally equivalent to the composition of the non-aqueous external/aqueous internal fluid. A quantity of the designed inverter fluid is made and placed in the annulus of a well, such as an oil or gas well, to remove the non-aqueous external/aqueous internal fluid on at least a portion of one or more surfaces of the annulus. This can include pumping the inverter fluid along with a stream of cement. The inverter fluid displaces at least part of the non-aqueous external/aqueous internal fluid in the annular region and inverts the coating of non-aqueous external/aqueous internal fluid sufficient to remove the coating ahead of the cement.

Abstract: System and method for high vacuum sputtering combining magnetron sputtering and pulsed laser plasma deposition are described wherein simultaneous or sequential magnetron sputtering and pulsed laser deposition operations in a single ultra-high vacuum system provides high deposition rates with precise control of film morphology, stoichiometry, microstructure, composition gradient, and uniformity, in the deposition of high performance coatings of various metal, ceramic and diamond-like carbon materials.

Abstract: A pressure measuring instrument that utilizes the change of the refractive index of a gas as a function of pressure and the coherent nature of a laser light to determine the barometric pressure within an environment. As the gas pressure in a closed environment varies, the index of refraction of the gas changes. The amount of change is a function of the gas pressure. By illuminating the gas with a laser light source, causing the wavelength of the light to change, pressure can be quantified by measuring the shift in fringes (alternating light and dark bands produced when coherent light is mixed) in an interferometer.

Abstract: An implanted cardiac rhythm management device, such as a pacemaker (pacer) or defibrillator provides a lead impedance measurement of the effective resistance of the leadwire connecting the device to electrodes in the heart. The lead impedance measurement is based on the amount of a voltage droop of a capacitively coupled pacing output voltage pulse over a fixed period of time that is shorter than the duration of the pacing pulse. The lead impedance measurement avoids the need for performing a natural logarithm function by using a look-up table of precalculated scaled resistance values corresponding to particular amounts of voltage droop. The lead impedance measurement is enhanced by performing interpolation and correcting for manufacturing tolerances of the particular cardiac rhythm management device.