Patents Examined by Harold J. Tudor
  • Patent number: 6405628
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drilling and penetrating hard materials utilizes a high velocity gun system that fires multiple shots of a projectile and an energetic slurry at the surface of the material to be penetrated. The penetrating device includes one or more firing barrels that are loaded with a propellant, a projectile and an energetic (explosive) slurry, and are controlled to fire in a preselected firing sequence. The projectile enters the material to be penetrated generating a hole into which the energetic slurry is also fired. The energetic slurry detonates upon contact with the material causing an explosion that further fractures the material and which blows the material out of the hole. The process is repeated until a desired penetration depth is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Apti, Inc.
    Inventor: Yeshayahu S Goldstein
  • Patent number: 6405654
    Abstract: The invention is an improved ammunition for use in muzzle-loader guns, where the invention is a muzzle-loader projectile that is substantially conventional in overall appearance to prior art, black powder projectiles, but differs significantly in that it has a plastic center that extends to the tip of the projectile, therein producing a lighter, streamlined projectile that has a higher muzzle velocity, and a truer, flatter trajectory than conventional solid lead projectiles; and, where said invention, on impact, mushrooms extensively, efficiently transferring all of its kinetic energy to the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Inventor: Tim T. Smith
  • Patent number: 6406053
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pyrotechnic gas generator, especially for passive restraint systems in motor vehicles, comprising at least two independent loading spaces (1a, 1b) which contain fuel (2) and to each of which an ignition unit (3a, 3b) is assigned which can be controlled independently of each other. All loading spaces (1a, 1b) are connected to a shared expansion chamber (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Dynamit Nobel GmbH Explosivstoff- und Systemtechnik
    Inventors: Karl Bayer, Rudolf Hiltner
  • Patent number: 6397718
    Abstract: A device for machining a cartridge case that has a neck comprising a circular neck wall, a mouth and a primer pocket. The device includes a gripping assembly, adapted to accept and retain a cartridge case and a neck machining assembly, positioned to engage the cartridge case from a first direction and adapted to machine the neck of the cartridge case. Additionally, a primer pocket machining assembly is positioned to engage the cartridge case from a second direction, opposed to the first direction, thereby permitting simultaneous primer pocket and neck engagement, and adapted to machine the primer pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventors: John R. Jamison, Bradley R. Elder
  • Patent number: 6393992
    Abstract: Projectile systems are provided herein employing an inhibiting and/or marking substance for impairing/marking a living target, such as a human or animal target, which projectile systems are optimized to provide maximum effectiveness by impacting the target with sufficient force to cause the target to move into a simultaneously radially dispersing inhibiting/marking substance contained within a capsule of the projectile system. In preferred embodiments, the projectile system includes a generally spherical capsule that is optimally filled to greater than about 50%, more preferably about 75% to 99% of its total volume, most preferably to about 90% of capacity, with the substance to be delivered to the target. The capsule is preferably formed as two about equal halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Jaycor Tactical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Vasel, Scott C. Nunan, Gregory A. Niederhaus, Peter G. Coakley
  • Patent number: 6389972
    Abstract: The invention relates to an initiator for a pyrotechnic gas generator intended for motor vehicle safety. The initiator (2) is built from a circuit support (10) on which conductive strips are printed which include electromagnetic protection and the ends of which are joined together by a resistive element covered with a thermosensitive charge (6). The conductive strips are connected to an electric cable (3). The support (10) is coated in a cylindrical overmoulded insulation (4, 5). A fragmentable cylindrical cap (8) containing an igniter composition (9) forms, together with the initiator (2), an igniter (1) for pyrotechnic generators intended for motor vehicle safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Livbag S.N.C.
    Inventors: Daniel Duvacquier, Christian Perotto
  • Patent number: 6389978
    Abstract: A gun barrel cleaning shell uses a pressurized cartridge alone or within a shell casing to propel cleaning material through the bore of the firearm. Inside the cartridge is a strike pin that when the firing pin of the firearm is actuated will cause the strike pin to puncture a rupturable end of the cartridge to release the compressed fluids therein to force the cleaning material toward and through the barrel of the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventors: Manuel B. Hooper, Jim C. Counts
  • Patent number: 6386085
    Abstract: A method for assembling a blast initiation device is provided. The method comprises providing a length of signal transmission line having first and second ends, mounting a tag to the line and mounting a first detonator to the first end of the line wherein all of the steps are each performed at a single operator station by a single operator. Also provided is an apparatus for utilizing the method. The apparatus comprises a tagger device for mounting a tag to a length of signal transmission line having first and second ends. A crimp device is adjacent the tagger device for mounting a first detonator to the first end of the line. A blocker device is adjacent the detonator crimp device for locking a connecting block to the first detonator. The tagger, crimp and blocker devices are spatially arranged adjacent an access position for ease of operation by a single operator. Further provided is a kaizen cell comprising a plurality of workstations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Betty A. Garrett
  • Patent number: 6378437
    Abstract: A hardened subminiature telemetry and sensor system for a ballistic projectile having a radome, antenna, steel insert, S-band transmitter circuit board, data recorder, sensor or measurement device and battery. The entire assembly is contained in such a way that the assembly can be threaded into the existing tracer well of a kinetic energy projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Burke, Jr., Michael S. L. Hollis, Freddie J. Brandon, Eugene M. Ferguson, Jonah N. Faust, Bradford A. Davis
  • Patent number: 6374742
    Abstract: An anti-personnel projectile launched from a 37 mm or 40 mm weapon shell required at impact to have a low lethality consequence, in which the projectile is fitted in the shell in a shape characterized by a blunt end in the direction of flight and maintained in this shape by oppositely directed air resistance and propelling forces to obviate a change of shape during flight that might cause a serious injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Brunn, Jacob Kravel
  • Patent number: 6370867
    Abstract: A throttleable rocket injector assembly is disclosed wherein the flow of oxidizer into each of the oxidizer injectors is simultaneously regulated by a mechanical assembly mounted entirely within the oxidizer chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Richard James Schnoor
  • Patent number: 6371029
    Abstract: A disc for use in the manufacture of gun ammunition and a round of gun ammunition which includes the disc. A preferred disc comprises a mixture of metal powders compressed into self-supporting deformable disc that is incorporated along with a core into a jacket to define the projectile of a round of gun ammunition. The disc is frangible upon the projectile striking a solid or semi-solid target. Preferably the core is likewise frangible. In one embodiment the disc is incorporated into the ogive of a projectile. In another embodiment, a disc may be incorporated into a projectile comprising multiple cores, the disc being disposed between adjacent surfaces of the cores. This latter disc commonly is in addition to the disc which is incorporated into the ogive of the projectile. A round of gun ammunition incorporating a powder-based disc in the projectile thereof is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Inventor: Harold F. Beal
  • Patent number: 6367244
    Abstract: A propulsion system with at least one storage chamber containing at least one solid propellant and at least one fluid propellant is disclosed. The fluid propellant is retained under pressurized conditions, such that depressurization of the storage chamber substantially homogeneously disperses the at least one solid propellant in the at least one fluid propellant. A mixed-phase propellant can thereby be fed to a combustion chamber. The pressurized conditions under which the at least one fluid propellant is retained can include supercritical or critical conditions, saturation conditions, and conditions sufficient to provide a compressed gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Hy Pat Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin W. Smith, Theodore C. Slack, Jr., Korey R. Kline, Thomas O. Bales, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6367388
    Abstract: An ammunition cartridge for use with a gun which cartridge has a shotshell wad defining a rear charge receiving chamber and at least two forward shot or other projectile receiving chambers wherein a forward shot receiving chamber is formed of a solid disk including a plurality of shot pellets or similar projectiles embedded in a hardened binder material and wherein a rear shot or similar projectile receiving chamber houses unbound shot pellets or projectiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventor: Chris Lee Billings
  • Patent number: 6367387
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an under-calibered gun-barrel bullet, in particular for guns with a partially or fully rifled barrel, which is received by a thrust cage. The task of the present invention is providing a further such gun-barrel bullet. This task is solved thereby that the under-calibered gun-barrel bullet comprises a shell jacket (2) which, relative to its loaded position, receives a bullet core (3) displaceable in the direction of the gun-barrel end, whose displacement caused by the blast generation in the shell jacket (2), is limited by an abutment (9) whereby the final form of the gun-barrel bullet (1) is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Wilhelm Brenneke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Krüper
  • Patent number: 6363855
    Abstract: An ordnance venting system has a thermally initiated rapid deflagrating composition that detonates a high energy material. The high energy material is configured as a shaped charge and surrounds the ordnance housing of a rocket motor. During cook-off of the munition, the high energy material detonates, rupturing the structural integrity of the ordnance housing sufficiently to release pressure therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Steven S. Kim, Chris M. Nugent
  • Patent number: 6363856
    Abstract: A projectile for small arms, incorporating a core, skirt, and driving band. The present invention's design acts to increase muzzle velocity in three main ways. The core is lightweight, therefore, the same amount of propellent will cause the present invention to be pushed out of the barrel at a higher rate than a conventional heavier bullet. Additionally, a thin skirt circumscribing the base of the projectile is incorporated into it during manufacture. All of the design characteristics of the present invention act to increase the muzzle velocity of the projectile when used with a conventional load as compared to the same load used with a conventional projectile. The increased velocity is achieved in standard small arms without modification to barrels, recoil springs, or other devices. Law enforcement officers must be extremely careful in regard to innocent bystanders who may potentially be hit be an errant bullet, or by a bullet that over-penetrates its target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventors: Roscoe R. Stoker, Jr., David A. Stoker
  • Patent number: 6354221
    Abstract: A firearm cartridge case capable of withstanding internal gas pressures of at least about 50,000 psi has two substantially cylindrical portions of significantly different diameters interconnected by a frusto-conical shoulder portion. The case has a ratio of its overall length to its diameter, at a location 1.25 inches from its base, of no more than about 4.2, giving it an unusually short, fat profile. The base of the case has a rim with an outer diameter substantially no less than the case diameter at the aforementioned location, to facilitate reliable feeding of the cartridge from the magazine. The corresponding firearm chamber which matingly accepts the cartridge is capable of withstanding internal gas pressures of at least about 65,000 psi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Inventor: John R. Jamison
  • Patent number: 6354181
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the destruction of terrorist weapons, including explosives chemical and biological agents, by detonation in an enclosed double-walled steel explosion chamber having its walls, access door and floor filled with granular shock damping material. The chamber is vented through orifices into vent pipes which converge in a manifold which exhausts into an expansion tank or scrubber for cooling, testing, and environmental treatment of the explosion products. A weapon to be destroyed is placed into the chamber with a donor explosive charge and held in place by a disintegratable string hammock, along with one or more plastic polymer film bags containing water. After closing the access door, the donor charge is detonated by an electrical detonation means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Inventor: John L. Donovan
  • Patent number: H2024
    Abstract: An adjustable control assembly includes a plurality of control members. The control members preferably include moveable portions such as levers that are manipulable to accomplish a desired operation of heavy duty machinery such as construction equipment, for example. The control members are supported on support plates that are pivotally moveable relative to each other about a single pivot axis. A locking mechanism is provided to selectively lock the support plates into a chosen position relative to each other. By adjusting the positions of the support plates, a variety of operator needs and preferences are readily accommodated providing effective and efficient access to the control members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Craig B. Kelley, Daniel E. Shearer, Susan M. Boast