Patents Examined by James Bergin
  • Patent number: 8820240
    Abstract: An ammunition safety priming device using silicon micro-mechatronic systems technology, having at least two priming safeties intended to be deactivated by as many external independent physical events, includes at least one movable element, along a translation axis, for deactivating at least one of the priming safeties by action on said movable element of one of the physical events. Said movable element is produced in a material other than silicon. The device has applications including ammunition, rocket stage separation devices, and airbags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Junghans T2M SAS
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Renaud-Bezot
  • Patent number: 8820243
    Abstract: An electric match assembly for initiating a pyrotechnic device, the electric match assembly comprising an element for connection to a leader carrying the signal; a first electric match component for connection to the lift charge of the pyrotechnic device, the first electric match component connected to the element such that when the element is connected to the leader and the first electric match component is connected to the lift charge, the signal in the leader is applied to the lift charge; a second electric match component for connection to the time fuse connected to the burst charge of the pyrotechnic device, the second electric match component connected to the element such that when the element is connected to the leader and the second electric match component is connected to the time fuse, the signal in the leader is applied to the time fuse of the burst charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: MagicFire, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul McKinley, Phillip Martinez
  • Patent number: 8813648
    Abstract: An ignition and delay circuit of an ammunition unit for time controlled delay of the initiation of an electric blasting cap. The ignition and delay circuit includes a piezo electric device generating electrical energy when hitting a target. An energy storing device stores the energy generated by the piezo electric device. A delay device supplied by the energy storing device and controlling the initiation of the electric blasting cap. A programmable micro processor is provided supplied by the energy storing device and arranged to control the delay of the initiation in dependence of at least the type of ammunition in question.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: SAAB AB
    Inventor: Henrik Remahl
  • Patent number: 8813649
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a low foreign object damage nose weight for affixing to a either a standard or kinematic decoy flare comprising a thin walled nose cup having a closed end, an open end, an internal cavity, and at least one sidewall attached to said closed end and surrounding said internal cavity; and a metal powder disposed within the internal cavity for weighing down the forward end of the decoy flare, said nose cup capable of being affixed to a forward end of a decoy flare such that said powder is jettisoned from said nose cup upon burn out of a flare pellet subassembly of said decoy flare thereby reducing the weight of the nose cup and the possibility of foreign object damage to aircraft, ground troops, ground equipment and buildings resulting from the falling nose weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventors: David W. Herbage, Alan Phillips, Everard Leifson, Keven Thomas
  • Patent number: 8813652
    Abstract: A projectile includes an ogive at a forward end and a projectile body removably coupled to an aft end of the ogive. A signal dye or a filler material is located within a first cavity in the projectile, wherein the first cavity is at least partially located within the ogive. A pyrophoric material is also located within the first cavity, wherein the pyrophoric material is hermetically sealed either within or by the first cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Amtec Corporation
    Inventors: Dae Y. Shin, Ralph E. Robertson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8813651
    Abstract: A method of making a liner for a shaped charge or an explosively formed projectile may include making a liner substrate using a 3D additive manufacturing process. At least a portion of the surface of the liner substrate may be surface finished. The surface finished portion may be electroplated with a metal to form a multi-layer liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Ryan Hooke
  • Patent number: 8807037
    Abstract: An improved, multiple-use fireworks launcher (10) is provided for the launching of fireworks such as an artillery shell (40) having a lower lift charge (42) and an upper effect charge (44). The launcher (10) includes a base (12), with an upstanding, open-top launch tube (14) operably coupled with the base (12). A reinforcing section (16) is positioned about the lower end of launch tube (14), and preferably comprises a tubular sleeve (36) tightly secured to the outer surface (32) of launch tube (14). The combined thickness of the tube (14) and section (16) are sufficient to prevent catastrophic failure of the launcher (10) in the event a shell (40) is improperly placed within the tube (14) in an inverted condition with the lift charge (42) thereof positioned over the effect charge (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Jake's Fireworks Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Marietta
  • Patent number: 8807003
    Abstract: A method comprises providing a gun string assembly within a wellbore and perforating the wellbore using the gun string assembly. The gun string assembly comprises a plurality of perforating guns coupled in series. A first perforating gun of the plurality of perforating guns comprises a first portion of shaped charges, and a second perforating gun of the plurality of perforating guns comprises a second portion of shaped charges operably associated with a secondary pressure generator. The first perforating gun and the second perforating gun are configured in the gun string assembly to provide a pressure transient comprising one or more pressures at a location in the wellbore that meet one or more thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Cam Van Le, Darren Ross Barlow, Jeffrey Alan Nelson
  • Patent number: 8800451
    Abstract: The present invention configures a gas generator (A) wherein, with regard to a plug assembly (2), a ring (22) is formed of insulative resin, electrode pins (21) are equipped midway with flange portions (21a), and these flange portions (21a) are integrally formed in a state embedded inside the ring (22), and, in addition, the diameter of the flange portions (21a) is made a larger diameter than the short sides of this opening portion (1a) of the holder (1), the sum of the sector angles (R) formed by the outer peripheral portions (21r) of the flange portions (21a) of the electrode pins (21) located outside the opening portion of the holder (1) and the electrode pins (21) is configured to be 180 degrees or greater, the flange portions (21a) of the electrode pins (21) are further made mutually non-contacting, and the minimum distance (D) between the electrode pins (21) and the periphery of the opening portion (1a) of the holder (1) through which these electrode pins (21) are inserted is made 0.5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Showa Kinzoku Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Sawada, Toshihiko Tamura, Masayuki Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 8794152
    Abstract: A gas-impermeable sealer element (24, 124) for a detonator or other explosive initiation device includes a non-reactive sleeve (26, 126) having a channel (28, 128) formed therein. A reactive material strip (30, 130) is sealed within the channel for transmission of an explosive's initiation signal through the sealer element (24, 124), either alone or in cooperation with transfer charges located at the input and/or output end of the non-reactive sleeve (26, 126). The reactive material strip (30, 130) comprises a reactive metal wire or other substrate (34) having on one or both sides thereof a layer of reactive material (30, 130, 36), either reactive metal foils which react exothermically when ignited, or a deposited fuel-oxidizer reactive material. The reactive materials, upon being energized, react exothermically in the absence of atmospheric oxygen or other extraneous oxidizer and so may be encapsulated, sealed or otherwise isolated from the atmosphere in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Dyno Nobel Inc.
    Inventors: Tyson J. Plitt, Joseph W. Twarog, Jr., Mark Dorman, Raymond T. Overstrom, John Childs
  • Patent number: 8794153
    Abstract: A shaped charge liner comprises a powder, and the powder comprises a blend of particles. The particles comprise a core material, a first reactant material in intimate contact with the core material, and a second reactant material in intimate contact with the first reactant, where the core material has a density greater than 10 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Corbin S. Glenn
  • Patent number: 8794151
    Abstract: An explosive device using a semiconductor explosion initiator device provides an MOS capacitor formed on a semiconductor substrate and including a silicide layer formed over a doped silicon layer formed over an oxide layer. The oxide layer is formed on an N-well formed in a semiconductor substrate. A voltage source applies a voltage which may be a pulsed voltage, across the MOS capacitor sufficient to cause the avalanche breakdown of the oxide layer and the diffusion of metal from the silicide layer into the doped silicon of the N-well formed in the substrate. The chemical reaction between the metal and the doped silicon causes the generation of a plasma which ignites a pyrotechnic material or ignites or detonates other explosive material in contact with the semiconductor explosion initiator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Wafertech, LLC
    Inventors: Re-Long Chiu, Sharon Ying
  • Patent number: 8789468
    Abstract: A breaching device that may be used to create a linear and, if desired, continuous, cut or breach in a metal structure. The cut or breach created may be non-linear in shape and not deviate from the functionality of the device. The device includes a plurality of containers joined together, such as by a metal wire or the like to form a series of cutting charges. One or more of the containers includes Reactive Material (RM) that may be ignited electronically or some other activation mechanism. The containers that do contain RM are sealed with the RM therein and preferably fabricated to be sufficiently heat resistant so that the RM is only ignited intentionally. The RM that is contained in the containers may be fired simultaneously, sequentially or in a programmed pattern, depending on the requirements of the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Inventor: Eric Bleicken
  • Patent number: 8789467
    Abstract: An explosive tool comprises a body structure, a charge, a detonator to ignite the charge via propagation of thermal energy, a pressure actuated safety to prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the pressure actuated safety is subjected to a surface pressure and to not prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the pressure actuated safety is subjected to at least a predefined pressure threshold, and a temperature actuated safety to prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the temperature actuated safety is subjected to a surface temperature and to not prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the temperature actuated safety is subjected to at least a predefined temperature threshold. The charge, the detonator, the pressure actuated safety, and the temperature actuated safety are contained within the body structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald L. Crawford
  • Patent number: 8783188
    Abstract: An inflator containing a housing having a first end and a second end is provided. An igniter is fixed within the first end of the housing for ignition of gas generant charges within the housing. A discrete fuel charge and a discrete oxidizer charge ignitably communicates with the igniter. The fuel charge and the oxidizer charge may be axially aligned and are substantially simultaneously combusted upon actuation of the inflator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Brian A. Mayville, Deborah L. Hordos, Scott M. Rambow
  • Patent number: 8776691
    Abstract: A launched smoke grenade has a cartridge case having a hollow interior that receives a primer and a propellant, a projectile received by the cartridge case, and the projectile including a smoke generation component and an ignition component. The smoke generation component and the ignition component may be separated by a barrier prior to admission of the ignition component. The ignition component may burn through the barrier to ignite the smoke generation component. The smoke generation component may include hexachloroethane. The propellant may be black powder or smokeless powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: CSI-Penn Arms, LLC
    Inventor: Jacob Kravel
  • Patent number: 8776690
    Abstract: The invention relates to a combustible sleeve for accommodating propellant charge powder, to munitions designed using such a sleeve, and to a production method for such sleeves. The sleeve according to the invention is designed for accommodating propellant charge powder and has a jacket wall made of combustible felted fibrous material and an inlay of intersecting threads in the jacket wall. The threads are disposed therein at a distance from one another such that felted fibrous material reaches through the regions between the threads. The method comprises the following steps: preparing a jacket wall made of combustible felted fibrous material and inserting an inlay made of intersecting threads into the jacket wall. The threads are disposed therein at a distance from one another such that the felted fibrous material extends through the regions between the threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Nitrochemie Aschau GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Lebacher, Alexander Huber
  • Patent number: 8776692
    Abstract: A flameless smoke pot and a method of generating smoke using the smoke pot. The smoke pot includes a casing having a side wall with air inlet openings and containing a plurality of perforated tubes containing red phosphorous pellets. A heat generating pyrotechnic composition is disposed at a first end of the casing to generate heat which flows through the perforated tubes containing red phosphorous pellets to produce white phosphoric acid clouds of smoke. The white phosphoric acid clouds of smoke are combined with atmospheric air containing water to generate the white phosphoric acid clouds of aerosol smoke. The white phosphoric acid clouds of aerosol smoke are directed through a perforated flame arrester whereby visible flame is prevented from being created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: John P. Fiala, Joseph A. Domanico, Joseph E. May, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8770109
    Abstract: A flare ignition system for an ejectable flare (10), for protecting moving and/or stationary objects from heat-seeking threats, is disclosed, wherein the flare ignition system is characterized by a heat transfer occurring within a type of tube or tube nozzle (1) provided with one or more heating elements. The flare ignition system is integrated in an ejector system (2), which additionally comprises an accelerator unit (3) surrounding the tube nozzle (1) and a heat insulation (4) bound between the two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventor: Sven Guth
  • Patent number: 8763533
    Abstract: An active body (1) is proposed that has, as active mass (5), multiple flares (2, 3) arranged behind each other or stacked, in particular for the generation of decoys, wherein the flares (2, 3) are NC (nitrocellulose) and RP (red phosphorus) single flares. The single flares (2, 3) are evenly or unevenly stacked in succession such that one RP single flare (3) lies on an NC single flare (2), or multiple NC single flares (2) or multiple RP single flares (3) follow each other, so that it is possible to vary the percentage of NC and RP in the active body (1) from about 0% to about 100%. A container (4) houses the active mass (5), and can in turn have predetermined breaking points (7) to facilitate the break up of the active body (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Nenad Prelic, Vikorn Martin Kadavanich, Rainer Gaisbauer