Patents Examined by James S. Bergin
  • Patent number: 11293732
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a subsonic ammunition having a polymeric casing body having a generally cylindrical hollow polymer body having a body base at a first end thereof and a mouth at a second end to define a propellant chamber; a propellant insert positioned in the propellant chamber to reduce the internal volume of the propellant chamber, wherein the propellant chamber has an internal volume that is at least 10% less than the open internal volume of a standard casing of equivalent caliber; and a primer insert positioned in the body base and in communication with the propellant chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: True Velocity IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Lonnie Burrow
  • Patent number: 11287234
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments are directed to enhancing insensitive munitions performance. Some of the embodiments employ an outgassing pad having unique geometrical configurations, compositions, and positioning. Other embodiments rely on using thermally-releasable components to foster billet expulsion. Additional embodiments combine both aspects into entire cook-off mitigation systems for insensitive munitions improvements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Lee R. Hardt, Donald L. Burnett, Josiah S. Garfield, Robert A. Koontz, Eric K. Wooding, Que T. BuiDang
  • Patent number: 11287228
    Abstract: An electronic initiator unit for the electrical firing of a charge in an energetic device is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventor: Timothy Haddon
  • Patent number: 11286757
    Abstract: A detonator for use with perforating gun assemblies is presented. The detonator includes a shell including a main explosive load. The shell may include one or more openings. A non-mass explosive body is disposed in the shell, adjacent the main explosive load. The non-mass explosive body includes one or more channels extending therethrough. The detonator includes a plug adjacent the non-mass explosive body, and a PCB adjacent the plug to facilitate electrical communication with the detonator. The plug may include an elongated opening extending therethrough. The channels of the non-mass explosive body, in combination with at least one of the openings of the shell or the elongated openings of the plug, are configured to introduce fluids, such as wellbore fluids, into the non-mass explosive body to disable the detonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Arash Shahinpour, Andreas Robert Zemla, Christian Eitschberger
  • Patent number: 11280596
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ammunition cartridge having a primer insert for having a top surface opposite a bottom surface and a extraction flange that extends circumferentially about an outer edge of the top surface; a coupling element that extends from the bottom surface, wherein the substantially cylindrical coupling element is adapted to receive a polymer overmolding; a primer recess in the top surface that extends toward the bottom surface, wherein the primer recess comprises a recess bottom and a circular recess side wall; a primer flash aperture through the recess bottom that extends through the bottom surface, wherein the primer flash aperture is adapted to receive a polymer overmolding to form a flash hole; and a groove in the primer recess positioned around the primer flash aperture adapted to receive a polymer overmolding, wherein the groove extends at least partially over the bottom surface and the groove is adapted to receive polymer at least partially over the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: TRUE VELOCITY IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Lonnie Burrow
  • Patent number: 11255647
    Abstract: The present invention provides a subsonic ammunition cartridge including a polymeric casing body comprising a generally cylindrical hollow polymer body having a body base at a first end thereof and a mouth at a second end to define a propellant chamber; a propellant insert positioned in the propellant chamber to reduce the internal volume of the propellant chamber, wherein the propellant chamber has an internal volume that is between 25 and 80% less than the open internal volume of a standard casing of equivalent caliber; and a primer insert positioned at the body base and in communication with the propellant chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: True Velocity IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Lonnie Burrow
  • Patent number: 11255649
    Abstract: The present invention provides a primer insert for use in a polymeric ammunition cartridge includes a top surface opposite a bottom surface and a extraction flange that extends circumferentially about an outer edge of the top surface; a coupling element that extends from the bottom surface, wherein the substantially cylindrical coupling element is adapted to receive a polymer overmolding; a primer recess in the top surface that extends toward the bottom surface, wherein the primer recess comprises a recess bottom and a circular recess side wall; a primer flash aperture through the recess bottom that extends through the bottom surface, wherein the primer flash aperture is adapted to receive a polymer overmolding to form a flash hole; and a groove in the primer recess positioned around the primer flash aperture adapted to receive a polymer overmolding, wherein the groove extends at least partially over the bottom surface and the circular recess side wall and the groove is adapted to receive polymer through the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: TRUE VELOCITY IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Lonnie Burrow
  • Patent number: 11248885
    Abstract: The present invention provides a subsonic ammunition cartridge including a polymeric casing body comprising a generally cylindrical hollow polymer body having a body base at a first end thereof and a mouth at a second end to define a propellant chamber; a propellant insert positioned in the propellant chamber to reduce the internal volume of the propellant chamber, wherein the propellant chamber has an internal volume that is between 25 and 80% less than the open internal volume of a standard casing of equivalent caliber; and a primer insert positioned at the body base and in communication with the propellant chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: True Velocity IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Lonnie Burrow
  • Patent number: 11248884
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cartridge having a projectile secured to a case that contains a propelling charge and closed by a base. A device for igniting the propelling charge has at least two energetic igniter cords that extend between an initiating means secured to a rear part of the case and the projectile. In this cartridge, the cords are joined at their rear part so as to form a strand, and they are fastened by at least one fastening means secured to the cartridge, the strand being connected to the initiating means by a packing gland making it possible to immobilize the cords both radially and axially relative to the initiating means while keeping the cords tight between their fastening means and the initiating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: NEXTER MUNITIONS
    Inventors: Guillaume Orsat, Stéphane Cotet, David Barres, Lucie Theillier
  • Patent number: 11243059
    Abstract: The present invention provides a primer insert for use in a polymeric ammunition cartridge includes a top surface opposite a bottom surface and a extraction flange that extends circumferentially about an outer edge of the top surface; a coupling element that extends from the bottom surface, wherein the substantially cylindrical coupling element is adapted to receive a polymer overmolding; a primer recess in the top surface that extends toward the bottom surface, wherein the primer recess comprises a recess bottom and a circular recess side wall; a primer flash aperture through the recess bottom that extends through the bottom surface, wherein the primer flash aperture is adapted to receive a polymer overmolding to form a flash hole; and a groove in the primer recess positioned around the primer flash aperture adapted to receive a polymer overmolding, wherein the groove extends at least partially over the bottom surface and the groove is adapted to receive polymer at least partially over the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: True Velocity IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Lonnie Burrow
  • Patent number: 11243060
    Abstract: The present invention provides a primer insert for use in a polymeric ammunition cartridge includes a top surface opposite a bottom surface and a extraction flange that extends circumferentially about an outer edge of the top surface; a coupling element that extends from the bottom surface, wherein the substantially cylindrical coupling element is adapted to receive a polymer overmolding; a primer recess in the top surface that extends toward the bottom surface, wherein the primer recess comprises a recess bottom and a circular recess side wall; a primer flash aperture through the recess bottom that extends through the bottom surface, wherein the primer flash aperture is adapted to receive a polymer overmolding to form a flash hole; and a groove in the primer recess positioned around the primer flash aperture adapted to receive a polymer overmolding, wherein the groove extends at least partially over the bottom surface and at least partially over the circular recess side wall and the groove is adapted to rece
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: TRUE VELOCITY IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Lonnie Burrow
  • Patent number: 11236975
    Abstract: A wireless electronic detonator includes an energy source and functional modules. A first switching switch is provided between the energy source and the functional modules, making it possible to connect or not connect the energy source to the functional modules. A control module for controlling the first switching means includes a module for recovering radio energy configured to receive a radio signal from a control console, to recover the electric energy in the radio signal received, to generate an energy recovery signal (VRF) representative of the level of electric energy recovered, and to generate as output a control signal (VOUT) as a function of the recovered energy, the control signal controlling the first switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignees: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Lionel Biard, Ghislain Despesse, Franck Guyon
  • Patent number: 11231258
    Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer ammunition cartridge having a primer insert having: a top surface; a bottom surface opposite the top surface; a coupling element that extends from the bottom surface, wherein the coupling element comprises an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface comprises: a transition region that transitions from the bottom surface to a second segment wherein the transition region has a radius of from 0.02 to 0.2; a first segment extending from the second segment and terminates at a tip, wherein the first segment has a first segment distance from 0.02 to 0.18 inches and the second segment has a second segment distance from 0.02 to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: TRUE VELOCITY IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Lonnie Burrow
  • Patent number: 11226179
    Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer ammunition cartridge having a primer insert having: a top surface; a bottom surface opposite the top surface; a coupling element that extends from the bottom surface, wherein the coupling element comprises an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the interior surface comprises: a transition region that transitions from the bottom surface to a second segment wherein the transition region has a radius of from 0.02 to 0.2; a first segment extending from the second segment and terminates at a tip, wherein the first segment has a first segment distance from 0.02 to 0.18 inches and the second segment has a second segment distance from 0.02 to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: TRUE VELOCITY IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Lonnie Burrow
  • Patent number: 11220359
    Abstract: A networked electronic ordnance system is provided. The system includes a first plurality of pyrotechnic devices connected to a first network bus. The system further includes a first bus controller connected to the first network bus. The system further includes a second plurality of pyrotechnic devices connected to a second network bus. The system further includes a second bus controller connected to the second network bus. The system further includes a bus interface circuit connected to the first bus controller by a first electrical connection and connected to the second bus controller by a second electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: PACIFIC SCIENTIFIC MATERIALS COMPANY (CALIFORNIA) LLC
    Inventors: Peter J. Current, Michael R. Hathaway
  • Patent number: 11215430
    Abstract: The present invention provides a single piece polymer ammunition cartridge and polymer ammunition and methods of forming a single piece polymer ammunition cartridge and polymer ammunition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: TRUE VELOCITY IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Tyler Lee Boss, Lonnie Burrow, Michael Edward Godart, Jimmie Sloan, Andrew Rosek
  • Patent number: 11209252
    Abstract: The present invention provides a subsonic ammunition including a polymeric casing body; a propellant insert positioned in the propellant chamber to reduce the internal volume of the propellant chamber; a propellant disposed and confined within the propellant chamber; a primer insert positioned at the body base and in communication with the propellant chamber; a primer and diffuser disposed in the primer insert in combustible communication with the propellant; and a projectile frictionally fitted in the mouth in combustible communication with the propellant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: True Velocity IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Lonnie Burrow
  • Patent number: 11204227
    Abstract: A breaching device includes a body having a tamping material. The body has a target surface that is configured to face a target to be breached and a backing surface that is opposite the target surface. The tamping material is formed of gel and is configured to reflect an explosive force directed way from the target surface towards the target surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Esoteric, LLC
    Inventor: Yousef Sansour
  • Patent number: 11193743
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed cook-off mitigation systems. As assembled, a munition fuzewell is torqued into the aft end of a munition. The fuzewell is hollow and has an inner and an outer surface. The hollow fuzewell is configured to release during cook-off. Release is assisted by employing a biased equivalent strength threaded release ring concentric about the fuzewell. The biased equivalent strength threaded release ring has a threaded inner surface and a threaded outer surface. The biased equivalent strength threaded release ring's threaded inner surface threadingly-engages with threads on the fuzewell's outer surface. A munition case is concentric about the biased equivalent strength threaded release ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Blazek, Lee R. Hardt
  • Patent number: 11193741
    Abstract: A less-lethal projectile is disclosed herein. The less-lethal projectile can include a case having an interior; a powder charge located in the interior; and a projectile located in the interior, adjacent to the buffer, wherein the projectile is formed from a material comprising a bearing material and a weighting substance dispersed within the bearing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Avert Industries, LLC
    Inventor: John Doyle Rogers