Patents Examined by Michael Carone
  • Patent number: 8056279
    Abstract: An inventive process is provided for creating residual compressive stress at a surface of a structure without resort to custom mandrels and dangerous high-pressure fluids. The inventive process yields autofrettage of a structure such as a tube, gun barrel and the like, the structure having an outer surface and an inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Robert Hansbrough Carter, William Steinle DeRosset
  • Patent number: 8056479
    Abstract: Disclosed is a separation device of an ejector motor for a portable missile, capable of being separated from a missile without any additional separation devices after ejecting the missile. An ejection rocket motor and a separation device are integrally formed. Ejection is performed by a thrust generated while the ejection rocket motor is combusted, and separation is performed by cutting off shearing bolts with using a force generated from a separation cylinder when the combustion of the ejection rocket motor has been completed. This operation and configuration may minimize a weight and a space occupied by a general ejection and separation device in a missile system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Agency for Defense Development
    Inventors: Hyo-Nam Lee, Jong-Yun Oh, Seong-Eun Kim
  • Patent number: 8051595
    Abstract: A rifle having a receiver with an integral hand guard and a barrel. The barrel is connected to the receiver. The hand guard extends over and surrounds the barrel. A removable hand guard is attached to the receiver by an attachment that stably holds the removable hand guard to the receiver. The attachment is arranged for allowing detachment and removal of the removable hand guard from the receiver without removal of fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Colt Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Hochstrate, Laurance Robbins, Arthur F. Daigle
  • Patent number: 8046949
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for installing a hand guard on a firearm. In embodiments, a method of installing a hand guard on a firearm can be provided. The firearm includes a barrel, a barrel nut, and a delta ring. The delta ring is retracted away from the barrel nut. A number of hand guard members are positioned about the barrel. An annular groove associated with each hand guard member is mated with a portion of a flange of the barrel nut. The flange is secured within the annular groove of at least one hand guard member. The delta ring is advanced over a portion of some or all the hand guard members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Daniel Defense, Inc.
    Inventor: Marvin C. Daniel
  • Patent number: 8046946
    Abstract: A device for counting shots fired by a firearm including a permanent magnet mounted to moving portion of the firearm and electrically coupled to a coil mounted on a relatively stationary portion of the firearm. Movement of the magnet relative to the coil induces an electromotive force within the coil. The induced electromotive force can be used increment a shot-count indictor and thereby record the number of shots fired by the firearm. The electromotive force can also be measured by a verification circuit to determine the strength of a shot and thereby verify whether a round was actually discharged by the firearm. In some embodiments, information regarding the number of shots discharged and the strength of the shots can be transmitted to an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Packer Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth F. Packer, Alan D. Wilks, Peter J. Schubert, Thomas E. Long
  • Patent number: 8047115
    Abstract: A flash suppression system for increasing the reliability of an autoloading firearm has a body having a central bore including the front opening and a rear opening. The rear opening of the body terminates in a conical feature having a front opening and a rear opening. The central bore of the body receives the rear opening of a conical element. The rear opening of the conical element is positioned within the central bore of the body to create a gap between the front opening of the conical feature and the rear opening of the conical element. The front opening of the conical feature has a larger diameter than the rear opening of the conical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: John Noveske
  • Patent number: 8047135
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a dart that contains an HE payload, two time-delay fuses, one providing a relatively longer delay and the other providing a relatively shorter delay and two triggering mechanisms for triggering the fuses. The first triggering mechanism, which triggers on contact with a mine lid, triggers the relatively shorter time-delay fuse. The second mechanism, which triggers on overburdening exposure to water, sand, or soil, triggers the relatively longer time-delay fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Antonio Paulic, Lance Hamilton Benedict
  • Patent number: 8046948
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety means for weapons. The safety means comprises an electronic control unit for the authentication of an authorized user and the control of a safety mechanism. The safety mechanism mechanically engages with at least one mechanical part of the ignition chain so that said ignition chain is interrupted and firing is prevented. The safety mechanism comprises an actuator for releasing said engagement of the safety mechanism in case the electronic control unit identifies an authentication signal. The safety means according to the present invention is provided in a retrofit main component part of a weapon, which replaces a corresponding original main component part of the weapon. The safety means is preferably controllable by a transponder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Armatix GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Mauch, Dirk Steuwer
  • Patent number: 8047117
    Abstract: A blast wave attenuator comprising: a deflector and a foam or foamed composite inside of the deflector. The foamed composite may be a combination of fabrics, fibers, and small reinforcements embedded in a polymeric foam matrix. The foamed composites can be fabricated using a one-step process. The deflector can be manufactured from metal sheets including but not limited to titanium, stainless steel, carbon steel, and superalloys. The blast wave attenuator of the present invention greatly improves the impact resistance and protection of blast protective footwear and combat boots or the like without sacrificing traction or mobility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Wright Materials Research Company
    Inventor: Seng Tan
  • Patent number: 8042446
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to improve durability of a pressure vessel for blasting an article to be treated such as hazardous substance or explosive therein. The pressure vessel 10, means for achieving the object, has an external vessel 31 and an internal vessel 32 installed in the external vessel 31. The external vessel 31 has a strength for retaining pressure caused by blasting the article. The internal vessel 32 receives fragments of the treated article 100 to protect the external vessel 31 against the fragments. The internal vessel 32 preferably covers almost entire internal surface of the external vessel 31.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignees: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventors: Shuzo Fujiwara, Takehiro Matsunaga, Kiyoshi Asahina, Kenji Tamai, Kenji Koide, Katsuo Kurose
  • Patent number: 8042296
    Abstract: Semiautomatic or fully automatic firearm, in particular in the form of a rifle or a pistol, containing a barrel whose rear barrel end is in the form of a cartridge chamber into which a projectile can in each case be inserted from the rear; a breech body which is arranged in a breech guide between the cartridge chamber and a rear wall such that it can move in the longitudinal direction between an open position, which releases the cartridge chamber in order to load a projectile, and a closed position which closes the cartridge chamber, wherein, in the closed position, the breech body closes the cartridge chamber at the rear and is used as an opposing bearing for the cartridge case; characterized in that at least one permanent magnet is provided such that, at least in the closed position and in the positions close to the closed position, its magnetic field forces the breech body to the closed position, such that the magnetic force of the at least one permanent magnet simulates a higher mass of the breech body, w
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventor: Gerhard Kirstein
  • Patent number: 8037802
    Abstract: An improved transparent armor piercing protection system that acts as a vision window in an armor system. The transparent armor piercing protection system comprises ballistic plastic prisms with mirrored external surfaces disposed between armor plates so that the reflection of the image occurs entirely within the prism. The armor sheets are also redesigned with perforations to reduce weight while defeating incoming threats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: BAE Systems Land & Armaments, L.P.
    Inventors: Peter R. Ciriscioli, James R. Turner, Matthew G. Riddle, Brendan P. Croom, Daniel J. Richard, John C. Turn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8037821
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing transmission of mechanical waves according to various aspects of the present invention comprise a set of isolators and a series of stops configured to isolate a piece of equipment in a projectile. The stops serve to limit the amount of stress loading placed on the isolators during transient events where loads associated with launch of the projectile or deployment of flight control surface might damage the isolators or cause the equipment to fail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Mark C. Dietrich
  • Patent number: 8038094
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for aircraft operating devices provides a secondary pressure source for direction and deceleration control in case of loss of pressure from a primary pressure source. The system includes multiple pressure accumulators that include a primary accumulator, which supplies pressurized fluid to a first actuator, and first and second secondary accumulators, which supply pressurized fluid to second and third actuators, respectively. If the primary accumulator is disabled, the first secondary accumulator will supply pressurized fluid to the first actuator. If the first secondary accumulator is disabled, the second secondary accumulator will supply pressurized fluid to the second actuator. By providing multiple, substantially independent accumulators, direction and deceleration control is maintained even in the event of loss of the primary accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroki Oyama
  • Patent number: 8037822
    Abstract: A cost-effective solution is proposed to improve explosive transfer between booster and warhead that is compatible with the existing base of general purpose warheads and flexible to work with new warhead configurations. A booster lens is placed in the fuze well that concentrates the pressure wave to penetrate the fuze well with a peak pressure that exceeds the detonation threshold and detonate the warhead explosive. The booster lens can be configured to control the direction of the concentrated lobe to penetrate the fuze well where the barriers are low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: A. Russ Althof, William R. Hawkins, Henri Y. Kim
  • Patent number: 8037633
    Abstract: A handguard used on a firearm with a barrel nut having tines spaced about the outer periphery. The handguard includes a tubular body in which the inner surface adjacent the proximal end has a diameter larger than an outer diameter of the barrel nut and smaller than a diameter defined by the outer tips of the tines. Grooves are defined in the inner surface and extend longitudinally from the proximal end toward the distal end. The grooves are spaced apart around the periphery so as to correspond with the tines on the barrel nut. The body further has a circumferentially extending channel in the inner surface, spaced from the proximal end so as to receive the tines therein with the barrel nut in the tightened position to allow limited rotation of the body around the barrel relative to the barrel nut until the tines are aligned behind lands between the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen P. Troy
  • Patent number: 8033224
    Abstract: The invention represents a novel system for controlling the yield of an explosive charge that enables the explosive yield to be selected or decreased from full-yield detonation incrementally down to low-yield detonation using a continuous linear shaped charge jet spiraled around the main charge explosive and deflagrating a selected portion of the main charge explosive. The spiral linear shaped charge jet initiation system activates and projects a liner in a radial direction across a diameter of the main charge explosive in a spiral around its axis at a preselected deflagration velocity toward a main-charge detonation shock front reducing the main charge explosive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: John W. Yelverton
  • Patent number: 8033208
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a blast-resistant armored land vehicle. Wheels or tracks may be attached to the vehicle by an independent suspension. The vehicle may include a body comprised of sheet materials, the body having a longitudinal centerline, an upper portion including opposite side portions, a first bottom portion defining a V, with the apex of the V substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle and extending along a portion of the vehicle, and a second bottom portion defining a V, with the apex of the V substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle and extending along another portion of the vehicle. The first bottom portion further includes an energy-absorbing member extending longitudinally within an interior of the first bottom portion. The energy-absorbing member may be on the inside of the apex of the V and be held in position during the blast by its own inertia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Force Protection Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vernon P. Joynt, John W. North, Jonathan W. Georgas, James E. White, Michael L. Williams, Thomas E. Borders, III
  • Patent number: 8028460
    Abstract: Embodiments of the application can include an integrated rail system construction for a firearm with transverse ribs or tabs (e.g., picatinny rail) to include an undercut or slot at a front and/or rear face to cooperate with mounting structure for a detachable accessory. Embodiments of a rail structure can include a channel to pass wires used to power accessories mounted to the rail. Embodiments of the application can include methods for manufacturing an integral rail system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: The Otis Patent Trust
    Inventor: Nicholas Williams
  • Patent number: 8028454
    Abstract: Loaded chamber indicator systems semi-automatic handguns wherein a loaded chamber indicator is extended by the empty cartridge ejector when the empty cartridge ejector rests on a cartridge in the handgun chamber. In one embodiment, the loaded chamber indicator is in an opening or hole in the back of the slide, with the inner end of the loaded chamber indicator being enlarged and fitting within an inclined slot in the empty cartridge extractor so as to be extended or retracted dependent on whether the empty cartridge ejector rests on a cartridge in the handgun chamber. The empty cartridge extractor may be mostly molded plastic with a metal end for engaging cartridges, and the loaded chamber indicator may be entirely molded plastic. Multiple embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Inventor: James V. Pontillo, II