Patents Examined by Peter Nelson
  • Patent number: 6644201
    Abstract: A device, system and method permitting on-line explosives-based cleaning and deslagging of a fuel burning facility such as a boiler, furnace, incinerator, or scrubber. A coolant, such as ordinary water, is delivered to the explosives to prevent them from detonating due to the heat of the on-line facility. Thus, controlled, appropriately-timed detonation can be initiated as desired, and boiler scale and slag is removed without the need to shut down or cool down the facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: NorthAmerican Industrial Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis Zilka, Timothy Zilka, Kurt Prouty, Donald Howard, Christopher Scaringe, William Youngs
  • Patent number: 6644202
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for use in establishing a blasting arrangement by loading at least one detonator (14) into each of a plurality of blast holes (30), placing explosive material in each blast hole, connecting to a trunk line (10) a control unit (32) that has a power source (52) incapable of firing the detonators, sequentially connecting the detonators, by means of respective branch lines (12), to the trunk line and leaving each detonator connected to the trunk line. In addition the apparatus includes means (46, 50) for receiving and storing in memory means (34, 44) identity data from each detonator, means (46, 50) for generating a signal to test the integrity of the detonator/trunk line connection and the functionality of the detonator, and means (46, 50) for assigning a predetermined time delay to each detonator to be stored in the memory means. The invention also extends to the control unit (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Expert Explosives (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: Peter J Duniam, Peter J McCallum, William H Birney, Rudy W Spiessens, Vernon West, Vivian E Patz
  • Patent number: 6634301
    Abstract: An enclosed ignition flare igniter that includes a housing and two slider assemblies. The housing includes a first portion and a second portion. The two slider assemblies are disposed within the housing; each slider assembly has an armed position and a safe position. The armed position allows conflagrant communication between an ignition device and flare grain, while the safe position does not. Each slider assembly includes an ignition portal portion, a tab portion, and a spring. The ignition portal portion and the tab portion are juxtaposed. The ignition portal portion includes an ignition portal for holding an ignition device, while the tab portion includes a spring bore for accepting the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: David J. Mulinix
  • Patent number: 6635131
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a vehicle occupant protection device and a gas generating material, which, when ignited, produces gas to actuate the vehicle occupant protection device. The gas generating material comprises a cubane compound having the general formula: wherein R is selected from the group consisting of H and NO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignees: TRW Inc., TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Harold R. Blomquist, Douglas P. Campbell, Peter Staudhammer
  • Patent number: 6634300
    Abstract: A liner for a shaped charge formed from a mixture of powdered heavy metal and a powdered metal binder. The liner is formed by compression of the mixture into a liner body. In one embodiment of the invention, the mixture comprises a range of 50 to 93 percent by weight of tungsten, and 50 to 7 percent by weight of the powdered metal binder. In a specific embodiment of the invention, graphite powder is intermixed with the powdered metal binder to act as a lubricant during formation of the shaped charge liner. The powdered metal binder can be a combination of copper powder, lead, and molybdenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, Incorporated
    Inventors: James Warren Reese, David Betancourt, Nathan Clark, Terry Slagle
  • Patent number: 6634299
    Abstract: The invention relates to gas generator comprising an outer housing made of plastic, in which a pyrotechnic propellant charge and an igniter having its own igniter housing are accommodated. The igniter housing consists at least partially of plastic and is welded with the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Johann Vetter, Ernst Enzmann
  • Patent number: 6631684
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rock blasting method using air bladders embedded in explosives. The rock blasting method includes the step of drilling a plurality of loading holes into a rock to predetermined depths in a predetermined arrangement. Thereafter, the loading holes are loaded with a plurality of initial explosives, a plurality of primers and a plurality of explosives in such a way that one or more air bladders are inserted into each of the loading holes and surrounded by the explosives. Thereafter, the loading holes are stemmed with stemming materials in the portions of the loading holes situated over the explosives. The primers are detonated so that the initial explosives and explosives are blown up. Hence, the loading lengths of the explosives are increased in proportion to the lengths of the air bladders so that a projection area formed on the free face of the rock is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventor: Dae Woo Kang
  • Patent number: 6622631
    Abstract: A blasting mat assembly comprising a steel plate member having thickness capable of bearing a blasting pressure of explosives inputted to blasting hole; an elastic member which is fixedly attached along a bottom edge of the steel plate member for isolating blasting noise, blasting gas and flying material. Explosives inputted into each blasting hole of blasting region are discharged; and a weight reinforcing member which is welded to a top surface of the steel plate member in a structure of a grid frame made of steel beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: Yong-So Cho
  • Patent number: 6615735
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pyrotechnic gas generator comprising a gas-tight outer housing consisting of at least two parts, a first part of which being a receiving part for pyrotechnic material and a second part of which being a base part which is connected with the receiving part by welding so as to form the outer housing. One of both parts has a radially projecting, surrounding flange with an outer peripheral edge and the other part has an axially extending, rim-like projection circumferentially surrounding said peripheral edge and having an inner surface which is contacted by the peripheral edge. The welding of the first and second parts is provided at the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ernst Enzmann, Johann Vetter
  • Patent number: 6615736
    Abstract: The invention relates to safety priming device for an explosive charge, notably a shaped charge, comprising a pyrotechnic igniter and at least one igniting relay placed between the igniter and an explosive load. This priming device is characterized in that the igniting relay comprises means enabling the detonation wave produced by the igniter or igniters to be re-centered along the charge axis, said means comprising a confinement block having a bore converging between an external face positioned beside the igniter or igniters and an inner face positioned beside the explosive load, said bore filled with a relay explosive, the confinement block comprising means to prevent the propagation of a shock wave axially through the confinement block between the igniter or igniters and the explosive load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Duparc, Michel Vives
  • Patent number: 6615734
    Abstract: A munition article is to be provided with an antenna which, by virtue of a characteristic which is uniform all around, permits interference-free reception of items of satellite navigation information, even if in the manner of an artillery projectile it is fired with spin along an elongate ballistic trajectory, so that a tail antenna with a spherical characteristic does not allow the expectation of good reception factors in relation to navigation satellites which are as high as possible above the horizon. Therefore the tip (10) of the fuse tip (11) of the projectile is equipped with a dipole satellite antenna which faces in the direction of flight. Connected to the dipole (13) which is arranged concentrically with respect to the longitudinal axis (14) of the projectile are symmetrically disposed conductor portions (15) which rest with a close fit in recesses (19) in the ballistic cap (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Diehl Munitionssysteme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Volker Koch, Martin Hertel, Werner Wiesbeck, Eberhard Gschwendtner
  • Patent number: 6612242
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cartridge for smoke generation for the protection of combat vehicles, wherein the shell has the form of an integral two-chamber double can (2) including a partition wall shared by both chambers (10), the wall thickness of the partition wall (10) being greater than the wall thickness of the double can outer wall (22), and the front end of the double can (2) being closed gas-tight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Buck Neue Technologien GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Raupp, Werner Brand, Hansjörg Lang, Wolfgang Kukla
  • Patent number: 6606950
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a shaped charge for destroying land mines and unexploded ordnance utilizes one or more pins secured to a shaped charge. In one embodiment, an outer body made of molded rubber has one or more flanges with holes for receiving the pins. By manipulating the legs of the pins, the shaped charge is positioned in proximity to the “target.” The tips of the pins may be forced into the surface surrounding the target, or by bending the legs of the pins to rest on the surrounding surface. A detonator, such as a blasting cap, may be secured to the shaped charge through an opening in the outer body, or through a clip attached to the shaped charge. The opening in the outer body is deformabale to accommodate various diameter detonators. The clip has a flange that the detonator is seated against to at ensure proper placement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventor: Charles Ray Putman
  • Patent number: 6604468
    Abstract: A device, system and method permitting on-line explosives-based cleaning and deslagging of a fuel burning facility (31) such as a boiler, furnace, incinerator, or scrubber. A coolant, such as ordinary water, is delivered to the explosives (101) to prevent them from detonating due to the heat of the on-line facility. Thus, controlled, appropriately-timed detonation can be initiated as desired, and boiler scale and slag is removed without the need to shut down or cool down the facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: North American Industrial Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis Zilka, Timothy Zilka, Kurt Prouty, Donald Howard
  • Patent number: 6591753
    Abstract: A propellant device of consisting of a compact charge and a firing system for pipe weapons or ballistic drives is proposed. At least one electromagnetic radiation absorbing medium, e.g. carbon black, is dispersed in the compact charge and can be activated by means of a firing system emitting electromagnetic radiation. The compact charge is thereby disintergrated in fragments through triggering of the firing system and the fragments are accelerated into the gas volume produced during burning of the compact charge. The inventive propellant device avoids the use of chemical firing as well as mechanical firing means. Moreover, fragmentation of the compact charge permits maintenance of the produced maximum pressure over a longer period of time to impart a higher muzzle velocity to an object to be accelerated, e.g. a projectile, a rocket or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Helmut Schmid, Norbert Eisenreich, Gesa Langer, Andreas Koleczko, Rudolf Emmerich, Peter Elsner, Helfried Urban
  • Patent number: 6588344
    Abstract: A shaped charge apparatus having an improved liner for a shaped charge constructed from a combination of powdered metal and selected polymer material. Powdered heavy metal and polymer binder is compressively formed into a rigid shaped charge liner under very high pressure. The polymer binder may be in powdered form and or also be used to coat the powdered metal particles prior to compression. The compressed liner may also contain a relatively small percentage of other material to enhance lubrication or corrosion resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan G. Clark, David John Leidel
  • Patent number: 6588343
    Abstract: An igniter system for a flare that includes a housing, a slider assembly, and a piston assembly. The housing includes two ignition portals for holding ignition pellets. The slider assembly is disposed within the housing, and includes two sliders and a spring. Each slider corresponds to an ignition portal, and the two sliders communicate with the spring. The slider assembly has an armed position and a safe position, the armed position with the sliders uncovering the ignition portals and allowing conflagrant communication between the ignition pellets and flare grain, while the safe position with the sliders covering the ignition portal and not allowing conflagrant communication between the ignition pellets and flare grain. The piston assembly communicates with the housing. The piston assembly, when activated, can cause the slider assembly to be in the armed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: David J. Mulinix
  • Patent number: 6584908
    Abstract: A disrupter has a plastic box 1 with three semi-cylindrical plastic formers 2 each with a bag 4 containing water. Sheet explosive 13 is applied to the back of the formers. Bags 4 may be filed with materials other than water, for example decontaminent e.g. sodium hypochlorite. The formers may be replaced by a single former with three recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Sidney Christopher Alford
  • Patent number: 6584905
    Abstract: In a system for igniting detonation cord or shock tube, a plated through-hole in printed circuit board is coupled to a circuit to have high voltage and high current applied to the plated through-hole. The end of the detonation cord or shock tube is passed through the plated through-hole and formed into a knot to secure the detonation cord or shock tube in the plated through-hole. The voltage and current applied to the plated through-hole are of sufficient magnitude to explode the plated through-hole and ignite the detonation cord or shock tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Richard N. Snyder
  • Patent number: 6581520
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pyrotechnic active mass which is impenetrable in the visible spectrum, highly emissive in the infrared spectrum and used for camouflage and decoy purposes. As principal ingredients said mass contains red phosphorus and an alkali metal nitrate or mixture of alkali metal nitrates and as secondary ingredients at least one transition metal or a metal-rich compound or alloy thereof, at least one metalloid and a binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Pepete GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst-Christian Koch, Axel Dochnahl