Patents Examined by Verlin R. Pendegrass
  • Burst shield containment for nuclear reactor and method of operating same
    Patent number: 4032397
    Abstract: A pressurized nuclear-reactor core is surrounded by an inspection cavity, and a burst shield with a side wall, a bottom and a cover. The inspection cavity is filled with a removable zero-path filling agent which fills the total space between core and shield so as to leave no free first-path. The filling agent is an incompressible fluent medium of either an incompressible fluid (i.e. a liquid) or a fine grained more or less incompressible, loose flowable material. Means is provided to prevent uncontrolled escape of the fluid medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1977
    Assignee: Siempelkamp Giesserel AG
    Inventors: Burkhard Beine, Franz Schilling
  • Pressurized chaff canister
    Patent number: 4031828
    Abstract: A self pressurizing chaff canister having a frangible enclosure containing a chaff matrix and having an end cap with a spring loaded fracture pin, and gas ports, held in a case by shear pins, the case in turn is secured in a housing by a threaded electrical squib whereupon firing of the squib will shear the pins, force the enclosure from the case while simultaneously pressurizing the enclosure, whereupon ejection of the enclosure from the case will cause the fracture pin to strike the case at which time the chaff be appropriately disbursed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1977
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Laverne J. Larson
  • Device for ground-controlled activation of proximity fuzes
    Patent number: 4030420
    Abstract: A missile is provided with a proximity fuze arranged to transmit a signal and to receive echoes for activating an explosive charge when an object is within range. A signal processing device located between the receiver of the fuze and the charge is responsive to signals from the receiver and to a blocking signal of predetermined duration, and operates to transmit a control signal for initiating explosion of the charge only if the blocking signal has terminated and a predetermined time interval has elapsed, preceding occurrence of a receiver output signal, during which interval no output signal was produced by the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1977
    Assignee: AB Bofors
    Inventor: Lars-Erik Skagerlund
  • Sabot for subcalibre projectile
    Patent number: 4029018
    Abstract: A sabot adapted to be attached to a subcalibre projectile comprises a generally cylindrical tubular member having a plurality of elongated axially-directed slots passing completely through the member in a radial direction with the slots extending from one end of the cylindrical member toward, but terminating short of, the other end of the member to define a plurality of spaced, elongated axially directed segments which are integral with an unslotted portion of the member adjacent its other end. The unslotted portion acts as an obturator, and the dimensions of the unslotted portion and of the segments are so selected that centrifugal and/or airflow forces acting on the segments after the projectile has been fired operate to break the unslotted portion of the sabot into pieces to separate the sabot from the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1977
    Assignee: AB Bofors
    Inventor: Bjorn Ove Bjornson
  • Mechanical roll rate stabilizer for a rolling missile
    Patent number: 4029270
    Abstract: A stabilizer system for use with an aerodynamic body having pivotal control surfaces to control the roll rate of the body. A pair of high mass members are diametrically supported for radial displacements induced by the centrifugal forces on the body. A pair of drive racks project from the high mass members and engage a pinion rotatably mounted on a centrally disposed axle. Another pinion is supported at the axially off-set distal end of the axle. It imparts rotational motion to a pair of connecting members by means of gear sectors mounted on shafts which are adapted to cause pivotal displacements of the control surfaces to increase or decrease the deflection thereof. This produces a corresponding increase or decrease of the roll rate of the aerodynamic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1977
    Assignee: General Dynamics Corporation
    Inventor: Byron M. Niemeier
  • Priming chamber for cartridges
    Patent number: 4029015
    Abstract: A priming chamber for a cartridge comprising a cylindrical tubular body one end of which is closed by a bottom formed with vent holes arranged around an axially and inwardly extending pressed part forming an anvil, the anvil being of tapered shape having two integral parts of which the lower part is fixed to a flat portion of the bottom of the tubular body, whereas the upper part terminates in an upper outer flat end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1977
    Inventors: Maurice Lachaussee, Andre Maigret
  • Disintegrating lead shot
    Patent number: 4027594
    Abstract: Shot pellets formed from finely divided powder adhered together in pellet form by a thermoplastic polymeric material decomposable in the acid environment of the digestive tract of waterfowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1977
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: John Merrill Olin, Venkataramaraj Subbaraj Urs
  • Hollow-charge shell and antitank weapon for said shell
    Patent number: 4026211
    Abstract: Hollow-charge shell and antitank weapon for said shell, the shell being provided with an adjustable safety device that is automatically adjusted from a safety position to an armed position at the discharge of the shell, bringing a blasting cap contained in said safety device to its initiation position, wherein blocking means will give two alternative armed positions, one giving a symmetrical initiation of the hollow-explosive charge and a narrow explosive beam and the other giving an unsymmetrical initiation of the hollow-explosive charge and thus a broader explosive beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1977
    Assignee: Forenade Fabriksverken
    Inventor: Hans Martin Ostling
  • Battery electrolyte
    Patent number: 4026725
    Abstract: A method of activating a battery containing an alkali metal halide electrte comprising placing a powdered alkali metal carbide selected from the group consisting of lithium carbide, sodium carbide, potassium carbide, rubidium carbide, cesium carbide, and mixtures thereof into contact with the alkali metal halide electrolyte and then contacting the powdered alkali metal carbide with a halogen gas selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1973
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1977
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Raymond A. Sutula
  • Selectively aimable warhead
    Patent number: 4026213
    Abstract: The cylindrical warhead has an outer, relatively-thin metal skin member and n inner thicker metal casing, the main explosive charge being disposed in the space between the members with associated boosters or charge initiators. The initiators include a first set of circumferentially-spaced aiming detonation members and a second set of similarly spaced main charge-firing members. Aiming is achieved by first firing a selected aiming initiator to produce a force sufficient to rupture and break open an arcuate section of the outer warhead skin but insufficient to produce a main charge detonation. Next, a main charge-firing initiator disposed substantially diametrically opposite the ruptured arcuate section is fired to produce an inwardly-directed main-charge blast for fragmenting the thicker inner casing and driving the fragments in the desired direction through the ruptured arcuate section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1971
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1977
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Marvin L. Kempton
  • Adaptive control system for power producing machines
    Patent number: 4026251
    Abstract: An adaptive digital electronic control system for an internal combustion engine wherein a given speed modifying parameter is perturbated about a given setting and the resulting effect on the engine's output shaft speed is computed for producing an electrical control signal for adjusting the setting in a way which tends to maximize the shaft output power. Described are arrangements whereby the electronic control system can be applied to a spark ignition system, the air/fuel control of a standard carburetor or the air/fuel control of a fuel injection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1977
    Assignee: Pennsylvania Research Corporation
    Inventors: Paul H. Schweitzer, Carl Volz, Thomas W. Collins
  • Rocket
    Patent number: 4024998
    Abstract: 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1956
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1977
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Jacob Rabinow, William Hunter A. Boyd
  • Rolled stock of powder metallurgically-formed, nonductile material and method of production
    Patent number: 4025313
    Abstract: Rolled stock of a relatively nonductile material and a powder metallurgical method for its production. A precompact is formed including a body of powder of said nonductile material with generally parallel borders of a ductile metal powder compatible with the nonductile material along two side edges thereof. The precompact is compressed to form a compact of said nonductile metal with borders of said ductile metal and having two generally parallel faces extending between the outside edges thereof. The compact is sintered to form a bordered ingot which is then rolled in a direction parallel to its borders by applying rolling force to its faces. Initiation of edge cracks during the rolling operation is thereby inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1977
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Hendrick J. Slaats
  • Elongated flexible detonating device
    Patent number: 4024817
    Abstract: There is provided an elongated, flexible unitary detonating device of indeterminate length for detonating a selected explosive material within a bore hole. The detonating device includes, in combination, a detonating cord capable of detonating the selected explosive material when initiated while in direct contact with the selected explosive and a flexible energy absorbing layer formed around and carried by the detonating cord. The energy absorbing layer is formed from an energy absorbent material and has a radial thickness sufficient to preclude detonation of the selected explosive in direct contact with the energy absorbing layer when the detonating cord is initiated. In addition, an arrangement is provided for allowing stripping of the energy absorbing layer from the detonating cord at any selected position along the detonating cord to expose a portion of the detonating cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1977
    Assignee: Austin Powder Company
    Inventors: Brooke J. Calder, Jr., Robert J. Belock, Roger N. Prescott
  • Metallic-fuel-enhanced, focused-gas warhead
    Patent number: 4023492
    Abstract: A warhead which upon detonation imparts such high velocities to particles magnesium that they expand outwardly faster than the gas from the explosion. The particles are positioned so that they are propelled in predetermined directions. The burning particles precondition the air thus allowing the gaseous explosion products to expand in the particle paths at a much more rapid rate than normal. Larger aluminum particles are also positioned to travel in predetermined directions upon detonation. As the magnesium particles travel outward they lose their effect on the gas cloud because of the distance between them and the expanding gas cloud. The aluminum particles then emerge from the slowing gas cloud and precondition the air to promote more rapid and further expansion of the gas cloud in the paths of the aluminum particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1968
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1977
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Marvin L. Kempton
  • Twist brakes for projectiles
    Patent number: 4023495
    Abstract: An improved twist brake for the separable payload of a twist or spin-stabilized flare or smoke projectile is described. A pair of pivotable wings, secured at one end to a portion of a central shaft of the payload, is normally engaged by the inner surface of a guide shoe which prevents contact of the wing with the separable housing of the payload. Cooperable projections and slots on the guide shoe and the central support shaft prevent substantial axial and circumferential movement of the shoe, while permitting outward movement of the wings and the guide shoes when the payload separates from the housing. During such separation, the guide shoe is also separated from the wings so that the latter can pivot to their maximum extent to provide an optimum rotational braking action on the payload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1977
    Assignee: Rheinmetall G.m.b.H.
    Inventors: Siegmar Fischer, Karl-Heinz Silligmann, Juergen Prochnow
  • Fireline detonator
    Patent number: 4023493
    Abstract: A compact, reliable, nonincendiary fireline cord detonator is disclosed which attaches without tools to a length of explosive fireline cord utilized to clear a path through a wooded or brush covered area. The detonator uses an exploding bridgewire squib to protect against a premature explosion caused by static electricity or electric current induced by spurious electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1977
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Carl F. Austin, Carl C. Halsey, Samuel E. Kendall
  • Explosive container
    Patent number: 4023494
    Abstract: A container capable of withstanding pressures having a longitudinal cord-receiving groove and a detonator-receiving groove formed as integral parts of the container. Radially projecting, substantially deformable, grooves are formed on the container at its upper and lower portions to retain a substantially non-deformable tubular sleeve positioned on the container, thereby covering the cord-receiving groove and the detonator-receiving groove. The threaded cap for the container has a projecting member which forms with the interior side walls of the cap, an annular slot for maintaining a resilient, deformable gasket. Upon threadedly engaging the cap with the threaded neck of the container the projecting member protrudes into and is adjacent the interior surface of the neck and the gasket cooperates with the edge portion of the neck to form the improved seal for the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1977
    Assignee: Tyler Holding Company
    Inventors: Leslie W. Barton, Don H. Smith
  • Aft-end ignition system for rocket motor
    Patent number: 4023497
    Abstract: An igniter for a rocket motor consisting of a cylindrical tube having an open end and a closed end, a reduced section at the closed end, a plurality of segments extending outwardly from near the closed end, a squib secured in the reduced section, a charge in the tube and a polyurethane foam plug in the open end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1977
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence
    Inventors: Elias P. Morris, Fred A. Christie
  • Device for limiting accidental pressure overloads in a nuclear reactor confinement structure
    Patent number: 4022655
    Abstract: In a reactor confinement structure comprising a thin-walled inner reactor enclosure, a thick-walled outer enclosure, and an intermediate space containing water and an air cushion above the water, a communication between the enclosures is provided by bubbling ducts extending from the inner enclosure to a point below the water level. The flow of steam within each duct as a result of an accident condition within the inner enclosure is separated and then mixed with the water by means of a variable-depth partition system employed in conjunction with a system of injection nozzles and convergent-divergent tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1977
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Nicolas Gaouditz, Edouard Le Borgne, Robert Mogavero