Patents by Inventor Benjamin M. Blazek

Benjamin M. Blazek has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11927433
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to direct impingement cook-off mitigation systems. As assembled, a munition fuzewell is torqued into the aft end of a munition. During a cook-off event, the expanding gases from the booster energetic will burn instead of detonating. The hot expanding booster gases are vented to the munition's main fill energetic causing the main fill energetic to burn concurrently with the booster energetic. The combined expanding gases from both the booster and main fill energetics are then vented through longitudinal vents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Blazek, Lee R. Hardt
  • Patent number: 11703075
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to first and second structural members that are threadingly-engaged with each other. The first and second structural members are dissimilar strength materials. Each structural member configured with a plurality of threads for the threading engagement. The thread thickness of each thread in the plurality of threads for the first structural member is not equal to the thread thickness of each thread in the plurality of threads for the second structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Blazek, Lee R. Hardt
  • Patent number: 11530907
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to direct impingement cook-off mitigation systems. As assembled, a munition fuzewell is torqued into the aft end of a munition. During a cook-off event, the expanding gases from the booster energetic will burn instead of detonating. The hot expanding booster gases are vented to the munition's main fill energetic causing the main fill energetic to burn concurrently with the booster energetic. The combined expanding gases from both the booster and main fill energetics are then vented through longitudinal vents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Blazek, Lee R. Hardt
  • Patent number: 11519706
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to direct impingement cook-off mitigation systems. As assembled, a munition fuzewell is torqued into the aft end of a munition. During a cook-off event, the expanding gases from the booster energetic will burn instead of detonating. The hot expanding booster gases are vented to the munition's main fill energetic causing the main fill energetic to burn concurrently with the booster energetic. The combined expanding gases from both the booster and main fill energetics are then vented through longitudinal vents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Blazek, Lee R. Hardt
  • Patent number: 11519707
    Abstract: Embodiments employ venting features and damping components both inside and concentric to a fuzewell to improve munition fuze survivability. Damping components are selected based on their densities and stiffness properties. A shock damping liner with longitudinal grooves is affixed to an inner surface of the fuzewell and envelops the fuze. At least one shock damping collar constrains and attenuates shack experienced by the fuze. A shock damping ring is concentric about the outer surface of the fuzewell and attenuates shock, between the outermost munition system layer (the casing) and the fuzewell. Longitudinal vents in the fuzewell wall and radial apertures oriented transverse to the longitudinal vents are used for off-gassing. The venting and component orientation combination provides increased damping, resulting in impedance mismatches across multiple interface surfaces in the munition, which reduces shock vibrational pressures and stresses transferred to the fuze.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Blazek, Lee R. Hardt
  • 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: 11187510
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a vented torque release device having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface, and an outer surface. A wall is defined by the inner surface and the outer surface. A plurality of canted holes are axially spaced at equal distance about the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Blazek, Lee R. Hardt, Carl A. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 11187511
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a vented torque release device including hollow fuze well having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface, and an outer surface. A wall is defined by the inner surface and the outer surface. A plurality of helical grooves are axially spaced at equal distance about the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Blazek, Lee R. Hardt, Carl A. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 11118886
    Abstract: Embodiments employ venting features and damping components both inside and concentric to a fuzewell to improve munition fuze survivability. Damping components are selected based on their densities, stiffness properties, and material strengths. A shock damping liner with longitudinal grooves is affixed to an inner surface of the fuzewell and envelops the fuze. A biased equivalent strength threaded shock damping ring is concentric about the outer surface of the fuzewell and attenuates shock between the outermost munition system layer (a munition case) and the fuzewell. The damping components' materials, orientations, and structural geometries provide increased damping, resulting in impedance mismatches across multiple interface surfaces in the munition, which reduces shock vibrational pressures and stresses transferred to the fuze.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Blazek, Lee R. Hardt
  • Patent number: 11067376
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to direct impingement cook-off mitigation systems. As assembled, a munition fuzewell is torqued into the aft end of a munition. During a cook-off event, the expanding gases from the booster energetic will burn instead of detonating. The hot expanding booster gases are vented to the munition's main fill energetic causing the main fill energetic to burn concurrently with the booster energetic. The combined expanding gases from both the booster and main fill energetics are then vented through longitudinal vents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Blazek, Lee R. Hardt
  • Patent number: 11047666
    Abstract: Embodiments employ venting features and damping components both inside and concentric to a fuzewell to improve munition fuze survivability. Damping components are selected based on their densities and stiffness properties. A shock damping liner with longitudinal grooves is affixed to an inner surface of the fuzewell and envelops the fuze. At least one shock damping collar constrains and attenuates shock experienced by the fuze. A shock damping ring is concentric about the outer surface of the fuzewell and attenuates shock between the outermost munition system layer (the casing) and the fuzewell. Longitudinal vents in the fuzewell wall and radial apertures oriented transverse to the longitudinal vents are used for off-gassing. The venting and component orientation combination provides increased damping, resulting in impedance mismatches across multiple interface surfaces in the munition, which reduces shock vibrational pressures and stresses transferred to the fuze.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Blazek, Lee R. Hardt
  • Patent number: 10982940
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a releasable erosion enhancing mechanism. A vented retaining ring is configured to fit concentrically around a fuze well. The retaining ring is centered about a central longitudinal axis and has an inner surface and an outer surface. A plurality of vents is axially spaced at equal distance about the venting ring's outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Blazek, Lee R. Hardt, Carl A. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 10890425
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a vented torque release device including hollow fuze well having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface, and an outer surface. A wall is defined by the inner surface and the outer surface. A plurality of vents are axially spaced at equal distance about the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Blazek, Lee R. Hardt, Carl A. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 10634474
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a shock mitigation device including a hollow fuze well having an inner surface and an outer surface. A plurality of vents are axially spaced at equal distance about the outer surface. A shock dampening liner is affixed to the inner surface. A shock dampening ring is concentric about the hollow fuze well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Blazek, Lee R. Hardt, Carl A. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 10408594
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a shock mitigation device including a hollow fuze well having an inner surface and an outer surface. A plurality of vents are axially spaced at equal distance about the outer surface. A shock dampening liner is affixed to the inner surface. A shock dampening ring is concentric about the hollow fuze well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Blazek, Lee R. Hardt, Carl A. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 10408593
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a vented torque release device including hollow fuze well having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface, and an outer surface. A wall is defined by the inner surface and the outer surface. A plurality of vents are axially spaced at equal distance about the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin M. Blazek, Lee R. Hardt, Carl A. Weinstein