Abstract: An inertial delay mechanism for use in an explosive projectile is provided. The delay mechanism consists of an inertial delay fuse that is precise, doesn't require sensitive primary explosives and doesn't utilize electronic circuitry. The inertial delay fuse includes a free sliding charge element that strikes an anvil located opposite to the sliding charge element. A delay gap is provided between the sliding charge element and the anvil. Upon impact, the sliding charge element slides forward and impacts the anvil, thereby inducing a shock wave in an initiator charge that subsequently results in detonation of main charges. The design is mechanically simple and robust enough to withstand severe g-loading forces that occur during firing and penetration of a projectile.

Abstract: A system for firing multiple projectiles in a parallel or diverging manner is provided. The system can comprise tail-end portions of projectiles that add structure to a cartridge, provide for efficient combustion, allow projectiles to transition from a straight configuration in the cartridge to a splayed configuration in a chamber, and ensure complete evacuation of the chamber. The system can include a tail-end portion of a particular projectile with openings that distribute energy from combustion of an ignition charge, facilitating firing of multiple projectiles. A tail-end portion of a projectile can include a ball joint upon which the body portion of the projectile moves causing an angle between the body portion and the tail-end portion. A space can exist in the body portion adjacent to the ball joint to allow off-center shifting of the body portion with respect to the ball joint.

Abstract: An inertial delay mechanism for use in an explosive projectile is provided. The delay mechanism consists of an inertial delay fuse that is precise, doesn't require sensitive primary explosives and doesn't utilize electronic circuitry. The inertial delay fuse includes a free sliding charge element that strikes an anvil located opposite to the sliding charge element. A delay gap is provided between the sliding charge element and the anvil. Upon impact, the sliding charge element slides forward and impacts the anvil, thereby inducing a shock wave in an initiator charge that subsequently results in detonation of main charges. The design is mechanically simple and robust enough to withstand severe g-loading forces that occur during firing and penetration of a projectile.

Abstract: A system for firing multiple projectiles in a parallel or diverging manner is provided. The system can comprise tail-end portions of projectiles that add structure to a cartridge, provide for efficient combustion, allow projectiles to transition from a straight configuration in the cartridge to a splayed configuration in a chamber, and ensure complete evacuation of the chamber. The system can include a tail-end portion of a particular projectile with openings that distribute energy from combustion of an ignition charge, facilitating firing of multiple projectiles. A tail-end portion of a projectile can include a ball joint upon which the body portion of the projectile moves causing an angle between the body portion and the tail-end portion. A space can exist in the body portion adjacent to the ball joint to allow off-center shifting of the body portion with respect to the ball joint.

Abstract: A system for firing multiple projectiles in a parallel or diverging manner is provided. The system can comprise tail-end portions of projectiles that add structure to a cartridge, provide for efficient combustion, allow projectiles to transition from a straight configuration in the cartridge to a splayed configuration in a chamber, and ensure complete evacuation of the chamber. The system can include a tail-end portion of a particular projectile with openings that distribute energy from combustion of an ignition charge, facilitating firing of multiple projectiles. A tail-end portion of a projectile can include a ball joint upon which the body portion of the projectile moves causing an angle between the body portion and the tail-end portion. A space can exist in the body portion adjacent to the ball joint to allow off-center shifting of the body portion with respect to the ball joint.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to polypeptides having improved alanine 2,3-aminomutase (AAM) activity, the polynucleotides encoding the AAM polypeptides, and expression vectors and host cells for expressing the AAM polypeptides.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to polypeptides having improved alanine 2,3-aminomutase (AAM) activity, the polynucleotides encoding the AAM polypeptides, and expression vectors and host cells for expressing the AAM polypeptides.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to polypeptides having improved alanine 2,3-aminomutase (AAM) activity, the polynucleotides encoding the AAM polypeptides, and expression vectors and host cells for expressing the AAM polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polypeptides that have enhanced alanine 2,3-aminomutase (AAM) activity and/or thermostability relative to the wild-type enzymes that have incidental AAM activity as a result of cross reactivity with alanine. In addition, the present invention is directed to a polynucleotides that encodes for the AAM polypeptides of the present invention, to nucleic acid sequences comprising the polynucleotides, to expression vectors comprising the polynucleotides operatively linked to a promoter, to host cells transformed to express the AAM polypeptides, and to a method for producing the AAM polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polypeptides that have enhanced alanine 2,3-aminomutase (AAM) activity and/or thermostability relative to the wild-type enzymes that have incidental AAM activity as a result of cross reactivity with alanine. In addition, the present invention is directed to a polynucleotides that encodes for the AAM polypeptides of the present invention, to nucleic acid sequences comprising the polynucleotides, to expression vectors comprising the polynucleotides operatively linked to a promoter, to host cells transformed to express the AAM polypeptides, and to a method for producing the AAM polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: Hard material can be displaced by firing a frangible projectile from a firing device. The projectile has a rear portion that engages the bore of the barrel of the firing device and a front portion that is rotatably journaled to the rear portion. The front portion can be frangible to allow maximum displacement of the hard material. Specifically, the front portion has a core and a plurality of fins extending from the core. At impact, as the fins penetrate the target, the fins separate from the core and spread radially outwardly from the core.

Abstract: An inertial delay mechanism for use in an explosive projectile is provided. The delay mechanism consists of an inertial delay fuse that is precise, doesn't require sensitive primary explosives and doesn't utilize electronic circuitry. The inertial delay fuse includes a free sliding charge element that strikes an anvil located opposite to the sliding charge element. A delay gap is provided between the sliding charge element and the anvil. Upon impact, the sliding charge element slides forward and impacts the anvil, thereby inducing a shock wave in an initiator charge that subsequently results in detonation of main charges. The design is mechanically simple and robust enough to withstand severe g-loading forces that occur during firing and penetration of a projectile.

Abstract: An outrigger assembly includes at least one support unit including a first elongated support arm and a second elongated support arm cantilevered and secured to the first support arm. A joist-supporting arm is removably engaged with the front end portion. The assembly further includes an upper support arm cantilevered and secured to the first support arm. A support member having opposed end portions is secured thereto and to the first support member. The upper support arm includes a plurality of L-shaped members mated along an edge thereof. An elongated board is positionable between adjacently disposed rear end portions. The front end portion exerts an upward force against the work area joists while the upper support arm exerts a downward force against a top surface of the work area such that the forces become balanced.

Abstract: A system for delivering targeted marketing information to a customer in a variable format customer document, which includes storing customer information on a mainframe computer with the customer information being updateable from multiple sources. The customer information is then transmitted to a consolidating device to reconfigure the customer information into a customer document output database. Customer buying preferences are then determined based on the reconfigured stored customer information and variable format customer documents based on customer preferences from the customer document output database are created which include targeted marketing information based on the determined customer buying preferences.

Abstract: A customer document management system, which includes customer information store on a mainframe computer, said customer information being updateable from multiple sources. A data consolidator operates on the customer information to compile customer documents, including data reconfiguration into a customer document output database and multiple format output devices driven from the customer document output database.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of removing metals from a fossil fuel comprising the steps of contacting the fossil fuel with a biocatalyst selected from the group consisting of an enzyme which degrades porphyrin molecules under conditions suitable for the removal of the metals from the fossil fuel; and separating the metals from the fossil fuel. Preferred embodiments of the biocatalyst include heme oxygenase and cytochrome C reductase, such as cytochrome C reductase from Bacillus megaterium, Catharanthus roseuse, Escherichia coli, animal cells, plant cells or yeast cells. The cytochrome C reductase can be contacted with the fossil fuel in an aqueous medium as a substantially cell-free preparation or cell preparation. In one embodiment of the invention, the metals are recovered from the resulting metal containing stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of removing metals from a fossil fuel comprising the steps of contacting the fossil fuel with an oxygenase which degrades porphyrin molecules under conditions suitable for the removal of the metals from the fossil fuel; and separating the metals from the fossil fuel. Preferred embodiments of the oxygenase include heme oxygenase and cytochrome C reductase, such as cytochrome C reductase from Bacillus megaterium, Catharanthus roseuse, Escherichia coli, animal cells, plant cells or yeast cells. The cytochrome C reductase can be contacted with the fossil fuel in an aqueous medium as a substantially cell-free preparation or cell preparation. In one embodiment of the invention, the metals are recovered from the resulting metal containing stream.

Abstract: This invention concerns a water-in-oil emulsion explosive composition which comprises a discontinuous aqueous phase containing one or more oxygen-releasing salts, a continuous water-immiscible organic phase comprising sump oil, and an emulsifying agent. The explosive compositions show improved sensitivity over conventional compositions made using paraffin oil as the organic phase.

Abstract: A process, and apparatus for performing same, of simultaneous mixing and placement of an explosive composition comprising a dispersion of an explosive component located in and immobilized by a solidified foamed non-explosive matrix.

Abstract: An explosive composition comprising a dispersion of an explosive component which is located in and immobilized by a foamed non-explosive matrix.