Patents by Inventor Kim L. Christianson
Kim L. Christianson 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).
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Patent number: 11879710Abstract: A mitigation control system, for performing an active hazard mitigation method, is arranged in an environment containing an energetic material and includes an abnormal temperature sensor for detecting an abnormal temperature of the environment, a power source that is mechanically actuated by the abnormal temperature sensor when the abnormal temperature exceeds a predetermined abnormal temperature threshold, a mitigation controller that is actuated by the power source, and a plurality of local temperature sensors that are communicatively coupled to the mitigation controller and are arranged for detecting critical temperatures in specific regions of the environment. The mitigation controller executes a mitigation action when one of the critical temperatures exceeds a predetermined critical temperature threshold for the corresponding specific region.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2023Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Dennis D. Barents, Kim L. Christianson, Aaron C. Lattimore, Andrew K. Knight
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Publication number: 20230341218Abstract: A mitigation control system, for performing an active hazard mitigation method, is arranged in an environment containing an energetic material and includes an abnormal temperature sensor for detecting an abnormal temperature of the environment, a power source that is mechanically actuated by the abnormal temperature sensor when the abnormal temperature exceeds a predetermined abnormal temperature threshold, a mitigation controller that is actuated by the power source, and a plurality of local temperature sensors that are communicatively coupled to the mitigation controller and are arranged for detecting critical temperatures in specific regions of the environment. The mitigation controller executes a mitigation action when one of the critical temperatures exceeds a predetermined critical temperature threshold for the corresponding specific region.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Applicant: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Dennis D. Barents, Kim L. Christianson, Aaron C. Lattimore, Andrew K. Knight
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Patent number: 11709042Abstract: A mitigation control system is arranged in an environment containing an energetic material and includes an abnormal temperature sensor for detecting an abnormal temperature of the environment, a power source that is mechanically actuated by the abnormal temperature sensor when the abnormal temperature exceeds a predetermined abnormal temperature threshold, a mitigation controller that is actuated by the power source, and a plurality of local temperature sensors that are communicatively coupled to the mitigation controller and are arranged for detecting critical temperatures in specific regions of the environment. The mitigation controller executes a mitigation action when one of the critical temperatures exceeds a predetermined critical temperature threshold for the corresponding specific region.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Dennis D. Barents, Kim L. Christianson, Aaron C. Lattimore, Andrew K. Knight
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Publication number: 20210278182Abstract: A mitigation control system is arranged in an environment containing an energetic material and includes an abnormal temperature sensor for detecting an abnormal temperature of the environment, a power source that is mechanically actuated by the abnormal temperature sensor when the abnormal temperature exceeds a predetermined abnormal temperature threshold, a mitigation controller that is actuated by the power source, and a plurality of local temperature sensors that are communicatively coupled to the mitigation controller and are arranged for detecting critical temperatures in specific regions of the environment. The mitigation controller executes a mitigation action when one of the critical temperatures exceeds a predetermined critical temperature threshold for the corresponding specific region.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2019Publication date: September 9, 2021Inventors: Dennis D. Barents, Kim L. Christianson, Aaron C. Lattimore, Andrew K. Knight
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Patent number: 9995562Abstract: A liner includes a plurality of individual projectile cells and a web of joining material holding the plurality of projectile cells in a monolithic and continuous structure. The liner is cylindrical and formed of an additive manufacturing process.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2015Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Gaston P. Jennett, Kim L. Christianson, Dmitry V. Knyazev, Henri Y. Kim, Robert P. Johnson
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Publication number: 20170167833Abstract: A liner includes a plurality of individual projectile cells and a web of joining material holding the plurality of projectile cells in a monolithic and continuous structure. The liner is cylindrical and formed of an additive manufacturing process.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2015Publication date: June 15, 2017Inventors: Gaston P. Jennett, Kim L. Christianson, Dmitry V. Knyazev, Henri Y. Kim, Robert P. Johnson
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Patent number: 9658044Abstract: There is a firing and arming system, such as an activation system, of a munition for quickly and accurately activating a warhead or a propulsion system of the activation system. An initiator interface of the activation system activates the warhead or propulsion system. At least one power source is included in the activation system to provide the initial power for activation of the initiator interface and subsequent activating of the respective warhead or propulsion system. Logic elements are communicatively disposed between the at least one power source and a flux compression generator circuit to control activation of the generator. The flux compression generator circuit is at least partially detonated to transform current received from the at least one power source into sufficient current for activating the initiator interface.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2015Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Tim B. Bonbrake, Kim L. Christianson, Henri Y. Kim
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Publication number: 20160258730Abstract: There is a firing and arming system, such as an activation system, of a munition for quickly and accurately activating a warhead or a propulsion system of the activation system. An initiator interface of the activation system activates the warhead or propulsion system. At least one power source is included in the activation system to provide the initial power for activation of the initiator interface and subsequent activating of the respective warhead or propulsion system. Logic elements are communicatively disposed between the at least one power source and a flux compression generator circuit to control activation of the generator. The flux compression generator circuit is at least partially detonated to transform current received from the at least one power source into sufficient current for activating the initiator interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2015Publication date: September 8, 2016Inventors: Tim B. Bonbrake, Kim L. Christianson, Henri Y. Kim
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Patent number: 9347754Abstract: A munition has a fuze that is mounted nonparallel to the axis of the munition, for example having a largest extent that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the munition. Shocks from the fuze are transferred through a shock transfer device that is in contact with the fuze, to an initiation device that is also in contact with the shock transfer device. Shocks passing through the shock transfer device to the initiation coupler pass through a relatively narrow neck of the shock transfer device. In the shock transfer device the shock is concentrated and located precisely at the neck, before spreading out again and being transferred to the initiation device. In the initiation device the shock may detonate a high explosive material, which in turn is used to detonate a main explosive of the munition, such as a warhead.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Brandon J. Cundiff, John J. Spilotro, Wayne Y. Lee, Kim L. Christianson, Thomas H. Bootes, Jason M. Shire, Jesse T. Waddell
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Publication number: 20160131467Abstract: A munition has a fuze that is mounted nonparallel to the axis of the munition, for example having a largest extent that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the munition. Shocks from the fuze are transferred through a shock transfer device that is in contact with the fuze, to an initiation device that is also in contact with the shock transfer device. Shocks passing through the shock transfer device to the initiation coupler pass through a relatively narrow neck of the shock transfer device. In the shock transfer device the shock is concentrated and located precisely at the neck, before spreading out again and being transferred to the initiation device. In the initiation device the shock may detonate a high explosive material, which in turn is used to detonate a main explosive of the munition, such as a warhead.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2014Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventors: Brandon J. Cundiff, John J. Spilotro, Wayne Y. Lee, Kim L. Christianson, Thomas H. Bootes, Jason M. Shire, Jesse T. Waddell
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Publication number: 20160025467Abstract: A directed munition has a non-fragmentation casing, and an explosive within the casing that is configured to propel fragments out an opening of the casing when the explosive is detonated. The casing may be made of a material that does not produce lethal or injurious fragments when the explosive is detonated. The explosive may include an insensitive explosive portion that creates the shape of an explosive front, and a secondary explosive containing a more energetic explosive, which is closer to the fragments than the insensitive explosive portion. There may be more of the insensitive explosive than the relatively energetic explosive. The munition may have a ring that is operatively coupled to the fragments, to aid in directing the fragments out of the casing opening in a desired direction. The ring may be made of a material that does not produce injurious fragments when the explosive is detonated.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2014Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Brian S. Botthof, Kim L. Christianson, Henri Y. Kim, Garrett L. Hall
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Publication number: 20160025468Abstract: A directed munition has a non-fragmentation casing, and an explosive within the casing that is configured to propel fragments out an opening of the casing when the explosive is detonated. The casing may be made of a material that does not produce lethal or injurious fragments when the explosive is detonated. The explosive may include an insensitive explosive portion that creates the shape of an explosive front, and a secondary explosive containing a more energetic explosive, which is closer to the fragments than the insensitive explosive portion. There may be more of the insensitive explosive than the relatively energetic explosive.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2014Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Brian S. Botthof, Kim L. Christianson, Henri Y. Kim, Garrett L. Hall
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Patent number: 9243876Abstract: A directed munition has a non-fragmentation casing, and an explosive within the casing that is configured to propel fragments out an opening of the casing when the explosive is detonated. The casing may be made of a material that does not produce lethal or injurious fragments when the explosive is detonated. The explosive may include an insensitive explosive portion that creates the shape of an explosive front, and a secondary explosive containing a more energetic explosive, which is closer to the fragments than the insensitive explosive portion. There may be more of the insensitive explosive than the relatively energetic explosive. The munition may have a ring that is operatively coupled to the fragments, to aid in directing the fragments out of the casing opening in a desired direction. The ring may be made of a material that does not produce injurious fragments when the explosive is detonated.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2014Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Brian S. Botthof, Kim L. Christianson, Henri Y. Kim, Garrett L. Hall
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Patent number: 8272326Abstract: A high impulse fuze booster includes a booster explosive charge positioned within an explosive charge cavity of a booster housing. A substantially planar flyer plate is coupled with the booster housing, and a detonation waveshaper is positioned within the booster explosive charge. A low-sensitivity explosive charge is opposed to the substantially planar flyer plate. The booster explosive charge is configured to generate a detonation wave and the detonation waveshaper shapes the detonation wave into a planar detonation wave, the planar detonation wave is parallel to the substantially planar flyer plate. The planar detonation wave interacts with the substantially planar flyer plate in two or more stages including a planar striking stage and a planar contact stage where the planar detonation wave carries the substantially planar flyer plate into planar contact with a plurality of surfaces of the low-sensitivity explosive charge to initiate the low-sensitivity explosive charge.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2011Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Bryan F. Berlin, Kim L. Christianson
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Publication number: 20120055366Abstract: A high impulse fuze booster includes a booster explosive charge positioned within an explosive charge cavity of a booster housing. A substantially planar flyer plate is coupled with the booster housing, and a detonation waveshaper is positioned within the booster explosive charge. A low-sensitivity explosive charge is opposed to the substantially planar flyer plate. The booster explosive charge is configured to generate a detonation wave and the detonation waveshaper shapes the detonation wave into a planar detonation wave, the planar detonation wave is parallel to the substantially planar flyer plate. The planar detonation wave interacts with the substantially planar flyer plate in two or more stages including a planar striking stage and a planar contact stage where the planar detonation wave carries the substantially planar flyer plate into planar contact with a plurality of surfaces of the low-sensitivity explosive charge to initiate the low-sensitivity explosive charge.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2011Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Bryan F. Berlin, Kim L. Christianson
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Patent number: 8056478Abstract: A method for initiating a low-sensitivity explosive charge includes initiating a booster explosive charge within an explosive charge cavity in a booster housing, and generating a planar detonation wave. Generating the planar detonation wave includes directing a detonation wave through the booster housing along a first waveshaper surface of a detonation waveshaper. The detonation wave is directed around the first waveshaper surface toward a second tapered waveshaper surface. After progressing around the first waveshaper surface, the detonation wave is directed along the second tapered waveshaper surface. The detonation wave changes into a planar detonation wave as the detonation wave moves along the second tapered waveshaper surface, the planar detonation wave includes a planar wave front. The planar detonation wave strikes a flyer plate coupled over the explosive charge cavity of the booster housing, and the planar wave front makes planar contact along an inner face of the flyer plate.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Bryan F. Berlin, Kim L. Christianson
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Patent number: 7971535Abstract: The present invention provides a high-lethality low collateral damage fragmentation warhead. The case is formed of a material that is pulverized upon detonation of the explosive. As a result, the lethality radius of the pulverized case fragments is no greater than that of the gas blast, thus reducing potential collateral damage. Warhead lethality is improved by placing a pattern shaper between the fragment assembly and the explosive. The explosive and pattern shaper have a conformal non-planar interface that shapes the pressure wavefront as it propagates there through to expel metal fragments from the fragmentation assembly with a desired pattern density over a prescribed solid angle.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2008Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Henri Y. Kim, Travis Walter, Kim L. Christianson
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Publication number: 20110146523Abstract: The present invention provides a high-lethality low collateral damage fragmentation warhead. The case is formed of a material that is pulverized upon detonation of the explosive. As a result, the lethality radius of the pulverized case fragments is no greater than that of the gas blast, thus reducing potential collateral damage. Warhead lethality is improved by placing a pattern shaper between the fragment assembly and the explosive. The explosive and pattern shaper have a conformal non-planar interface that shapes the pressure wavefront as it propagates there through to expel metal fragments from the fragmentation assembly with a desired pattern density over a prescribed solid angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2008Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: Henri Y. Kim, Travis Walter, Kim L. Christianson
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Publication number: 20110094408Abstract: A forward firing fragmentation warhead is constructed with casing materials that are pulverized upon detonation of the explosive. As a result, the lethality radius of the pulverized case fragments is no greater than that of the gas blast, thus reducing potential collateral damage. Warhead lethality may be improved by forming the fragmentation layer and explosive with dome-shapes that approximately match the shape of the advancing pressure wave. This increases fragment velocity and improves the uniformity of the fragment distribution over the forward-firing pattern. A variable-thickness pattern shaper may be placed between the fragmentation layer and explosive to provide additional shaping of the forward-firing pattern. Warhead weight and cost can be reduced by eliminating explosive at the aft end of the warhead that does not contribute to the total energy imparted to the fragments.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2008Publication date: April 28, 2011Inventors: James H. Dupont, Henri Y. Kim, Travis P. Walter, Kim L. Christianson
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Publication number: 20100294156Abstract: A method for initiating a low-sensitivity explosive charge includes initiating a booster explosive charge within an explosive charge cavity in a booster housing, and generating a planar detonation wave. Generating the planar detonation wave includes directing a detonation wave through the booster housing along a first waveshaper surface of a detonation waveshaper. The detonation wave is directed around the first waveshaper surface toward a second tapered waveshaper surface. After progressing around the first waveshaper surface, the detonation wave is directed along the second tapered waveshaper surface. The detonation wave changes into a planar detonation wave as the detonation wave moves along the second tapered waveshaper surface, the planar detonation wave includes a planar wave front. The planar detonation wave strikes a flyer plate coupled over the explosive charge cavity of the booster housing, and the planar wave front makes planar contact along an inner face of the flyer plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2009Publication date: November 25, 2010Inventors: Bryan F. Berlin, Kim L. Christianson