Patents by Inventor Larry E. Crabtree

Larry E. Crabtree 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: 5952601
    Abstract: A recoilless and gas-free projectile propulsion device is provided. A hol pressure vessel is sealed on a first end to an aft end of a projectile in a launch tube. The pressure vessel is further open on a second end. A propellant charge-filled pressure chamber, defined in a forward portion of the pressure vessel, has holes venting to the pressure vessel aft thereof. A piston, sealed within the pressure vessel for sliding movement therein, is spaced apart from the pressure chamber to define a volume therebetween that receives gases produced during the burning of the propellant charge via the vent holes. A pressure valve divides the volume into a forward section adjacent the pressure chamber and an aft section adjacent the piston. The pressure valve remains closed until a threshold pressure is reached in the forward section at which point the pressure valve opens to join the forward section with the aft section. A countermass is positioned between the piston and the second end of the pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Matthew J. Sanford, Larry E. Crabtree, Roger L. Ellis, James F. Cahill
  • Patent number: H1930
    Abstract: A precursor warhead for a high-explosive, anti-armor (HEAA) warhead is provided. The precursor warhead is a cylindrically-shaped attachment adapted for a friction fit over the nose cone of existing HEAA warheads. The precursor warhead has an instantaneous fuse which initiates a precursor penetrator which causes early detonation of reactive armor, thereby protecting the main charge and penetrator on the HEAA round from damage. The precursor warhead replaces the existing crush switch on the HEAA round and also initiates, with appropriate time delay, the main explosive charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Larry E. Crabtree
  • Patent number: H1504
    Abstract: An anti-armor warhead assembly includes an open-ended cylindrical warhead se defined by a first section, a second section and a third section. The first section has a constant inside diameter D.sub.1. The second section has a constant inside diameter D.sub.2 and connects the first section and the third section. The third section is defined by an inside diameter D.sub.3. The relationship between the diameters is such that D.sub.1 <D.sub.3 .ltoreq.D.sub.2. A hollow conically shaped charge liner is axially aligned and fitted within the warhead case. Explosive material fills the first section of the warhead case about an outwardly facing surface of the charge liner. A retaining ring fitted on the third section retains the charge liner and the explosive material in the first section. An end cap fitted to the first section has an initiator coupler formed therein for housing a primer charge used to detonate the explosive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Larry E. Crabtree