Patents by Inventor Laurence O. Williams

Laurence O. Williams 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: 5663523
    Abstract: A propellant composition comprising an admixture of a first hydrogen rich material and a second metal material which is capable of reacting exothermically with the first material. The ratio of the first material to the second material is selected such that the exothermic reaction forms a solid phase and a gas phase which contains substantial amounts of hydrogen. Preferably, the first hydrogen rich material comprises a material capable of providing nitrogen upon decomposition thereof, and the second metal material comprises a material capable of reacting exothermically with the nitrogen generated by the decomposition of the first material such that the solid phase comprises a solid nitride of the second metal material.In a preferred embodiment, the first material comprises ammonium azide, and the second material comprises boron, titanium, titanium hydride, or mixture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Corporation
    Inventor: Laurence O. Williams
  • Patent number: 5565646
    Abstract: A propellant composition comprising an admixture of a first hydrogen rich material and a second metal material which is capable of reacting exothermically with the first material. The ratio of the first material to the second material is selected such that the exothermic reaction forms a solid phase and a gas phase which contains substantial amounts of hydrogen. Preferably, the first hydrogen rich material comprises a material capable of providing nitrogen upon decomposition thereof, and the second metal material comprises a material capable of reacting exothermically with the nitrogen generated by the decomposition of the first material such that the solid phase comprises a solid nitride of the second metal material.In a preferred embodiment, the first material comprises ammonium azide, and the second material comprises boron, titanium, titanium hydride, or mixture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Corporation
    Inventor: Laurence O. Williams
  • Patent number: 5487798
    Abstract: A propellant composition comprising an admixture of a first hydrogen rich material and a second metal material which is capable of reacting exothermically with the first material. The ratio of the first material to the second material is selected such that the exothermic reaction forms a solid phase and a gas phase which contains substantial amounts of hydrogen. Preferably, the first hydrogen rich material comprises a material capable of providing nitrogen upon decomposition thereof, and the second metal material comprises a material capable of reacting exothermically with the nitrogen generated by the decomposition of the first material such that the solid phase comprises a solid nitride of the second metal material. In a preferred embodiment, the first material comprises ammonium azide, and the second material comprises boron, titanium, titanium hydride, or mixture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Corporation
    Inventor: Laurence O. Williams
  • Patent number: 5081930
    Abstract: A gun propellant comprises ammonium azide in finely divided form and at least one conventional propellant and/or explosive composition. The ammonium azide is free of any heavy metals capable of reacting with the ammonium azide to form metallic azides. The ammonium azide may be in pulverulent form or may be fabricated into a grain having a specific geometry. The ammonium azide may also be employed as a pyrotechnic formulation in a variety of environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Corporation
    Inventor: Laurence O. Williams
  • Patent number: 4452423
    Abstract: A magnetically actuated valve which includes a one-piece valve body, a linearly translatable poppet for selectively blocking an aperture in the valve body, a magnetically operable rotor, a magnetic collar or electromagnetic coil external to the valve body for inducing rotation of the rotor, and a screw and nut arrangement for converting rotational motion of the rotor into linear motion of the poppet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Corporation
    Inventors: James C. Beblavi, Laurence O. Williams
  • Patent number: 3999380
    Abstract: A gas generator producing usable power from a solid reactant which is sublimed as required to produce vapors and the vapors are chemically reacted to release stored energy and convert same to useful work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1970
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1976
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Corporation
    Inventor: Laurence O. Williams