Patents by Inventor Lawrence R. Culp

Lawrence R. Culp 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).

  • Method and apparatus to demilitarize munition energetics
    Patent number: 9366517
    Abstract: A method of demilitarizing an energetic is disclosed. The method comprises indirectly heating the energetic in a chamber to a temperature below a combustion temperature of the energetic to at least partially decompose the energetic and substantially preclude combustion of the energetic such that the indirect heating produces a decomposition gas, and separating at least a portion of the decomposition gas from the chamber. The method may further comprise monitoring the decomposition gas and/or passing the separated decomposition gas through an air abatement system. The method may further comprise adjusting at least one of the following: the indirect heating of the energetic, the separating of the decomposition gas, the air abatement system, and a residence time of the energetic in the chamber. The energetic may be a bulk energetic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: US DEMIL, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Kautz, Lawrence R. Culp, Mark B. Mitskovski
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS TO DEMILITARIZE MUNITION ENERGETICS
    Publication number: 20120259149
    Abstract: A method of demilitarizing an energetic is disclosed. The method comprises indirectly heating the energetic in a chamber to a temperature below a combustion temperature of the energetic to at least partially decompose the energetic and substantially preclude combustion of the energetic such that the indirect heating produces a decomposition gas, and separating at least a portion of the decomposition gas from the chamber. The method may further comprise monitoring the decomposition gas and/or passing the separated decomposition gas through an air abatement system. The method may further comprise adjusting at least one of the following: the indirect heating of the energetic, the separating of the decomposition gas, the air abatement system, and a residence time of the energetic in the chamber. The energetic may be a bulk energetic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: U.S. DEMIL, LLC
    Inventors: David J. KAUTZ, Lawrence R. CULP, Mark B. MITSKOVSKI
  • Method and apparatus to demilitarize small caliber ammunition
    Patent number: 8178744
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the demilitarization of ammunition. The apparatus is comprised of an elongated tubular ammunition conveying chamber having a wall, an inlet opening, and a discharge opening; a heater in thermal communication with the elongated tubular chamber; and a first discharge barrier obstructing at least a first portion of the discharge opening of the elongated tubular chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: U.S. Demil LLC
    Inventors: David J. Kautz, Lawrence R. Culp, Mark B. Mitskovski