Patents by Inventor Mark A. Solberg

Mark A. Solberg 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: 6966264
    Abstract: An embodiment of the rocket motor of this invention employs an insensitive munitions approach that, when subjected to elevated external temperatures, is activated by thermal expansion of the main propellant and gas generation from a secondary insensitive munitions charge. In a preferred embodiment, the rocket motor also includes a pressure equalizing system that accommodates changing temperature conditions during storage as well as varying gas pressure inherent in gun-launched systems in a manner that allows for thinner case cylinder design and increased propellant volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Solberg, Robert E. Black
  • Publication number: 20040050282
    Abstract: An embodiment of the rocket motor of this invention employs an insensitive munitions approach that, when subjected to elevated external temperatures, is activated by thermal expansion of the main propellant and gas generation from a secondary insensitive munitions charge. In a preferred embodiment, the rocket motor also includes a pressure equalizing system that accommodates changing temperature conditions during storage as well as varying gas pressure inherent in gun-launched systems in a manner that allows for thinner case cylinder design and increased propellant volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Mark A. Solberg, Robert E. Black
  • Patent number: 6619029
    Abstract: An embodiment of the rocket motor of this invention employs an insensitive munitions approach that, when subjected to elevated external temperatures, is activated by thermal expansion of the main propellant and gas generation from a secondary insensitive munitions charge. In a preferred embodiment, the rocket motor also includes a pressure equalizing system that accommodates changing temperature conditions during storage as well as varying gas pressure inherent in gun-launched systems in a manner that allows for thinner case cylinder design and increased propellant volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Solberg, Robert E. Black
  • Publication number: 20030079464
    Abstract: An embodiment of the rocket motor of this invention employs an insensitive munitions approach that, when subjected to elevated external temperatures, is activated by thermal expansion of the main propellant and gas generation from a secondary insensitive munitions charge. In a preferred embodiment, the rocket motor also includes a pressure equalizing system that accommodates changing temperature conditions during storage as well as varying gas pressure inherent in gun-launched systems in a manner that allows for thinner case cylinder design and increased propellant volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Mark A. Solberg, Robert E. Black
  • Patent number: 6094906
    Abstract: One embodiment of this novel rocket system employs at least one rocket motor closure that includes low and high load capability retainers that, respectively, provide an insensitive munitions system during storage and positive locking of a nozzle assembly at lunch. Another embodiment of this novel rocket involves an insensitive munitions approach that does not require use of such retainers by developing different normal and abnormal burn paths. The rocket motor also includes a pressure equalizing system that accommodates changing temperature conditions during storage as well varying gas pressure inherent in gun-launched systems in a manner that allows for thinner case cylinder design and increased propellant volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Cordant Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Singer, Mark A. Solberg
  • Patent number: 5792981
    Abstract: A rocket system employing at least one rocket motor closure that includes low and high load capability retainers that, respectively, provide an insensitive munitions system during storage and positive locking of a nozzle assembly at launch. The rocket motor also includes a pressure equalizing system that accommodates changing temperature conditions during storage as well as varying gas pressure inherent in gun-launched rocket systems in a manner that allows for thinner case cylinder design and increased propellant volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Thiokol Corporation
    Inventors: Victor Singer, Mark A. Solberg
  • Patent number: 5755401
    Abstract: A missile diverter for controlling yaw and pitch includes several valve housings secured to an inside surface of a bridge or to a removable cylinder. The valve housings are secured in aligned positions by a layer of integral cured insulation. Gas valves are placed in the housings, and control lines are connected to the valves to allow remote control of the valves during flight. Cups loaded with propellant are secured in place near the valve housings. The valve housings, valves, cured insulation, and propellant cups are then overwrapped and secured within the outer shell of a missile. One method for making the missile diverter includes the step of applying a quantity of uncured insulation to an inside surface of a bridge and to an outside surface of each valve housing. Each valve housing is then positioned within the bridge and the insulation is cured to form an integral layer that holds the valve housings in their aligned positions and forms a hot gas seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Thiokol Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Frey, Philip H. Dara, Michael A. Gerace, Mark A. Solberg
  • Patent number: 5616884
    Abstract: A propellant system is disclosed which includes a propellant applied to at least one surface of a substrate which is in the form of a strip. The propellant strip is adhesively attached to itself in a configuration which conceals propellant within the configuration and which allows the attached strip to peel away from itself under applied forces thereby resulting in smooth and continuous exposure of propellant for burning. The system is directed to use with ejectable projectiles which are slidably disposed within a canister or casing. The propellant system is interconnected between the projectile and the cannister which houses the projectile. The propellant is urged to peel, and thus expose propellant for burning, as the projectile is ejected from the canister. Alternatively, the propellant is telescoped and covered with a sleeve which peels away as the projectile is ejected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Thiokol Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Solberg, James A. Hartwell
  • Patent number: 5363768
    Abstract: A propellant system is disclosed which includes a propellant applied to at least one surface of a substrate which is in the form of a strip. The propellant strip is adhesively attached to itself in a configuration which conceals propellant within the configuration and which allows the attached strip to peel away from itself under applied forces thereby resulting in smooth and continuous exposure of propellant for burning. The system is directed to use with ejectable projectiles which are slidably disposed within a canister or casing. The propellant system is interconnected between the projectile and the canister which houses the projectile. The propellant is urged to peel, and thus expose propellant for burning, as the projectile is ejected from the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Thiokol Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Solberg, James A. Hartwell
  • Patent number: 5354066
    Abstract: An archery target is disclosed that is formed from multiple front layers formed from a woven material having laterally displaceable strands to permit penetration of an arrowhead, multiple backing layers formed from material which resists penetration of an arrowhead and a plurality of aligned pockets formed between the front and backing layers. Stuffing material such as raw cotton is compressibly forced into each of the pockets resists lateral displacement of the stuffing material upon penetration of an arrowhead and causes the stuffing material to be compressed in front of the arrowhead to effectively stop the arrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Inventors: Dale A. Swanson, Mark A. Solberg
  • Patent number: 4930541
    Abstract: The functions of a diverter valve and a variable orifice valve are combined in a single valve including an elongated magnetic member that is pivoted at a first end with a portion of the second end being positioned between opposed restrictors, a coil assembly for producing a magnetic field for selectively pulling the magnetic member toward one of the restrictors, sealing the restrictor it is pulled against thereby enabling the diversion of fluid flow, for example, from one nozzle to another, and further including a ball screw and torque motor attached to the first end of the magnetic member for selective movement thereof fore and aft, with the second end of the magnetic member being tapered and positioned in cooperative relation with respect to an orifice in a fluid inlet member whereby the fore and aft movement of the magnetic member controls the size of the orifice and the amount of fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Morton Thiokol, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Solberg
  • Patent number: 4856276
    Abstract: A solid propellant grain for a gas generator such as a missile canister erection actuator. The grain provides a sustain phase followed by a boost phase which may then be followed by another sustain phase. The aft portion of the grain may have the configuration of an end burner to provide the initial sustain phase. The middle portion contains a longitudinally extending cavity in which is disposed a plug for supporting the grain during the initial sustain phase against collapse or cracking. A gap is provided between the plug and the wall of the cavity to provide effective propellant burnign surface area along the cavity wall for the boost phase. The cavity and plug, which terminate at the aft portion, may extend longitudinally through the forward portion of the grain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Morton Thiokol, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Solberg