Abstract: A process for converting a crystalline energetic material to an amorphous energetic material that is less susceptible to accidental detonation initiation by mechanical insults. The process includes forming the amorphous energetic material as a deposition of a vapor of the crystalline energetic material sublimed from a hot surface in a vacuum. The deposition is onto a cryogenically cold surface of a dry ice layer. The deposition solidifies as a layer of amorphous energetic material. Subliming the dry ice layer therein breaking the layer of amorphous energetic material into a powder of the amorphous energetic material; and collecting the powder.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing gradient structures uses multiple jet-spraying mechanisms to form layers of distinct precursors into a gradient composition.

Abstract: The invention, as embodied herein, comprises a variable yield warhead comprising an inner core of cylindrically-shaped, explosive material surrounded by an outer annulus of a different explosive material. The inner core explosive material has a heat of combustion comprising about 16 kcal/cc or higher and the outer annulus of explosive material has a heat of detonation comprising about 2.1 kcal/cc or higher. A warhead casing surrounds the outer annulus of material. The warhead has a dual initiation system. The first initiation system comprises a detonation cord that extends substantially through the inner core of explosive material and has an initiator at the tope side. The second initiation system comprises a booster explosive that contacts the bottom side of the outer annulus of explosive material and an initiator proximate to the booster.

Abstract: The invention, as embodied herein, comprises a new composition that provides different outputs depending upon the level of stimulus supplied to the composition. More specifically, if the composition is subjected to a weak shock, the composition produces fragments that burn upon their surfaces. If the composition is subjected to a strong shock, the bulk of the fragments will initiate, and, depending upon the make-up of the fragments, an explosive, propellant, or pyrotechnic, a different output will result.

Abstract: The invention, as embodied herein, comprises a kinetic energy driven projectile for defeating unexploded ordnance or buried land mines. This projectile has been developed to address the specific problem with similar devices in that the kinetic energy by itself does not sufficiently fracture the explosive material within a mine in order to fully defeat the mine. This invention adds a small amount of insensitive high explosive material but that is cap sensitive to one tip of the projectile, along with a novel initiation mechanism, so that the detonation of the high explosive material can more fully fracture the explosive material within a mine. This allows a neutralization agent to completely react with all of the explosive material within the mine, thereby consuming the entire fill.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a rocket motor nozzle that replaces the fixed-wall throat with a “wall” created by injecting gas radially into the nozzle. By injecting gas into the flow of combustion products that are going through the nozzle, this will deflect the combustion product flow, restricting and accelerating such flow, just as a fixed-wall does in a standard nozzle. However, by using the “gas-wall” described herein, no erosion will result at the restriction area.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a warhead for penetrating hardened or buried targets. In general, the invention comprises a warhead for penetrating hardened or buried targets comprising a warhead that employs a super-cavitating nose along with a cellular structural design that uses a reinforced central post as the main load-bearing component and subdivides the explosive cavity into shorter sections. Also, initiation means for initiating the explosives are present.

Abstract: A reusable small-scale explosive testing apparatus has a structural member with a curved internal chamber, a head piece that inserts into the chamber, a cap to hold the head piece, a pressure-time gage, water to fill the chamber and a pressure release mechanism. The apparatus is used to test small amounts of explosive.

Abstract: This invention relates to explosive charges in which the chemical and physical composition changes gradually from point to point in order to accomplish differing, specific design objectives. More specifically, the invention relates to an explosive comprised by uniformly mixing components of differing chemical and physical properties in order to take advantage of the functions performed by these different components resulting in an explosive capable of performing multiple or specific tasks.

Abstract: The detonation wave velocity in a solid explosive body of material, incred by the "channel effect", is further increased by compounding of the "channel effect" and/or by partial shock wave interruption by means of a threaded or rifled passage wall surface in a continuous, open channel arrangement. The high velocity detonation wave can be used to increase the jet velocity of shaped charges.

Abstract: An explosive round is formed by a bundle of fibers made of explosive matel held in peripheral contact with each other within an outer casing. Axially extending channel passages thereby extend between the fibers to conduct shock waves periodically impacting explosive blockage plugs in order to generate auxiliary detonation waves in forward and reverse directions. The auxiliary waves propagated in the reverse direction collide with the original detonation wave in the fibers between the blockage plugs at the locations of axial gaps between the fiber segments so as to reduce peak pressure oscillation.

Abstract: A liquid turbojet engine includes an elongated shaft, a housing mounted about the shaft with the shaft being rotatable relative to the housing about the shaft longitudinal axis, a conduit fixed to the shaft within the housing filled with an inert motive liquid and nozzles for inducing combustible gas bubbles in the motive liquid. The conduit has a compression section extending generally radially from the shaft, a combustion section extending generally axially and parallel to the shaft and from the compression section at a radial distance from the shaft, and an expansion section extending generally radially relative to the shaft axis from an end of the combustion section remote from the compression section. The bubble nozzles are located at the inlet of the compression section. The motive liquid enters through an inlet in the housing. The burned bubbles are discharged with the motive liquid through an exit nozzle in the housing.

Abstract: An engine includes an elongated shaft, a housing mounted about the shaft with the shaft being rotatable relative to the housing about the shaft longitudinal axis, a conduit fixed to the shaft within the housing filled with an inert motive liquid and nozzles for inducing combustible gas bubbles in the motive liquid. The conduit has a compression section extending generally radially from the shaft, a combustion section extending generally axially and parallel to the shaft and from the compression section at a radial distance from the shaft, and an expansion section extending from an end of the combustion section remote from the compression section. The bubble nozzles are located before the inlet of the compression section.