Patents by Inventor Samuel LaFontaine

Samuel LaFontaine 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: 6688233
    Abstract: A system and method for improving the process of mechanical translation of projectiles by a spring mechanism that is built of a smart material and that is activated by an electric pulse, to provide a controlled translation of a projectile before firing or, in case of pre-firing termination, in order to restore the projectile to its original position after translation. The pre-firing translation using the spring mechanism provides a more controlled process and reduces the risk associated with the conventional propulsion charge translation design. The ability to return the projectile to its initial state after translation affords a significant advantage over the conventional propulsion charge design since it enables the projectile firing to be terminated even after translation, unlike in the conventional design whereby the projectile firing is irreversible upon a mechanical translation by setting off the propulsion charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Leon Manole, Stewart Gilman, Ernest Logsdon, Samuel A. Lafontaine
  • Patent number: 6575097
    Abstract: 13A case telescoped ammunition cartridge includes: a cylindrical cartridge case, a projectile disposed within the casing and a sleeve surrounding a portion of the forward end of the projectile. An obturator is disposed between the aft end of the sleeve and part of forward end of the projectile. A cup-shaped aft end seal is affixed to the case at the aft end thereof so as to be relatively movable with respect thereto during firing of the cartridge. The seal includes an external lateral surface adapted to engage an inner wall surface of a gun chamber. A cup-shaped forward end seal is affixed to the case at the forward end thereof so as to be relatively movable with respect thereto during firing of the cartridge. The forward end seal includes an external lateral surface adapted to engage the inner wall surface of the gun chamber and an external end surface adapted to abut a forward end surface of the gun chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Robert Nodarse, Leon R. Manole, Samuel LaFontaine, Ernest L. Logsdon