Patents by Inventor Thomas Heitmann

Thomas Heitmann 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).

  • Publication number: 20220042777
    Abstract: The invention relates to programmable practice ammunition. For this purpose, a projectile head of a practice projectile of the practice ammunition has at least one electronic system in the form of an electronic fuze replacement system and a signal transmitter. Optionally, an explosive charge can be introduced into the projectile head. The explosive charge is preferably a pyrotechnic. A light signal, an infrared signal, a radio signal, or another suitable electronic or optical signal, even a color signal, can be output and transmitted via the signal transmitter. Optionally, the explosive charge can be triggered and deployed via the signal transmitter. The projectile is provided with radial openings for this purpose. The invention additionally relates to a training system for a realistic practice using an explosive representation at the target or in the target area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Wolfgang SCHERGE, Stefan KEIL, Thomas HEITMANN, Marcel JESTREMSKI
  • Publication number: 20220026186
    Abstract: The invention relates to a test and/or practice ammunition having at least one projectile with a projectile head and a fin which can be found at the end of the projectile for example or a projectile with a projectile base and a projectile ogive. A cartridge shell is used to receive a drive and has a shell base, wherein an interface is attached in or on the shell base. The test and/or practice ammunition is characterized by a programmable fuze which is arranged in the projectile head or the projectile ogive. The projectile head/projectile ogive is equipped with at least one fuze amplifier and an electronic fuze system and optionally a separating charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Wolfgang SCHERGE, Stefan KEIL, Thomas HEITMANN, Tobias SCHMIDT, Hendrik RADIES
  • Patent number: 9016203
    Abstract: The invention relates to producing a propellant charge igniter tube (2) for a propellant charge igniter (1) by means of hydroforming (high-pressure forming). According to the present invention, a sleeve base (6) is then joined to the propellant charge igniter tube (2) by means of friction welding, for example, and vulcanized without reworking. In this context, the rubber lips of the sleeve base (6) and the propellant charge igniter tube (2) are molded on, or vulcanized, on in one operation. The vacuum-packed benites (8) and the lower part (9) of the propellant charge igniter (1) can then be mounted in the sleeve base (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Baumann, Thomas Heitmann, Klaus-Achim Kratzsch
  • Patent number: 8800450
    Abstract: A shell with a subcaliber penetrator, which has a conical tailpiece, and with a basically disk-shaped propulsion element, wherein the conical tailpiece has a frustum-shaped recess that is open towards the rear end. The propulsion element is joined with the penetrator, preferably by a screw connection (projectile fastening bolt). To this end, a bolt element joins the propulsion element and the penetrator in the area of the tailpiece and has a borehole that is open at the rear end, into which propellant charge gases flow when the shell is fired and cause rending of the bolt element and thus separation of the propulsion element from the penetrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Heitmann, Klaus-Dieter Freudenthal, Michael Vagedes
  • Patent number: 8561544
    Abstract: The invention relates to a projectile (1) having a sub-caliber projectile core (2) and a guide cage or sabot (3) that comprises a driving element (4), which acts on the projectile core (2) at the rear thereof and is in the form of a plate composed of metal. In order to produce such a projectile (1) at low cost, the projectile core (2) and the driving element (4), which is in the form of a plate, are inserted as inserts into an injection-molding tool, and are extrusion-coated so that the injection-mold shape is chosen so that the contour of the guide cage or sabot (3) of the projectile (1) is produced after the injection-molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Baumann, Holger Brase, Thomas Heitmann, Michael Vagedes
  • Patent number: 8522683
    Abstract: A method for producing a shell and a shell produced by this method, wherein the shell has a projectile, a combustible propellant charge casing, and a casing cover that joins the propellant charge casing with the projectile, such that the projectile has a sealing ring adjacent to the casing cover. To realize cost-effective assembly of a shell of this type, the casing cover is produced as an injection molded part made of an elastic plastic, such that the front end region of the casing cover facing the projectile forms the sealing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Heitmann
  • Patent number: 8516964
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cartridge having a propellant charge casing at least partially filled with a propellant charge powder, and a projectile part connected on a front of the propellant charge casing, wherein the propellant charge casing comprises a casing cover, a casing sheath and a casing base, and the casing sheath is connected to the projectile part via the casing cover and to the casing base via a spring steel sheet. In order to achieve different amounts of propellant charge powder filled into the same propellant charge casing without igniting the propellant charge at undesirable blast waves, a sack-shaped container that is completely filled with the respective amount of propellant charge powder is disposed inside the propellant charge casing so that the container, and thus also the propellant charge powder, extends in the direction of the central longitudinal axis of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Heitmann, Klaus-Achim Kratzsch, Michael Vagedes
  • Patent number: 8424457
    Abstract: A sabot projectile with a subcaliber projectile body and a sabot, which includes a propulsion element that acts on the rear end of the projectile body and a segmented, essentially cylindrical metal guide cage, which is located at the front end of the propulsion element. The guide cage has a central opening that extends in the axial direction, through which the projectile body is passed. So that the sabot projectile is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, has a low weight, and ensures good detachment of the sabot from the projectile body after discharge, the guide cage is a hollow cylinder, on whose inside wall preferably several radial transverse ribs are arranged, which are spaced some distance apart and extend both in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the sabot and in the direction of the projectile body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Baumann, Klaus-Dieter Freudenthal, Thomas Heitmann, Michael Vagedes
  • Patent number: 8413585
    Abstract: The invention relates to a projectile (1) having a projectile casing (3) in which an explosive charge (8), surrounded by a fragmentation casing, (9) is disposed, wherein the fragmentation casing (9) is fixed to the projectile casing (3), and the projectile (1) comprises a first ignition unit (11) adjacent to the explosive charge (8) disposed to the rear for igniting the explosive charge (8). The projectile (1) may be selectively used as a fragmentation projectile or as a projectile whose effect is due to pressure waves resulting from explosion of the explosive charge (8) due to an ejection charge (15), and the explosive charge (8) is axially displaceable relative to the fragmentation casing (9), which allows the explosive charge (8) to slide out of the projectile casing (3) at least far enough so that the explosive charge cannot act on the fragmentation casing (9) to fragment it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Heitmann
  • Patent number: 8408139
    Abstract: A projectile (1) is optionally used as a fragmentation projectile or as a projectile that utilizes a pressure wave effect created when the explosive charge (3) explodes. The projectile (1) contains an ejection charge (12), and an explosive charge (3) arranged in a jacket (4) that can be moved axially with respect to a fragmentation casing (5). The ejection charge (12) allows the explosive charge (3) and surrounding jacket (4) to be pushed at least so far out of the projectile casing (2) that, in the event of explosion, the explosive charge does not act on the fragmentation casing (5). In order to ensure that the jacket (4) of the explosive charge (3) does not develop any fragmentation effect, or develops only a small fragmentation effect, when the explosive charge (3) is ignited, a molded part composed of plastic or a light alloy is used as the jacket (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Rheinmetail Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Baumann, Thomas Heitmann
  • Patent number: 8250988
    Abstract: The invention relates to a subcaliber projectile, particularly for a dart projectile, having a resistance-stabilizing, conically designed guide mechanism having a frustum-shaped recess, wherein a guide cage has a substantially hollow cylindrical design in which a propulsion element is integrated therein on a rear side. To allow the propulsion element to be produced in a simple fashion and the guide cage to be lighter weight than comparable known drive cages, the propulsion element is designed substantially only as a disk-shaped metal plate extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the guide cage, wherein the drive element is mounted on an edge in an annular groove-shaped recess of the inner wall of the guide cage, wherein the disk-shaped metal plate comprises a central through hole, the diameter of which is as large as possible, but smaller than the maximum diameter of the frustum-shaped recess of the guide mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Heitmann
  • Patent number: 8171838
    Abstract: A method and work tool for inserting predetermined breaking points in a ring-shaped holding- and sealing band of a sabot cage projectile with an impact sabot cage are provided, wherein the band is arranged on a partial area of a receptacle device segmented through at least two longitudinal slits. The receptacle device connects the propelling element to the guiding cage of the impact sabot cage, and the guiding cage is segmented through at least two longitudinal slits. After mounting the band on the receptacle device, but before installation of the guiding cage in the area of the holding- and sealing band covering the longitudinal slits of the receptacle device, notch-shaped predetermined breaking points are inserted in the holding- and sealing band from inside of the band with the aid of a work tool, wherein longitudinal slits of the receptacle device are used for lateral guiding of the work tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Heitmann
  • Patent number: 8171854
    Abstract: A cartridge (1) is provided comprising a cartridge case (2) and a projectile arrangement (3; 3?) with an arrow projectile (5; 5?) with a sub-caliber control unit (7), wherein the projectile arrangement (3; 3?) is connected to the cartridge case (2) via a case cover (4), wherein, after firing of the projectile arrangement (3; 3?), a precise guiding of the arrow projectile (5; 5?) in the corresponding weapon barrel is ensured due to a receptacle device (28; 28?) that centers the control unit (7) of the arrow projectile (5; 5?), and that can be separated from the control unit (7) when the projectile arrangement (3; 3?) is fired. The receptacle device is connected to the case cover (4) on the projectile side, wherein the receptacle device grasps a ring-shaped rear flange (29; 29?) whose outer diameter corresponds to the projectile caliber of the respective cartridge (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Heitmann, Christian Baumann
  • Publication number: 20120000390
    Abstract: To maintain predetermined tolerance conditions for the front guide region (7) of a guide sabot (5) in a simple manner without reconditioning, even if the drive or guide cage (5) is plastic, the invention begins with a premounted cage shot (1), i.e., a sabot projectile, wherein cage segments directly adjacent to one another on circumferential sides surrounding the shot body are selected so that the cage (5) has an outer diameter in the front guide region (7) that is less than the predetermined target diameter (Do). Adjustment of the diameter of the guide region (7) then occurs subsequently, for example, by the insertion of an insert (12.1) designed in the shape of a bushing, wherein the insert has a conical outer surface (13) and is placed into an annular gap (11) remaining between the shot body (2) and segments (19, 20) of a support wall (8) of the cage (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Heitmann
  • Publication number: 20110290143
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cartridge having a propellant charge casing at least partially filled with a propellant charge powder, and a projectile part connected on a front of the propellant charge casing, wherein the propellant charge casing comprises a casing cover, a casing sheath and a casing base, and the casing sheath is connected to the projectile part via the casing cover and to the casing base via a spring steel sheet. In order to achieve different amounts of propellant charge powder filled into the same propellant charge casing without igniting the propellant charge at undesirable blast waves, a sack-shaped container that is completely filled with the respective amount of propellant charge powder is disposed inside the propellant charge casing so that the container, and thus also the propellant charge powder, extends in the direction of the central longitudinal axis of the cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Heitmann, Klaus-Achim Kratzsch, Michael Vagedes
  • Publication number: 20110259225
    Abstract: The invention relates to producing a propellant charge igniter tube (2) for a propellant charge igniter (1) by means of hydroforming (high-pressure forming). According to the present invention, a sleeve base (6) is then joined to the propellant charge igniter tube (2) by means of friction welding, for example, and vulcanized without reworking. In this context, the rubber lips of the sleeve base (6) and the propellant charge igniter tube (2) are molded on, or vulcanized, on in one operation. The vacuum-packed benites (8) and the lower part (9) of the propellant charge igniter (1) can then be mounted in the sleeve base (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Baumann, Thomas Heitmann, Klaus-Achim Kratzsch
  • Publication number: 20110197780
    Abstract: The invention relates to a subcaliber projectile, particularly for a dart projectile, having a resistance-stabilizing, conically designed guide mechanism having a frustum-shaped recess, wherein a guide cage has a substantially hollow cylindrical design in which a propulsion element is integrated therein on a rear side. To allow the propulsion element to be produced in a simple fashion and the guide cage to be lighter weight than comparable known drive cages, the propulsion element is designed substantially only as a disk-shaped metal plate extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the guide cage, wherein the drive element is mounted on an edge in an annular groove-shaped recess of the inner wall of the guide cage, wherein the disk-shaped metal plate comprises a central through hole, the diameter of which is as large as possible, but smaller than the maximum diameter of the frustum-shaped recess of the guide mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Heitmann
  • Publication number: 20110120336
    Abstract: A sabot projectile with a subcaliber penetrator and a sabot, which has a propulsion element that acts on the rear end of the penetrator, a segmented, essentially cylindrical guide cage, which is connected to the front end of the propulsion element, and a segmented, disk-shaped metal guide element that extends radially inward in the front area of the guide cage and holds the penetrator. The disk-shaped guide element has a slightly convex contour in the direction of flight of the projectile and the material and the wall thickness of the guide element are chosen in such a way that convex area of the guide element is pushed back slightly when the sabot projectile is fired, so that the outer marginal area of the guide element rests against the inside wall of the gun barrel from which the sabot projectile is fired, and/or the inner marginal area of the guide element, which faces the penetrator, rests against the outer surface of the penetrator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas HEITMANN, Klaus-Dieter FREUDENTHAL, Michael VAGEDES
  • Patent number: 7934456
    Abstract: A sabot projectile with a subcaliber penetrator and a sabot, which has a propulsion element that acts on the rear end of the penetrator, a segmented, essentially cylindrical guide cage, which is connected to the front end of the propulsion element, and a segmented, disk-shaped metal guide element that extends radially inward in the front area of the guide cage and holds the penetrator. The disk-shaped guide element has a slightly convex contour in the direction of flight of the projectile and the material and the wall thickness of the guide element are chosen in such a way that convex area of the guide element is pushed back slightly when the sabot projectile is fired, so that the outer marginal area of the guide element rests against the inside wall of the gun barrel from which the sabot projectile is fired, and/or the inner marginal area of the guide element, which faces the penetrator, rests against the outer surface of the penetrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Heitmann, Klaus-Dieter Freudenthal, Michael Vagedes
  • Publication number: 20110023743
    Abstract: The invention relates to a projectile (1) having a projectile casing (3) in which an explosive charge (8), surrounded by a fragmentation casing, (9) is disposed, wherein the fragmentation casing (9) is fixed to the projectile casing (3), and the projectile (1) comprises a first ignition unit (11) adjacent to the explosive charge (8) disposed to the rear for igniting the explosive charge (8). The projectile (1) may be selectively used as a fragmentation projectile or as a projectile whose effect is due to pressure waves resulting from explosion of the explosive charge (8) due to an ejection charge (15), and the explosive charge (8) is axially displaceable relative to the fragmentation casing (9), which allows the explosive charge (8) to slide out of the projectile casing (3) at least far enough so that the explosive charge cannot act on the fragmentation casing (9) to fragment it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas HEITMANN