Abstract: A non-self-passivating fuel such as boron or magnesium is protected from exposure to oxygen sources by a self-passivating fuel layer such as aluminum or titanium. When the non-self-passivating fuel is utilized within a layered structure of alternating fuel and oxygen source layers, self-passivating fuel layers located between each non-self-passivating fuel layer and each oxygen source layer. The self-passivating fuel oxidizes until self-passivation is reached, protecting the non-self-passivating fuel from oxidation. Any of the non-self-passivating fuel which does not oxidize is available for use as fuel in any fuel-oxygen source reaction.

Abstract: A propellant is made from a flexible sheet that in some examples is nitrocellulose. An ignitable material is deposited on one side of the flexible sheet. The ignitable material is a series of triangles having a base adjacent to one edge of the sheet, and an apex adjacent to the other side of the sheet. Some examples of the ignitable material may be thermite compositions. The flexible sheet is rolled around a nonburnable tube and placed within a firearm casing, with the triangle bases being adjacent to the back of the casing, and the triangle apexes being adjacent to the front of the casing. The nonburnable tube is disposed over the primer pocket, so that ignition products from the primer travel through the tube, igniting the propellant adjacent to the front of the casing.

Abstract: A primer structure is provided for holding a deposited ignitable material, and for holding the ignitable material within a firearm cartridge or within another munition. The primer includes a disk and a retaining ring. Ignitable material is deposited on a surface of the disk. The retaining ring is positioned in front of the disk. The retaining ring includes angled passageways for reaction products to travel from the ignitable material to the propellant. The forwardmost surface of the retaining ring, as well as the angle of the passageways, dissipate pressure that would otherwise be borne by the disk. Both the disk and retaining ring include angled or stepped surfaces to resist movement under pressure.

Abstract: A primer includes a layered thermite coating comprising alternating layers of metal oxide and reducing metal (thermite) deposited upon a substrate. The layered thermite coating may include a primary ignition portion adjacent to the substrate, and a secondary ignition portion deposited on the primary ignition portion. The alternating thermite layers may be thinner within the primary ignition portion than in the secondary ignition portion. The primary ignition portion is structured for sensitivity to a firing pin strike to the opposite side of the substrate. The secondary ignition portion is structured to burn at a rate that will ignite smokeless powder or other ignitable substances used in munitions.

Abstract: A primer structure is provided for holding a deposited ignitable material, and for holding the ignitable material within a firearm cartridge or within another munition. The primer includes a disk and a retaining ring. Ignitable material is deposited on a surface of the disk. The retaining ring is positioned in front of the disk. The retaining ring includes angled passageways for reaction products to travel from the ignitable material to the propellant. The forwardmost surface of the retaining ring, as well as the angle of the passageways, dissipate pressure that would otherwise be borne by the disk. Both the disk and retaining ring include angled or stepped surfaces to resist movement under pressure.

Abstract: A propellant is made from a flexible sheet that in some examples is nitrocellulose. An ignitable material is deposited on one side of the flexible sheet. The ignitable material is a series of triangles having a base adjacent to one edge of the sheet, and an apex adjacent to the other side of the sheet. Some examples of the ignitable material may be thermite compositions. The flexible sheet is rolled around a nonburnable tube and placed within a firearm casing, with the triangle bases being adjacent to the back of the casing, and the triangle apexes being adjacent to the front of the casing. The nonburnable tube is disposed over the primer pocket, so that ignition products from the primer travel through the tube, igniting the propellant adjacent to the front of the casing.

Abstract: One example of a sound suppressor for a firearm includes a tubular housing and a plurality of individual tubular baffle elements that fit within the tubular housing to form a baffle assembly having a symmetrical or an asymmetrical baffle structure. Different examples of the tubular baffle elements may abut each other or may interlock with each other. Another example of the sound suppressor includes an outer housing that resists passage of heat therethrough.

Abstract: A propellant in the form of a pellet includes adjoining pellet sections. Each pellet section includes a smokeless powder, a burnable metal, and a polymer. The smokeless powder in each pellet section will in many examples be different from the burn rate of the smokeless powder in other pellet sections. A nonignitable tube passes through the center of the pellet. When the pellet is used within a firearm cartridge, the ignition products from the primer travel through the nonburnable tube, igniting the pellet sections sequentially from the front to the rear of the cartridge. The pressure generated by the propellant within a cartridge casing can be maximized and controlled through the selection of the burn rate for each pellet section.

Abstract: A cup for a primer facilitates the use of deposited ignitable material, for example, a layered thermite material, within a cup that fits within a standard primer pocket within a firearm cartridge casing or other location designed for a presently available primer. The primer cup includes a tube and a disk. The ignitable material can be deposited on one surface of the disk. The disk can then be inserted within the tube, wherein it is retained within the tube by an inwardly projecting ledge at one end of the tube.

Abstract: An energetic material having thin, alternating layers of metal oxide and reducing metal is provided. The energetic material may be provided in the form of a sheet, foil, cylinder, or other convenient structure. A method of making the energetic material resists the formation of oxide on the surface of the reducing metal, allowing the use of multiple thin layers of metal oxide and reducing metal for maximum contact between the reactants, without significant lost volume due to oxide formation. An ignition system for the energetic material includes multiple ignition points, as well as a means for controlling the timing and sequence of activation of the individual ignition points. A gas producing layer is also provided to increase pressure.

Abstract: A propellant in the form of a pellet includes adjoining pellet sections. Each pellet section includes a smokeless powder, a burnable metal, and a polymer. The smokeless powder in each pellet section will in many examples be different from the burn rate of the smokeless powder in other pellet sections. A nonignitable tube passes through the center of the pellet. When the pellet is used within a firearm cartridge, the ignition products from the primer travel through the nonburnable tube, igniting the pellet sections sequentially from the front to the rear of the cartridge. The pressure generated by the propellant within a cartridge casing can be maximized and controlled through the selection of the burn rate for each pellet section.

Abstract: One example of a sound suppressor for a firearm includes a tubular housing and a plurality of individual tubular baffle elements that fit within the tubular housing to form a baffle assembly having a symmetrical or an asymmetrical baffle structure. Different examples of the tubular baffle elements may abut each other or may interlock with each other. Another example of the sound suppressor includes an outer housing that resists passage of heat therethrough.

Abstract: An energetic material having thin, alternating layers of metal oxide and reducing metal is provided. The energetic material may be provided in the form of a sheet, foil, cylinder, or other convenient structure. A method of making the energetic material resists the formation of oxide on the surface of the reducing metal, allowing the use of multiple thin layers of metal oxide and reducing metal for maximum contact between the reactants, without significant lost volume due to oxide formation. An ignition system for the energetic material includes multiple ignition points, as well as a means for controlling the timing and sequence of activation of the individual ignition points. The combination of the energetic material and ignition system provides a means of charge and blast shaping, ignition timing, pressure curve control and maximization, and safe neutralization of the energetic material.

Abstract: An energetic material having thin, alternating layers of metal oxide and reducing metal is provided. The energetic material may be provided in the form of a sheet, foil, cylinder, or other convenient structure. A method of making the energetic material resists the formation of oxide on the surface of the reducing metal, allowing the use of multiple thin layers of metal oxide and reducing metal for maximum contact between the reactants, without significant lost volume due to oxide formation. An ignition system for the energetic material includes multiple ignition points, as well as a means for controlling the timing and sequence of activation of the individual ignition points. The combination of the energetic material and ignition system provides a means of charge and blast shaping, ignition timing, pressure curve control and maximization, and safe neutralization of the energetic material.

Abstract: An energetic material having thin, alternating layers of metal oxide and reducing metal is provided. The energetic material may be provided in the form of a sheet, foil, cylinder, or other convenient structure. A method of making the energetic material resists the formation of oxide on the surface of the reducing metal, allowing the use of multiple thin layers of metal oxide and reducing metal for maximum contact between the reactants, without significant lost volume due to oxide formation. An ignition system for the energetic material includes multiple ignition points, as well as a means for controlling the timing and sequence of activation of the individual ignition points. The combination of the energetic material and ignition system provides a means of charge and blast shaping, ignition timing, pressure curve control and maximization, and safe neutralization of the energetic material.

Abstract: A system for initiating and controlling a reaction between a metal and water is provided for use in propelling a rocket, torpedo, or other munition. A thermite charge having a quantity of reducing metal in excess of that required to react with the metal oxide is utilized to melt and/or vaporize the excess reducing metal. Water may be added to the munition immediately before use, or in the case of a torpedo, may be taken in from the surrounding water. The principles embodied by Bernoulli's equation may be used to regulate the intake of water for the reaction with the reducing metal.

Abstract: A primer includes a layered thermite coating comprising alternating layers of metal oxide and reducing metal (thermite) deposited upon a substrate. The layered thermite coating may include a primary ignition portion adjacent to the substrate, and a secondary ignition portion deposited on the primary ignition portion. The alternating thermite layers may be thinner within the primary ignition portion than in the secondary ignition portion. The primary ignition portion is structured for sensitivity to a firing pin strike to the opposite side of the substrate. The secondary ignition portion is structured to burn at a rate that will ignite smokeless powder or other ignitable substances used in munitions.

Abstract: A system for initiating and controlling a reaction between a metal and water is provided for use in propelling a rocket, torpedo, or other munition. A thermite charge having a quantity of reducing metal in excess of that required to react with the metal oxide is utilized to melt and/or vaporize the excess reducing metal. Water may be added to the munition immediately before use, or in the case of a torpedo, may be taken in from the surrounding water. The principles embodied by Bernoulli's equation may be used to regulate the intake of water for the reaction with the reducing metal.