Multiple Fragments Patents (Class 102/494)
  • Patent number: 6536351
    Abstract: A warhead (1) having a warhead casing (2) that encloses an explosive charge (5). To ensure that, during the detonation of the explosive charge (5), the warhead (1) effects a rapid acceleration of the fragments flying in the flight direction, and a lesser acceleration of the fragments flying away laterally from the warhead, and/or generates a relatively intense lateral pressure wave, the charge has at least two different partial charges (7, 8-10) corresponding to the intended use of the warhead (1). The first partial charge (7), which is disposed in the region of the tip of the warhead (1), and comprises, for example, octogen (HMX), possesses a high detonation speed in order, when detonated, to accelerate heavy-metal fragments (preferably WSM spherical fragments) disposed in front of the partial charge very rapidly forward. In contrast, the second partial charge (8-10), which adjoins the rear of the first partial charge (7), is a far less costly charge, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Böcker, Paul Wanninger
  • Publication number: 20030019386
    Abstract: A kinetic energy rod warhead with aligned projectiles includes a projectile core in a hull including a plurality of individual projectiles and an explosive charge in the hull about the core. The individual projectiles are aligned when the explosive charge deploys the projectiles. The projectiles may also be aimed in a specific direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Richard M. Lloyd, Ernest C. Faccini
  • Patent number: 6502515
    Abstract: A method of providing a high-explosive projectile with desired areas of fragmentation includes the following steps: securing a steel plate component in a circumferentially extending recess in the outer surface of a projectile body; directing an energy beam to outer surface portions of the steel plate component; heating, by the energy beam, narrow zones to a temperature above the melting temperature of the steel plate component to a predetermined depth thereof; and cooling the heated zones for effecting structural metallurgical changes in the steel plate component for obtaining the desired areas of fragmentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Burckhardt, Walter Simon, Thomas Heitmann
  • Patent number: 6293201
    Abstract: A warhead has polar imbiber masses containing a complexed energetic composition of a cyclodextrin nitrate, a nitrate ester plasticizer, bismuth subsalicylate and a stabilizer that is dispersed into a cloud prior to target impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: John P. Consaga
  • Patent number: 6279482
    Abstract: There is provided a countermeasure defense system against hostile missiles by employing non-explosive intercepting (“NEI”) elements 14 deployed by the spin stabilized rocket 10. The NEI are carried in a payload section 17 and contained by a sleeve assembly 16 which is removed by a drive mechanism 20 or a pyrotechnic device 152 after a countdown time delay programmed into the trigger release assembly 46 as controlled by the control unit 150. The drive assembly includes a drive rod 26 that is releasably held by a release assembly 46 a compressed coiled spring unit 30 drives the sleeve assembly 16 forward exposing the payload section 17 to the centrifugal force of the spin stabilized rocket propelling the NEI elements out from the rocket at constant angular velocity creating an interceptor cloud of elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Smith, Jane M. Lin
  • Patent number: 6044765
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for combating aircraft (4). According to the invention, use is made of a projectile which rotates in the trajectory (5) towards the target (4) and which is provided with a direction-sensing proximity fuse whose direction of impact has been coordinated with a defined splinter-scattering direction for the explosive charge (8) of the projectile. In a preferred embodiment, the projectile concerned is a projectile which is fired by means of rocket technology, backblast technology or, alternatively, by means of a gas generator, and which is included in a one-man weapon or team-operated weapon of the single-shot type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Bofors AB
    Inventor: Chirster Regebro
  • Patent number: 5965838
    Abstract: A warhead for use in air defense missiles has a flat-sided cross-sectional onfiguration which can be mass focused to direct an entire side onto a target. The warhead may be rotated about the missile longitudinal axis to properly orient a warhead side at the time of detonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: George T. Boswell, William G. Rueb
  • Patent number: 5900580
    Abstract: An explosive projectile (10) with a projectile casing (12), a ballistic hood (14), an explosive charge (26) located within of the projectile casing (12), a base detonator (28) and a fragment packing (32) which is located towards the head end of the projectile. The ballistic hood (14) is constructed so as to be readily destroyable or, respectively, constituted of a readily destroyable material. The projectile casing is closed at its forward end and provided with a recess (30) in which there is arranged the fragment packing (32). The fragment packing (32) at the forward end thereof bounds the explosive charge (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Diehl Stiftung & Co.
    Inventors: Roland Beisswenger, Hans Strauss, Adolf Bankel, Hans Pauly, Stephen Kerk
  • Patent number: 5817969
    Abstract: A spin-stabilized projectile containing a payload is presented. The projectile includes a projectile body with a payload chamber that may be laterally defined by a projectile casing, on top by an axial fixing device for a payload disposed in the payload chamber, and on the bottom, by a dividing wall. The projectile casing may include axial grooves on the inside, which on the contribute to the fixing of the payload and include intended break zones for freeing the payload. Below the dividing wall, an opening charge may be disposed, which includes complete radial contact and is axially spaced apart from the dividing wall by a damping device. The detonation of opening charge causes the projectile casing to immediately split open at the intended break zones to release, by centrifugal force, the payload from the payload chamber. The damping device prevents the payload from being damaged in the region of the dividing wall and prevents the release of the payload from being interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Oerlikon Contraves Pyrotec AG
    Inventor: Peter Ettmuller
  • Patent number: 5796031
    Abstract: A multi-flechette weapon packing for a flechette holding canister has one set of fin back flechettes, each having a tip end and a fin end with a plurality of integral fins at the fin end and a plurality of fin forward flechettes, each having a tip end and an opposite end and a plurality of integral fins offset from the opposite end toward the tip end. The fin back flechettes and fin forward flechettes are located in the canister and adjacent to each other in an alternating fashion with the tip ends aligned in the same direction to increase packing density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Primex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Sigler
  • Patent number: 5753851
    Abstract: The spinning mine has all of its projectiles concentrated in one small ar It is launched from a spring-loaded threaded screw launcher and acquires angular momentum as it ascends into the air from the launcher to a pre-determined detonation altitude. As the mine spins, the detector assembly on board detects the presence and location of potential targets and sends appropriate indicative signals to a microprocessor, also on board. The microprocessor determines therefrom the location of the largest target or the largest cluster of targets in the environment and triggers the detonation of the mine such that the projectiles are jettisoned in a conical pattern toward the largest target or the largest cluster of targets for a more efficient destruction of the targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Debbee J. Jordan, Travis S. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5691502
    Abstract: A plurality of objects is deployed in generally radial directions at low velocities in order to achieve a predetermined pattern of the deployed objects. The device has a metal inner wall member (20, 120) having a plurality of annular cylindrical segments of differing outside diameters, an explosive body (22, 122) of low velocity explosive, and a plurality of arrays (40, 140) positioned coaxially with and exteriorly of the explosive body (22, 122) and spaced along the length of the explosive body (22, 122). Each array (40, 140) comprises a plurality of objects (28). The explosive body (22, 122) can be in the form of a plurality of annular sections which provide the objects (28) in each array with an amount of energy different from that provided to each of the objects in the adjacent array. An annular flange (32) can separate the forward end of the explosive body (22, 122) from a booster ring (66), or the booster ring (166) can be positioned within a central cavity of the inner wall member (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Vought Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Gerald Graves Craddock, Elmer C. Cruise
  • Patent number: 5690867
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of an explosive ammunition component with controlled fragmentation, comprising a charge of solid explosive contained in a metal casing internally clad with a sleeve externally provided with indentations.A rigid sleeve made of plastic or elastomer, externally provided with indentations and which has a form of a vessel provided with a single opening, is produced first of all, and then this sleeve is introduced, with the bottom first, into a metal casing comprising an opening and whose shape and dimensions are such as to allow the sleeve to clad the casing internally.A pasty or liquid explosive composition is next cast into the sleeve and the composition is then solidified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Societe Nationale des Poudres et Explosifs
    Inventors: Bruno Nouguez, Claude Grimelli, Pierre Vitrant, Alain Bonnel, Alain Tinet
  • Patent number: 5661254
    Abstract: Described is a system (10) for protecting a target such as an armoured vehicle, a bunker or the like from missiles. The protective system (10) has a launching container (12) with at least one launching tube (36) for an associated fragmentation projectile (38), mounted adjustably on a base portion (14). A sensor arrangement (26, 28) is provided for detecting the target to be combatted and aligning the launching container (12) with the target to be combatted. A control device (32) for a drive arrangement (24) is connected together with the sensor arrangement (26, 28) by way of a signal processing device (30). The drive arrangement (24) serves for aligning the launching container (12) with respect to the base portion (14). The/each fragmentation projectile has a special fragmentation filling (40) and a fuse device (44) for controlling the time of detonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Diehl GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Raimar Steuer, Karl Rudolf
  • Patent number: 5631442
    Abstract: A missile includes a warhead accommodated in an inner space at a front portion of the missile; a ball joint being in alignment with the longitudinal missile axis and pivotally supporting the warhead; and an aiming device for placing the warhead into a desired pivotal orientation. The aiming device includes a plurality of inflatable vessels arranged axially adjacent the warhead in a distribution about the missile axis. Each vessel has a first end oriented toward the warhead and a second end oriented away therefrom. The vessels are supported at their second end by a disk situated in the inner space of the missile. A gas generator is coupled to each vessel for charging the vessel with a gas to place the vessel into its inflated state. In the inflated state each vessel exerts a torque on the warhead about the ball joint by an engagement between the first end of the respective vessel and the warhead. Further, an electronic control system is accommodated in the inner space of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Industrie GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Becker, Dirk Kilfitt, Werner Grosswendt
  • Patent number: 5612505
    Abstract: A dual mode warhead is provided for use against both soft and hard targets nd capable of sensing which type of target has been struck comprising a casing made of a ductile material containing an explosive charge and a fuze assembly. The ductile warhead casing will mushroom and later split upon striking a hard target while still confining the explosive. Proper ductility and confinement are necessary for fuze sensing. The fuze assembly contains a pair of parallel firing trains, one initiated only by high and one by low impact deceleration. The firing train actuated by low impact deceleration contains a pyrotechnic delay to allow penetration of soft targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: James S. O'Brasky, Alan A. Alexander, Odis H. Griffin, Jr., John S. Foster, Morley C. Shamblen
  • Patent number: 5594197
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a secondary projectile for a tandem warhead including a forwardly located active charge, a rearwardly located active charge and a fuze which is arranged therebetween, and whose triggering direction is oriented towards the forwardly located active charge, whereby the transmission of the ignition or triggering is implemented forwardly through the intermediary of a booster charge and towards the rear through the use of a cross-triggering device. The booster charge which is triggered by the fuze consists of an explosive material and lies directly against the forwardly located active charge, and wherein the booster charge at the other side thereof is separated by thin cross-ignitable wall segments of a housing of the cross-triggering device from at least two tongue-shaped explosive material poles of the rearwardly located active charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Diehl GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Klaus Lindstadt, Manfred Klare
  • Patent number: 5535679
    Abstract: A plurality of objects is deployed in generally radial directions at a low velocity in order to achieve a predetermined pattern of the deployed objects. The device has an inner wall member (20), an annular body (43) of low velocity explosive, at least a first plurality of objects (56) in a first annular array (51) and a second plurality of objects (56) in a second annular array (52) positioned coaxially with and exteriorly of the annular body (43) of low velocity explosive, the arrays being positioned at different locations along the length of the annular body (43) of low velocity explosive such that the objects in each array are provided with an amount of energy different from that provided to each of the objects in the adjacent array. Each of the objects (56) has a shape which minimizes aerodynamically induced deviations in the path of the object during deployment, a mass of at least 50 grams, and a density of at least 15 g/cc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Loral Vought Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald G. Craddock
  • Patent number: 5293822
    Abstract: This invention, a projectile, when used in standard issue handguns, rifles and shotguns was designed to address the problem of over penetration and possible ricochet when used in law enforcement work. The projectile comprises a hollow tubular body having releasable end seals and containing lead shot.The problem, is that many projectiles, even those designed to loose their energy in human/animal tissue like living organisms, may also penetrate inanimate like substances, causing unnecessary damage to property, and even worse injury or death to innocent bystanders. This projectile is designed to significantly lessen that possibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Inventor: David S. Peddie
  • Patent number: 5163166
    Abstract: Fragments, also in the shape of projectiles with a length to diameter ratio greater than 3, can be successfully accelerated directly by means of an explosive if at least one forward casing in the frontal zone of the fragment causes the shock wave generated by detonation of the explosive to pass from the fragment into the forward casing, which subsequently detaches from the fragment thus protecting the fragment from the destructive effects of the reflected shock wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Dynamit Nobel Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolf-Dieter Adler, Wolfgang Bottger
  • Patent number: 5003885
    Abstract: A warhead for an airborne body which is employed for the attacking of a lightly-armored target through the intermediary of splinters or fragments, and wherein the warhead possesses within a protective enclosure a safe-and-arm and triggering arrangement, an explosive charge and a splinter-forming insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Diehl GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Karl Rudolf, Konrad Ringel
  • Patent number: 4967667
    Abstract: A system for preventing salvage fusing of nuclear warhead attack weapons including an interceptor weapon having detecting means operably associated therewith for detecting an attack weapon at a predetermined distance. A disarming mechanism operably associated with the interceptor weapon for preventing detonation of the nuclear warhead. The interceptor weapon includes an explosive device for destroying the interceptor weapon during a period when the nuclear warhead is disarmed and hurling numerous particles at the attack weapon. Upon impact, the particles destroy the attack weapon thereby preventing it from ever reaching its full explosive potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Dese Research and Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Tibor G. Horwath
  • Patent number: 4882996
    Abstract: An explosive missile or projectile assembly which possesses a projectile body and a ballistic hood which is positioned in front of the projectile body, wherein the hood encompasses a head end portion of the projectile body, and which includes an explosive charge arranged within the projectile body and a base detonator. An in-depth effect and fragmentation effect comes into bearing in the direction of firing, in that fragments are arranged intermediate the head end portion of the projectile body and the ballistic hood, and in which the projectile body is equipped with performed fragments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Diehl GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Erich Bock, Rainer Himmert
  • Patent number: 4662281
    Abstract: A fragment layer for a warhead including a plurality of axially adjacent, annular rings of preformed fragments, an annular retaining layer covering the outside surface of the rings, an annular explosive layer disposed between the annular rings and the warhead, and a detonator for detonating the annular explosive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Earl E. Wilhelm, Clayton J. Julien
  • Patent number: 4658727
    Abstract: A fragment warhead including an explosive divided into a plurality of axially adjacent segments by detonation wave barriers. At least one detonator is embedded in each segment. A fragmentation layer encases the explosive, and a fuze selectively activates at least one detonator in each segment to generate a fragment pattern having selected width and angular direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Earl E. Wilhelm, Alan B. Zimmerschied
  • Patent number: 4655139
    Abstract: A fragmentation warhead having a main explosive and first detonator for selectively detonating the main explosive. The main explosive is encompassed by a coaxial detonation wave barrier, a secondary explosive layer on the wave barrier and a fragment layer on the secondary explosive. A second detonator is provided for selective detonation of the secondary explosive, and a fuze is provided for detonating either the first or second detonators depending upon sensed target parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Earl E. Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 4493264
    Abstract: A means for augmenting the fragmentation of a lightly confined High Exploe Anti-Tank (HEAT) warhead so that it can be used as an area or interdiction weapon. Process involves the placement of an elastic sleeve over the HEAT warhead by the gunner in the field when he feels fragmentation will improve his effectiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Robert L. Jameson
  • Patent number: 4430941
    Abstract: A projectile is shown which has stacked bays to receive packs of flechettes. The flechettes of each pack are bound together and supported by a frangible matrix. The matrix consists of small smooth glass spheres bound together and to the flechettes by a resin. The matrix prevents the flechettes from becoming damaged during acceleration of the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1968
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Harry Raech, Jr., Donald R. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 4388870
    Abstract: A bundle of tubular shaped pellets for a rotating warhead packaged in a wl arrangement for uniform dispersion without coning upon release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1968
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Stuart K. Edleson
  • Patent number: 4388869
    Abstract: A warhead consisting of a bundle of cylindrical pellets or rods disposed in drum arrangement and means for rotating same to a speed having a given number of revolutions per unit of time, and a release actuator means for simultaneously releasing and dispersing the cylindrical rods in a uniformly distributed non-random screen of rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1967
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Stuart K. Edleson
  • Patent number: 4327643
    Abstract: An anti-aircraft projectile for intercepting flying objects, such as aircraft and missiles, includes three independent zones which can be coupled to one another and which respectively form a base, a high-explosive body and an ogive. The base includes a bourrelet and has a recess which forms a skirt provided with bypass holes. The high-explosive body is formed by a pair of concentric cylinders wherebetween there is formed a chamber in which are disposed steel balls or spheres which fill the chamber. Both cylinders are coupled at the corresponding ends thereof to both the base and the ogive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Inventor: Fernando Lasheras Barrios
  • Patent number: 4250705
    Abstract: A device for joining the two stages 2 and 3 of a self-propelled engine comprises means for achieving the separation of the two stages 2 and 3 after the combustion of the pyrotechnic charge 12 of the rear stage 2 is completed, means for carrying out the ignition of the pyrotechnic charge 19 of the front stage 3.A rear part of the front stage 3 and a front part of the rear stage 2 are assembled together for sliding axial movement therebetween. A temporary connection breakable under the effect of the ignition of the rear stage 2 maintains a predetermined spacing e between the two stages. The front stage 3 includes means 22 and 23 for igniting, after a predetermined delay, a pyrotechnic charge 19 of the front stage 3 and the rear stage 2 includes means 29 for triggering the igniting means after said temporary connection is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1981
    Assignees: Societe Nationale des Poudres et Explosifs, Societe Luchaire
    Inventors: Hubert A. Zante, Pierre B. Pascal, Michel E. Schilling, Jackie G. Lamic
  • Patent number: 4244294
    Abstract: A missile with an air breathing gas turbine propulsion engine configured with a translating exhaust plug nozzle to minimize longitudinal length of the engine section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1981
    Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Frignac, Dennis W. Swain, Arthur J. Kavie
  • Patent number: 4218976
    Abstract: A practice projectile for mortars and the like which has a nose fuse mounted on a shell casing. A pyrotechnic charge is disposed in the shell casing. A tail section is mounted in the rear of the shell casing and holds a propellant charge. A percussion cap is mounted in the nose of the projectile and is adapted to be ignited by the nose fuse. A central pipe, having one end opposite the percussion cap, extends from the proximity of the percussion cap to the proximity of the propellant charge in the tail section. The flame from the percussion cap travels through the central pipe and ignites the propellant charge which causes the tail section to be expelled from the rear of the shell casing to thereby expose a rear opening in the shell casing through which the pyrotechnic gases produced by the also ignited pyrotechnic charge are expelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1980
    Assignee: Nico-Pyrotechnik Hanns-Juergen Diederichs KG.
    Inventor: Willi Luebbers
  • Patent number: 4198896
    Abstract: A self-propelled engine, such as a rocket, is described which is intended to be launched from a tube, comprising a front stage and a rear accelerating stage, means for achieving the separation of the two stages at the end of the combustion of the propellant charge contained in the acceleration stage, said propellant charge being integral with the front wall of the rear acceleration stage, wherein the front wall includes a first fixed part and a second part capable of sliding along the axis of the engine, said front wall parts each carrying respective propellant charges separated by a partition fixed in leakproof manner to one of said parts of the front wall. The second part which slides rests against the front stage, and the charge carried by the second part has a slightly longer combustion time than that carried by the first part which is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1980
    Assignees: Societe Nationale des Poudres et Explosifs, Societe Luchaire
    Inventors: Jackie G. Lamic, Pierre B. Pascal, Michel E. Schilling, Hubert A. Zante
  • Patent number: 4171663
    Abstract: A tension fracture fitting is mounted between two stages of a missile and fractured by separation thruster mechanism at an appropriate time to separate the missile stages and to guide the missile stages and prevent lateral translation between the two stages during initial separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1979
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: John H. Day, Jerre T. Hawk
  • Patent number: 4131065
    Abstract: A missile system with geometric constraints having a plurality of booster ages in tandem and carrying a segmented payload which is situated in the annular area between the last stage booster motor, which is smaller in diameter than the booster motors of preceding stages, and the missile skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1978
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Charles R. Dietz
  • Patent number: 4104969
    Abstract: An improved arrangement for more efficiently igniting and thereafter maintaining an optimum burning efficiency of a hollow, solid propellant charge cartridge disposed in a combustion chamber at the rear end of a rocket or other ballistic projectile is described. A support tube is mounted for extension coaxially into the hollow interior of the charge cartridge with a radial clearance therebetween. The rear end of the support tube is carried within the locking member at the rear end of the combustion chamber, so that upon bursting of a rupture disc between the locking member and the rear end of the combustion chamber, both the locking member and the support tube can be propelled axially rearwardly out of the combustion chamber. The advantageous function of the support tube to absorb radial acceleration forces during firing of the rocket, is preserved, while thereafter the deleterious effect of having the support tube remain in place during the ignition of the main propellant charge is obviated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1978
    Assignee: Rheinmetall GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Moll
  • Patent number: 4065217
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a mechanism for releasably locking a nose tip to a vehicle utilizing a pawl and ratchet and pinion arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1977
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Energy Research and Development Administration
    Inventors: John A. Andersen, Gene R. Harty
  • Patent number: 4023496
    Abstract: A two stage separable missile adapted to be expelled from a launch tube by separable ejector motor and propelled along its trajectory by a flight motor ignited after the missile leaves the launch tube. The first stage includes a warhead, flight rocket motor and foldable tail fins. The second stage mounts on the rear of the first stage and encloses the folded tail fins. The second stage includes an ejector rocket motor for ejecting the missile from its tube and a braking motor for separating the first and second stages and decelerating the second stage to a zero velocity by the time it has traveled the length of the launch tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1972
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1977
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Robert H. Fink
  • Patent number: 3946672
    Abstract: The forward end of a rocket motor is attached, by a threaded adapter, to a cylindrical housing that is in turn attached to an elongated tube, the opposite end of which is fitted with a releasable nose cone. The elongated tube is filled with a series of bombs. Each bomb is a conical, shaped charge equipped at one end with a parachute protected by a split, conical, plastic shield loosely held together by a band and a pronged clip--all of which is seated in the conical recess of an adjacent bomb. A conical partition separates the tube from the housing; and the main parachute is attached in the housing. An acceleration actuated fuse in the adapter ignites a time delay charge, which ignites an explosive charge that when exploded forces a piston against the housing, so that it separates the housing and tube from the adapter and rocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1976
    Assignee: Thiokol Corporation
    Inventors: Gary V. Adams, Roy T. Minert, James R. Thurston
  • Patent number: 3934512
    Abstract: This invention is a rocket which has a thrust stage located at the lowermost stage and an arbitrary number of propellant stages which are cut off in turn from a propellant stage located at the uppermost stage after exhausting fuel therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1976
    Inventor: Kazuhide Adachi
  • Patent number: H160
    Abstract: A missile having a forward warhead section. The missile warhead section iudes a skin for enclosing various missile components. The skin or shell of the warhead is comprised a plurality of pellets incorporated within the structural shell and forming a part thereof. The pellets are supported on a sheet explosive which is actuated to direct the pellets away from the missile body for impact with an incoming ICBM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: John S. Perry