Composite Patents (Class 102/517)
  • Publication number: 20080000378
    Abstract: A projectile comprising a body having a channel, one or more recesses in the channel, a plunger in the channel, and a fluid in the channel is provided. When the projectile impacts a target, the plunger is driven down the channel, exerting a force on the fluid. The fluid, in turn, exerts fluidic pressure within the recesses, promoting rapid yet predictable expansion of the projectile. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a projectile utilizing a non-Newtonian fluid to optimize expansion of the projectile upon impacting a target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventor: Jason Stewart Jackson
  • Patent number: 7314006
    Abstract: A nonlethal canister tank round comprising a cartridge having a combustible case and containing propellant; a canister projectile attached to the cartridge, the canister projectile being generally cylindrical, comprising high density polyurethane foam and including a body and a cap for closing an open end of the body, the body defining a payload space therein; and a payload disposed in the payload space, the payload comprising one of rubber balls, fin stabilized projectiles, an inert material and fillable fin stabilized projectiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Peter Georgantzis, Hugh D. MacMillan, Brian A. Levine, Henry E. Hudgins
  • Patent number: 7267794
    Abstract: Density-enhanced compositions that are comprised of at least iron and tungsten, and articles, including firearm projectiles, formed therefrom. The articles have a density that exceeds that of steel, and which may be less than, equal to, or greater than that of lead. In some embodiments, iron is the majority component and tungsten is a minority component, with steel optionally forming a portion of the iron-containing component. In some embodiments, the article includes at least one additional minority component, such as one or more of nickel, manganese, tin, carbon, steel, chromium, molybdenum, silicon, aluminum, zinc, copper, potassium, sulfur, vanadium, and/or titanium. In some embodiments, the article is cast or otherwise formed from molten material, and in some embodiments the article is formed via powder metallurgy. In some embodiments, the article is firearm shot, a firearm slug, or a bullet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventor: Darryl D. Amick
  • Patent number: 7243588
    Abstract: A powder-based core having an outboard end, for a gun ammunition projectile, comprising a compressed quantity of a first powdered metal having a first melting point and a first density, and a second powdered metal having a melting point lower than the melting point of said first metal and a second density which is less than the density of said first metal, and a quantity of said second metal in solid form integrally formed with said outboard end of said core. A projectile formed from the core is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Doris Nebel Beal Inter Vivos Patent Trust
    Inventor: Harold F. Beal
  • Patent number: 7231876
    Abstract: A highly effective and also inert active penetrator, an active projectile, an active airborne body or an active multipurpose projectile with a constructively adjustable or settable relationship between penetrating power and lateral effect. The end ballistic total effect which is obtained from the penetrating depth and covering the surface or stressing of the surface is initiated in an active case by means of a releasable arrangement or installation which is independent of the position of the active body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventor: Gerd Kellner
  • Patent number: 7226492
    Abstract: Tungsten-based alloy material sintered at a high sintering power that may contain additive elements soluble in the nickel and selected from the group constituted, for example, by rhenium, molybdenum, tantalum, niobium, vanadium or a mixture of these, wherein, after sintering in liquid phase at a temperature of around 1500° C., it has: a two-phased ?-? microstructure that is fully densified, has no porosities or has negligible porosities of a low mean grain size (L?) and a contiguity (C??) that is very low with respect to the size of the tungsten crystals, and a dispersion of micro-oxides with no loss of ductility properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Inventors: Pascal Mahot, Guy Nicolas, Marc Voltz
  • Patent number: 7217389
    Abstract: Articles formed from powders containing tungsten and at least one binder. In some embodiments, the article contains at least one metallic binder. In some embodiments, the article contains at least one non-metallic binder, such as a polymeric binder. In some embodiments, the article contains both a metallic binder and a non-metallic binder. In some embodiments the article is a firearms projectile, such as a bullet or shot, which may be ferromagnetic or non-ferromagnetic, which may be frangible or infrangible, and which may be jacketed or unjacketed. In some embodiments, the article is a radiation shield, and in other embodiments, the article is a weight or foundry article. In some embodiments, the article has a density in the range of approximately 8 g/cc and approximately 15 g/cc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Darryl D. Amick
  • Patent number: 7204191
    Abstract: A lead-free, composite polymer based bullet and cartridge case and methods of manufacturing the same, wherein the composite polymer material includes a tungsten metal powder, nylon 6/6, nylon 6, short glass fibers, as well as additives and stabilizers. The cartridge case includes a lip lock configured to matingly engage a cannelure formed along an outer circumferential surface of the bullet. The cartridge case also includes resilient walls wherein the case may snap fit onto the bullet. The bullet and cartridge case may be formed in a single step process by injection molding or a two step process including injection molding and a welding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Polytech Ammunition Company
    Inventors: Sy Wiley, William E. Rembert, III
  • Patent number: 7159519
    Abstract: A frangible projectile for expelling from an industrial ballistic tool may be formed by a powder metallurgy process. A preferred embodiment of slug consists essentially of compacted and optionally sintered material and comprises up to 35% ferrotungsten in particulate form, up to 3% lubricant, and the balance iron in particulate form with inevitable impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: Peter W. Robinson, Jack D. Dippold
  • Patent number: 7150234
    Abstract: A finless cone-nosed, ogival-nosed, or combination ogive-cone nosed training projectile is statically stable, yet has adequate spin rate to compensate for aerodynamic or mass asymmetries. In addition, the training projectile can be fired from smooth bore or rifled cannons of various calibers, including 120 mm and 105 mm. Spin torque and stability augmentation are provided by a radially angled slotted tail flange attached to the rear of the training projectile, providing high performance and improved accuracy at low cost for use in training exercises. The training projectile has a higher static margin than conventional devices, and provides the ability to train personnel with a training projectile that achieves flight ranges similar to its matching tactical projectile, and has improved accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Stewart Gilman, Anthony Farina, Leon Manole
  • Patent number: 7127996
    Abstract: A projectile for use in firearms and of the type having on one end a hemispherical tip which communicates at its base with a nose segment which then attaches to a cylindrical body terminating in a surface whose width represents the diameter of the aforementioned cylindrical body. One or many parts of the projectile are coated or plated in a material that creates a surface featuring recesses when it hardens. This surface acts as an aerodynamic aid when the projectile is in flight. The coating or plating may be applied directly to the projectile or layered on top of a jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventor: Karl Muth
  • Patent number: 7073425
    Abstract: A shot pellet that, has an inner core of a material such tungsten carbide, that is coated with a layer of bismuth. This coating is molecularly bonded to the tungsten carbide and is not an alloy. The unique properties of the shot pellet allow its density to be tailored. Under this process, the effective density of the pellet can be made to be identical to lead for direct replacement in current lead loading formulations. Additionally, the density can be made to be lower than lead for shotguns requiring low barrel pressures, or higher than lead for enhanced energy transfer while maintaining the other advantages of the instant invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventors: James Robert Allen, Michael B Katz
  • Patent number: 7059233
    Abstract: Tungsten-containing articles and manufacturing processes for tungsten-containing articles. The articles may include firearms projectiles, such as shot, shot slugs, bullets, big game bullets, lead-equivalent bullets, black powder bullets, etc.; radiation shields; and weights, such as fishing weights, dart weights, golf club weights, wheel weights, stabilizers, etc. The projectiles may be at least one of non-toxic, lead-free, ferromagnetic, frangible, sintered, sealed, plated, and/or jacketed. The manufacturing processes include various powder-metallurgy and molten metal processes, and sealing, reforming, intermediate structure, reshaping, plating, working, and jacketing steps which may be selectively utilized. The processes may include forming an intermediate structure and reshaping the structure under different pressure or process to a desired shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventor: Darryl D. Amick
  • Patent number: 7013786
    Abstract: A shot pellet that, has an inner core of a material such tungsten carbide, that is coated with a layer of bismuth. This coating is molecularly bonded to the tungsten carbide and is not an alloy. The unique properties of the shot pellet allow its density to be tailored. Under this process, the effective density of the pellet can be made to be identical to lead for direct replacement in current lead loading formulations. Additionally, the density can be made to be lower than lead for shotguns requiring low barrel pressures, or higher than lead for enhanced energy transfer while maintaining the other advantages of the instant invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventors: James Robert Allen, Michael B Katz
  • Patent number: 7000525
    Abstract: A shot pellet that, has an inner core of a material such tungsten carbide, that is coated with a layer of bismuth. This coating is molecularly bonded to the tungsten carbide and is not an alloy. The unique properties of the shot pellet allow its density to be tailored. Under this process, the effective density of the pellet can be made to be identical to lead for direct replacement in current lead loading formulations. Additionally, the density can be made to be lower than lead for shotguns requiring low barrel pressures, or higher than lead for enhanced energy transfer while maintaining the other advantages of the instant invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventors: James Robert Allen, Michael B Katz
  • Patent number: 7000547
    Abstract: Firearm slugs formed from a non-toxic lead substitute that includes tungsten. In some embodiments, the firearm slug is formed with a recessed back portion, thus shifting an increased percentage of the slug's net mass toward the front of the slug. In some embodiments, the firearm slug is formed with a recessed front portion. In some embodiments, the slug is a component of a slug cartridge that includes a slug cup. The slug must have a density that is less than, equal to, or greater than lead, or a lead-antimony alloy used for firearm projectiles. In some embodiments, the slug is formed via powder metallurgy from a powder that includes at least one tungsten-containing component and at least one binder. In some embodiments, the slug is cast or otherwise formed from a molten feedstock that includes at least one tungsten-containing component. In some embodiments, the slug is frangible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: Darryl D. Amick
  • Patent number: 6982402
    Abstract: A method for enhancing an aerodynamic performance of an unmanned projectile. The method including at least one of the following: (a) morphing a cross-sectional shape of the projectile after launch thereof; (b) morphing a longitudinal shape of the projectile after launch thereof; (c) bleeding a fluid at a base of the projectile during flight thereof: (d) varying a base cone angle of the projectile as a function of speed thereof; (e) deploying at least one wing from a body of the projectile after launch thereof; and (f) deploying a fin from the body of the projectile after launch thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Omnitek Partners, LLC
    Inventors: Jahangir S. Rastegar, Richard B. Pelz
  • Patent number: 6960319
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flow-softening tungsten alloy having the general formula: W100-pAiBjCkDe wherein W is tungsten; A is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of nickel, iron, chromium and cobalt; B is in or more elements selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, niobium and tantalum; C is one or more of the elements selected from the groups consisting of titanium and aluminum; D is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of boron, carbon, and silicon; i is from about 5 to about 8 weight percent; j is from 0 to about 4 weight percent; k is from about 0.1 to about 4 weight percent; 1 is from 0 to about 0.1 weight percent; and p is greater than or equal to about 7 weight percent and less than or equal to about 20 weight percent. In this alloy p is approximately equal to the sum of i, j, k and 1. A method of preparing this alloy and a kinetic energy penetrator manufactured from it are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Deepak Kapoor
  • Patent number: 6938552
    Abstract: Structure incorporating lead is fabricated from specially prepared components such that mobility of the lead is impeded when the structure is exposed to an unprotected environment such as weathering outdoors or saltwater. In a preferred embodiment, a bullet or bullet core is swaged from a number of bunched electroplated fine lead or lead-alloy wires placed in a die. The lead or lead-alloy wires may be fabricated from lead or lead-alloy wool. The lead alloy may comprise zinc and antimony. The electroplating process plates zinc on the fine wires and may plate a zinc alloy such as zinc-aluminum. The plated surface may be coated with a corrosion resistant coating such as molybdenum phosphate. In addition to bullets and bullet cores, fishing weights, lead shielding, counterweights, ballast, and other lead containing structure may be fabricated or treated using methods and materials of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Joe G. Tom, Philip G. Malone, Charles A. Weiss, Jr., Steven L. Larson
  • Patent number: 6935242
    Abstract: A method for enhancing an aerodynamic performance of an unmanned projectile. The method including at least one of the following: (a) morphing a cross-sectional shape of the projectile after launch thereof; (b) morphing a longitudinal shape of the projectile after launch thereof; (c) bleeding a fluid at a base of the projectile during flight thereof: (d) varying a base cone angle of the projectile as a function of speed thereof; (e) deploying at least one wing from a body of the projectile after launch thereof; and (f) deploying a fin from the body of the projectile after launch thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Omnitek Partners LCC
    Inventors: Jahangir S. Rastegar, Richard B. Pelz
  • Patent number: 6931994
    Abstract: A tandem warhead for destroying a target, the tandem warhead including a kinetic energy rod section with a plurality of lengthy individual projectiles, a blast fragmentation section deployable proximate the target, and a guidance subsystem for deploying the projectiles of the kinetic energy rod section first in the trajectory path of the target and for deploying the blast fragmentation section second proximate the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Richard M. Lloyd
  • Patent number: 6916354
    Abstract: Tungsten/polymer composites comprising tungsten powder, another metal powder having a high packing density, and organic binder have high density, good processibility and good malleability. Such composites are useful as lead replacements, particularly in the manufacture of shot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: International Non-Toxic Composites Corp.
    Inventor: Kenneth H. Elliott
  • Patent number: 6892647
    Abstract: Lead free projectiles having a density less than lead, including preferred embodiments comprising a low ductility metal powder and a high ductility metal powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: RA Brands, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. Stone
  • Patent number: 6884276
    Abstract: Methods for producing medium-density articles from recovered high-density tungsten alloy (WHA) material, and especially from recovered WHA scrap. In one embodiment of the invention, the method includes forming a medium-density alloy from WHA material and one or more medium- to low-density metals or metal alloys. In another embodiment, medium-density grinding media, such as formed from the above method, is used to mill WHA scrap and one or more matrix metals into particulate that may be pressed and, in some embodiments, sintered to form medium-density articles therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Inventor: Darryl D. Amick
  • Patent number: 6862996
    Abstract: An ammunition system for a rapid fire gun. The ammunition system includes a bullet having a tip that is stored in a retracted position and during flight is deployed create an aerodynamic shape. Another aspect of the ammunition system is that the bullet has a cylindrical body having a first length in storage and a second longer length after ignition of the propellant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: Mark Key
  • Patent number: 6845716
    Abstract: An ammunition article includes a molded plastic cartridge casing body having a first end and a second end, and a projectile attached to the first end of the cartridge casing body. The cartridge casing body is molded around at least a portion of the projectile. A molded plastic base for an ammunition article, a molded plastic blank cartridge, and a molded plastic cartridge casing body having a pronged web are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Natec, Inc.
    Inventors: Nabil Husseini, David E. Byron
  • Patent number: 6840149
    Abstract: A method of forming a gun ammunition projectile 52 including a leading end defined by an ogive 53 including the steps of admixing a quantity of a first powdered metal having a first melting point and a first density, with a quantity of a second powdered metal having a second, and lower, melting point and a second, and lesser, density, pressing a quantity of the admixed metal powders into a self-supporting compact having at least an outboard end disposing the compact in a cup-shaped jacket, heating the compact in the jacket, in a vertical attitude, to a temperature of at least the melting point of the second metal but less than the melting point of the first metal, for a time sufficient to result in a liquefied portion of the second metal migrating to and accumulating at the one outboard end of the compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Doris Nebel Beal inter vivos Patent Trust
    Inventor: Harold F. Beal
  • Publication number: 20040244630
    Abstract: A round of ammunition for firing from a gun having a rifled barrel, especially a small arms weapon. The projectile (1) forming a part of the round is of steel or other material having a Vickers Hardness value not less than 550, and has a coating (13) of copper or copper alloy. The projectile has a forward body portion (9) which has a diameter similar to that of the lands of the rifling, and a rearward body portion (3) having a diameter which is similar to the diameter defined by the roots of the rifling grooves. The coating (13) is of a thickness not less than the depth of the said rifling grooves, so that the rifling engraves the coating but does not significantly engrave the underlying steel or other hard material. The advantages associated with a hard projectile material are thus obtained without substantially increasing barrel wear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Derek Booth, Adrian David Smith, Robert Ashley
  • Patent number: 6827756
    Abstract: Disclosed are a tungsten material for a penetrating splinter shell and forming method thereof enabling a penetrator to perforate a hard target on high-speed impact as well as having the following splinter cause a severe damage on an inner component by changing a breakage characteristic of the material into brittle fracture from ductile fracture in a manner that a mechanical characteristic of the material is adjusted by controlling a sintering condition and a composition ratio of a tungsten heavy alloy material having Mo added thereto. The present invention includes the steps of mixing 90˜95 wt % W powder, 3.0˜8.0 wt % Mo powder, 0.5˜3.0 wt % Ni powder, and 1.0˜4.0 wt % Fe powder with each other, molding the mixed powders, and sintering the molded powders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Poongsan Corporation
    Inventors: Kyung Jin Park, Joo Ha Ryu
  • Patent number: 6823798
    Abstract: Manufacturing processes for articles that are formed from compositions of matter that include powders containing tungsten and at least one binder, as well as articles formed thereby. In some embodiments, the processes include compacting the mixture of powders under a first pressure to yield a desired intermediate structure, then reshaping the structure under a second pressure that is lower than the first pressure to yield the desired article. The compacting steps may include punches and/or dies having different configurations and/or materials of construction. The composition of matter preferably is selected to reflow, or be reshaped, without fragmenting or otherwise disintegrating into discrete particles or particulate. In some embodiments, the compacted intermediate structure and/or final article has an extrusion constant of less than 30,000 psi. In some embodiments, the mixture of powders has an ASTM Hall flowmeter reading for fifty grams through a cone (without tapping) of less than 18 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Inventor: Darryl D. Amick
  • Patent number: 6799518
    Abstract: The preset invention discloses and claims a frangible projectile and method for delivering a wide array of selected agents to a target from stand-off distances. The frangible projectile includes fluorescent or optical powders and provides a method for covertly marking and detecting a target of interest. Alternately, the frangible projectile includes inert nano-powders and provides a method for preventing a high-order detonation of a target containing explosive material from stand-off distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Inventor: Keith T. Williams
  • Patent number: 6796242
    Abstract: A rocket includes a front warhead, a rear propellant actuator, and a propulsion enhancement arrangement. The propulsion enhancement arrangement includes a storage chamber positioned between the warhead and the propellant actuator for storing a predetermined amount of explosive materials to provide propelling impulse upon controlled explosion thereof, and a time-sensitive trigger device operatively communicated with the storage chamber, wherein the time sensitive trigger device includes a timing device and an ignition trigger operatively communicated with each other such that the ignition trigger is arranged to ignite the explosive materials stored inside the storage chamber at a particular predetermined time to generate a propelling impulse to further accelerate and propel the warhead to hit the a targeted object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Zhong-Wei Shi
  • Patent number: 6796244
    Abstract: A ballistic projectile (10) includes a body (12) defining a hollow, open-ended payload cavity (22) covered by means of a cover portion (26) fitting as a spigot into a socket (12.1) defined by the body (12). Peripheral seats in the form of grooves (32), (34) are provided in register in peripheral slide surfaces of respectively the cover portion (26) and the body (12) forming the spigot-socket combination. A peripheral, discontinuous shear ring (36) is received within the respective grooves (32), (34) to bridge the interface and thus to lock the cover portion to the body. Pressure selectively generated in the payload cavity shears the ring (36) to allow parting of the cover portion to expose the payload cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Denel (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: Petrus Hugo Loubser
  • Patent number: 6789484
    Abstract: Projectiles or war-heads with an inner arrangement for the formation of bulging zones (4,4a) are proposed, comprised of an enclosed bulging medium (1) which is terminal-ballistically substantially ineffective and is radially enclosed by a penetration material (2) which is terminal-ballistically effective, with the bulging medium (1) having a lower density as compared with the enclosing penetration material (2). This leads to the effect that on impact or on penetrating a target plate (3) the bulging medium (1) remains behind relative to the encompassing terminal-ballistic effective body (2) and is laterally increasingly bulged by the bulging material (1) which continues to flow in from behind. As a result of the high pressures, a conical (crowned) pressure and bulging zone (4,4a) is formed dynamically, which zone radially widens or fragments the passing ambient effective material (5,5a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: furturtec AG c/o Beeler + Beeler Treuhand AG
    Inventor: Gerd Kellner
  • Publication number: 20040159262
    Abstract: A frangible projectile with a specific gravity similar to a lead projectile. The projectile comprises 34-94%, by weight, binder. The binder comprises poly ether block amide resin. The projectile further comprises 6-66%, by weight, ballast. The ballast comprises at least one member selected from a group consisting of tungsten, tungsten carbide, molybdenum, tantalum, ferro-tungsten, copper, bismuth, iron, steel, brass, aluminium bronze, beryllium copper, tin, aluminium, titanium, zinc, nickel silver alloy, cupronickel and nickel. The projectile can be prepared with a particularly preferred specific gravity of 5-14 and more preferably 11-11.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: John D. LeaSure
  • Patent number: 6776818
    Abstract: A projectile having a body of sintered metal powder and a sintered metal powder surface that faces toward the rifling in the bore of a firearm, and therewith co-acts with the rifling. At least the body layer that is deformed by the rifling has a porosity in the region of 5-25%. The powder may consist of a copper alloy, such as tombak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Norma Precision AB
    Inventor: Åke Nilsson
  • Patent number: 6772696
    Abstract: Projectiles or war-heads with an inner arrangement for the formation of bulging zones (4,4a) are proposed, comprised of an enclosed bulging medium (1) which is terminal-ballistically substantially ineffective and is radially enclosed by a penetration material (2) which is terminal-ballistically effective, with the bulging medium (1) having a lower density as compared with the enclosing penetration material (2). This leads to the effect that on impact or on penetrating a target plate (3) the bulging medium (1) remains behind relative to the encompassing terminal-ballistic effective body (2) and is laterally increasingly bulged by the bulging material (1) which continues to flow in from behind. As a result of the high pressures, a conical (crowned) pressure and bulging zone (4,4a) is formed dynamically, which zone radially widens or fragments the passing ambient effective material (5,5a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: futurtec AG c/o Beeler + Beeler Treuhand AG
    Inventor: Gerd Kellner
  • Patent number: 6772695
    Abstract: Projectiles or war-heads with an inner arrangement for the formation of bulging zones (4,4a) are proposed, comprised of an enclosed bulging medium (1) which is terminal-effective ballistically substantially ineffective and is radially enclosed by a penetration material (2) which is terminal-ballistically effective, with the bulging medium (1) having a lower density as compared with the enclosing penetration material (2). This leads to the effect that on impact or on penetrating a target plate (3) the bulging medium (1) remains behind relative to the encompassing terminal-ballistic effective body (2) and is laterally increasingly bulged by the bulging material (1) which continues to flow in from behind. As a result of the high pressures, a conical (crowned) pressure and bulging zone (4,4a) is formed dynamically, which zone radially widens or fragments the passing ambient effective material (5,5a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: futurtec AG c/o Beeler + Beeler Treuhand AG
    Inventor: Gerd Kellner
  • Publication number: 20040112243
    Abstract: Manufacturing processes for articles that are formed from compositions of matter that include powders containing tungsten and at least one binder, as well as articles formed thereby. In some embodiments, the processes include compacting the mixture of powders under a first pressure to yield a desired intermediate structure, then reshaping the structure under a second pressure that is lower than the first pressure to yield the desired article. The compacting steps may include punches and/or dies having different configurations and/or materials of construction. The composition of matter preferably is selected to reflow, or be reshaped, without fragmenting or otherwise disintegrating into discrete particles or particulate. In some embodiments, the compacted intermediate structure and/or final article has an extrusion constant of less than 30,000 psi. In some embodiments, the mixture of powders has an ASTM Hall flowmeter reading for fifty grams through a cone (without tapping) of less than 18 seconds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Darryl D. Amick
  • Patent number: 6749802
    Abstract: A manufacturing process for articles that are formed from powders containing tungsten and at least one binder. The manufacturing process includes compacting the mixture of powders under a first pressure to yield a desired intermediate structure, then reshaping the structure under a second pressure that is lower than the first pressure to yield the desired article. The binder utilized in the manufacturing process may include a metallic binder or a non-metallic binder, or both. The process is particularly suited for the manufacture of lead substitutes, including firearms projectiles, such as a bullet or shot. Such projectiles may be ferromagnetic or non-ferromagnetic, frangible or infrangible, and jacketed or unjacketed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventor: Darryl D. Amick
  • Patent number: 6745698
    Abstract: A frangible projectile for gun ammunition wherein the projectile includes a core formed from one or more metal powders which are pressed into a self-supporting compact and incorporated into a metal jacket. The metal jacket is initially cup-shaped (generally cylindrical in overall geometry) with an open end and a closed end. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention the closed end of the jacket becomes the trailing end of the projectile. In another embodiment, the closed end of the jacket becomes the leading end of the projectile. In either embodiment, that surface of the closed end of the jacket which faces inwardly of the volume of the jacket is indented and stressed over substantially its entire area in accordance with a pattern which enhances the frangibility of this closed end of the projectile when the projectile strikes a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Doris Nebel Beal Inter Vivos Patent Trust
    Inventor: Harold F. Beal
  • Patent number: 6732657
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a soft point bullet and the bullet resulting there from. The method comprises forming a bullet core of a first material plated with a second material; providing a cavity in one end of the plated core of preferably polygonal shape and positioning a shaped blank of plating material into the cavity; and forming the core into the final bullet size and shape by extruding the core into the cavity to form the bullet nose and encapsulate the shaped blank within the bullet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Brett Mathew Olin
  • Patent number: 6727485
    Abstract: A method for enhancing an aerodynamic performance of an unmanned projectile. The method including at least one of the following: (a) morphing a cross-sectional shape of the projectile after launch thereof; (b) morphing a longitudinal shape of the projectile after launch thereof; (c) bleeding a fluid at a base of the projectile during flight thereof: (d) varying a base cone angle of the projectile as a function of speed thereof; (e) deploying at least one wing from a body of the projectile after launch thereof; and (f) deploying a fin from the body of the projectile after launch thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Omnitek Partners LLC
    Inventors: Jahangir S. Rastegar, Richard B. Pelz
  • Publication number: 20040050285
    Abstract: The invention concerns with ammunition and may be used for manufacturing cartridges of rifle arms and other kinds of ammunition, as well as for improving characteristics of sniper riffle barrels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Vladimir Leonidovich Zozulya, Sergey Leonidovich Zozulya, Sergey Nikolaevich Alexandrov
  • Patent number: 6691622
    Abstract: A projectile for the destruction of unexploded ordnance comprising a projectile shell having a core region which contains a reactive composition comprised of a reactive metal and an oxidizer. The reactive metal is selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, magnesium, lithium, beryllium, zirconium, thorium, uranium, hafnium, alloys thereof, hydrides thereof, and combinations thereof. The oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of lithium perchlorate, lithium chlorate, magnesium perchlorate, magnesium chlorate, ammonium perchlorate, ammonium chlorate, potassium perchlorate, potassium chlorate, oxides thereof, peroxides thereof, and combinations thereof. Also included are methods of destroying unexploded ordnance and disposable apparati for delivering a projectile to destroy unexploded ordnance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: General Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter D. Zavitsanos, Charles W. Files, Dmitri Bohn
  • Patent number: 6691623
    Abstract: A frangible projectile comprising cold compacted powdered iron and a method for manufacturing is disclosed. The projectile is useful for target and training applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: RA Brands, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. Stone
  • Patent number: 6684792
    Abstract: A munition in the form of a projectile contains a dart having a body terminating in a front tip and ductile hammer block in the form of a ferrule engaging at least a part of the dart. The dart is formed of sections the diameters of which increase from the back to the front of the dart body, forming support shoulders. A recess in the hammer block has a shape corresponding to the dart body shape received in the hammer block. Hammer block sections form thrust shoulders which engage the corresponding dart support shoulders. When the projectile impacts a target, the thrust shoulders push against the dart support shoulders, causing the ductile hammer block to open and flare out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Denis
  • Patent number: 6679176
    Abstract: A projectile for the destruction of unexploded ordnance comprising a dart shell having a core region which contains a reactive composition comprised of a reactive metal and an oxidizer. The reactive metal is selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, magnesium, lithium, beryllium, zirconium, thorium, uranium, hafnium, alloys thereof, hydrides thereof, and combinations thereof. The oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of lithium perchlorate, magnesium perchlorate, ammonium perchlorate, potassium perchlorate, chlorates, peroxides, and combinations thereof. In an alternative embodiment, the reactive composition is located on the outside of a center penetrating rod. Also included is a disposable apparatus for delivering a projectile to destroy unexploded ordnance. The apparatus is comprised of a block having a top and a bottom, the block comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of wood and polymeric resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Inventors: Peter D. Zavitsanos, Michael C. Matthews, Charles W. Files, Arno Gatti, Dmitri Bohn
  • Patent number: 6662726
    Abstract: A subcaliber kinetic energy penetrator has first and second portions formed of dense material and secured to each other. The first portion, located ahead of the second portion preferably represents between 9% and 15% of the penetrator mass and a similar percentage of the combined lengths of the two portions. The first portion is formed of a material effective to produce a relatively large hole in an explosive reactive armor faceplate. The second portion is preferably formed from material selected to best perforate basal armor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin G. Steiner
  • Patent number: 6659393
    Abstract: A retarding and locking mechanism for use between two mutually translatable bodies. A first body can be induced into motion and guided into a second body and, after a predetermined movement of the first body, the first body is subject to retardation and interlocked to the second body, such that the first and second bodies together form a unitary, integrated body. The first body has a radially outwardly directed shoulder and the second body has a radially inwardly directed shoulder corresponding to the radially outwardly directed shoulder of the first body. A compressible element is provided between the shoulders of the first and second bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Nammo Raufoss AS
    Inventor: Hans B. Biserød