John R Esslinger, Jr

Title: John R. Esslinger, Jr. and a Collapsible Support Frame for Kinetic Energy Penetrators.

Introduction

John R. Esslinger, Jr. is an inventor associated with Huntsville, Alabama. His patent work includes a design intended to support a kinetic energy penetrator during handling and flight, then release it when the missile strikes a target.

Latest Patents

Esslinger is associated with 1 patent: “Collapsible Support Frame for Kinetic Energy Penetrator.” The invention uses concentric outer and inner rings mounted inside a missile to hold and support a long-rod penetrator. On impact, the outer ring captures and transmits the shock pulse to the inner ring, which fails in its supportive function and frees the penetrator. This design reduces lateral loading caused by interaction between the missile body and a high-obliquity target, helping preserve the penetrator’s effectiveness.

Career Highlights

The patent is assigned to the U.S. Government, as represented by the Secretary of the Army. It addresses the challenge of supporting a penetrator during ordinary handling and flight while allowing it to separate from its support under extreme impact conditions.

Collaborations

Esslinger’s listed coworkers include Gregory L. Johnson and Robert N. Evans. Their names are associated with the patent’s collaborative context.

Conclusion

John R. Esslinger, Jr.’s patent describes a collapsible support system designed to protect a kinetic energy penetrator in flight and release it upon impact, balancing structural support with performance against a target.