US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

Henry Kerwien

Gregory C Burke

Thomas DeVoe

Joseph Leone

Arthur A Karpinski

David C Smith

Richard A Beyer

Luke Helsel

Josiah W Fay

Mark Todaro

John J O'Reilly

Nicholas Turner

Anthony E Tartarilla, Iii

A diode pumped solid-state laser for high shock, high vibration environments such as those found in laser ignition systems for artillery systems.

Diode pumped solid-state laser for high shock environments

An artillery charge includes a generally cylindrical body with a hollow core; propellant disposed in the body and first energetic material disposed in the hollow core; and a seal disposed over one end of the hollow core, the seal including second energetic material disposed therein. A laser igniter ignites the second energetic material in the seal, thereby providing more reliable ignition of the first energetic material and the propellant. The artillery charge reliably ignites using a lower powered laser than known charges.

Artillery charge with laser ignition

A window assembly for transmitting light into and from a vessel containing a high pressure, high temperature, highly reactive environment includes a truncated conical window which is substantially transparent to radiation, a truncated conical metal seal which circumferentially engages the window, and a case to which the window and the seal are secured. To facilitate automatic cleaning of the window, the surface of the window which is exposed to the high-pressure environment is seated substantially flush with the high-pressure surface of the case. By initially seating the window assembly by means of mechanical pressing, then subjecting the window assembly to a series of successively higher transient combustion pressures, a window assembly can be fabricated which can withstand prolonged service in a harsh environment such as that encountered in a large caliber artillery cannon or equivalent scientific and industrial applications.

High pressure, high temperature window assembly and method of making the same

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Augusta, NJ, United States of America

Henry Kerwien