USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

John M Kelley

Raafat H Guirguis

Robert C Gill

Harold W Sandusky

Tina Jones

William F Bryant, Jr

An apparatus to determine the swollen cross-link density of a polymeric specimen. The apparatus includes a support structure, a fluid-holding structure to hold a solvent, a first gripping assembly engaged with a weight scale and adapted to grip a specimen and a second gripping assembly adapted to grip the specimen. The fluid-holding structure is attached to a multi-stage device attached to the support structure and displaceable upward or downward. A mechanism supported by the support structure and engaged with the multi-stage device and configured to displace the multi-stage device in fine gradations. When a specimen is gripped by the gripping assemblies and submerged in the solvent and the mechanism displaces the multi-stage device downward, a tensile force is exerted on the specimen. The tensile force is measured by a displacement gauge.

Apparatus for determining swollen-polymer cross-link density

A method for correcting non-rigid thin-walled tubular elements having geometric deficiencies, wherein, following correction, the tubular elements may perform over a wide range of pressure and temperatures, for example as a rocket motor beaker, from about &#x2212;70 C to about 1000 C. Correction is required to remove asperities, maximize cylindricity, squaring a forward end wall and a rearward end wall, so that the forward end wall of the tube product may be fitted, bonded and sealed to a circular planar element using a labyrinth-joint closure. The method provides uniformity so that both the tubular elements and the circular planar elements are interchangeably uniform in size, shape and performance, and may be readily assembled into non-rigid thin-walled tube products.

Method for precise control of manufacture of non-rigid thin-walled tube products

The invention is a composition for a high burning-rate solid rocket propellant, where the composition includes a binder compounded with a soluble energetic additive; a metallic fuel; and an oxidative fuel. The resulting composition has a tactical Class 1.3 hazard rating, and a linear regression rate that is substantially equivalent to a tactical Class 1.1 hazard rating obtainable using solid rocket propellants. The composition may include a heat-conducting element, a plasticizer, a curing component, a combustion catalyst, and curing catalyst.

High burning rate tactical solid rocket propellant, and related method

A method, and a related material, for utilizing high performance solid rocket propellants, which are molding powders. A propellant molding powder are selected to have a design burning rate and a tailored compaction profile. A morphology of a center-port of a rocket is selected for the design burn rate and a spin-rate. The molding powder is compacted isostatically around a core through application of triaxial pressure therein forming a solid rocket propellant charge with the selected center-port shape. The solid rocket propellant charge is placed in a cartridge or a case. The cartridge is selected from various types of cartridges and specialty charges. The solid rocket propellant molding powders are highly filled with metallic fuels, and have a binder in the range of 4% to 18%, which at least partially coats the surface of the molding powder.

Higher-performance solid-rocket propellants and methods of utilizing them

A process for manufacturing gradient structures uses multiple jet-spraying mechanisms to form layers of distinct precursors into a gradient composition.

Gradient thermosetting plastic-bonded explosive composition, and method thereof

This invention relates to explosive charges in which the chemical and physical composition changes gradually from point to point in order to accomplish differing, specific design objectives. More specifically, the invention relates to an explosive comprised by uniformly mixing components of differing chemical and physical properties in order to take advantage of the functions performed by these different components resulting in an explosive capable of performing multiple or specific tasks.

Thermally actuated release mechanism

A universal receiver having a pneumatic safe/arm/firing mechanism is provd. The receiver comprises a receiver shell with a threaded barrel clampnut on one end and a threaded breech plug assembly on the opposite end. The breech plug assembly includes a cocking and striker piece and a pneumatically-operated sear. A separate pneumatically-operated safety bar interlocks with the cocking and striker piece to prevent inadvertent firing. A multi-port pneumatic valve is connected to sequentially operate the safety bar retractor followed by the sear retraction, thereby firing the gun.

Growing community of inventors

Owings Mills, MD, United States of America

John M Kelley