A thermal solar system having a fire rating of at least A. In a specific embodiment, the system includes a thermal solar module having an aperture region and a backside region. The system has a shaped thickness of material having a first side and a second side. In a preferred embodiment, the shaped thickness of material is characterized by a fire rating of at least A. The material has a thickness suitable to be free from penetration of moisture according to one or more embodiments. The thickness of material also has a structural characteristic capable of maintaining a shape and coupling to the backside region of the thermal solar module according to one or more embodiments. The system also has an air plenum provided between the thermal solar module and the thickness shaped thickness of material. In a preferred embodiment, the system further has a frame assembly operably coupled to the shaped thickness of material to support the shaped thickness of material and the thermal solar module.

A fire safe camp stove and fire pit device is disclosed. An example device includes a fire chamber. A first cooking surface is provided directly over the fire chamber. A lid is movable between an open position and a closed position. The lid in the open position provides access to the first cooking surface. The lid in the closed position provides a second cooking surface above the first cooking surface.

A solar collector receiver tube containing an improved getter system is described. The solar collector receiver tube has a base, pills of getter material that are uniform in height, and a containment metallic mesh having a non-uniform height and presenting at least one depression.

The teachings generally relate to a system for converting solar energy into electrical energy and thermal energy using a self-contained system having a plurality of channels for the heat transfer using a respective plurality of fluids.

Systems, methods, and controllers for controlling gas-fired appliances such as warm air furnaces are disclosed. An illustrative furnace system can include a burner unit in communication with a combustion air flow conduit and heat exchanger, a variable speed inducer fan or blower adapted to provide a flow of combustion air to the burner unit, a furnace controller and motor speed control unit adapted to regulate the speed of the inducer fan or blower, and a pneumatically modulated gas valve adapted to variably output gas pressure to the burner unit based at least in part on the combustion air flow.

A non electric, temperature controlled system for passing or bypassing a solar water heating apparatus includes a temperature controlled water distribution valve directing water to flow from a main supply of water toward a user depending on the setting and configuration of the temperature controlled water distribution valve within the system.

A burner for use with an induced draft furnace and which satisfies reduced nitrous oxide (NOx) emission standards is disclosed. The burner may employ a mechanical swirler that introduces a rotational vector to the emitted air and fuel mixed by the burner. By introducing the rotational vector, the resulting flame is more stable and sustainable even with the relatively low air flow afforded by an induced system. Such flame stability can be enhanced by positioning the burner directly within an inlet to a heat exchanger and manufacturing the inlet with reception surfaces that form a frusto-conically shaped flame expansion zone. In doing so, a secondary source of air is avoided and NOx emissions are reduced.

The invention relates to a mirror module of a Fresnel Solar Collector System with a plurality of mirror elements pivotably mounted on a carrier plate and extending in parallel, which focus the sun light upon a receiver unit mounted above the mirror module in a raised position. The mirror elements are pivotably mounted on the carrier plate at least along longitudinal sections.

The present invention relates to a thermal vector system for solar concentration plants, in particular for parabolic trough solar concentration plants, both for industrial and domestic use, comprising a solid state thermal vector. A preferred solar concentration plant comprises one or more solar collectors (1), an heat exchanger (3-5), a heat accumulator (2) and a connecting pipe circuit, in which a solid state thermal vector is pushed through said circuit by mechanical means (6).

A waste disposal plant includes a combustion chamber (2) inside which waste laid on a combustion grate (3) is burnt. The grate permits the entrance of an adequate quantity of combustion air in the chamber through it. The combustion grate includes at least a handling group formed by fire bars or plates (7), which move alternatively one with respect to the other by advancing the waste on the grate. A handling group allows the alternate movement of the fire bars (7) which are divided in movable fire bars (7a) and fixed fire bars (7b), alternately disposed one with respect to the other, on transversal rows resting one upon the other according to a longitudinal placement with alternate steps.

A multi-sided, portable outdoor fireplace convertible to an open grill, a rotisserie assembly, and a smoker assembly, the fireplace includes a carriage assembly with a pair of rotatable wheels and at least one leg member; a base pan assembly for containing a solid fuel heat source affixed to the carriage assembly; and a removable screen assembly residing on top of the base pan assembly. When converted to an open grill, the fireplace further includes a grill bracket removably attachable to the screen assembly. When converted to a smoker, the fireplace, in one embodiment, further includes at least one heat/wind shield attachable to the screen assembly; a smoker adaptor body residing on the screen assembly; an adjustable grate support bracket affixed to the interior of the smoker body and a cover.

A condensate collector system includes a condensate collector box having at least one condensate outlet port, and a condensate trap fluidly connected to the at least one condensate outlet port. The condensate trap is configured and disposed to be selectively positioned in multiple drain orientations relative to the condensate collector box to accommodate multiple installation configurations of the multi-poise gas furnace.

Embodiments of the present invention provide components and a system for providing a safer environment for using a cutting torch. The system includes a cutting torch and a control box. There is communication from the user to the control box to allow fluids to flow to the torch. The control box includes closed biased valve(s) such that if there is a condition where there is no instruction from the torch to the control box and/or power is lost, the valves will shut, preventing fluid from flowing into the torch.

A blast treatment method capable of performing blast treatment of a treatment subject with a simple structure, with high efficiency, and at low cost, while inhibiting scattering of harmful substances or the like to the outside. The method includes: inside disposing an inside explosive for blasting a treatment subject around the treatment subject; disposing an outside explosive having a detonation velocity greater than that of the inside explosive at a position outside the inside explosive; and detonating the outside explosive using an initiation device, and initiating the inside explosive by detonation of the outside explosive, thereby performing blast treatment of the treatment subject by initiation of the inside explosive. The outside explosive disposing includes arranging a cord-like explosive member containing the outside explosive and having a shape extending in one direction so that a detonation propagation velocity in a specific direction of the inside explosive initiated by the outside explosive is greater than a detonation propagation velocity in the specific direction of the inside explosive.

A projectile (and munition including the projectile) and a method of assembling the same, includes a body having a cavity, a propellant disposed in the cavity and a base including an ignition flash column extending into the cavity containing the propellant and a nozzle formed so as to be openable and closeable.

A flexible fragmentation sleeve for use with a non-fragmenting explosive device is provided. The flexible fragmentation sleeve comprises a flexible cylindrical wall extending between opposing first and second ends along a longitudinal axis. The cylindrical wall includes an inner liner and an outer liner concentric to the inner liner. A first set of coupling elements extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical wall, and couple the inner liner with the outer liner. A second set of coupling elements extend circumferentially along the cylindrical wall. The second set of coupling elements is substantially perpendicular to the first set of coupling elements, and couple the inner liner with the outer liner. A plurality of pockets is defined intermediate the inner liner and the outer liner, and intermediate the first set of coupling elements and the second set of coupling elements. The flexible fragmentation sleeve of the illustrative embodiment further includes a plurality of fragmentation members. At least one fragmentation member is illustratively received within each pocket.

The present disclosure relates to a motor-driven unit for clearing mines from and securing a hazardous route. According to the present method, system and device, a marker apparatus for a secured route is a liquid material for marking on the ground, and comprising dispensing members for providing one axial marking and two side markings on either side of said axial marking, respectively, for said route.

A precision coaxial water jet disruption explosive device system that holds a blasting cap precisely to the surface of a cylindrically cut positioned plastic explosive that couples a detonation shock wave into water surrounding a hollow forming cavity. A pressure relief vent enables the water filled system to be assembled without deforming the thin walled hollow jet forming cavity, enabling forming repeatable supersonic jets on centerline axis. This system is positioned with two triangular pivot legs and aligned with two fan light beams or a line sight to define a projected jet route to deliver a water jet that can cut through over 1 inch of steel and disrupt target objects more than 9 feet away. This system is used to disable improvised explosive devices, and other dangerous objects, without detonating the targeted explosives and electronic devices such that the contents are destroyed without explosion sequences occurring.

A ammunition loading machine is provided. The ammunition loading machine includes a base frame. A rake assembly is mounted to the base frame and configured to index a linear row of cases along a first linear axis. A platen assembly is also mounted to the base frame and is movable relative to the base frame along a second linear axis that is orthogonal to the first linear axis. A propellant hopper is fixedly mounted to the base frame. The platen assembly is movable relative to the propellant hopper to transfer propellant from the propellant hopper to a propellant filling mechanism that is movable with the platen assembly. The rake assembly is adjustable to accommodate multiple different sizes of cartridges. The rake assembly and platen assembly are commonly linked to a cam drive mechanism for simultaneously moving the rake assembly and the platen assembly.

An automatic crimping tool may be used to seat and crimp a projectile in a cartridge case. The tool may include a center sleeve having a blind bore at one end, an outer surface, a spring stop disposed on the outer surface, and at least one opening extending through a wall of the blind bore. The tool may include an outer sleeve having a through bore. The center sleeve may be reciprocably disposed in the through bore of the outer sleeve. The through bore may include a counter bore at one end and an enlarged portion located distal from the counter bore. A spring may be disposed between a flat portion of the counter bore and the spring stop. A retainer may bear against the spring stop to limit axial motion of the center sleeve. An inner sleeve may be disposed in the blind bore. The inner sleeve may be selectively translatable with the center sleeve. A second spring may be disposed between a closed end of the blind bore and the inner sleeve.

The present invention is directed to a method for production preformed fabrication casing or associated parts intended to generate fragments initiated by the explosive of contained warhead charges. Molded parts having fragmentation bodies (4, 21, 34) embedded therein are produced by a two-stage powder compaction method followed by sintering together the compacted powder metal. The method described in the present invention defines how in an initial stage the fragmentation bodies (4, 21, 34) are fixed in position using a fixture (2) after which the bodies are covered with powder metal that is then compacted until the powder forms a single molded part (2) after which the fixture is replaced with a secondary quantity of powder that is also compacted to form a self-supporting unit (12) together with the first quantity of powder.

A projectile includes: (a) a cured, toughened polymer resin; and (b) a particulate filler distributed through the resin, the filler having a density greater than a density of the resin, wherein the projectile has average density less than the density of lead.

The present invention provides an improved kinematic countermeasure flare and method of constructing the same wherein the housing has integrated internal features. The flare nose weight is set at the end of a die core prior to molding for integration with the housing. Longitudinal grooves and other recesses in the die core allow for the formation of internal longitudinal ribs which propellant can bond to and a retaining bead for retaining the nose weight in the housing which are integrated with the housing. Propellant is cast into the formed housing. A propellant shaping mandrel is then inserted into the formed housing thereby forcing the propellant into the internal cavity created by the integrally molded longitudinal ribs, the shaping mandrel and the wall of the flare housing such that the propellant is bonded to the interior housing wall and the longitudinal ribs. This improved housing and method of construction eliminates the need to apply a non-flammable coating to propellant surfaces after its addition to the flare housing which a an imprecise and time consuming process.

A loading machine for feeding a receiver includes, but is not limited to, a drum cam that is configured to rotate. The drum cam includes, but is not limited to, a first cam path, and a second cam path. A rammer subassembly is positioned proximate the drum cam. The rammer subassembly includes, but is not limited to, a first member that is configured to engage the first cam path and to move longitudinally with respect to the drum cam upon a rotation of the drum cam, and a second member that is configured to telescopically engage the first member and further configured to engage the second cam path and telescopically move with respect to the first member upon the rotation of the drum cam.

This disclosure generally relates to high-volume and cost-effective methods for producing non-spherical metal particles, particularly methods for producing metal cubes having rounded edges. The metal cubes having rounded edges are useful as ballistic shot in shotshell loads for hunting, where the particle shape imparted by the disclosed process packs to a higher density than spherical shot in the same volume.

A method and apparatus for annealing cylindrical cases for ammunition cartridges or other tubular casings is provided. In one embodiment, a case annealing apparatus is provided. The case annealing apparatus includes a base, a feeding device having a first end tapering to a second end that is coupled to the base, a rotatable feed wheel assembly disposed adjacent a second end of the feeding device, a linear slide mechanism disposed adjacent the rotatable feed wheel assembly defining a portion of a case receiving region, and a heating device disposed adjacent the case receiving region, the heating device operable to heat a portion of a case retained in the case receiving region.

A method is provided for producing a large-calibre explosive projectile having a projectile casing with an ogival front part, which surrounds an internal area filled with a plastic-bonded explosive charge and, at a nose end, has a mouth closed by a nose fuze, wherein an elastic liner is arranged between the explosive charge and the inner wall of the projectile casing. The projectile casing is produced in two parts, such that, in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the projectile casing, a tail-end projectile casing section and an annular front projectile casing section, which contains the mouth, can be connected to one another in the area of the ogival front part, via a screw connection. The liner is introduced into the tail-end projectile casing section and the explosive charge is introduced into the liner before the two projectile casing sections are connected to one another.

A three component bullet with an improved core retention feature and a method of manufacturing the bullet is described including a cylindrical jacket having an open end and a closed end containing a malleable metal core which is forced into a forming die having a bottleneck shaped interior resulting in a bottleneck shaped pre-form wherein the outside diameter of the open-ended forward portion of the jacket is smaller than the outside diameter of its closed rearward portion. The open end of the pre-form may be dropped through or forced through a malleable locking band of appropriate height, diameter and wall thickness. A relatively tight-fitting punch enters the open end of the pre-form generating sufficient axial force against the face of the metal core to radially swell the core and subsequently portions of the jacket fore and aft of the locking band, thereby securing the locking band in place while at the same time producing an inwardly-extending annular band of jacket material which embeds itself into the core material with the result that the core is permanently locked inside the jacket.

Techniques for determining whether a cellular device is suspect, i.e., perhaps serving as an activator for a device such as a bomb. One way of doing this with cellular telephones that are in the idle state is to use a baiting beacon to bait and automatically call all the cellular telephones in an area that are in the idle state. If the call to a given cellular telephone is not answered by a human voice, the cellular telephone is suspect. Another way of doing this with cellular telephones that are in the traffic state is to use surgical analysis to examine the DTX pattern for the telephone. If it indicates persistent silence, the cellular telephone is suspect. The surgical analysis may also be used to trace the DTX pattern back to another telephone that is controlling the suspect cellular device.

The invention relates to a combustible sleeve for accommodating propellant charge powder, to munitions designed using such a sleeve, and to a production method for such sleeves. The sleeve according to the invention is designed for accommodating propellant charge powder and has a jacket wall made of combustible felted fibrous material and an inlay of intersecting threads in the jacket wall. The threads are disposed therein at a distance from one another such that felted fibrous material reaches through the regions between the threads. The method comprises the following steps: preparing a jacket wall made of combustible felted fibrous material and inserting an inlay made of intersecting threads into the jacket wall. The threads are disposed therein at a distance from one another such that the felted fibrous material extends through the regions between the threads.

Firearm projectiles and methods of manufacturing firearm projectiles from a supply of clad wire. In some embodiments, the clad wire is manufactured as electrical wire, such as copper-clad steel wire. Bullets and shot, as well as methods of forming bullets and shot, from clad wire are disclosed.

A method, device and system for metering powder material from a powder material source by a metering device connected to the source. The device is charged from the source with a batch of powder material in a charging configuration. The batch is discharged from the device in a discharging configuration. The source is connected with a metering piston space in the charging configuration via a first channel of a fixed metering channel hub. The volume of the space is controlled between a metering piston and a hub peripheral surface by controlling the piston position in the space, to charge the volume with material by gravity. The metering space is turned around the hub, to the charging configuration. The volume filled with material is enclosed until reaching the discharging configuration. The metering piston space is connected with a discharge opening via a second channel of the hub for discharging the material.

A breaching device that may be used to create a linear and, if desired, continuous, cut or breach in a metal structure. The cut or breach created may be non-linear in shape and not deviate from the functionality of the device. The device includes a plurality of containers joined together, such as by a metal wire or the like to form a series of cutting charges. One or more of the containers includes Reactive Material (RM) that may be ignited electronically or some other activation mechanism. The containers that do contain RM are sealed with the RM therein and preferably fabricated to be sufficiently heat resistant so that the RM is only ignited intentionally. The RM that is contained in the containers may be fired simultaneously, sequentially or in a programmed pattern, depending on the requirements of the application.

Penetrators and methods of manufacturing penetrators are disclosed. One method of manufacturing a penetrator having arrowhead geometry and base geometry includes the steps: (a) cold heading a piece of material to form a blank; (b) machining the blank to create the arrowhead geometry; and (c) roll forming the blank to create the base geometry. Another method of manufacturing a penetrator having arrowhead geometry and base geometry includes the steps: (a) machining a piece of material to create the arrowhead geometry; and (b) roll forming the piece of material to create the base geometry. Yet another method of manufacturing a penetrator from a blank includes the steps: (a) machining the blank to create a first surface feature of the penetrator; and (b) roll forming the blank to create a second surface feature of the penetrator.

A method and system to detect an improvised explosive device is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes dispersing a mixture containing a fluorescent material uniformly over a ground cover, illuminating the ground cover with wavelengths of visible light or ultraviolet (UV) light causing the fluorescent material to fluoresce in a visible light spectrum, and detecting where the mixture has been disturbed on the ground cover by visually observing inconsistencies in the fluorescent material on the ground cover that is fluorescing to indicate a location of the improvised explosive device. The method also includes that the mixture is adapted to cling to a person, clothes, or any combination thereof, upon contact.

A method of making a liner for a shaped charge or an explosively formed projectile may include making a liner substrate using a 3D additive manufacturing process. At least a portion of the surface of the liner substrate may be surface finished. The surface finished portion may be electroplated with a metal to form a multi-layer liner.

The invention relates to a method of with a projectile (1) comprising a reactive charge (4), combating an explosive-charged weapon unit (7), preferably an enemy shell, so that undesirable harmful effects on the environment are reduced, wherein the projectile (1) is configured to penetrate the surface (8) of the weapon unit (7) upon impact so that a passage (9) is opened into the explosive (10) of the weapon unit (7), through which passage (9) the reactive charge (4), under the influence of the kinetic energy of the projectile (1), is transferred to the explosive (10) of the weapon unit (7). The method can be deemed to be characterized in that the reactive charge (4), upon contact with the explosive (10) of the weapon unit (7), reacts and starts a hypergolic reaction with the explosive (10). The invention also relates to a projectile (1) for the said method.

An electric case trimmer assembly utilizes an inexpensive case adapter bearing to adapt for each size case. The case trimmer assembly includes an end mill for cutting excess material from the case. The end mill is fixed to a micrometer dial threadedly engaging a barrel. The case adapter bearing is fixed to the barrel. The micrometer dial is rotated to adjust the position of the end mill with respect to the case adapter bearing to precisely adjust the amount of material cut from the case. The case adapter bearing is easily changed to trim different cases.

A multi-petal adapter that enables projectiles of different sizes to be used in a single dearmer. The adapter includes a plurality of petals that are secured, in a detachable way, to a base. The main function of the base is to secure the petals until the projectile is fired from the dearmer. Whereupon, the adapter will start petalling until the petals become detached from the base, so that the adapter imparts minimal or no energy or damage to the intended target. The adapter fully regulates the energy imparted to the various projectiles, by allowing propellant gases to bleed through channels that are formed between the petals. As a result, the present adapter fully supports a proper projectile launch and ensures its proper orientation toward the target.

A system that may be used as an initiation disruption system (IDS) according to one embodiment includes an explosive charge; a plurality of particles in a layer at least partially surrounding the explosive charge; and a fire suppressant adjacent the plurality of particles. A method for disabling an object according to one embodiment includes placing the system as recited above near an object; and causing the explosive charge to initiate, thereby applying mechanical loading to the object such that the object becomes disabled. Additional systems and methods are also presented. A device according to another embodiment includes a plurality of particles bound by a binder thereby defining a sidewall having an interior for receiving an explosive; and a fire suppressant adjacent the plurality of particles and binder. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Disclosed is spin-stabilized ammunition for use in grooved or smooth bore handheld firearms with calibers up to 60 mm. The projectile of the ammunition features a body in the shape of a truncated cone at the top of a cylinder with proportions of the cone length to the cylinder length varying between from one-to-six to one-to-three depending on the expected initial speed of the projectile after the ammunition has been discharged. A central longitudinal barrel extends through the projectile with a proportion of the entrance diameter and exit diameter of 1.38-to-one for expected discharge speeds near sound velocity or of 1.22-to-one for expected discharge of hypersonic velocities. Finally, nozzles within the projectile create a spinning motion around the projectile's axis, the nozzles being located between cavities for propellant charges.

A water air-bubble fragment recovery test apparatus that facilitates accurate assessment of fragmentation characteristics and lethality that are normally detonated in air. An airtight, waterproof plastic container encloses a test warhead; the plastic container may then also be filled with a gas or just with air. The container is then embedded in a water-gas-bubble mixture found in a water tank, for the warhead to be detonated therein, and the fragments to then be later recovered.

An explosive cartridge comprising: an explosive composition;a deactivating agent that is capable of desensitising the explosive composition; anda barrier element that prevents contact between the explosive composition and the deactivating agent and that is adapted to be at least partially removed on use of the explosive cartridge.

A firearm for implementing an improved 9 mm cartridge is provided, wherein the improved 9 mm cartridge includes a 9 mm bullet associated with a 45-9 cartridge casing, wherein the 9 mm bullet weights at least 90 grains and wherein the 45-9 cartridge casing is configured to contain a propellant sufficient to propel the 9 mm bullet to a velocity of at least 1600 feet per second. The firearm may include a barrel, wherein the barrel is configured to operably interact with the 9 mm bullet and a chamber, wherein the chamber includes at least one chamber portion sized and shaped to operably associate with the 45-9 cartridge casing and a free-bore, wherein the free-bore includes at least one free-bore portion sized and shaped to operably associate with the 9 mm bullet.

A method for providing permanently colored steel shot for shot shells through anodizing and shells manufactured utilizing the shot.

An encapsulated propellant charge comprised a sealed combustible container comprised of a consumable material and having a substantially cylindrical shape. The sealed combustible container comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall therebetween. The top wall, the bottom wall and the side wall define a chamber; which contains a propellant composition.

The present invention provides a method for explosively destroying munitions in an overpacked container within a sealed detonation chamber, utilizing a plurality of specially shaped linear-shaped charges and/or a combination of special linear-shaped charges in conjunction with an explosively formed projectile, resulting in penetrating both the side wall of the overpacked container and the side wall of the projectile.

Disclosed is a system for detonating a buried explosive device by discharging an electric discharge with at least five joules of energy to detonate the buried explosive device.

A hand operated press for reloading metal rifle cartridges including indicating means for providing for an operator of the press discrete indications of the different forces that can be manually applied through the drive mechanism during use of the press to crimp the second end of a cartridge against a bullet in the cartridge to allow the operator to use one of those indications to manually apply the same force to form essentially the same degree of crimp of the second ends of identical cartridges against identical bullets in the cartridges.

The present invention is directed to a mobile platform for the delivery of bulk explosives to a blast hole. One embodiment of the platform provides the ability to obtain weight information relating to the contents of a tank that is associated with the platform and that, in operation, contains either the bulk explosive or a constituent of the explosive. The platform comprises a vehicle with a frame, a tank, a load cell structure for connecting the frame and the tank and providing weight data relating to the contents of the tank, and a suspension system that prevents relative movement of the frame and the tank that could compromise the load cell structure. Another embodiment of the platform provides a tank for holding an explosive composition and a rotary shaft that supports a mixing blade that mixes the explosive composition within the tank. The platform further comprises bearing structure for supporting the rotary shaft that is located to deter any of the explosive composition from entering the bearing. A further embodiment of the platform comprises a conduit structure for discharging a bulk explosive into a blast hole that includes a substantially rigid tube with an outlet port for discharging a bulk explosive into the blast hole. The tube is adapted to rotate about a vertical axis such that the outlet port can be moved towards and away from the vehicle along an arc of less than 180°. In one embodiment, the outlet port can be positioned substantially adjacent to an operator's station to allow an operator to readily view the loading of the explosive into the blast hole.