Gregory D Knowlton

US Patent:

6539869, Apr 1, 2003

Filed:

Aug 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/933441

Inventors:

Gregory D. Knowlton - Higley AZ
Christian Salafia - Mesa AZ
Bruce B. Anderson - Mountain View CA
Theodore B. Gortemoller - Shalimar FL

Assignee:

Talley Defense Systems, Inc. - Mesa AZ

International Classification:

C06C 504

US Classification:

1022753, 102205

Abstract:

A non-detonating heat transfer initiator. A representative heat transfer initiator is in the form of a heat transfer control medium, having a heat input portion and a heat output portion, and a non-detonating autoignition material, having an autoignition temperature, in thermal contact with the heat output portion. When heat is applied to the heat input portion, a transfer of heat through the heat transfer control medium to the heat output portion results, heating the heat output portion, such that, upon application of a sufficient amount of heat to the heat input portion, the heat output portion is heated to the autoignition temperature of the non-detonating autoignition material, igniting the non-detonating autoignition material ignites, thus producing a non-detonating thermal output.

US Patent:

6589375, Jul 8, 2003

Filed:

Mar 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/798547

Inventors:

Gregory D. Knowlton - Chandler AZ
Christopher P. Ludwig - Fountain Hill AZ
Thomas M. Deppert - Gilbert AZ
Dan McFadden - Chandler AZ
James Dupont - Phoenix AZ
Christian Salafia - Mesa AZ

Assignee:

Talley Defense Systems, Inc. - Mesa AZ

International Classification:

C06B 3100

US Classification:

149 45, 149 74, 149 88, 149 92

Abstract:

A low-solids gas generating composition and a method of generating a gas with low solids by preparing and combusting the low-solids gas generating composition. The compositions of the invention include a mixture of a basic copper nitrate oxidizer and a fuel selected for the group consisting of 5-nitro-uracil, guanidine 5-nitro-uracil salt, ammonium 5-nitro-uracil salt, aminoguanidine 5-nitro-uracil salt, hydrazine 5-nitro-uracil salt, triamino 5-nitro-uracil salt, guanidine 5-nitro-barbituric acid salt, ammonium 5-nitro-barbituric acid salt, hydrazine 5-nitro-barbituric acid salt, aminoguanidine 5-nitro-barbituric acid salt, triaminoguanidine 5-nitro-barbituric acid salt, and mixtures thereof, wherein the oxidizer-fuel mixture is within about 4 percent of stoichiometric balance, and produces no more than about 0. 06 cubic centimeters of solids per gram of gas generating composition on combustion. The compositions of the invention may further include at least one of cupric oxalate hemi-hydrate, sub-micron fumed silica, and graphite.

US Patent:

6605233, Aug 12, 2003

Filed:

Mar 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/798640

Inventors:

Gregory D. Knowlton - Chandler AZ
Christopher P. Ludwig - Fountain Hills AZ

Assignee:

Talley Defense Systems, Inc. - Mesa AZ

International Classification:

H01J 3520

US Classification:

2521811, 149 46, 149 47, 149 55, 149 57, 149 61, 149 62, 149 76, 149 92

Abstract:

A low-solids gas generating composition and a method of producing a gas. The gas is produced by combusting a mixture of a fuel selected from the group consisting of guanidine nitrate, nitroguanidine, cellulose, cellulose acetate, hexamine, 5 amino-tetrazole, 5 nitro-uracil, guanidine salt of 5 nitro-uracil, and mixtures thereof, an oxidizer selected from the group consisting of ceric ammonium nitrate, strontium nitrate, basic copper nitrate, a mixture of ammonium perchlorate and at least one alkali metal salt, and mixtures thereof, and a cupric oxalate hemi-hydrate coolant. The oxidizer-fuel mixture is within about 4 percent of stoichiometric balance, and the low-solids gas generating composition produces no more than about 0. 082 cubic centimeters of solids per gram of gas generating composition on combustion.

US Patent:

6749702, Jun 15, 2004

Filed:

Jan 22, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/010822

Inventors:

Gregory D. Knowlton - Chandler AZ
Christopher P. Ludwig - Fountain Hills AZ

Assignee:

Talley Defense Systems, Inc. - Mesa AZ

International Classification:

C06B 3308

US Classification:

149 38, 149 37, 149 43, 149 45, 102205

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a low temperature autoignition composition for safely initiating combustion of a main pyrotechnic charge in a gas generator or pyrotechnic device exposed to flame or a high temperature environment. The low temperature autoignition compositions of the invention include a mixture of an oxidizer and a powdered metal, wherein the oxidizer includes silver nitrate or a comelt or mixture comprising silver nitrate and at least one of an alkali metal nitrate, an alkaline earth metal nitrate, a complex salt nitrate, a dried, hydrated nitrate, an alkali metal chlorate, an alkali metal perchlorate, an alkaline earth metal chlorate, an alkaline earth metal perchlorate, ammonium perchlorate, sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite, silver nitrite, a complex salt nitrite, a solid organic nitrate, a solid organic nitrite, or a solid organic amine, and where the metal fuel and oxidizer are present in amounts sufficient to provide an autoignition composition having an autoignition temperature of no more than about 232Â C. The present invention also relates to a method for initiating a gas generator or pyrotechnic composition in a gas generator or pyrotechnic device exposed to flame or a high temperature environment. In the method of the invention, the gas generator or pyrotechnic composition is placed in thermal contact with a low temperature autoignition composition of the invention.

US Patent:

6860951, Mar 1, 2005

Filed:

Mar 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/798548

Inventors:

Gregory D. Knowlton - Chandler AZ, US
Christopher P. Ludwig - Fountain Hill AZ, US
Daniel V. Haun - Chandler AZ, US

Assignee:

Talley Defense Systems, Inc. - Mesa AZ

International Classification:

C06B031/02
C06B029/22

US Classification:

149 61, 149 76

Abstract:

A low-solids gas generating composition, which is a mixture of a fuel selected for the group consisting of cellulose, cellulose acetate, hexamine, and mixtures thereof, and an oxidizer selected from the group consisting of ceric ammonium nitrate, lithium nitrate, lithium perchlorate, sodium perchlorate, phase stabilized ammonium nitrate, a combination of ammonium nitrate with potassium nitrate, potassium perchlorate, or mixtures thereof, such that the combination is a solid solution, a mixture of ammonium perchlorate and at least one alkali metal salt, and mixtures thereof. The combination of ammonium nitrate with other salts in solid solution is intended to phase stabilize the ammonium nitrate. The oxidizer-fuel mixture is within about 4 percent of stoichiometric balance. Useful alkali metal salts include lithium carbonate, lithium nitrate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and mixtures thereof.

US Patent:

8485099, Jul 16, 2013

Filed:

May 29, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/474366

Inventors:

Mark A. Skidmore - Mesa AZ, US
Andrew R. Davis - Phoenix AZ, US
Thomas V. Palen - Mesa AZ, US
Christian W. Salafia - Orlando FL, US
Thomas M. Deppert - Gilbert AZ, US
Gregory D. Knowlton - Gilbert AZ, US

Assignee:

Nammo Talley, Inc. - Mesa AZ

International Classification:

F42B 12/44
F42B 12/58
F42C 7/00

US Classification:

102364, 102393, 102402, 102489, 89 113

Abstract:

The invention provides a method and a system for defeating a target containing a flammable or explosive fill and an incendiary penetrating projectile for use in the method and the system. The incendiary penetrating projectile contains a non-detonating incendiary composition that is ignited prior to penetrating a target.

US Patent:

46041516, Aug 5, 1986

Filed:

Jan 30, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/696285

Inventors:

Gregory D. Knowlton - Chandler AZ
John F. Pietz - Mesa AZ

Assignee:

Talley Defense Systems, Inc. - Mesa AZ

International Classification:

C06B 3500

US Classification:

149 35

Abstract:

A gas generating composition is disclosed for generating nitrogen gas free from noxious and toxic impurities consisting of an alkali metal azide, at least a stoichiometric amount of a metal oxide or a mixture of metal oxides and an ammonium perchlorate burn rate enhancer. The nitrogen gas can be used to inflate an impact protection air cushion of an automotive restraint system.

US Patent:

62987844, Oct 9, 2001

Filed:

Oct 27, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/428329

Inventors:

Gregory D. Knowlton - Chandler AZ
Bruce B. Anderson - Tempe AZ
Theodore B. Gortemoller - Shalimar FL

Assignee:

Talley Defense Systems, Inc. - Mesa AZ

International Classification:

C06C 504
C06C 900

US Classification:

1022753

Abstract:

A heat transfer delay for providing a delay time in propellant, pyrotechnic, and explosive devices, and a method of delaying production of a non-detonating thermal output with the heat transfer delay. A representative delay is in the form of a housing having a first heat source cavity, a second heat source cavity, and a heat transfer cavity connecting the first and second heat source cavities. A pyrotechnic heat source is placed in thermal contact with the first heat source cavity, and a non-detonating autoignition material is placed in thermal contact with the second heat source cavity. Upon ignition and combustion or reaction, the pyrotechnic heat source generates an amount of heat sufficient to heat the first heat source cavity to a temperature sufficiently high to cause a transfer of a sufficient amount of heat through the heat transfer cavity to the second heat source cavity to heat it to a temperature sufficiently high to ignite the non-detonating autoignition material, and produce a non-detonating thermal output therefrom, where the heat transfer bridge conducts heat at a rate such that a delay time of at least about 0. 5 second elapses between ignition of the heat source and ignition of the non-detonating autoignition material.