Did You Know...
...that several people are credited with the invention of the flush toilet? Most people have heard of Thomas Crapper (1837-1910), the sanitary engineer who invented the valve-and-siphon arrangement that made the modern toilet possible. Another claimant to "the throne" was British inventor Alexander Cumming who patented a toilet in 1775. Then there's a nameless Minoan (a native of ancient Crete) who lived 4,000 years ago who supposedly was ahead of his time and created the first flush toilet!
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8161880 | Deflagration to detonation transition device A detonator assembly is provided. The detonator assembly comprises a deflagration to detonation transition body, a first thermally stable secondary explosive contained by the body, and a bulkhead coupled to the deflagration to detonation transition body. The bulkhea... | 04/24/2012 |
| 8056478 | Methods and apparatus for high-impulse fuze booster for insensitive munitions A method for initiating a low-sensitivity explosive charge includes initiating a booster explosive charge within an explosive charge cavity in a booster housing, and generating a planar detonation wave. Generating the planar detonation wave includes directing a deto... | 11/15/2011 |
| 7765932 | Shock tube initiator Described in this specification is a shock tube initiator that is suitable for one, two, or more shock tubes. The initiator has a number of safety features to avoid inadvertent firing of the shocking primer. Features include a rotary safety and a firing plunger that... | 08/03/2010 |
| 7665401 | Shock tube initiator A shock tube initiator (STI) for allowing the remote and/or manual initiation of at least one shock tube, typically two shock tubes is disclosed. The STI consists of: a) at least one coupling 8, connected to a shock tube containing a shot shell primer that up... | 02/23/2010 |
| 7490554 | Initiation fixture and an initiator assembly including the same An initiator assembly (38) is factory-pre-assembled and comprises an initiation fixture (10) secured to a triggering device (40). The initiation fixture (10) comprises a unitary body, i.e., one without moving parts, and includes a bushing... | 02/17/2009 |
| 7398734 | MEMS resettable timer A MEMS resettable timer including a primary inertial element and at least one secondary inertial element, which includes a camming surface. When the secondary inertial element moves, its camming surface engages the camming surface of a locking element to remove it f... | 07/15/2008 |
| 7363860 | Non-explosive two component initiator Methods and apparatus for detonating explosives or igniting flammables are disclosed. According to some embodiments of the invention, initiators include an initiating component holding an exploding bridgewire (EBW) or an exploding foil initiator (EFI) and a flammabl... | 04/29/2008 |
| 7353756 | Lead free reduced ricochet limited penetration projectile A frangible projectile with a specific gravity similar to a lead projectile. The projectile comprises 34-94%, by weight, binder. The binder comprises poly ether block amide resin. The projectile further comprises 6-66%, by weight, ballast. The ballast comprises at l... | 04/08/2008 |
| 7322294 | Integrated thin film explosive micro-detonator A method of making a thin film explosive detonator includes forming a substrate layer; depositing a metal layer in situ on the substrate layer; and reacting the metal layer to form a primary explosive layer. The method and apparatus formed thereby integrates fabrica... | 01/29/2008 |
| 7246558 | Rapid deflagration cord (RDC) ordnance transfer lines A novel transfer ordnance line and novel end fittings for the transfer line for use in space vehicles, aircraft, missile systems and other military applications. The transfer line is a Rapid Deflagration Cord (RDC) hermetically encapsulated in a metal tubing. The me... | 07/24/2007 |
| 7210524 | Perforating gun quick connection system A connection system to be used in conjunction with a perforating gun comprising a top sub formed to receive one end of a gun body of a perforating gun, a circumferential groove disposed on the outer surface of the gun body, and a collet secured to the top sub. The c... | 05/01/2007 |
| 7188566 | Non-electric detonator A detonator (10) has a constant-diameter shell (12) which has a significantly higher shell length-to-diameter (outside diameter) ratio than prior art detonators. The shell (12) is configured to hold an explosive output charge (18) which i... | 03/13/2007 |
| 7178830 | Gas Generator The present invention provides an inflator for an inflatable restraint system in an automobile. The inflator includes an elongate inflator body containing a baffle tube that cools gases as they are shunted therethrough upon gas generator activation. ... | 02/20/2007 |
| 7162957 | Redundant signal transmission system and development method Percussive signal transmission tubes, of contrasting color, are joined along adjacent longitudinally extending portions by an adhesive bead of polymeric material. The tubes can be separated in the field and are provided on spools without any sheath. A small diameter... | 01/16/2007 |
| 7086335 | Redundant signal transmission system and deployment means Percussive signal transmission tubes, of contrasting color, are joined along adjacent longitudinally extending portions by an adhesive bead of polymeric material. The tubes can be separated in the field and are provided on spools without any sheath. A small diameter... | 08/08/2006 |
| 7021217 | Versatile cavity actuator and systems incorporating same A versatile cavity actuator. The versatile cavity actuator includes a cavity having one or more polymer-based sidewalls. An energetic material is disposed therein. A heater is disposed on or within the cavity. In a specific embodiment, the cavity includes a thermall... | 04/04/2006 |
| 6994030 | Pyrotechnic microactuators for microsystems The technical field of the invention is that of microactuators designed for mechanical, chemical, electrical or thermal functions in microsystems, for microelectronic applications such as chips, or biomedical applications such as cards incorporating microfluidics. T... | 02/07/2006 |
| 6935242 | Methods and apparatus for increasing aerodynamic performance of projectiles A method for enhancing an aerodynamic performance of an unmanned projectile. The method including at least one of the following: (a) morphing a cross-sectional shape of the projectile after launch thereof; (b) morphing a longitudinal shape of the projectile after la... | 08/30/2005 |
| 6892645 | Multiple independent penetrating electrode non-electric initiator tip Multiple independent penetrating electrode non-electric tips in which the electrodes are separated in a non-coaxial arrangement so as to generate a spark gap internal to the non-electric shock tube, with the electrodes being brought together inside of the shock tube... | 05/17/2005 |
| 6874424 | Low voltage pyrotechnic igniter assembly The electric pyrotechnic igniter of the present invention comprises a controlled power source providing low-voltage electricity to one or more remotely located, replaceable ignition elements which are housed in compression clips capable of holding the ignition eleme... | 04/05/2005 |
| 6851369 | Access control for electronic blasting machines Blasting apparatuses and methods control actuation of a plurality of detonators, and involve the use of one or more authorization keys each associated with a blasting machine. The authorization key(s) are transferable from the blasting machine(s) to a central comman... | 02/08/2005 |
| 6814005 | Detonator An electronic detonator which comprises an ignition charge, a battery unit for emitting ignitor current for initiating the ignition charge, and an electronic circuit for controlling said emission of igniter current. The battery unit is movable in the detonator betwe... | 11/09/2004 |
| 6779605 | Downhole tool deployment safety system and methods A safety system controls the activation of one or more downhole tools by providing selective transmission of an activation signal or an energy stream. In a preferred embodiment, transmission of the activation signal or the energy stream is allowed after the tool has... | 08/24/2004 |
| 6739265 | Explosive device with assembled segments and related methods A segmented explosive device capable of producing a shock wave front upon being exploded by a detonation impulse generated by a selectively operable control device and communicated to the explosive device by a transmission line coupled between the control device and... | 05/25/2004 |
| 6736068 | Detonator The invention relates to an initiating element for use in a detonator to cause a base charge arranged in the detonator, to detonate. The initiating element comprises an ignitable initiating charge which upon ignition generates combustion gases by means of which the ... | 05/18/2004 |
| 6691621 | Ignition device for a propellant charge A propellant charge ignition device having one or more ignition means and incorporating one or more diffuser tube(s) extending through a part of the propellant charge. The structure permits a flame generated by the ignition means to be guided up to a prop... | 02/17/2004 |
| 6651563 | Ignition elements and finely graduatable ignition components An ignition element consists of a combination of first and second ignition components. The first ignition component contains at least one primer, at least on heat-conducting additive selected from the group consisting of zirconium, aluminum, titanium, fer... | 11/25/2003 |
| 6644166 | Explosives disrupter A portable explosives disrupter for de-arming improvised explosive devices includes a barrel for housing a projectile, a mechanism for firing the projectile from the barrel, a breech which may be adapted to house a variety of firing mechanisms, a light-we... | 11/11/2003 |
| 6591753 | Propellant device for pipe weapons or ballistic projection A propellant device of consisting of a compact charge and a firing system for pipe weapons or ballistic drives is proposed. At least one electromagnetic radiation absorbing medium, e.g. carbon black, is dispersed in the compact charge and can be activated... | 07/15/2003 |
| 6581519 | Blasting cap initiator system A blasting cap initiator system has a main housing with an imperforate lower wall, parallel side walls, and front and rear walls. An L-shaped locking slot is formed centrally in one side wall with a trigger recess formed in the top wall adjacent the rear ... | 06/24/2003 |
| 6578490 | Ignitor apparatus An ignitor for setting off an incendiary device. The ignitor includes a container into one end of which is placed a charge of thermite. A shock tube is inserted into the other end of the container and when initiated, sends a shock wave into the container ... | 06/17/2003 |
| 6561101 | Explosive delay assembly An explosive delay assembly including a housing, the housing includes a continuous elongated sidewall surrounding a region bounded at one end by a top surface, the top surface including an aperture configured for accepting an end booster where the end boo... | 05/13/2003 |
| 6490957 | Explosives disrupter A portable explosives disrupter for de-arming improvised explosive devices includes a barrel for housing a projectile, a mechanism for firing the projectile from the barrel, a breech which may be adapted to house a variety of firing mechanisms, a semi-rig... | 12/10/2002 |
| 6435095 | Linear ignition system A linear ignition system for a metal-sheathed linear explosive including in one embodiment the ends of two metal-sheathed linear explosives are connected by a non-electrically conductive sleeve leaving a gap between the ends, and a Pyrofuze.RTM. bridge co... | 08/20/2002 |
| 6397752 | Method and apparatus for coupling explosive devices A gun system in one arrangement includes a first carrier including a detonating cord and a second carrier including a detonating cord. An adapter couples the first and second carriers, with the adapter including an explosive coupled to the detonating cord... | 06/04/2002 |
| 6368434 | Igniter tube and propellant charge made of granular material in a binder The invention relates to a process to manufacture an object using at least one granular material (16) having a large particle size, for example greater than or equal to 0.1 mm, such process being characterised by the following stages: the granular materia... | 04/09/2002 |
| 6305287 | Low-energy shock tube connector system A shock tube connector system comprises a substantially cylindrical detonator having a longitudinal axis a block body receiving the detonator therein, and an end cap. The detonator includes an axisymmetric exterior shell including a cylindrical main secti... | 10/23/2001 |
| 6272996 | In-line initiator and firing device assembly An in-line initiator and firing device assembly includes a shock tube assembly. An in-line initiator is provided for initiating a shock wave along the shock tube assembly, and includes an end sleeve having a bore extending between input and output ends. A... | 08/14/2001 |
| 6227116 | Pyrotechnical charge for detonators A detonator comprising a shell with a secondary explosive base charge, igniting means and an intermediate pyrotechnical train, said train comprising a novel ignition composition with a specific redox-pair of a metal fuel and a metal oxide oxidant, said fu... | 05/08/2001 |
| 6209457 | Method and preformed composition for controlled localized heating of a base material using an exothermic reaction A method and an exothermic composition for controlled localized heating of a base material, said composition comprising an exothermic mixture material, a binder material, and optional filler and starter materials, said exothermic mixture material having a... | 04/03/2001 |
