Abstract: Technology for in situ remediation of undetonated explosive material. An explosive apparatus contains an explosive material in close proximity with a carrier containing microorganisms and with nutrient for the microorganisms. An explosive mixture capable of self remediation includes an explosive material that is intermixed with or lies proximate to the carrier. The microorganisms are either mobile or temporarily deactivated by freeze drying until rehydrated and remobilized. The microorganisms are capable of metabolizing the explosive material. Examples of such microorganisms include Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia spp., Morganella spp., Rhodococcus spp., Comamonas spp., and denitrifying microorganisms. If the explosive material fails to detonate, the explosive is remediated by the action of the microorganisms. Remediation includes both disabling of the explosive material and detoxification of the resulting chemical compositions.

Abstract: Technology for in situ remediation of undetonated explosive device. An explosive device contains an explosive material in close proximity with microorganisms capable of metabolizing the explosive material that are either mobile or temporarily deactivated by freeze drying. Examples include Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia spp., Morganella spp., Rhodococcus spp., Comamonas spp., and denitrifying microorganisms. A self-remediating explosive mixture includes an explosive material intermixed with microorganisms. Joined with an explosive device is a bioremediation apparatus that contains microorganisms and prevents contact between microorganisms and explosive material in the explosive device using a barrier that is actuated to release the microorganisms by mechanical, electrical, or chemical mechanisms. If the explosive device fails to detonate, remediation by microorganisms includes both disabling of the explosive material and detoxification of resulting chemical compositions.

Abstract: 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 the explosive device. The explosive device has a first charge segment and a second charge segment disposed in an assembled relationship. The first charge segment has a first abutment surface formed on a portion of the exterior thereof and a cavity recessed in the first abutment surface. An output end of the transmission line is received by the cavity and contacts the first charge segment. The cavity of the first charge segment can be configured to dispose explosive material in the path of a plasma zone propagating through voids internal of the explosive device to facilitate advance detonation of the explosive material before a shock wave front trailing the plasma zone reaches the explosive material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rigid reactive cord such as a detonating cord (10) that includes a core (38) of an energetic material and a rigid non-metal sheath (40) disposed about the core. The cord (10) is sufficiently rigid so that it can be inserted through a material to be fractured or through passages formed therein. A method of using the rigid reactive cord for the removal of combustion residue from boiler tubes is also presented.

Abstract: Technology for in situ remediation of undetonated explosive material. An explosive apparatus contains an explosive material in close proximity with microorganisms. An explosive mixture capable of self remediation in the form of an explosive material is intermixed with microorganisms. The microorganisms are either mobile or temporarily deactivated by freeze drying until rehydrated and remobilized. The microorganisms are capable of metabolizing the explosive material. Examples of such microorganisms include Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia spp., Morganella spp., Rhodococcus spp., Comamonas spp., and denitrifying microorganisms. A bioremediation apparatus that contains microorganisms and prevents contact between the microorganisms and explosive material is joined with an explosive apparatus that houses a charge of explosive material.

Abstract: Technology for in situ remediation of undetonated explosive material. An explosive apparatus contains an explosive material in close proximity with microorganisms. An explosive mixture capable of self remediation in the form of an explosive material is intermixed with microorganisms. The microorganisms are either mobile or temporarily deactivated by freeze drying until rehydrated and remobilized. The microorganisms are capable of metabolizing the explosive material. Examples of such microorganisms include Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia spp., Morganella spp., Rhodococcus spp., Comamonas spp., and denitrifying microorganisms. A bioremediation apparatus that contains microorganisms and prevents contact between the microorganisms and explosive material is joined with an explosive apparatus that houses a charge of explosive material.

Abstract: An initiator (14c) for a secondary explosive receptor charge is provided by forming a length of detonating cord (14) into a helical coil containing a plurality of windings with a cutoff barrier provided by, e.g., a separating rib (46) between adjacent windings. The adjacent windings may be not more than about 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) apart. The detonating cord (14) may be wound about a spindle (16) which may optionally provide the separating rib (46). The coil may be a tapered coil which may define a taper angle of e.g., from about 2 to 4 degrees. Alternatively, the coil may be a cylindrical coil, or the cord may be configured in a planar spiral. Optionally, the detonating cord in the helical coil may have a core of explosive material with a loading of less than 15 grains per foot of the cord, e.g., less than 12 grains per foot of the cord, or a loading in the range of from 8 to 12 grains per foot of the cord. The coil may consume about six inches of the cord.

Abstract: An explosive charge such as a cast booster charge (10, 110, 210) includes an explosive charge (14, 114, 214) having a first explosive matrix material (114a, 214a) with discrete bodies (118, 218) of a second material embedded therein. In some embodiments, discrete bodies may comprise explosive material and the first explosive matrix material (114a, 214a) may be more sensitive to initiation than the explosive material of the discrete bodies (118, 218). In a separate aspect of the invention, the discrete bodies may have a minimum dimension of at least 1 millimeter or, optionally, 1.6 millimeter, regardless of the explosive properties of the material therein. In a particular embodiment, discrete bodies may be shaped as cylindrical pellets rounded at at least one end. The cast booster charge (10, 110, 210) may be produced by melting the first explosive, disposing discrete bodies therein and cooling the molten material to solid form.

Abstract: An initiator (100) assembled from a housing (112), an output charge (144) and an initiation means (110, 120, 58, 54) includes a pulverulent ignition charge (46a) disposed in direct initiation relation to the initiation means, and an output charge (144) that may contain a pulverulent deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) charge (144a) and an explosive base charge (144b). The ignition charge (46a) has an average particle size of less than 10 microns, or even less than 5 microns, e.g., 1 to 2 microns. The initiation means may include a semiconductor bridge (18) and the ignition charge (46a) may be compacted with a force of less than about 5880 psi, e.g., with a force of 1000 psi. In another embodiment, an initiator (210) includes a low-energy electrical initiator (234), a loosely packed BNCP ignition charge (218) and a pyrotechnical output charge (214).

Abstract: A signal transmission fuse is made of a tube (36) which encases a support tape (14) having a reactive coating (18′) which is adhered to one side of the tape by a binder. A method of making the signal transmission fuse includes depositing on the support tape (14) a reactive paint (18) including a binder, which paint dries to form a reactive coating (18′). The coated support tape (14′) is then folded, i.e., formed into a channel configuration, to provide an inner concave side of the tape on which the reactive coating (18′) has been disposed. The coated support tape is then enclosed, e.g., within an extruded plastic tube (36). One side of the support tape may be made of a first material (14a) to which the reactive coating adheres, and a second side may be made of a second material (14b) which bonds or adheres to the inner surface (36a) of the plastic tube (36) enclosing the coated support tape (14′).

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a composite package system that provides sufficient protection and containment of eight explosive devices that contain 33 grams each (264 grams total) of RDX explosive or the equivalent thereof, such as HMX, HNS, etc., to qualify for a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) classification of 1.4S. The composite package system of this invention comprises the combination of a prior art corrugated paper box in a wooden crate that meets DOT 4C1 requirements and that is lined with cement-fiber material.

Abstract: Technology for in situ remediation of undetonated explosive material. An explosive apparatus contains an explosive material in close proximity with a carrier containing microorganisms. An explosive mixture capable of self remediation includes an explosive material that is intermixed with or lies proximate to the carrier. The microorganisms are either mobile or temporarily deactivated by freeze drying until rehydrated and remobilized. The microorganisms are capable of metabolizing the explosive material. Examples of such microorganisms include Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia spp., Morganella spp., Rhodococcus spp., Comamonas spp., and denitrifying microorganisms. If the explosive material fails to detonate, the explosive is remediated by the action of the microorganisms. Remediation includes both disabling of the explosive material and detoxification of the resulting chemical compositions.

Abstract: A shock-resistant electronic circuit assembly (10) is provided in which an electronic circuit is encased in an encapsulation (14) that engages a surrounding enclosure (18) in shock-dispersing contact therewith. The encapsulation may have a plurality of edges (16, 16a, 16b), fins (24) or bosses (70) that bear against the enclosure. The encapsulation may include a shock-absorbing material (14f) disposed against the enclosure to protect the circuit against vibrations and a structural support material such as a casing (14e) to protect the circuit against stress. The circuit assembly (10) may be part of a sheathed initiator assembly (55) that includes a transfer member (58) for converting shock wave energy into electrical energy for the electronic circuit, and the released energy may be converted into a detonation initiation signal. Assembly (55) may be part of a detonator (100) that receives a non-electric initiation signal and detonates following the delay determined by the electronic circuit.

Abstract: An explosive pipe cutter assembly (10, 10′) has a housing (20, 20′) which defines at its closed end a hemispherical shaped nose end (22, 22′) and contains a toroidal shaped charge (48) comprised of two half-charges (42). Toroidal shaped charge (48) has a seating surface (31) seated on a support shoulder (50, 50′) adjacent the closed end of the housing (20, 20′), and a trailing end which is engaged by a retaining ring (38) received in the open end (24, 24′) of the housing (20, 20′). Two juxtaposed half-liners (28) provide a liner having an apex (A) which is curved in longitudinal cross section to increase the mass of the metal formed into a penetrating jet by detonation of the shaped charge (48).

Abstract: An electronic delay circuit (10) useful for the delayed initiation of detonators illustrates several novel features that may be combined, including a novel oscillator (34), a programmable timer circuit (32) and a run control circuit (46). The oscillator (34) generates a clock signal determined by the rate of discharge of a capacitor (34a) relative to a reference voltage REF. A second capacitor (34b) is charged to a voltage that exceeds REF, and when the first capacitor (34a) falls below REF, an internal signal is generated and the capacitors are switched, so that the first capacitor gets charged while the second is discharged. A latch (34f) produces clock pulses in response to the internal signals. The programmable timer circuit (32) includes a ripple counter (38) and a program bank (40) that loads a count in the counter upon initialization.

Abstract: A perforating gun (10, 210, 310, 410) is provided for retaining a plurality of explosive charges (16, 16′) in an angular phased array with the discharge ends (16a, 16a′) of each succeeding explosive charge (16, 16′) disposed at a selected angular orientation relative to the other explosive charges (16, 16′) as determined by the configuration of an undulating path defined by support wires (14, 14′) or wire pairs (19a, 19b). The perforating gun (10, 210, 310, 410) comprises a plurality of support wires (14, 14′) disposed about a common longitudinal axis (L—L) and extending in an undulating path so as to define a wire carrier or cage in which the explosive charges (16, 16′) are retained by securing the discharge ends (16a), or the initiation ends (16b), or both, to support wires (14, 14).

Abstract: A semiconductor bridge igniter device (10) having integral voltage anti-fuse protection provides an electric circuit including a first firing leg and, optionally, a monitor leg. The first firing leg includes a first semiconductor bridge having semiconductor pads (14a, 14b) separated and connected by a bridge (14c) and having metallized lands (16a, 16b) disposed over the pads (14a, 14b) so that an electrical potential applied across the metallized lands (16a, 16b) will cause sufficient current to flow through the firing leg of the electric circuit to release energy at the bridge (14c). A dielectric layer (15) is interposed within the first firing leg and has a breakdown voltage equal to a selected threshold voltage (Vth) and therefore provides protection against the device functioning at voltages below the threshold voltage (Vth). A continuity monitor leg of the electric circuit is comprised of either a fusible link (34) or a resistor (36) disposed in parallel to the first firing leg.

Abstract: A signal transmission fuse is made of a tube (36) which encases a support tape (14) having a reactive coating (18′) which is adhered to one side of the tape by a binder. A method of making the signal transmission fuse includes depositing on the support tape (14) a reactive paint (18) including a binder, which paint dries to form a reactive coating (18′). The coated support tape (14′) is then folded, i.e., formed into a channel configuration, to provide an inner concave side of the tape on which the reactive coating (18′) has been disposed. The coated support tape is then enclosed, e.g., within an extruded plastic tube (36). One side of the support tape may be made of a first material (14a) to which the reactive coating adheres, and a second side may be made of a second material (14b) which bonds or adheres to the inner surface (36a) of the plastic tube (36) enclosing the coated support tape (14′).

Abstract: A flat-form separation device (12) is made of two half-section members (22, 22') which are fastened together by a series of fasteners (38) to define therebetween a receiving channel within which an expansion device (40) is received. Aside from the receiving channel and any apertures which are to receive mechanical fasteners, the separation device (12) is solid throughout and free of other channels or cavities. The device (12) includes a pair of joinder flanges formed by mating half-flange segments (28a and 28b), which contain apertures (32 and 34) by which the flat-form separation device (12) may be secured to structures (48, 50) which are to be temporarily joined by the device (12). Because of the cross-sectional profile of the half-section members (22, 22'), they may be made by manufacturing techniques, such as machining, which enable the use of alloys or metals which are much tougher and stronger than those which can be extraded to form prior art hollow-form separation devices (14).

Abstract: Technology for in situ remediation of undetonated explosive material. An explosive apparatus contains an explosive material in close proximity with microorganisms. An explosive mixture capable of self remediation in the form of an explosive material is intermixed with microorganisms. The microorganisms are either mobile or temporarily deactivated by freeze drying until rehydrated and remobilized. The microorganisms are capable of metabolizing the explosive material. Examples of such microorganisms include Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia spp., Morganella spp., Rhodococcus spp., Comamonas spp., and denitrifying microorganisms. A bioremediation apparatus that contains microorganisms and prevents contact between the microorganisms and explosive material is joined with an explosive apparatus that houses a charge of explosive material.