Abstract: A method for severing or weakening materials. Explosive cords are placed in grooves on the upper surface of the material to be severed or weakened. The explosive cords are initiated simultaneously to introduce explosive shock waves into the material. These shock waves progress toward the centerline between the explosive cords and the lower surface of the material. Intersecting and reflected waves produce a rarefaction zone on the centerline to fail the material in tension. A groove may also be cut in the lower surface of the material to aid in severing or weakening the material.

Abstract: Common blasting caps are made from an aluminum shell in the form of a tube which is closed at both ends. One end, which is called the output end, terminates in a principal side or face, and contains a detonating agent which communicates with a means for igniting the detonating agent. The improvement of the present invention is a flat, steel foil bonded to the face in a position which is aligned perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing ignitability of an initiator includes a body having a central cavity, initiator holder for holding the initiator over the central cavity of the body, an ignition material holder disposed in the central cavity of the body and having a cavity facing the initiator holder which receives a measured quantity of ignition material to be ignited by the initiator and a chamber in communication with the cavity of the ignition material and the central cavity of the body, and a measuring system for analyzing pressure characteristics generated by ignition of the ignition material by the initiator. The measuring system includes at least one transducer coupled to an oscillograph for recording pressure traces generated by ignition.

Abstract: A hot ballistic gas fired explosive transfer device embodying an explosive train sealed against environmental effects and placed in the line of delivery of hot ballistic gas which ruptures the seal and initiates the action of the explosive train. The explosive transfer device is arranged for applications with escape systems having shielded mild detonating cords, or having primers for activating rocket motors.

Abstract: A one-way explosive transfer assembly embodying a body formed with an interior chamber containing an explosive shock transfer body formed with shock wave attenuating passage means shaped to transfer heat and to control the explosive shock when traveling in one direction toward an explosive train and to check explosive shock if generated to travel in an opposite direction. The assembly includes an input shielded mild detonating cord means for conveying the triggering impulse to the explosive train and for transferring the effect of the explosive train to an output shielded mild detonating cord.

Abstract: A firing mechanism for detonating a plurality of percussion primers is prnted. An explodable means and at least one percussion primer are disposed at opposite ends of a housing defining a cavity for transmitting explosive energy from the detonated explodable means to each of the percussion primers for firing the percussion primers. An orifice plate, secured within the cavity between the explodable means and the percussion primers is provided with plurality of apertures for providing passageways for transmitting the explosive energy from the explodable means to the percussion primers. The apertures are calibrated for metering the quantity of the explosive energy transmitted to the percussion primers and for providing substantially simultaneous initiation of the plurality of percussion primers. The apertures are off-set for substantially avoiding the striking of the percussion primers by fragments from the explodable means.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for explosively severing non-metallic material such as aircraft canopy transparencies, egress panels and other structural members. To provide a more effective use of a given amount of explosive, a detonating cord is encapsulated within the material to be severed. This encapsulation protects the cord and maximizes the severance effect of the detonation. The cord may be encapsulated at positions wherein augmented shock waves are used to accomplish fracture along a line away from the detonating cord while leaving the explosion products restricted in the remaining cord cavity.