Charge Wave Forming Patents (Class 102/701)
  • Patent number: 11781394
    Abstract: A shaped charge assembly for selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes a housing comprising an outer surface facing away from the housing and an opposing inner surface facing an interior of the housing. First and second explosive units each includes a predetermined amount of explosive sufficient to expand, without puncturing, at least a portion of the wall of the tubular to form a protrusion extending outward into an annulus adjacent the wall of the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Inventor: James G. Rairigh
  • Patent number: 6334394
    Abstract: A propellant charge arrangement for barrel-weapons or ballistic drives comprises a conventional core charge having an ignition system and a consolidated propellant surrounding the core charge and having its own high electrical energy ignition system which can be controlled in a time-delayed manner after triggering the core charge ignition system. The structure and arrangement of the consolidated propellant and its ignition system are chosen such that, during combustion of the core charge, the consolidated propellant disintegrates into fragments of essentially uniform geometry in response to triggering of its associated ignition system, wherein the fragments are accelerated into the gas volume generated during combustion of the core charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung
    Inventors: Gerd Karl Werner Zimmermann, Ernst Gütlin, Hans Jürgen Maag
  • Patent number: 6220166
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for explosively penetrating hardened containers such as steel drums without producing metal fragmentation is disclosed. The apparatus can be used singularly or in combination with water disrupters and other disablement tools. The apparatus is mounted in close proximity to the target and features a main sheet explosive that is initiated at least three equidistant points along the sheet's periphery. A buffer material is placed between the sheet explosive and the target. As a result, the metallic fragments generated from the detonation of the detonator are attenuated so that no fragments from the detonator are transferred to the target. As a result, an opening can be created in containers such as steel drums through which access to the IED is obtained to defuse it with projectiles or fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher R. Cherry
  • Patent number: 6131518
    Abstract: Different compositions of layers forming a non-homogeneous explosive charge are selected so as to produce in response to underwater detonation of s explosive charge a gas bubble having a corresponding internal density distribution of explosion products to predetermine shape and direction of a water jet emerging from such bubble during collapse thereof for enhanced impact damage to an adjacent underwater target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Franklin D. Hains
  • Patent number: 5565644
    Abstract: An improved shaped charge for generating a jet. A lens shaped waveshaper is positioned within the explosive material of a shaped charge to modify the shape of the divergent detonation wave into a planar wave or a converging wave. The waveshaper is formed with a low sound speed material having a high index of refraction. By reshaping the detonation wave, the acceleration of the shaped charge liner is increased, and the penetration depth and hole size of the jet can be increased. The shaped charge operates more efficiently, thereby requiring less explosive material than a conventional shaped charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Western Atlas International, Inc.
    Inventor: Manmohan S. Chawla
  • Patent number: 5505136
    Abstract: The invention relates to warheads including a core-generating charge and rotating about an axis which is not the charge axis. In front of the coating of the charge is positioned a wedge with a straight or curved triangular cross section, for slowing down said coating in a non-isotropic manner. The wedge is further destroyed during the formation of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Thomson-Brandt Armements
    Inventors: Jean Cauchetier, Jean-Pierre Frehaut
  • Patent number: 5450794
    Abstract: A solid explosive charge is provided with plural detonators on its outer surface at locations from which divergent shock waves simultaneously emerge for movement inwardly of the explosive body. Such shock waves form an uninterrupted wave front enclosing a progressively decreasing volume of the explosive as it converges toward the center of the charge to correspondingly increase peak implosion pressure within a body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1963
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Inventor: Bernard E. Drimmer
  • Patent number: 5383405
    Abstract: An explosive line including a pliable impervious outer casing and a filling of explosive material within the casing. An outer surface of the casing has a plurality of generally flat faces which are spaced about the explosive line so as to provide an outer surface of generally polygonal section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Inventor: John R. Everest
  • Patent number: 5331896
    Abstract: Steps of a process for visualization of a detonation wave involve examini measuring, and confirming a fuel-air explosion by using a ground-based fuel bottle oriented horizontally whereby the explosive dissemination creates a fuel-air cloud with its diameter in the vertical plane and a timed delay, proximate charge explodes within the created cloud. A ground-based high speed camera with a line-of-sight, end-on position with respect to the bottle, photographically records the existence of any occurring detonation wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: John D. Sullivan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5322020
    Abstract: A high performance shaped charge for piercing high strength steel has a symmetry of revolution about an axis; a priming system constituted by a punctiform initiating source for producing a detonation wave in a block of donor explosive, and a cavity positioned between the donor explosive and a receiver explosive, the cavity being shaped in such a way that the detonation wave from the receiver explosive which enters a charging explosive is planar and perpendicular to the axis of the charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Marcel Bernard, Michel de Gliniasty, Alain Kerdraon, Alain Bossi
  • Patent number: 5311819
    Abstract: An explosive logic network, including a first explosive path which is crod by second explosive paths such at a detonation propagating along the second path in either direction would cut and open a first end of the first path, and will be propagated at an opposite second end of the first path. The two paths are connected by explosive logic elements such that a detonation propagating from the first end to the second end of the first path will also be propagated in both directions along the second path, and a detonation propagating from the second end to the first end of the first path will cut and open both ends of the second path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Denis A. Silvia
  • Patent number: 5311818
    Abstract: An explosive panel, in which detonation is limited to a predetermined area bout any point in the panel at which detonation is initiated, consisting of an array of identical interconnected explosive tile assemblies, each including an explosive tile, a peripheral explosive path, and a plurality of connecting links crossing the peripheral path at a destructive crossover. The outer end of each link is connected to the outer end of an adjacent tile assembly link, and the inner end of the link is connected to the tile through a delay trail. Each link is connected to the peripheral paths by explosive diodes which propagate an incoming detonation to the peripheral path on both sides of the link. When any tile assembly is detonated internally, it will propagate the detonation to all adjacent tile assemblies through its connecting links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Denis A. Silvia
  • Patent number: 5233929
    Abstract: An explosive device has a main charge explosive, and a booster explosive ring with main charge explosive filling the space in the center of the booster ring. When the booster explosive is set off, explosive shock waves converge on the space in the center of the ring, thus initiating the main charge explosive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Patrick F. Spahn
  • Patent number: 5221810
    Abstract: In an explosive device having a main charge explosive, a booster explosive mbedded in the main charge explosive, and a detonator, a can or plate is embedded in the main charge explosive and provides a high impedance surface which is shaped and oriented so that shock waves from the booster explosion will strike the high impedance surface at normal incidence and be reflected back toward the booster explosion. This increases the pressure in the main charge explosive material between the booster explosive and the can or plate, thus increasing the effectiveness of the booster explosive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Patrick F. Spahn
  • Patent number: 5182418
    Abstract: An aimable warhead in which a plurality of detonators is disposed about the eriphery of an explosive charge with a proximity selector means provided for sensing the location of a target in relation to the warhead and thereafter selectively initiating one of the detontators opposite the side from which the explosion is to be directed in order that the resulting explosion wave may be directed toward the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1965
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: James C. Talley
  • Patent number: 5170004
    Abstract: An explosive device which has a retainer with a groove, that houses a charge adapted to produce a shock wave upon detonation. The retainer is attached to a target such as an airplane canopy, so that the charge is spaced from the target a predetermined distance. Between the charge and the target is a transmitting medium that transmits the shock waves of the charge to the target. The transmitting medium is constructed from an essentially incompressible material such as rubber, which transmits the shock waves without dissipating much of the blast energy of the charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Teledyne Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles G. Garrison
  • Patent number: 5159152
    Abstract: The invention makes it possible to produce a large number of jets of material at very high speeds from different surfaces. The device essentially comprises a detonator initiating an explosive charge by causing a detonation shock wave, which leaves the explosive charge in order to simultaneously initiate all the points of the entrance surface of a projectile. A cavity is made in the projectile in order to bring about the formation of a filiform jet in accordance with the vertical axis during the ejection of the projectile. An intermediate projectile can be provided between the explosive charge and the projectile. Different shapes of cavities and projectiles makes it possible to modulate the production of the jets as a function of the form and nature of the targets to be reached. Application is possible of the invention to making openings and to dismantling of various structures, to oil drilling operations and to geothermics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventor: Christian Pujols
  • Patent number: 5050503
    Abstract: A system for aiming a selectively aimable warhead (SAW) at a target by exsively deforming the warhead into a shape desirable for directionality. Twenty-four explosive forming charges are located around the circumference of the warhead and run the entire length of the warhead. The proximity fuze selects one sector out of 24 as the direction aim. Having selected a sector in the azimuth, the forming charge in that sector plus the adjacent two forming charges are initiated simultaneously. After a time delay interval sufficient to allow the warhead to deform (about 1/2 millisecond to 1 millisecond), warhead boosters located furthest from the target (or 180 degrees from the forming charges) and on each end of the warhead, are initiated simultaneously. The warhead is detonated generating a high velocity fragment beam towards the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1971
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Fred L. Menz, Michael R. Osburn, Jerry O. Jones
  • Patent number: 5044280
    Abstract: The device (10) consists of a bar (12) of high explosive having a planisymmetrical groove (20) along one side lined with a hollow charge liner (28). A pair of backing charges (34, 36) connected by a bridging charge (42) are disposed along the opposite side of the bar. Each backing charge is separated from the bar by a gap (38, 40) which tapers towards the common longitudinal periphery of the bar and charge. The surfaces of the backing charges facing the gaps are lined with liners (46, 48). A linear initiating charge (54) is separated from the bridging charge longitudinally of the device by a gap (61). The facing surface of the charge (54) is lined with a metal strip (58) which, when the charge is detonated, is projected across the gap (61) to initiate the bridging charge linearly. A detonation wave then propagates from the bridging charge down each backing charge towards its peripheral region, projecting the liners (46, 48) across the gaps (38, 40) to initiate the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
    Inventors: Daniel A. Philippart, Peter J. Haskins
  • Patent number: 5036771
    Abstract: The invention provides a kit-of-parts for assembling to form a linear cutting charge. The kit-of-parts comprises a plurality of elongate planar members (1), connecting means (3) for connecting the planar members (1) to form a box-like structure (2), a liner (9) and locating means (4) for locating said liner (9) within the box-like structure (2) to provide a space (10) on one side of the liner (9) for receiving an explosive material and a stand-off space (11) on the other side of the liner (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Inventor: Sidney C. Alford
  • Patent number: 5022326
    Abstract: An asynchronous explosive logic safing device which is mappable as a network on a single surface to perform the safe/arming function for an explosive device or warhead. The safing device uses explosive logic AND gates and AND/OR gates in conjunction with a complex logic gate to form an asynchronous network that absorbs the variation in detonator input signals and only propagates the detonation signal to the warhead when a given number of a set of detonators initiate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Denis A. Silvia
  • Patent number: 5009162
    Abstract: An explosive logic resolver network for determining which detonator in a rality of detonators is the first to detonate. The resolver network is interposed between a plurality of detonators and the explosive logic clock of a safe/arming network. Each detonator is provided with a resolver network explosive trail which intersects the resolver network explosive trails of the other detonators to form a plurality of explosive logic switches. The intersections are explosively-time-equidistant from the detonators supplying the detonation signals to a given intersection such that the first detonation signal to propagate through the intersection will close the logic switch and prevent the intersection from propagating another detonation signal. When a detonator creates the first detonation signal, the signal propagates down the resolver network explosive trail, closing the switches and extinguishing at the intersections all detonations that are later in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Denis A. Silvia
  • Patent number: 4998963
    Abstract: An explosive network forming an explosive logic clock for opening a time window during which a set of theoretically identical detonators must fire. The explosive logic clock also examines the first detonation to determine whether or not it is premature before propagating the detonations on to the explosive safing and arming network. The clock is constructed with a plurality of detonators, each detonator having a first branch of a branched outlet trail leading to a detonator time delay trail leading further to a logic switch. The logic switches are interconnected such that the detonation signal from the first detonator to detonate is extinguished in that detonator's logic switch while the remaining logic switches are set by the first detonation signal to allow propagation of their own detonation signals on to the safing/arming network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Denis A. Silvia
  • Patent number: 4989516
    Abstract: A safe/arm explosive delay path for detonating an explosive device and prnting detonation of the explosive device by extraneous factors present in the internal environment. The delay path comprises a detonator and first explosive trail leading to a delay explosive trail composed of explosive material and reactive material. A second explosive trail is connected to the first explosive trail and parallel to the delay explosive trail. The delay trail and second explosive trail terminate in an explosive junction. The explosive junction or explosive switch is a gated diode with the delay trail leading through the diode in the second explosive trail functioning to gate the diode. The gated diode allows a detonation wave propagating through the delay tail to proceed to the explosive device only when a detonation wave has propagated along the second explosive trail and gated the explosive diode prior to the arrival of the delay detonation wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Denis A. Silvia
  • Patent number: 4982667
    Abstract: An arrangement for production of explosively formed projectiles consists of casing with explosive contents, a fuse arranged on the base side and a metal insert which covers the explosive contents on the head side, in which case the projectile acquires wing-like symmetrical folds on its tail by means of the following. The insert and/or the explosive contents and/or the fuse in their outside area and/or the casing on its jacket features at least three inhomogeneities arranged at a distance from the axis of the casing in a symmetrical manner around the circumference such that in the circumferential area of the insert varied. Acceleration is achieved according to the configuration of the inhomogeneities or the impact time of the shock wave or its impact energy is different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Franhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventor: Klaus Weimann
  • Patent number: 4974514
    Abstract: An explosive safety junction which can meet the high reliability and safety standards of conventional or nuclear weapon safing devices. The safety junction is an explosive logic device having an inlet trail which diverges into one or more tiers of safety trails and converges to form an outlet trail. The safety trails are crossed by a control trail which propagates a control detonation wave which severs the safety trails and prevents an input detonation wave from proceeding from the inlet trail to the outlet trail to detonate the weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Denis A. Silvia
  • Patent number: 4967666
    Abstract: A warhead for use against fortified or armored targets has an axially extending common housing. A forward hollow charge is located in the housing adjacent the forward end. A follow-up projectile is located in the housing between the hollow charge and the rearward end. When the housing strikes a target an ignition system is activated first igniting the follow-up projectile and then igniting the hollow charge, so that the hollow charge opens a hole in the target and then is followed by the follow-up projectile aligned with the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbH
    Inventors: Gerd Kellner, Karl Rudolf
  • Patent number: 4942819
    Abstract: Hollow charge with a jet-forming lining or cover, in particular for producing a channel for a follow-through projectile in take-off runways, roadways or other stationary ground targets. A projectile-forming inert material is located between an initiator point and the jet-forming lining or cover at a distance from the initiator point and jet-forming lining or cover. The size, geometry, thickness and spatial position of the projectile-forming body are adaptable to the respective target characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Inventors: Klaus Thoma, Klaus Lindstadt, Karl Rudolf
  • Patent number: 4768440
    Abstract: A warhead for a guided missile initiated by a proximity fuse, for use against high speed high altitude targets, comprises a fragmentation casing, an outer explosive charge contained in the casing and having a detonator and an inner explosive charge radially separated from the outer charge by an empty space. The inner charge has a detonator and is so arranged that the outer charge is detonated by the shockwave travelling through the radial space. On the other hand, the inner charge does not detonate following explosion of the outer charge. The charges are so shaped that the fragments from the casing are distributed as a radially directed isotopic shower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Matra
    Inventors: Pierre Deneuville, Ellio Perez
  • Patent number: 4753170
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a detonating cord of polygonal cross section having three or more substantially flat sides of substantially equal length and substantially equal included angles between each of the sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Assignee: Jet Research Center
    Inventors: John A. Regalbuto, Jack E. Dines
  • Patent number: 4552742
    Abstract: A system and method for obtaining spherically symmetrical implosion of sample materials by directing radiant ignition energy onto a target which includes a spherically symmetrical core of selected sample material concentrically surrounded by a shell of high explosive material. The resulting implosive compression produces hydrodynamically controlled physical and/or chemical and/or metallurgical transformations of state in the sample material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Assignee: KMS Fusion, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick J. Mayer
  • Patent number: 4412493
    Abstract: An explosive logic safing device for increasing the safety and reliability f a detonation signal from a fuze to an explosive charge. The safing device is provided with an inlet explosive trail which conveys an inlet detonation signal to an outlet explosive trail and the primary explosive charge. A control explosive trail connects the inlet explosive trail and the outlet explosive trail. A failure explosive trail is connected between the control explosive trail and the outlet explosive trail, and is provided with an explosive logic network for conveying the inlet detonation signal from the inlet explosive trail to the outlet explosive trail when a plurality of detonators are properly initiated. The explosive logic network is also provided with a means for registering the successive initiation failures of individual detonators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Denis A. Silvia
  • Patent number: 4408535
    Abstract: Explosive cutting means comprising explosive material, preferably in flat strip form, which can be arranged in contact with a surface of a target on either side of an intended line of cut and means for so detonating the explosive material that shock waves will be produced in the target material simultaneously on either side of the intended line of cut, which shock waves will travel towards and will coincide substantially at the intended line of cut. The invention also discloses a method of explosive cutting using said means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1983
    Assignee: Alflex Limited
    Inventor: Sidney C. Alford
  • Patent number: 4384527
    Abstract: An explosive body having an intensified detonation pressure is disclosed, characterized in that the body includes a main explosive charge and an auxiliary explosive charge. A material is arranged between the charges for transmitting the impact wave from the detonating auxiliary charge to the main charge. Detonation of the main charge is delayed following detonation of the auxiliary charge, whereby the impact wave of the auxiliary charge compresses the explosive of the main charge. Thus, the intensity of the resulting detonation pressure of the main charge is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1983
    Assignee: Diehl GmbH
    Inventor: Horst-Georg Bugiel
  • Patent number: 4372214
    Abstract: An explosive auto-enhancement device for providing higher detonation pressure than can be achieved with conventional explosives by the use of magnetic precompression for enhancing the detonation wave. A cylindrical armature containing an explosive charge is coaxially spaced within a helical field generator winding with a first end of the armature being electrically coupled to the helical winding. A "seed" magnetic field is provided to the helical winding prior to the initiation of the explosive charge. When the explosive charge is initiated, forming a detonation wave, the other end of the cyclindrical armature expands and is coupled to the helical winding, thus completing the electrical circuit between the winding and the armature. As the detonation wave continues through the explosive charge, more of the coils of the helical winding are short circuited which reduces the inductance and results in increased magnetic flux within the winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Edward T. Toton, Elihu Zimet
  • Patent number: 4325305
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrical augmentation of steady state detonation waves in solid or fluid explosives. Two electrical conductors are disposed along opposed margins of explosive material and coupled across a source of electrical energy. When the explosive material is detonated and as the detonation wave propagates along the explosive material, electrical energy is furnished across the conductors and into the detonation wave which is more conductive than either the undetonated explosive or detonation product gases. The electrical energy coupled into the detonation wave adds energy over and above that which is normally delivered chemically and thus causes the detonation pressure and velocity to increase and therefore increases the ability of the explosive material to accelerate objects and do work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Donald J. Pastine