Particles Of Diverse Size Or Shape Patents (Class 149/21)
  • Patent number: 11592269
    Abstract: A concealed amalgamated neutralizer device covertly combines neutralizer material of inert materials such as calcium carbonate or silicates with common energetic material for the prevention of malicious use of the energetic material. The concealed amalgamated neutralizer device may vary in shape, size, and color and is therefore adaptable to varying methods of containment. The neutralizer material mimics the energetic material without detection. Upon disassembly of the concealed amalgamated neutralizer device, the neutralizer material is mixed with and neutralizes the energetic material rendering the energetic material useless. A container is provided which has a bottom section having an interior surface including a plurality of integrally formed recesses that are filled with the energetic material which allow manipulation of flash direction and intensity upon detonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: I P Creations Limited
    Inventors: Benjamin John Green, Daniel Hill Meeker
  • Patent number: 11479517
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to embodiments of an explosive formulation comprising a detonable mixture of an oxidizing agent such as carbon dioxide, and a material that decomposes the oxidizing agent exothermically (a reducing agent), and additives that increase the mixture's shock sensitivity. The formulations may be used in a method to produce diamonds or nano oxides or in other applications that use traditional explosives such as, but not limited to: ammonium nitrate and fuel oil combinations (ANFO), watergel explosives, emulsion explosives and RDX.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Inventor: Daren Normand Swanson
  • Patent number: 9556376
    Abstract: An aqueous, viscoelastic fluid gelled with a viscoelastic surfactant (VES) may suspend solids such as proppants, gravel, drilling debris, waste solids and the like with an effective amount of a nano-sized additive including, but not necessarily limited to alkaline earth metal oxides, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, alkali metal oxides, alkali metal hydroxides, transition metal oxides, transition metal hydroxides, post-transition metal oxides, and post-transition metal hydroxides. The additives may also reduce the amount of VES required to maintain a given viscosity. These viscoelastic surfactant gelled aqueous fluids may be used as treatment fluids for subterranean hydrocarbon formations, such as in hydraulic fracturing, gravel packing and the like. The magnesium oxide, zinc oxide or other nanometer scale-sized additives are at a scale that may provide unique particle charges that use chemisorption, crosslinking and/or other chemistries to associate the micelles and suspend the solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Tianping Huang, James B. Crews
  • Patent number: 9261342
    Abstract: This invention is related to a controlled expanding chemical (CEC) and its activation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventors: Sami Abdulrahman A. Albakri, Yusuf Vasfi Ozalp
  • Patent number: 9199108
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fire extinguishing composition generating fire extinguishing substance through high-temperature decomposition; the fire extinguishing composition includes a fire extinguishing material which can be decomposed to release substance with fire extinguishing properties during the heating process; the content of the fire extinguishing material is at least 80 wt %; a pyrotechnic agent is adopted as a heat source and a power source in a process of fire extinguishing; and the purpose of fire extinguishing is achieved by: igniting the pyrotechnic agent, generating a large quantity of fire substance from the fire extinguishing composition in the use of high temperature produced by burning pyrotechnic agent, and the fire substance sprays out together with the pyrotechnic agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: XI'AN J&R Fire Fighting Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hongbao Guo, Honghong Liu, Xiaoqing Zhao
  • Patent number: 8801878
    Abstract: A lead-free pyrotechnic and primary explosive compositions including metal iodates as an oxidizer in nanocomposite energetic compositions including metal powder fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Curtis E. Johnson, Kelvin T. Higa
  • Patent number: 8092622
    Abstract: Bimetallic alloys prepared in a ball milling process, such as iron nickel (FeNi), iron palladium (FePd), and magnesium palladium (MgPd) provide in situ catalyst system for remediating and degrading nitro explosive compounds. Specifically, munitions, such as, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), cyclo-1,3,5-trimethylene-2,4,6-trinitramine (RDX), nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine that have become contaminants in groundwater, soil, and other structures are treated on site to remediate explosive contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Clausen, Cherie Geiger, Michael Sigman, Rebecca Fidler
  • Patent number: 8066832
    Abstract: A delay composition for a detonator or delay device. The composition comprising a mixture of silicon and barium sulfate, and an amount of red lead in the range of about 3 to 15%, and preferably 6 to 12%, by weight of the mixture. The invention also relates to a delay element comprising a rigid metal tube containing the delay composition, and a delay device incorporating the delay element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Orica Explosives Technology Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Réjean Aubé
  • Patent number: 8062442
    Abstract: Triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and other explosives of the peroxide family are safely degraded in situ. Nano and micron size metal particles in an elemental state include pure iron and magnesium or iron and magnesium particles that are mechanically alloyed with palladium and nickel. The metal particles are used in both the elemental state and in emulsions that are made from water, a hydrophobic solvent, such as corn oil, and a food-grade nonionic surfactant. The neat metals and emulsified zero valent metals (EZVM) safely degrade TATP with the major degradation product being acetone. The EZVM system absorbs and dissolves the TATP into the emulsion droplets where TATP degradation occurs. EZVM systems are ideal for degrading dry TATP crystals that may be present on a carpet or door entrance. Both the neat metal system and the emulsion system (EZVM) degrade TATP in an aqueous slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Clausen, III, Cherie L. Geiger, Michael Sigman, Rebecca Fidler
  • Patent number: 7993475
    Abstract: A firing agent which is used in a gas generating device of a vehicle occupant protection device together with a non-azide gas generating agent, for firing the non-azide gas generating agent, wherein the firing agent contains a fuel and an oxidizing agent and is configured to burn at a combustion speed higher than that of the non-azide gas generating agent; a method for using the firing agent; and a gas generating device of a vehicle occupant protection device using the firing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: NOF Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Serizawa, Tomonori Tasaki, Katsuhiko Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7955452
    Abstract: A process for manufacture of explosive formulations containing a halogenated wax binder, involving dilution of the halogenated wax in a non-aqueous lacquer, slurring the explosive in an aqueous solution and applying heat and vacuum to yield a granular explosive which provides complete coating to avoid hot spots and is quickly pressable at lower temperature and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Sanjeev K. Singh, Philip Samuels, Christos Capellos, Barry Fishburn
  • Publication number: 20090223612
    Abstract: A powdered fuel includes a powder including a material consisting of particles having a particle size distribution median and other statistical characteristics such that less than about 5% of the particles by weight have a size larger than an explosibility size limit for the material. The particle size distribution median and other statistical characteristics are selected based on the use of the powder as a substantially explosible fuel. In one embodiment the material is biomass. In other embodiments, the material is a metal material, a metal alloy, a metal oxide, a plastic material, or a hydrocarbon-bearing solid. A powdered fuel dispersion includes an oxidizing gas and a powdered fuel dispersed in the oxidizing gas at a ratio such that the powdered fuel dispersion is explosible. Proper control of the moving dispersion produces a stationary deflagrating wave that substantially consumes the fuel to produce energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: James K. McKnight, Edward Bacorn, Ken W. White
  • Publication number: 20080217893
    Abstract: A firing agent which is used in a gas generating device of a vehicle occupant protection device together with a non-azide gas generating agent, for firing the non-azide gas generating agent, wherein the firing agent contains a fuel and an oxidizing agent and is configured to burn at a combustion speed higher than that of the non-azide gas generating agent; a method for using the firing agent; and a gas generating device of a vehicle occupant protection device using the firing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: NOF CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuya Serizawa, Tomonori Tasaki, Katsuhiko Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20080185080
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an explosive composition comprised of heavy ANFO and expanded polymeric beads that have a density that is less than the density of the heavy ANFO. The expanded polymeric beads have a size that is determined or based on the size of ammonium nitrate prills used in the heavy ANFO portion of the composition. In one embodiment, the expanded polymeric beads that are utilized in the composition are at least 70% of the lower limit of the mesh size of the predominant ammonium nitrate prill mesh size. In another embodiment, the expanded polymeric beads are at least 70% of the a size that is related to the average mesh size of the ammonium nitrate prills.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2005
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Kevin H. Waldock, Christopher J. Kulish
  • Patent number: 6736912
    Abstract: A solid combustible composition for use in solid fuel air-augmented rocket engines which very substantially increases the temperature efficiency of afterburner fuel combustion with ram air, thereby greatly increasing engine performance. The improvement comprises dispersing in a matrix comprising the solid, fuel-rich organic compositions conventionally utilized in air-augmented rockets, particles containing solid oxidizable element and fluorine oxidizer compound which reacts with the element to produce gaseous subfluoride compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventors: Jerry L. Fields, James D. Martin
  • Patent number: 6558488
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making pourable, plastic-bound explosive charges or rocket propellants, to which a metal powder having essentially spherically shaped grains is added. To avoid an increase in the viscosity of the explosive charge or the rocket propellant through polar groups attached to the surface of the metal powder, it is suggested according to the invention that the polar groups of the metal powder be saturated with SiR3 groups (Si=silane; R=organic residue) before the metal powder is added to the explosive mixture. As a result, the polar groups can no longer react with the isocyanates of the explosive charge or the rocket propellant and the specific surface of the respective metal powder, as well as the viscosity of the charges, is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Wanninger, Rainer Böhm, Horst Pinkernelle
  • Patent number: 6334917
    Abstract: A gas generating apparatus for outputting a gas is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus is an inflator having a propellant for supplying inflation gas(es) to an inflatable located in a vehicle. A confining member is located adjacent to the propellant. A number of spaced holes are provided in the confining member, either before or after activation of the propellant. Inflation gas is received through the spaced holes for subsequent passage to the inflatable. In that regard, the inflation gas first passes through a chamber defined in a timing member that has metering orifices. Such orifices regulate the flow of the inflation gas to the inflatable. The confining member is able to withstand significant pressures without rupturing. Each of the confining member and the timing member is preferably made of a non-metallic material. The propellant includes a fuel-rich material and an oxidizer material, preferably ammonium nitrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Hamilton, Paul Harrington
  • Patent number: 6264772
    Abstract: The invention relates to fire-extinguishing technology, in particular a process for producing aerosol-forming pyrotechnical compositions for extinguishing fires. The process includes the steps of mixing powdery combustible binder, oxidizing agent and dicyandiamide. The combustible binder is a polycondensate of formaldehyde and a organic compound, of a fraction from 70 to 120 &mgr;m. The oxidizing agent is an alkali nitrate of a fraction from 15 to 25 &mgr;m. The dicyandiamide is a fraction from 40 to 80 &mgr;m. Subsequently, there is added to the above, respective fractions of the combustible binder of 10 to 25 &mgr;m of the oxidizing agent of 1 to 7 &mgr;m and of the dicyandiamide of 7 to 15 &mgr;m. The weight ratios of the fractions of combustible binder, oxidizing agent and dicyandiamide are 70:30, 25:75 and 80:20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: R-Amtech International, Inc.
    Inventor: Nikolay Vasiljevich Drakin
  • Patent number: 6261393
    Abstract: A dry water resistant ANFO-explosive, containing one or more organic fuels, one or more inorganic salts, one or more water thickening agents, and a gas generating substance which develops a gas when it gets in contact with water in a blast hole, and thereby transforms itself into a watergel slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Dyno Industrier ASA
    Inventor: Jan Hans Vestre
  • Patent number: 6165293
    Abstract: A thixotropic oxidizer gel comprising inhibited red fuming nitric acid (IA) as the carrier with lithium nitrate (LiNO.sub.3) suspended therein and gelled with a gellant agent of SiO.sub.2 having a mean particle size of 0.015 microns has the rheological properties which can be tailored to match those of MICOM GEL, a fuel gel.A thixotropic gelled fuel (MICOM GEL) has been of particular interest because of its increased safety, reduced sloshing, ease of pumping at zero gravity and ability to suspend high concentrations of high-energy ingredients. However, a gelled oxidizer has been desired for use with the gelled fuel to constitute a thixotropic gelled propellant system. The combination of a gelled fuel (MICOM GEL) and a gelled oxidizer is now a reality after the development of the thixotropic oxidizer gel disclosed above. Of major significance is the matching of the rheologial properties of the two gels so that an oxidizer/fuel (O/F) ratio shift does not occur with a temperature change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Barry D. Allan
  • Patent number: 6120626
    Abstract: A dispersal agent for preventing agglomerating of at least one component of a material is provided. In one embodiment, the dispersal agent is part of a porosity producing material and the dispersal agent eliminates or substantially prevents agglomeration of the porosity producing material. In one embodiment, the porosity producing material is fibrous cellulous. Such fibrous cellulose may be part of a porosity producing material, which is part of a propellant composition. The propellant composition can be used in an inflator housed in a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP Inc.
    Inventor: Brian K. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 6036794
    Abstract: An igniter composition, and a method of manufacturing the igniter composin, comprised of an oxidizer dispersed in polyurethane resin using anhydrous acetone as a solvent. The polyurethane resin is cured at room temperature and granulated to form a granulated igniter. The granulated igniter may be blended with powdered magnesium. Preferably, the oxidizer is strontium peroxide and the amount of polyurethane resin is approximately 10 to 14 parts by weight and the amount of strontium peroxide is approximately 90 to 86 parts by weight, the ideal mixture is 12 part by weight polyurethane resin and 88 parts by weight strontium peroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Thomas A. Doris, Jr., Kevin D. Vest
  • Patent number: 5831209
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pyrotechnical, aerosol-forming composition for the purpose of extinguishing fires in confined spaces, containing potassium nitrate in a quantity of 67-72% by mass, phenolformaldehyde resin in a quantity of 8-12% by mass and dicyandiamide as the balance, wherein the particles of the potassium nitrate have a maximum average diameter of 25 .mu.m, the particles of the phenolformaldehyde resin have a maximum average diameter of 100 .mu.m and the particles of the dicyandiamide have a maximum average diameter of 15 .mu.m,A further object of the invention is a method for the preparation of the composition, which can be manufactured in conventional installations, by preparing a phenolformaldehyde solution using a mixture of ethyl alcohol with acetone in a ratio of 30-50:70-50 and by mixing and subsequently granulating during the drying process at 20.degree.-70.degree. C. The drying process is preferably performed at 40.degree. C. by circulating air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: R-Amtech International, Inc.
    Inventors: Valeriy Nikolaevitch Kozyrev, Valeriy Nilovitch Yemelyanov, Alexey Ivanovitch Sidorov, Vladimir Andreevitch Andreev
  • Patent number: 5821451
    Abstract: The invention relates to a photoflash mixture comprising a mixture of particles of zirconia and at least one oxidizer, wherein said zirconia particles comprise a mixture of smaller particles between about 2 and 10 .mu.m diameter, and larger particles between about 20 and 30 .mu.m average diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Stanley W. Stephenson, Kimon Papadopoulos
  • Patent number: 5792982
    Abstract: A two-part igniter for inflators used to inflate inflation devices such as air bags, lift rafts, slide chutes, and the like which includes a heterogeneous mixture of an ignition material and a consolidated mass of either i) a pyrotechnic component or ii) a composite propellant. The ignition material can be in a granular form or pelletized. The pyrotechnic component or composite propellant is provided as a pellet which is in immediate contact with the ignition material. The pyrotechnic component or composite propellant lowers the auto-ignition temperature of the two-part igniter. The two-part igniter can be used in inflators which generate all inflation gases from gas-generating compositions and in inflators which include a supply of stored pressurized inflation gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Atlantic Research Corporation
    Inventor: Robert S. Scheffee
  • Patent number: 5531843
    Abstract: Explosive compositions are disclosed which comprise a nitrate salt oxidizer and glycol still bottoms alone or in combination with water. The still bottoms function as a fuel oil replacement (FOR) in ANFO explosives. Glycol still bottoms can be mixed with thickeners, cross-linkers and other additives to make a bottoms matrix. The bottoms matrix and a nitrate salt oxidizer combine to make explosive compositions which show an improvement in performance and water-resistance when compared to standard ANFO explosives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventors: Donald M. Stromquist, Boyd J. Wathen
  • Patent number: 5500061
    Abstract: The addition of silicon (Si) powder from about 0.40 to 6.00 weight percent o ammonium nitrate (AN) propellant formulations as a fuel source results in a substantial increase in performance specific impulse (Isp). Theoretical Isp of AN propellant can be enhanced to levels approaching conventional in-service propellant formulations containing much more hazardous ingredients. Using inert or energetic polymer binders, AN propellant formulations are possible that will meet the performance requirements of most tactical missile systems when silicon is used as a fuel additive. Silicon powder when used to replace elemental carbon in most formulations has two major advantages: (1) an increase in theoretical Isp and (2) an improved propellant combustion efficiency by increasing propellant burning temperature. An improvement in propellant burning properties are also expected. The adjustment of weight percent ammonium nitrate in the AN propellant formulation is made as the silicon powder is adjusted over the range of 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Larry C. Warren, Leo K. Asaoka
  • Patent number: 5423384
    Abstract: An apparatus for suppressing a fire comprises a gas generator containing a propellant and a fire suppressant as a mixture of compacted powders. The average diameter of a fire suppressant particle is larger than the average diameter of a propellant particle and the larger fire suppressant particles form discrete cooling sites that do not dramatically reduce the propellant burn rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: Lyle D. Galbraith, Gary F. Holland, Donald R. Poole, Robert M. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 5156779
    Abstract: A method and an improved eductor apparatus for producing ultrafine explosive particles is disclosed. The explosive particles, which when incorporated into a binder system, have the ability to propagate in thin sheets, and have very low impact sensitivity and very high propagation sensitivity. A stream of a solution of the explosive dissolved in a solvent is thoroughly mixed with a stream of an inert nonsolvent by obtaining nonlaminar flow of the streams by applying pressure against the flow of the nonsolvent stream, to thereby diverge the stream as it contacts the explosive solution, and violently agitating the combined stream to rapidly precipitate the explosive particles from the solution in the form of generally spheroidal, ultrafine particles. The two streams are injected coaxially through continuous, concentric orifices of a nozzle into a mixing chamber. Preferably, the nonsolvent stream is injected centrally of the explosive solution stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Michael J. McGowan
  • Patent number: 5151138
    Abstract: A blasting composition for use in boreholes of diameter not less than 80 mm. The composition contains more than about 25% of solid oxidiser particles such as limestone ammonium nitrate. These particles are in the form of dense prills, granules or crystals and about 80% of them have a minimum thickness in the range of 1/200 to 1/75 of borehole diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: Mining Services International Corp.
    Inventor: Charles M. Lownds
  • Patent number: 5129972
    Abstract: Emulsifiers are disclosed which comprise the reaction product of component (I) with component (II). Component (I) comprises the reaction product of certain carboxylic acids or anhydrides, or ester or amide derivatives thereof, with ammonia, at least one amine, at least one alkali and/or at least one alkaline-earth metal. Component (II) comprises certain phosphorus-containing acids; or metal salts of said phosphorus-containing acids, the metal being selected from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium, strontium, chromium, manganese, iron, molybdenum, cobalt, nickel, copper, silver, zinc, cadmium, aluminum, tin, lead, and mixtures of two or more thereof. These emulsifiers are useful in water-in-oil explosive emulsions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: Alan T. Riga, John W. Forsberg
  • Patent number: 5112417
    Abstract: Tris(N-nitrosophenylhydroxylaminium)aluminum is employed in amounts from about 0.1% by weight to about 0.2% by weight to inhibit the polymerization reaction during propellant mixing. With a weight percent of 0.2 percent, the inhibitor inhibited polymerizaiton to control end-of-mix viscosities to 12 Kp and 13 Kp compared to control propellant viscosities of 26 Kp and 39 Kp after 8 hours and 10 hours respectively. The test propellant and control propellant contained the name ingredients with the exception of the 0.2% additive of the inhibitor in the test propellant. The propellant composition for control and test comprised ammonium perchlorate of 400 micrometer, 200 micrometers, and 20 micrometers in weight percent amounts of 29.5,30.0, and 5.0 respectively, aluminum powder 14.0 weight percent, cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine oxidizer of 4 micrometers particle size in amount of 10.0 weight percent, and hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene prepolymer binder in a weight percent amount of 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: United States of America
    Inventor: David C. Sayles
  • Patent number: 5104466
    Abstract: Particles of glass or silica type material are added to pellets of gas generating material as the gas generating material is being loaded into the combustion chamber of a gas generator or inflator. When the inflator is fired, the liquids and gases produced by the resulting rapid combustion process are cooled and condensed by the particles of glass or silica type material to a solid inside the combustion chamber near the exit ports or outlet holes thereof. This dramatically reduces the amount of combustible particle residue or particulates that leave the inflator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Allard, Linda M. Rink
  • Patent number: 5099763
    Abstract: A blasting agent is disclosed for use in a borehole having a pressure resistant closure. The blasting agent is used in combination with a primary initiating system comprised of a detonator and an initiator for the detonator. The blasting agent is preferably a semi-fluid explosive material having a predetermined sensitivity. The sensitivity is related to the borehole diameter and the initiating system's strength, wherein the blasting agent upon initiation is transformed into explosive products by means of reaction front which consumes substantially all the blasting agent as the reaction front passes through the blasting agent. The reaction front has an average velocity of propagation of beween 200 meters/second and 1,000 meters/second for at least 30% of the total length of blasting agent located in the borehole. Another aspect of the invention is a method of blasting wherein the average velocity of propagation of the explosive front in the blasting agent is in a range of between 200 m/sec and 1,000 m/sec.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: ETI Explosive Technologies International
    Inventors: David L. Coursen, Rufus E. Flinchum
  • Patent number: 5089069
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a gas generating composition suitable for use in air bag systems. The gas generating composition is comprised of a solid metal azide as a fuel, an alkali nitrate as an oxidizer, and diatomaceous earth as an additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Coodly P. Ramaswamy, Francis Souriraja
  • Patent number: 5084117
    Abstract: This invention relates to an explosive. It relates in particular to the manufacture of an emulsion explosive comprising a discontinuous phase which forms an oxidizing salt-containing component and a continuous phase which is immiscible with the discontinuous phase and which forms a fuel component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: AECI Limited
    Inventors: Richard C. M. Houston, Julian Taylor
  • Patent number: 5076867
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for stabilizing a detonable mixture of emulsion and AN or ANFO prills and to the resulting compositions. A surfactant is dissolved in a liquid organic fuel prior to adding the fuel to AN prills for forming ANFO prills, or if AN prills are used without added liquid organic fuel, the surfactant is added to the prills. The ANFO prills or AN prills containing a surfactant than are mixed with the emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Inventor: Lee F. McKenzie
  • Patent number: 5074939
    Abstract: The present invention relates to cap-sensitive explosive compositions, in particular to emulsion explosives doped with solid particulate ammonium nitrate which retain stability and cap-sensitivity despite containing relatively high levels of dopant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: ICI Australia Operations Proprietary Limited
    Inventors: Ross Sanders, Robert Sheahan, Vladimir Sujansky
  • Patent number: 5074938
    Abstract: Propellant grain consisting essentially of:A. from about 50% to about 75% by weight of an oxidizer consisting essentially of ammonium nitrate;B. from about 1% to about 20% by weight of a cured polymeric binder;C. from 0% to about 30% by weight of a nitrate ester plasticizer;D. from about 3.5% to about 8% by weight of boron in free elemental form; andE. from 0% to about 3% by weight of aluminum metal.The grain has a pressure exponent not exceeding about 0.30 at a combustion pressure between about 2500 and about 7000 pounds per square inch (between about 1700 and about 4800 N/cm.sup.2). Also, an uncured pourable slurry having the formula stated above, except that the binder is uncured. Also, a method for forming a propellant grain having the formula stated above, comprising the steps of providing the uncured pourable slurry defined above, pouring the slurry into a casing, and curing the slurry in situ to form a cured propellant grain having a pressure exponent not exceeding about 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Thiokol Corporation
    Inventor: Minn-Shong Chi
  • Patent number: 5074940
    Abstract: A gas generating composition comprises an azide of an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal, and manganese dioxide for oxidizing the azide. The composition further includes a clay material containing at least 37% by weight of silicon dioxide and having a mixing ratio of at least 5.5% by weight. This composition can allow burning to be conducted at low temperature to ensure the generation of the desired gas. The strength of a pellet of the composition can be improved without generating a toxic gas or reducing the burning rate or reducing the working efficiency in producing the pellet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Nippon Oil and Fats Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Ochi, Kazuyuki Narita, Kazunori Matsuda
  • Patent number: 5071496
    Abstract: A blasting agent is disclosed for use in a borehole having a pressure resistant closure. The blasting agent is used in combination with a primary initiating system comprised of a detonator and an initiator for the detonator. The blasting agent is preferably a semi-fluid explosive material having a predetermined sensitivity. The sensitivity is related to the borehole diameter and the initiating system's strength, wherein the blasting agent upon initiation is transformed into explosive products by means of reaction front which consumes substantially all the blasting agent as the reaction front passes through the blasting agent. The reaction front has an average velocity of propagation of between 200 meters/second and 1,000 meters/second for at least 30% of the total length of blasting agent located in the borehole. Another aspect of the invention is a method of blasting wherein the average velocity of propagation of the explosive front in the blasting agent is in a range of between 200 m/sec and 1,000 m/sec.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: ETI Explosive Technologies International (Canada)
    Inventors: David L. Coursen, Rufus Flinchman
  • Patent number: 5053088
    Abstract: Mechanical enhancement of the burning rate of solid propellants is achieved y the incorporation of limited percentages of heat-expandable beads into the solid propellant matrix. When the flame front reaches an individual bead, the bead which contains an expanding or blowing agent (e.g., pentane, 4,4'-oxybis(benzenesulfonyl hydrazide) (Celogen OT), etc., expands to several times its volume and ruptures. Bead expansion or rupture causes a disruption of the propellant's surface, and the flame can penetrate into the propellant. This penetration results in a major increase in burning rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: David C. Sayles
  • Patent number: 5041177
    Abstract: An explosive composition comprising an explosive mixture of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil. The fuel oil is selected to provide an oil separation sufficiently low so that the explosive is detonatable. The fuel oil is also selected such that the viscosity of the explosive is sufficiently low so that the explosive may be loadable into a borehole. The explosive is substantially free of tackifying agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: ETI Explosives
    Inventors: Ernest A. Hajto, Christopher J. Preston, Earl D. Reckzin
  • Patent number: 5034071
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a blended explosive composition containing an emulsifier which is a derivative of polyisobutylene succinic anhydride and a prill having an internal additive of a naphthalene sulfonate surfactant and an external coating which makes the prill compatible with the emulsifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Atlas Powder Company
    Inventor: Catharine VanOmmeren
  • Patent number: 5034073
    Abstract: An explosive composition having a combination of a principal explosive, which is relatively insensitive to initiation of detonation, two mesh fractions of a sensitizing explosive which is relatively sensitive to initiation of detonation, a critical diameter additive which lowers the critical diameter of the composition, and a binder, demonstrates the ability to achieve steady-state detonation after deliberate initiation of detonation. The composition is further characterized by low sensitivity to accidental detonation by external influences, and favorable mechanical and processability properties.A method of making an explosive composition of this type by adjusting the amount of critical diameter additive and testing the composition is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Aerojet General Corporation
    Inventors: Jude W. Barry, Ralph M. Moorehead
  • Patent number: 5028284
    Abstract: A method and composition for enhancing the visual effect of a combustion explosion without substantially increasing the explosive force is the subject matter of this invention. A solid explosive compound is combined with a ground combustible particulate material that is characterized by a wide distribution of particle sizes. Preferably the surface area of the particles will vary by a factor of at least 500 percent and no more than 10 percent of the total number of particles will be represented by any one particle size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Chemfx, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bert D. Cox, Edmond T. Stamps
  • Patent number: 5026443
    Abstract: A stabilized high energy explosive, e.g. hexogen (RDX), octogen (HMX) or the like, as a component of NC or plastic-bound propellant charge powders (Lova-TLP) or plastic-bound explosives (PBX) has a particle size up to 5 .mu.m and a stabilizer incorporated into the explosive particles. In order to produce such an explosive, it is proposed that the explosive in the dissolved form and with the stabilizer in the liquid phase is mixed with a proportion of up to approximately 6% and the mixture is brought by flash drying into the solid phase with a particle size of up to 5 .mu.m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der angewandten
    Inventors: Dietmar Muller, Mathias Helfrich
  • Patent number: 5026442
    Abstract: This invention provides an explosive composition comprising a blend of a melt-in-fuel emulsion and solid particulate oxygen-releasing salt. Said melt-in-fuel emulsion comprises a discontinuous oxygen-releasing salt phase, a continuous water-immiscible organic fuel phase and an emulsifier component. The oxygen-releasing salt is preferably selected such that the water content is minimized. The explosive composition may additionally comprise a discontinuous gaseous component. The compositions are stable against crystallization and segregation and are blowloadable without significant blowback. The compositions have an added advantage of a propensity to be loaded into upholes without the need for stemming or other plugging arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: ICI Australia Operations Proprietary Limited
    Inventors: Michael Yabsley, Waclaw Skinder, Ken Mitchell
  • Patent number: 5017251
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved permissible explosive composition. More particularly, the invention relates to a permissible water-in-oil emulsion explosive that is shock-resistant and has a relatively low density. The water-in-oil emulsion explosives of this invention contain a water-immiscible organic fuel as the continuous phase and an emulsified inorganic oxidizer salt solution as the discontinuous phase. These oxidizer and fuel phases react with one another upon initiation by a blasting cap or other initiator to produce an effective detonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: IRECO Incorporated
    Inventors: Lawrence D. Lawrence, Walter B. Sudweeks
  • Patent number: 5000802
    Abstract: This invention relates to a water-in-oil type emulsion explosive comprising an aqueous oxidizer solution, an oily material, an emulsifier and hollow microspheres, in which the whole or a part of the oily material is replaced with a polymer which is oil-soluble and has a ladder structure in the molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Ikeda, Atsuo Inoue, Yoshio Tanabe