Abstract: This invention discloses downhole explosive carriers in which the explosive charges are mounted in a unique staggered spiral pattern thereby allowing a greater number of shots that can be fired per unit length while increasing the spacing between explosive charges; the latter advantage further reduces the potential interference between fired shots and pressure change therefore providing a greater perforated hole size. With a 31/2-inch gun perforating through a 41/2- to 5-inch casing, one trip of the present invention downhole provides as much or greater flow area than what could be achieved by two trips of a conventional gun, while eliminating the risk of splitting the casing which can be caused due to multiple shooting. With a 33/8-inch gun perforating a 5-inch trip of the current invention equals two trips of a conventional gun of the same size, plus a 10% improvement in flow rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pyrotechnical system comprising at least one flexible elongate pyrotechnical-function element and means suitable for deploying said elongate element in a chosen direction, wherein the system further comprises a support structure comprising an inflatable flexible container which receives the elongate element and which is provided with internal spacer fins suitable for supporting the elongate element, for being deployed simultaneously therewith, and for supporting the pyrotechnical-function element above the ground.

Abstract: An igniter (18) provides rapid longitudinal and radial propagation of the ignition reaction. The igniter may comprise a pyrotechnic material and an inorganic binder, such as silica, carried on a carrier web (10) which may be fiber-glass. One or more layers of coated web (10) are disposed to provide an igniter (18) of cylindrical configuration and having a hollow core. The coated layers are permeable to the ignition reaction to facilitate radial propagation of ignition. The hollow core and the continuous nature of the pyrotechnic layers promotes longitudinal propagation of ignition. The igniter may consist mostly or entirely of inorganic materials to reduce or eliminate the formation of carbon monoxide upon ignition, and may be contained within a radially perforated sheath (20) to form a radial ignition device (25).

Abstract: A tube launched rocket system which uses a plurality of small propellant charges located within the tube to propel the rocket. The charges form part of the outer wall of a traveling propulsion chamber. The rest of the chamber is substantially defined by a propulsion housing, which includes a forward plate that abuts the projectile, and an aft nozzle for venting gases from the interior of the chamber. Alternative embodiments also contain baffles for directing the flow of combustion gases, and may employ an electronic ignition system for igniting the propellant charges in sequence. As charges adjoining the propulsion chamber are ignited, the resulting combustion gases thrust into the interior of the chamber, forcing the housing forward as they flow aftward through the nozzle. As the propulsion housing travels through the tube, additional propellant charges are ignited as they effectively become part of the outer wall of the propulsion chamber. The housing pushes the projectile ahead of it through the tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing the recoil and muzzle climb from the discharge of a firearm. A hollow cylinder member having a front end with a restricted opening forming a gas chamber is attached to the muzzle end of a firearm and serves to rearwardly divert the highly pressurized gas produced from the combustion of gunpowder. The cylinder member is provided with rearwardly angled holes along both its top and bottom surface which act as jets to create a forward propulsive force from the expelled gas. This forward force counteracts and reduces the backward force of the firearm's recoil. By providing a greater ratio of top holes to bottom holes, thereby effecting a downward force greater than the upward force, muzzle climb can also be effectively reduced. The apparatus can be constructed for quick attachment to the muzzle of the firearm.

Abstract: A firearm and optical instrument support includes a cylinder member which provides support without hindering the range of fire of a rifle or a pistol. The cylinder member is disposed on telescopic elongated elements which are frictionally clamped by a clamp. The firearm support further includes a perpetually open strap. Additionally, the firearm support is noiselessly foldable and opens with one hand.

Abstract: A choke assembly (10) is attachable to the muzzle end of a shotgun barrel (G) to produce a tightened shot pattern when the shotgun is fired. A shotgun shell includes shot (S) and a wading (W). The wading is spun through the barrel by discharge gases created when the shell is fired, and this spinning motion tends to increase the size of the shot pattern. The choke comprises an elongate hollow tube (12) having an inner end (14) receivable in the muzzle end (M) of the barrel. An inner diameter (D1) of the tube corresponds to that of the barrel at its muzzle end. An outer end (24) of the tube extends beyond the muzzle. The inner diameter of the tube decreases from the inner to the outer end of the tube to effect a choke. The outer end of the tube also has a plurality of longitudinally extending slots (28) formed therein, these being spaced circumferentially about the tube. Discharge gases propelling the wading through the barrel tends to force the wading radially outwardly through the slots.

Abstract: A seal for a large annular opening between a launch tube and a missile comprising a suspended hoop composed of a pair of cylindrical rings spaced apart by axially disposed chevron-shaped struts, the inner cylindrical ring having a frustoconically shaped lip extending from its lower margin and a foot cylindrical ring is disposed below the suspended hoop with a frustoconically or half-toroid shaped membrane having a fibrous cloth embedded therein extending between and into the inner cylindrical ring and the lip portion to provide a stabilizing seal.

Abstract: A firearm with muzzle noise reducer is disclosed with one or more barrels in which the bullets reach their final velocity in front of the barrel and a muzzle noise reducer constructed such that it can divert propellant gas upon reaching the final bullet velocity. This construction for diverting the propellant generally is in form of openings located length-wise in a barrel. The openings may have different forms and arrangements, e.g. an electronic and/or inertia-activated time-control element that controls the divergence of propellent gas. A method of reducing the muzzle noise is also disclosed.

Abstract: A Gatling-type gun mechanism has a stationary housing having a camming channel and at least one loading/unloading port. A rotor is mounted inside the housing and can be rotated about a longitudinal axis; the rotor carries a plurality of gun barrels, each fixed to the rotor with a respective barrel axis substantially parallel to the rotor longitudinal axis; a like number of stud assemblies, each having a respective axis aligned with the axis of an associated gun barrel; and a like number of cartridge chambers, each interacting with the housing camming channel, during each rotation of said rotor, for reciprocal motion between a rearward location substantially coaxial about the associated stud assembly and a forward location substantially in abutment with the associated gun barrel and enclosing a volume into which a round of ammunition can be placed and removed by radial movement through the loading/unloading port.

Abstract: A double piston propulsion unit for a recoilless mass/countermass projectile launcher comprises two hollow cylindrical pistons (22, 23) arranged in a back-to-back relationship with closed outer ends and open inner ends, the open inner ends being joined together by a circumferential rupturable connecting means so that the pistons form a vessel in which a propellant charge (34) is enclosed. In operation, the unit is slideably located inside the open-ende launch tube (1) of the projectile launcher at its mid-point. The propellant when initiated causes a build up of propellant gases inside the vessel and when the gas pressure reaches a pre-determined value the connecting means fails in tension and the piston (22, 23) are propelled in opposite directions. The tensile and compressive force experienced by the pistons (22, 23) during the firing of the unit are substantially decreased compared to known units, so that relatively lightweight pistons (22, 23) can be employed.

Abstract: A service platform for transport within an area wherein an explosive device is present. A remotely controlled tractor provides the primary motive force for moving the service platform through the explosion-prone area. Because of the danger personnel might experience in entering such an area, the tractor is remotely controlled by a transmitter manned by a person at a remote location. In situations where the explosive device comprises one or more mines hidden in the earth, the mobile support of the tractor will distribute the weight of the tractor over a sufficiently large ground surface area such that mines embedded in the ground will not have their firing circuitry triggered by passage of the tractor above the mine. However, the service platform is equipped with rugged, massive, ground contacting elements which are sufficiently light so as to not trigger the firing mechanism of anti-tank mines, but sufficiently massive to cause the firing of anti-personnel mines.

Abstract: A muzzle loading rifle has a cocking member which is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the central axis of the barrel of the rifle and has a cam mounted on the distal end thereof. When the cocking member and the cam are rotated, the cam will move the hammer from a fired position to a cocked position. Second, a cylindrical primer holder having a transverse hole therethrough is provided to retain a primer charge. The primer holder may be rotated from a firing position to a safety position while retaining the charge enclosed within the receiver of the rifle. Third, a safety lever rotates about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the hammer sear from a first locked position to a second unlocked position. Movement of the safety lever to the second position unlocks the sear and allows the weapon to be fired.

Abstract: A firearm and optical instrument support includes a cylinder member which provides support without hindering the range of fire of a rifle or a pistol. The cylinder member is disposed on telescopic elongated elements which are frictionally clamped by a clamp. The firearm support further includes a perpetually open strap. Additionally, the firearm support is noiselessly foldable and opens with one hand.

Abstract: A radially loading ignition system for a muzzle loading weapon generally comprises a body having threads on its outer surface and a well sunk into one end for loosely holding a shotgun shell primer; a first opening through the side of the well for passing the primer into the well radially; and a rotatable cover enclosing the well and having a second opening which is aligned with the first opening for loading the primer and which is rotated out of alignment with the first opening for closing the ignition system. The ignition system is suitable for use in muzzle loading weapons using either an in-line firing system or a conventional swing hammer. A spare primer holder is also disclosed which comprises a semi-circular ring of elastomeric material adapted to snap onto a rifle scope or barrel and having a series of holes for frictionally receiving spare primers.

Abstract: A release and arming mechanism for an ordnance device having an arming block, a pair of opposed jaws pivotally mounted to the arming block, and a solenoid that, when energized, holds the jaws in a closed position around an arming wire. A release lanyard connectable to the ordnance device is clipped to the jaws in such a manner as to hold the jaws in the closed position until such time as the ordnance device is launched. A spring may be placed between the jaws below their pivot points to force the jaws open upon disconnection of the release lanyard.

Abstract: An oil spill response lighter comprising a SWATH vessel or other high speed hull form includes onboard oil storage for transfer from recovery vessels to large capacity storage tanks. The lighter includes an oil loading and unloading conduit supported on a pivotable, extensible support arm mounted on the main hull. A solid waste or debris receptacle is mounted on the deck of the main hull for receiving and unloading debris by an onboard boom type crane. The lighter improves the rate of recovery of marine oil spills by rapid transfer of the contents of limited capacity recovery vessels to large capacity storage tanks.

Abstract: A disposable respiratory protective gas and toxic fume mask is described which comprises a transparent hood of thin film chemical resistant material sealable at the neck or to the face of a subject and covering the eyes, nose and mouth, a filter in the hood for filtering and conducting air into the hood, a tube interconnecting the filter and a mouthpiece and including a first one-way valve for conducting filtered air to the subject, a second one-way valve in the mouthpiece for conducting exhaled air air into the interior of the hood and thereby generating an overpressure condition within the hood.

Abstract: Truck bodies are useful for receiving and transporting material from an excavation site. When abrasive material is being loaded and transported, the truck body is equipped with a hardened replaceable wear member to reduce wear and denting. The truck body includes a plurality of base members welded together. A non-metallic member is bonded to the base members. A hardened replaceable wear member is bonded to the non-metallic member. This arrangement of components provides truck body floors which have hardened wear members, which are bonded to the base members, thus, eliminating the need for welding.

Abstract: A system for controlling and monitoring the extracorporeal circulation of fluids, which is particularly useful in controlling and monitoring the circulation of blood and cardioplegia solution in surgical procedures. A set of perfusion assemblies are mounted in a transportable console, each perfusion assembly having a separable pump and control module pod. Virtually all the instrumentation for the monitoring and controlling of the pump and the fluid being pumped by that perfusion assembly are present on the pump and control module pod for that perfusion assembly, without the need for any separate control screen. Further, the perfusion assembly uses removable circuit cards and associated instrumentation strips to custom configure the perfusion assembly for each application. The perfusion assembly thereby provides complete information at a glance and complete control of the perfusion assembly by using dedicated controls that are grouped to each perfusion assembly.