Abstract: The present invention provides a method for setting parameters required for any type of blasting operation using a bar-like charge system by devising equations based on which the maximum blasting efficiency may be achieved within a safe range to prevent flying rock accidents even when the line of least resistance W or filler length P is unknown. When defining a blast hole diameter, i.e., charge diameter as d, a charge hole length as M, a filler length as P, a charge length N=M-P, a fracture radius or interval length as D, and the specific gravity of charge as A, if the charge hole angle with respect to the first free surface G1, is .alpha..ltoreq.90.degree.

Abstract: A shaped charge or explosively formed penetrator liner and a method for producing the liner. The liner is preferably formed from a metal having a fine, uniform grain structure. The liner is preferably produced by an electron beam deposition process.

Abstract: Provided is a gas generant composition which is improved in the self-retainability of a solid residue and has an excellent combustion speed. The gas generant composition contains a fuel comprising a metal azide or an organic compound, an oxidizing agent, and at least one additive selected from a ceramic whisker or fiber of aluminum borate, potassium titanate, alumina, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, and zinc oxide.

Abstract: Rock and other hard materials, such as concrete, are fragmented by a controlled small-charge blasting process. A cartridge containing an explosive charge is inserted at the bottom of a hole drilled in the rock. The explosive charge is configured to provide the desired pressure in the hole bottom, including, if desired, a strong shock spike at the hole bottom to enhance microfracturing. The cartridge is held in place or stemmed by a massive stemming bar of high-strength material such as steel which blocks the flow of gas up the drill hole except for a small leak path between the stemming bar and the drill hole walls. The cartridge incorporates additional internal volume designed to control the application of pressure in the bottom hole volume by the detonating explosive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a coating composition to a surface on at least one panel member using a fastener having the composition on its exterior. The fastener, which has a greater coefficient of thermal expansion, is fitted within the panel member, and during thermally-induced expansion, acts to facilitate diffusion of the composition into the panel surface. The coating composition is applied to the fastener via conventional methods to the fastener, and is engineered to react with the material of the panel member to form, via a diffusion process, an intermediate coating in the region of the panel member and coating materials.

Abstract: A slurry mixture comprising a water soluble resin of the polyacrylamide cs of polymers suspended as a gel in a non-solvent to the resin, but itself water soluble, from a group consisting of (a) the glycol ether type of compounds, or (b) the Tris (tetrahydrofurfuryl) phosphate type containing the tetrahydrofurfuryl ring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing abandoned or obsolete fixed platforms in a marine environment is provided. The apparatus includes a frame carrying an explosive charge. The frame includes a linear and a curved section which are adjustable moved relative to one another for fitting the explosive charge member to the inside bore of a vertical leg section of the rig. A shaped charge arrangement focuses an explosive charge at a desired location on the rig leg so that when the explosive charge detonates, the rig is cut with minimal invasion of the surrounding environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of protecting the occupants of a motor vehicle by an inflatable airbag.The invention relates to a process consisting in inflating an airbag (1) by a pyrotechnic generator (2) containing a double-composition charge (9) formed around a main charge having a linear burning rate V.sub.1 and at least part of the ignition faces of which are covered with a skin of moderate pyrotechnic composition having a linear burning rate V.sub.2 satisfying the relationship:0.05 V.sub.1 .ltoreq.V.sub.2 .ltoreq.0.5 V.sub.1.The invention thus makes it possible to inflate the airbag gradually during the first milliseconds of deployment of the latter.

Abstract: A fire starting flare suitable for hand-held launchers has a fuse and ignitor assembly within a flare core material such that as the flare is launched the fire ignites and as the flare lands the fuse reaches the ignitor assembly to set off the flare.

Abstract: A coating comprised of a broadband transparent binder and multilayer thin film particles is applied to the surface of an object. Each particle has a flat principal surface and the dimensions of the particles are selected so that the flat surface of essentially every particle will align parallel to the nearest portion of the object surface to the particle. There is a leafing or an overlap of the particles parallel to the object surface. The particles form a continuous conformal coating over the object surface. It is preferred that the maximum dimension of the principal surface of each particle be at least 30 microns and, for best results the maximum dimension should exceed 50 microns. Metallic flakes and/or flakes or particles comprised of organic dyes may be included in the coating to further tailor its spectral characteristics. It is preferred that the weight of the particles equals 20 to 40% of the weight of the combination of the particles and the binder.

Abstract: A rocket according to the invention includes a motor having a fuel chamber and an oxidizer tank, a nose portion provided forward of the motor, and a nozzle surrounded by fins provided aft of the motor. The fuel chamber is provided with a relatively central solid propellant, and a hybrid fuel surrounds the solid propellant. The oxidizer tank is filled with a reactant and coupled to the forward end of the fuel chamber. A pathway is provided between the tank and the fuel chamber for the passage of reactant therethrough. At least one of a valve and a barrier is coupled in the pathway to prevent passage of the reactant into the fuel chamber until after the solid propellant is at least partially consumed. After the solid propellant is at least partially consumed, the valve is opened and/or the barrier is removed to permit the passage of reactant into the fuel chamber.

Abstract: A method of blasting in reactive ores includes diluting hot liquor of ammonium nitrate with water to provide diluted ammonium nitrate solution of predetermined concentration, adjusting the pH of the liquor of the ammonium nitrate solution, adding a predetermined amount of gassing agent to the ammonium nitrate solution, and emulsifying the ammonium nitrate solution. Then an effective amount of fine zinc oxide powder is mixed with the emulsion explosive and the inhibited emulsion explosive is introduced into a borehole and detonated.

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: A drogue assembly comprises a circumferential array of triangular support arms. Each support arm is pivoted and mounted on a pivot pin at its apex for swinging movement in a radial direction. Each juxtaposed pair of support arms is joined together by a net which is joined to each of those support arms at spaced intervals therealong. The support arms carry a drogue parachute which extends circumferentially around their shortest sides.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inflating a vehicular inflatable device are provided wherein inflation gas is produced via a dissociative material wherein an initiator includes an enhanced fuel pyrotechnic formulation which, in addition to initiating dissociation of at least a portion of a quantity of gas source material contained within the inflator, forming dissociation products used to inflate the device, also forms particles to interact with one or more of at least a portion of the remaining quantity of gas source material contained within the inflator and the dissociation products to form additional inflation products for inflating the inflatable device.

Abstract: A process is provided for coating a given surface of a heat sensitive metal article (e.g., thermally massive aluminum) with a high-cure-temperatureating-forming-powder. A first oven heating step elevates the metal article's temperature to a predetermined preheat cycle high-limit-of-heat-load-temperature. After a first predetermined period of time, the metal alloy article is withdrawn from the oven. A high-cure-temperature-coating-forming-powder is then sprayed onto the given surface of the metal article. The spraying, comprising first and second spray sequences, is initiated essentially immediately after withdrawal of the metal article from the oven. The first spray sequence is a single group of spray passes that applies a coating layer to fill the pores in the given surface with heat melted high-cure-temperature-coating-forming-powder. The second spray sequence builds up the total thickness of coating.

Abstract: A method for determining a concentration of IGF-I that defines a therapeutically effective dose of IGF-I, i.e., a dose that will provide a therapeutic response in the treatment of neurological disorders for which IGF-I is utilized (including peripheral neuropathy, diabetic neuropathy, post-polio syndrome, small fiber neuropathy, ALS, and MS) is described. The method comprises determining whether a particular dose of IGF-I causes a 1.5 fold or greater increase in the homeostatic concentration of plasma IGFBP-2 in a mammal that has previously received a defined dose of IGF-I. The method of the invention can also be used to determine whether or not biological tolerance has developed to a particular dose of IGF-I.

Abstract: The invention described herein is an asymmetric radial block copolymer having at least one set of arms formed of at least one polymer block of at least one vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and/or at least one polymer block formed of at least one conjugated diene and at least one set of arms formed of at least one polymer block of at least one acrylic monomer.

Abstract: A method for curing an optically sensitive material or for fabricating an optical filter is described which comprises the steps of disposing a thin film of optically sensitive material within a plane optical cavity capable of resonating at selected optical frequencies having boundary reflectivities greater than 50 percent at some wavelength, polarization and angle of incidence and being capable of resonating at selected optical frequencies and exposing cavity and material to sensitizing light, such as a laser, of preselected wavelength or wavelengths suitable for initiating cure within the material and optionally for establishing one or more specified sets of resonant standing wave patterns within the material when the cavity is oriented at a suitable angle to the incident light.

Abstract: It has now been found that certain novel (oxaalkyl)phenyl-substituted heterocycles are useful as pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides. These compounds are represented by formula I: ##STR1## where Q is a heterocycle and X, Y, R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are substituents as described in the specification. Preferred are those compounds where Y and R are chloro; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are hydrogen or methyl; R.sup.3 is hydrogen or alkylaminocarbonyl; X is fluorine; and Q is a 1-substituted-6-trifluoromethyl-2,4(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedion-3-yl.