Patents Examined by Peter A. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6408761
    Abstract: A melting/vaporization substance 2 is melted and vaporized by supplying an electric energy of a predetermined amount from an electric energy supply circuit to the melting/vaporization substance 2. An explosive blasting substance 3 is exploded by a phenomenon caused in a process of melting and vaporization of the melting/vaporization substance 2, so that a to-be-blasted object 4 is blasted by that explosive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Arai, Hidehiko Maehata, Hajime Yoshii, Toshiaki Enomoto, Taisuke Ishihara
  • Patent number: 6408731
    Abstract: The disrupter (16) includes an elongated hollow barrel (18) having a cylindrical inner chamber (20), a closed rear (26) end and an opened front end (22), the latter closed with a front frangible seal (38). A channel member (46) partly surrounds an intermediate portion of the barrel, and is securely attached thereto. A pair of recoil channels (76, 78) extend from the barrel inner chamber, radially outwardly and rearwardly through the barrel and the channel member, and are linked to rearwardly oriented recoil tubes (52, 54) which have opened rear end portions (60, 62) closed with rear frangible seals (64, 66). In use, a cartridge (90) including an explosive charge (88) is to be inserted in the barrel inner chamber at its rear end, and the barrel, recoil channels and recoil tubes (52, 54) are to be filled with water. The frangible seals (38, 64, 66) prevent the water from leaking out of the disrupter while it is positioned near a bomb to be deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Proparms Ltd.
    Inventor: Josef Elsener
  • Patent number: 6397754
    Abstract: A method and a device for charging boreholes (11) with explosives. One end of the charging hose (3) is introduced to a substantially predetermined distance from the bottom of the borehole. Subsequently, a pumpable explosive is pumped through the charging hose at a controlled rate and substantially simultaneously with the pumping of the explosive the charging hose is withdrawn from the borehole at a controlled rate. The explosive is caused to flow out from a nozzle (13), arranged on said end of the charging hose (3), in the form of a hollow cone (18) and at high pressure, so that the outflowing explosive is given increased viscosity and by virtue of the high outflow rate cohesively adheres to the entire cylinder-shaped wall portion (19) of the borehole (11), upon which the explosive impinges in connection with said outflowing. With the aid of a centering device (14), the nozzle (13) is centered in the borehole (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Nitro Nobel AB
    Inventor: Hans Perlid
  • Patent number: 6397719
    Abstract: A method for loading and sensitizing a slurry explosive in a borehole or in a cartridge, where a gassing agent is added as a thin string inside the slurry explosive after the explosive has been pumped into a loading pipe, and wherein the slurry explosive and a gassing agent are mixed at the end of the loading pipe and sensitized in the borehole or the cartridge. Optionally the loading pipe is lubricated with water or a water solution to reduce the pump pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Dyno Nobel ASA
    Inventor: Jan Hans Vestre
  • Patent number: 6397753
    Abstract: A water-based apparatus for mitigating the gas pressure loading and associated damage and injuries from a fully or partially confined explosion. The water-based apparatus comprises a water-blanket which rests on each pallet of ordnance to mitigate the gas pressure loading from an inadvertent explosion of the ordnance. The water-blanket includes a pair of storage modules, each module comprising a plurality of water storage compartments that store a predetermined quantity of water which is dependent upon the type and quantity of explosive in the ordnance on the pallet. The storage modules are joined by a zipper which allows the modules to be separated for ease in transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William A. Keenan, Phillip C. Wager
  • Patent number: 6397752
    Abstract: A gun system in one arrangement includes a first carrier including a detonating cord and a second carrier including a detonating cord. An adapter couples the first and second carriers, with the adapter including an explosive coupled to the detonating cord of one of the first and second carriers. The explosive is positioned in a reduced housing portion of the adapter. The reduced housing portion of the adapter has a first outer diameter less than an inner diameter of the first carrier to provide a predetermined annular space between the reduced adapter portion and the inner diameter of the first carrier. At least one of the detonating cords in the first and second carriers is attached to a retainer element, and the retainer element is placed in close proximity to the explosive to maintain an axial position of the detonating cord to reduce separation between the detonating cord and the explosive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Wenbo Yang, Robert A. Parrott
  • Patent number: 6393990
    Abstract: This invention relates to a firing launching system and method which comprises a base having a plurality of apertures. The plurality of apertures receive a plurality of mortars which, in turn, receive a plurality of Pyrotechnic projectiles which may be situated in the plurality of mortars, respectively. The Pyrotechnic projectiles may then be ignited and launched to provide a fireworks display. The base may be a one-piece molded solid construction and provided with the plurality of apertures such that at least two-thirds of each of the plurality of mortars is encased to provide support to a wall of the mortar. The base may be provided with a plurality of apertures having a common diameter for receiving a common size mortar or receiving one of a plurality of sleeves, each having the same outer diameter, but a varying inner diameter to permit the sleeve to receive a different sized mortars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas J. Fagan
  • Patent number: 6393989
    Abstract: In a towed body with infrared flares located at its rear, the flares are in an ejection unit and are pulled out of the towed body via a tow cable as they ignite, preventing the towed body from being destroyed by missiles when it is used during target simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Dornier GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Weimer
  • Patent number: 6389973
    Abstract: A fusible and vaporizable substance (for example, a thin metal wire is used) 2 is fused and vaporized by supplying thereto a predetermined amount of electrical energy from a capacitor 14 of an electrical energy supply circuit 10 for a short period of time, and nitromethane 3 is detonated by a phenomenon in the process in which the fusible and vaporizable substance 2 fuses and vaporizes, so that an object to be blasted 4 is reliably blasted by this detonation force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Arai, Hidehiko Maehata, Daisuke Tamakoshi
  • Patent number: 6386111
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a stemming arrangement and stemming method for use in blast holes. A rigid but deformable hollow member is located in a blast hole with its curved shape providing a clearance between opposed wall portions. A stemming material is contained within the curved portion. Detonation of the explosive deforms the hollow member outwardly into contact with the opposed wall portions of the blast hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Blasting Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Christian Shann
  • Patent number: 6386110
    Abstract: A deforming charge assembly is provided which has an inner and an outer cylinder formed from carbon fiber. Each of the inner and outer cylinders have an inner circumference surface having an inner diameter and an outer circumference surface having an outer diameter. The inner diameter of the outer cylinder is greater than the outer diameter of the inner cylinder. Each of the inner and outer cylinders have a first layer of circumferentially wound carbon fiber, a second layer of unidirectional carbon fiber sheet and a plurality of layers of carbon fibers circumferentially wrapped around the second layer. A plurality of sympathetic detonation barrier members are provided and have an inner surface in contact with the outer circumference surface of the inner cylinder and an outer surface in contact with the inner circumference surface of the outer cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Chaarles W. Landman, William H. Grigsby, Jr., Robert J. Gripshover, John W. Hannick
  • Patent number: 6382105
    Abstract: A high mass flow pyrotechnic gas generator in the aft end of a hard target penetrating warhead generates hot gases during penetration into a chemical or biological manufacturing or storage facility. This device will act to place neutralizing gases in and near the entry hole made in the target where viable infectious agents are most likely to be dispersed early in the warhead event before the operation of the main warhead charge. The gas generating material, which may be similar to a composite solid propellant, will produce very hot gases preferably containing hydrogen chloride and vapor phase moisture or other chemical sanitizing material. The combination acts as a neutralizer to render chemical and/or biological agents inert. The neutralizer will mix with the chemical and/or biological agents during the initial surge of aerosolized chemical and/or biological agents released in the target and render them harmless.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: John W. Jones
  • Patent number: 6378438
    Abstract: Shaped charge assembly for use as part of a perforating gun, particularly, channel finder gun. The shaped charge assembly includes a charge is configured to produce a jet which is substantially non-circular in cross section (in relation to the axial direction of travel of the jet) in which the assembly includes a base that is relatively rigid with respect to the liner of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Prime Perforating Systems Limited
    Inventors: Norman Gerald Lussier, Michael Norman Lussier
  • Patent number: 6378436
    Abstract: A propellant cutting assembly and method of using the assembly to cut samples of solid propellant in a repeatable and consistent manner is disclosed. The cutting assembly utilizes two parallel extension beams which are shorter than the diameter of a central bore of an annular solid propellant grain and can be loaded into the central bore. The assembly is equipped with retaining heads at its respective ends and an adjustment mechanism to position and wedge the assembly within the central bore. One end of the assembly is equipped with a cutting blade apparatus which can be extended beyond the end of the extension beams to cut into the solid propellant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Cordant Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Roger A. Sharp, Shawn W. Hoskins, Brett D. Payne
  • Patent number: 6378439
    Abstract: A projectile arrangement in which an expelling member such as a steel ball is held within the projectile interior behind a marking substance, such that upon impact and arrest of the movement of an outer casing of the projectile, the momentum of the expelling member carries it forward relative to the outer casing to expel the marking substance through the front of the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: Michael Ernest Saxby
  • Patent number: 6363853
    Abstract: An electrically initiated distributed igniter (EIDI) system combines most of the advantages of conventional pyrotechnic igniters with those of ETC planar igniters without the disadvantages of either. The EIDI system lends itself to precise timing control of multiple electric circuits, embedded charge ignition, and other design advantages to be discussed here. The EIDI system utilizes discrete igniter pads which require only a few millijoules of energy each and are quite small in size, about 3 mm in diameter. As a result, the igniters can be used in very large numbers to give good spatial distribution, even for smaller 25 to 40 mm diameter gun charge designs. Energy requirements are so minimal that small disposable firing capacitors and semi-conductor switches can be pre-packaged inside the casing along with the propellant and igniters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: APTI, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul R. Rohr
  • Patent number: 6360666
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in filling and capping artillery charge system modules or the like including a lower fixture carried by a base plate for receiving a module with an open center core tube and fixing the module in place relative to the base plate for filling and capping. An upper fixture is carried by a pivot plate for capping a filled module, the pivot plate being hingedly attached with respect to the lower fixture to enable the upper fixture to swing clear of the lower fixture during module loading and thereafter addressing a fixed module to cap same. The lower fixture further includes a centering rod that carries a peripherally disposed flexible expanding member and a shaped cam lock member which operate the expander member to receive, lock and unlock a center core tube to the centering rod to capture and fix the module in place. The cam lock member also aligns the system for lid insertion by an adjustable stroke air cylinder mounted on the pivot plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventor: Marlon D. Harris
  • Patent number: 6357356
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric blasting device using aluminum foil, the objective of which lies in providing an economical and safe electric blasting device. In line with this objective; a portion of the outer conductor of the cable is removed, and the aluminum foil is inserted therein in order to electrically connect the inner and outer conductors. Between the aluminum foil and the inner conductor, water, an insulator, and a teflon tube are inserted. When pulse high-current is made to flow, the aluminum foil changes into the condition of plasma. The aluminum therefrom and water react to generate explosive power. The invention is economical in that it uses commercialized aluminum foil, in addition to having a short scattering distance of the fragments. It also allows a low-vibration blasting due to the short reaction time therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute
    Inventors: Geun-Hie Rim, Chu-Hyun Cho
  • Patent number: 6354219
    Abstract: A liner for a explosive shaped charge, such as those used in perforating operations in oil and gas wells, is formed from a powdered metal mixture that includes molybdenum. The molybdenum allows a higher density liner to be formed to create denser jets for achieving deeper penetration, but without the negative effects that often accompany the use of higher density materials. The molybdenum may be used in the amount of 0.5% to 25% by weight of the metal mixture, with tungsten and other constituents forming the remainder of the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Owen Oil Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan W. Pratt, David S. Wesson, John K. Rouse
  • Patent number: 6352029
    Abstract: This invention relates to explosive charges in which the chemical and physical composition changes gradually from point to point in order to accomplish differing, specific design objectives. More specifically, the invention relates to an explosive comprised by uniformly mixing components of differing chemical and physical properties in order to take advantage of the functions performed by these different components resulting in an explosive capable of performing multiple or specific tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Raafat H. Guirguis, John M. Kelley