Abstract: A gas generating eject motor includes a case containing an ignitable low temperature gas generant material that does not produce toxic gases upon the combustion thereof. The gas generant material is generally contained with a screen enclosure housed within the case. An igniter is disposed within the gas generant material for selectively igniting the gas generant to thereby generate combustion gases. A nozzle is disposed within an open aft end of the case for focusing and directing the combustion gases generated by the ignited gas generant material. The case is constructed and arranged to be separably attached to the aft end of a rocket to be launched from a launch platform, so that, upon ignition of the gas generant, the combustion gases focused by the nozzle will apply a thrust to the rocket and thereby propel, or eject, the rocket from the launch platform, at which time the combustible propellant of the rocket motor will ignite and the eject motor will be separated from the rocket.

Abstract: A method for creating coherent masses of burning matter for countermeasures purposes such as for protecting an aircraft and other vehicles from infrared “heat seeking” hostile missiles and also from high power Laser beams and Laser radar. One or more spurious sources of radiation are created controllably in the general vicinity of the aircraft being protected; in missile countermeasures, each of these spurious sources is capable of emitting infrared energy comparable in wave length and at a higher intensity than that emitted by the target aircraft itself such that the hostile missile will be decoyed away from its intended target by the spurious radiation sources. In this method, the spurious source of radiation is created by igniting a small amount of aircraft fuel that is gelled and controllably ejected from the aircraft.

Abstract: The perforating device for use in completing a well includes a case, an explosive charge contained in the case, and a generally bowl-shaped liner. The liner is positioned adjacent the explosive charge and has non-uniforrn thickness along its length. The liner further includes a protruding portion near its tip. In another configuration, the liner includes a hole near its tip to expose a portion of the explosive charge.

Abstract: A shock tube connector system comprises a substantially cylindrical detonator having a longitudinal axis a block body receiving the detonator therein, and an end cap. The detonator includes an axisymmetric exterior shell including a cylindrical main section, a cylindrical explosive end portion having a diameter less than the diameter of the main section, and a transition portion connecting the main section and the explosive end portion of the shell. An explosive charge is contained within the explosive end portion of the shell and is distributed along the longitudinal length of the explosive end portion. The explosive charge preferable comprises two portions of lead azide or a first charge portion of lead azide and PETN and a second charge portion of PETN. An initiating shock tube is operatively connected to the explosive charge via a delay element. The block body includes a housing within which the main section of the detonator is received.

Abstract: A system which is packaged within a projectile fuze body and obtains data relative to the projectile during a launch. Sensors are provided which obtain in-bore data as well as in-flight data. The in-bore data is recorded at a fast rate during in-bore travel of the projectile and is read out, continuously, at a slower rate during in-flight travel. Both in-bore data and in-flight data are encoded and transmitted to a ground station for analysis.

Abstract: Propellant compositions are coated with an energetic deterrent coating which reduces the burning rate at the surface of the propellant grain and causes the propellant to burn progressively. The use of energetic materials, that are slightly soluble in the coating solvent, improve the burning properties of the propellant without decreasing the chemical energy.

Abstract: A system and method for use in providing a peripheral seal between the case and lid of a MACS modular unit or other workpiece interface, the system including a workpiece holding device for carrying and moving a workpiece of interest in relation to a solvent dispensing system and a solvent dispensing system for dispensing a metered amount of solvent into the interface to be sealed on the workpiece, the solvent dispensing system further including a metering device for dispensing a predetermined known amount of the solvent, a stationary dispensing valve for dispensing solvent supplied from the metering device over a predetermined time, a re-supply system for reloading the metering device of the known amount of liquid solvent; and a control system for controlling the operation of the workpiece holding device and the solvent dispensing system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a small charge blasting system that provides a relief volume for a pressurized working fluid in the bore of a barrel that is inserted into a hole in the material to be broken, an end cap on the barrel to inhibit the entry of water and detritus into the bore, a stepped downhole end of the barrel to pressurize both the sidewall and bottom of the hole, and/or a thin barrel wall that flexes outwardly in response to pressure exerted on the wall by the pressurized working fluid to provide improved sealing of the fluid in the bottom of the hole.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cooling a component inside a tool includes a container and a plurality of heat sinks positioned in the container. The components are positioned in the container with the heat sinks for maintaining a reduced temperature inside the container. Further, an insulating layer and a reflective layer surround the heat sinks and components to reduce heat transfer. Alternatively, the container can have a hollow wall that encloses the space in which a heat sink material (such as an eutectic material) is disposed. The components to be protected are located in the container. The eutectic material includes a composition having tin and zinc. The insulating layer includes a container that stores a vacuum layer, such as a dewar flask.

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.

Abstract: Technology for in situ remediation of undetonated explosive material. An explosive apparatus contains an explosive material in close proximity with a carrier containing microorganisms. An explosive mixture capable of self remediation includes an explosive material that is intermixed with or lies proximate to the carrier. 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. If the explosive material fails to detonate, the explosive is remediated by the action of the microorganisms. Remediation includes both disabling of the explosive material and detoxification of the resulting chemical compositions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for selecting pressure wave suppression devices from among a menu of pressure wave suppression devices to satisfy the pressure wave requirements of a given job or application. The present invention is further directed to pressure wave suppression devices that can be used in the hole, at or near the opening of the hole, or at a distance from the hole to perform pressure wave and/or flyrock protection. The invention is particularly useful in suppressing airblast and other excavation equipment noise in urban areas.

Abstract: A rock blasting method is provided in which a series of aligned boreholes are charged with explosives and air tubes in a predetermined pattern. The air tube is a cylindrical flexible tube having a predetermined width and length to be fitted with the borehole. In one preferred form, each borehole is charged with the explosives and detonator with one air tube installed above the explosives. Stemming materials are installed above the air tube. For example, in a 45-millimeter diameter and 2.5-meter long borehole, the length of explosive charging is 0.8 meters, the co-operating charge weight was 0.648 Kg, the total amount of explosive 3.24 Kg, the length of the air tube 1.0 meter, the diameter of air tube 40 millimeters, and the length of stemming 0.7 meters. The explosives and air tube may be alternately charged along the borehole. The use of air tubes, charged above at least one explosive layer allows a quantitative air decking in every blasthole.

Abstract: The invention concerns a pyrotechnic projectile comprising a body containing a bursting charge (4) and a combustible charge (5) which is ignited and dispersed by the bursting charge (4), characterized in that the combustible charge (5) is formed by a metallic powder combustible with oxygen, arranged in the busting charge (4) according to a pattern corresponding of the flare pattern to be obtained in the sky. The metallic powder can be titanium, aluminum or magnesium powder.

Abstract: A conical plug for sealing a blast hole in the earth is provided. The plug is made from a generally circular sheet of elastic material such as plastic or metal and can be folded and releasably locked with a trigger into a conical shape. When in its conical shape, the plug is lowered into a blast hole and, when in position, a release weight is slid down the lowering cable to impact and release the trigger. When the trigger is released, the plug expands and is wedged against the sides of the blast hole forming a plug capable of supporting debris in the upper portion of the blast hole.

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 V1 and at least part of the ignition faces of which are covered with a skin of moderate pyrotechnic composition having a linear burning rate V2 satisfying the relationship: 0.05 V1≦V2≦0.5 V1. The invention thus makes it possible to inflate the airbag gradually during the first milliseconds of deployment of the latter.

Abstract: A microbolometer film material VOx having a value such that the thermal coefficient of resistance is between 0.005 and 0.05. The film material may be formed on a wafer. The VOx material properties can be changed or modified by controlling certain parameters in the ion beam sputter deposition environment. There is sufficient control of the oxidation process to permit non-stoichometric formation of VOx films. The process is a low temperature process (less than 100 degrees C.). Argon is used for sputtering a target of vanadium in an environment wherein the oxygen level is controlled to determine the x of VOx. The thickness of the film is controlled by the time of the deposition. Other layers may be deposited as needed to form pixels for a bolometer array.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for selecting flyrock control devices from among a menu of flyrock control devices to satisfy the flyrock requirements of a given job or application. The present invention is further directed to flyrock devices that can be used in the hole, at or near the opening of the hole, or at a distance from the hole to perform flyrock and/or pressure wave protection. The invention is particularly useful in suppressing flyrock in urban areas.

Abstract: A method of breaking rock (18), e.g. in underground mining, includes drilling a hole in the rock mass by means of a drilling machine (20) having an articulated boom (22) and a drilling tool (24) at the end of the boom (22). After drilling, the drilling tool (20) is retracted, charge means is indexed with the hole, and a rock breaking charge (30) is charged into the hole. The charge (30) includes a propellant, a fuse head (40), and a tamping medium (34), conveniently contained in the casing (32). The tamping medium (34), e.g. a two-component resin, is discharged into the hole and allowed to set around and rearward of the propellant. The driving machine (20) is removed and the propellant is actuated from a remote position, e.g. electrically.

Abstract: Disclosed are topical compositions providing a high level of hydration and which comprise a vitamin B3 compound and a conditioning component for regulating the condition of skin.