Abstract: A flare apparatus including a shell case, an explosive assembly carried by the shell case, a flare cup located in the shell case and spaced apart from the first end of the shell case and having a closed end surface away from the first end of the shell case which is convex, a flare composition located in the interior space defined by the flare cup and a plug located in the interior chamber defined by the shell case and being in close proximity to the flare cup. The present flares are straightforward in construction, easy and inexpensive to produce and provide substantial performance benefits and substantial shipping/transporting benefits. In particular, the present flares are safer to ship/transport relative to conventional flares and can be shipped/transported under less restrictive conditions.

Abstract: A diversionary device has a housing having at least one opening and containing a non-explosive propellant and a quantity of fine powder packed within the housing, with the powder being located between the propellant and the opening. When the propellant is activated, it has sufficient energy to propel the powder through the opening to produce a cloud of powder outside the housing. An igniter is also provided for igniting the cloud of powder to create a diversionary flash and bang, but at a low enough pressure to avoid injuring nearby people.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a containment structure for containing and mitigating explosions. The containment structure is installed in the wall of the building and has interior and exterior doors for placing suspicious packages into the containment structure and retrieving them from the exterior of the building. The containment structure has a blast deflection chute and a blowout panel to direct over pressure from explosions away from the building, surrounding structures and people.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing abandoned or obsolete fixed platforms in a marine environment is provided. The apparatus includes a delivery system having an expandable frame carrying explosive charges. The frame includes curved sections which are adjustably moved relative to one another for fitting the explosive charge members to the inside bore of a vertical leg section of the rig. A shaped charge arrangement focuses the explosive charges 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: An apparatus (12) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) comprises a gas generating material (16) which when ignited produces gas to inflate the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20). The gas generating material (16) comprises a solid solution of a water soluble liquid oxidizer, a cross-linked hydrophilic gelling agent, and water. The cross-linked hydrophilic gelling agent comprises an effective amount of carbon atoms to provide a combustible mixture with the liquid oxidizer. The cross-linked hydrophilic gelling agent forms a reticulated structure in which the liquid oxidizer and water are immobilized.

Abstract: A process for oxidizing the silicon layer into a device-isolating field oxide having a radiation-hardened reduced bird's beak. An angled and rotated field implant prior to oxidation is used to increase the doping concentration in the edge region of the MOS transistors to compensate for boron leaching during oxidation. The field oxide is grown at a low temperature by high pressure oxidation which increases total dose hardness by making a silicon-rich oxide film.

Abstract: A downhole tool, adapted to retain a shaped charge surrounded by a superatmospherically pressurized light gas, is employed in a method for perforating a casing and penetrating reservoir rock around a wellbore. Penetration of a shaped charge jet can be enhanced by at least 40% by imploding a liner in the high pressure, light gas atmosphere. The gas pressure helps confine the jet on the axis of penetration in the latter stages of formation. The light gas, such as helium or hydrogen, is employed to keep the gas density low enough so as not to inhibit liner collapse.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blasting method which comprises conducting a delay blast at a particular location; predicting time series data of a waveform of ground vibration or noise at a remote location to be generated by a hypothetical single-hole blast at the particular location using at least one of previous time series data of a waveform of ground vibration or noise generated by said delay blast and actually monitored at the remote location, and the corresponding previous actually applied initiation time series of said delay blast; computing a delay blasting initiation time series for a delay blasting, which provides a waveform of ground vibration or noise satisfying specific conditions, based on the above-predicted time series data of a single-hole blast; and carrying out a subsequent delay blast according to the computed delay blasting initiation time series.

Abstract: A shaped charge is shown with enhanced creep resistance for use in a perforating gun having an elongated spiral strip open to the wellbore through which the charges are attached. The shaped charge is a hollow bodied capsule and hollow bodied cap, both threaded for easy attachment to one another. At least the capsule consists of an alloy of, by weight, between about 4 and 12 percent copper, 2 and 4 percent aluminum, and the balance zinc and impurities.

Abstract: High nitrogen nonazide gas compositions, useful in inflating passenger restraint gas inflator bags, comprise a nonmetal salt of triazole or tetrazole fuel, phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) as a primary oxidizer, a metallic second oxidizer, and an inert component such as clay or mica. The combination of these constituents results in gas generants that are relatively more stable and less explosive, have improved ignitability and satisfactory burn rates, have sustained combustion throughout the various combustion pressures at the inflator level, and generate more gas and less solids than known gas generant compositions.

Abstract: A device for locating and inflating a blasthole plug comprising; (i) a shroud adapted to enclose at least part of a deflated plug as the deflated plug is passed along a blasthole, (ii) an ejection means for removing the deflated plug from the shroud into a desired location in a blasthole, and (iii) an inflation means adapted to be removably connected to the plug, such that when the deflated plug is removed from the shroud, fluid material may be passed through the inflation means to inflate the plug.

Abstract: A method and an exothermic composition for controlled localized heating of a base material, said composition comprising an exothermic mixture material, a binder material, and optional filler and starter materials, said exothermic mixture material having a predetermined temperature of burning, said binder material providing said composition in a preformed shape when processed with said exothermic material mixture. Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) materials are used as preferred exothermic materials. These compositions can be used for a variety of industrial purposes such as cutting, welding, or coating of various materials.

Abstract: A fluid-actuated squeeze valve is provided for use where leak-tight operation and/or very rapid valve closure characteristics are required. The valve comprises an annular valve body with a generally cylindrical open-ended bore for receiving the frusto-conical end portions of two, axially aligned, opposed end plugs. An annular clearance is provided between the end portions and the bore wall for receiving an elastomeric sleeve. Each end plug is provided with an axially extending bore for passage of process fluid which communicates with angled passageways extending from the bore to the slant surface of a respective frusto-conical end portion. The smaller truncated end surfaces of the two opposed end portions are spaced apart axially to define a narrow gap therebetween. Fluid pressure is exerted through an access port in the valve body to actuate the valve by causing the elastomeric sleeve to press against the end portions. Means for operating the valve in response to system pressure parameters are described.

Abstract: An explosives booster (10) intended for igniting a main explosive charge is provided which includes a first explosive charge (15) which is sensitive enough to be ignited by the explosion of a charge from a detonator (13); and a second explosive (16) charge which is less sensitive to ignition that the first charge, (15) but more sensitive to ignition than the main charge. The first charge may comprise a 60/40, and the second charge a 40/60, PETN/TNT pentolite mixture.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic cutting device (14) is designed for directly cutting one or two parts (10) made from a nonmetallic material, such as a composite material. The device (14) comprises a pyrotechnic expansion tube, which acts directly on the part or parts (10) to be cut, as well as an abutment (40) placed on the other side of the part and facing the spacer (20) installed alongside the tube. The abutment acts in the manner of an anvil during the use or operation of the pyrotechnic expansion tube (16). Thus, there is a clearly defined, well localized cutting of the part (10) along the edge (42) of the abutment aligned with the face (21) of the spacer (20) turned towards the tube (16).

Abstract: A signal transmission fuse is made of a tube (36) which encases a support tape (14) having a reactive coating (18′) which is adhered to one side of the tape by a binder. A method of making the signal transmission fuse includes depositing on the support tape (14) a reactive paint (18) including a binder, which paint dries to form a reactive coating (18′). The coated support tape (14′) is then folded, i.e., formed into a channel configuration, to provide an inner concave side of the tape on which the reactive coating (18′) has been disposed. The coated support tape is then enclosed, e.g., within an extruded plastic tube (36). One side of the support tape may be made of a first material (14a) to which the reactive coating adheres, and a second side may be made of a second material (14b) which bonds or adheres to the inner surface (36a) of the plastic tube (36) enclosing the coated support tape (14′).

Abstract: The present invention relates to flares and other solid propellant devices, rockets or the like, equipped with an igniter or igniter system which is based in whole in part on an extruded igniter stick.

Abstract: A retainer for model rocket motors having a flange (10) with a concavity (18). Several supports (12) extend perpendicular from the flange (10) and extend to the rocket frame (20). Mounts (14), parallel to the flange (10), abut each of the supports (12). Each mount (14) contains a longitudinal through-hole (16) as a means for attachment to the rocket frame (20).

Abstract: A tin-rich gold-tin solder is disclosed which is particularly advantageous for self-aligning applications. When utilized with gold-plated bond locations, the out-diffusion of tin from the solder during heating functions to shift the composition of the remaining solder closer to the eutectic value, thus preserving the liquid state of the solder and improving its reflow quality with respect to conventional eutectic solders.

Abstract: A high viscosity, solvent-resistant, thermoset polyetherpolyurethane molded article that includes a methylene-bridged polyarylpolyisocyanate component and a polyether polyol solution combined in catalytic urethane-forming reaction where the polyether polyol solution of the urethane-forming reaction includes a diol first component, a polyether polyol second component, a polyether polyol third component, and a polymer polyol fourth component having a nonaqueous dispersant stabilizer.