Abstract: An electrothermal gun uses an apparatus for generating high gas pressure. The apparatus includes a receiver having a combustion chamber for holding a propellant which produces a gas component and a particle component when the propellant undergoes an exothermic chemical reaction, and a flow passageway positioned downstream of the combustion chamber. An ignition mechanism causes the propellant contained in the combustion chamber to undergo the exothermic chemical reaction. A separator in the flow passageway substantially separates the particle component from the gas component in the flow passageway. The gun includes a barrel connected to the receiver and communicating with the flow passageway. By substantially stopping the particle component, namely metal oxide, from reaching the barrel, wear on the barrel is reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for magnetically generating an underwater high pressure pulse of sufficient strength to destroy underwater threats utilizes a pair of electrically conductive elements. The electrically conductive elements are arranged substantially parallel with each other and are separated by a gap. A pulse generator supplies an electrical pulse to at least one of the electrically conductive elements, which causes the generation of a magnetic repulsion force between the elements. The magnetic repulsion force causes one the electrically conductive elements to be displaced, thereby inducing a high pressure pulse in the liquid in which the pair of electrically conductive elements is submerged.

Abstract: An electrothermal gun uses an apparatus for generating high gas pressure. The apparatus includes a receiver having a combustion chamber for holding a propellant which produces a gas component and a particle component when the propellant undergoes an exothermic chemical reaction, and a flow passageway positioned downstream of the combustion chamber. An ignition mechanism causes the propellant contained in the combustion chamber to undergo the exothermic chemical reaction. A separator in the flow passageway substantially separates the particle component from the gas component in the flow passageway. The gun includes a barrel connected to the receiver and communicating with the flow passageway. By substantially stopping the particle component, namely metal oxide, from reaching the barrel, wear on the barrel is reduced.

Abstract: A non-explosive acoustic source utilizes the combustion of aluminum and water to generate an acoustic pulse. The operation of the non-explosive acoustic source relies on a water/aluminum reaction to generate a burst pressure. The source may be deployed as a single charge or as one element of a multiple charge array and is configurable to explode at variable depths with variable energy levels. The inherent safety of the non-explosive acoustic source obviates the necessity for auxiliary safety features or procedures to protect against inadvertent explosion. As a result, the non-explosive acoustic source facilitates the implementation of sonic detection systems and reduces the operational costs associated with such systems.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for magnetically generating an underwater high pressure pulse of sufficient strength to destroy underwater threats utilizes a pair of electrically conductive elements. The electrically conductive elements are arranged substantially parallel with each other and are separated by a gap. A pulse generator supplies an electrical pulse to at least one of the electrically conductive elements, which causes the generation of a magnetic repulsion force between the elements. The magnetic repulsion force causes one the electrically conductive elements to be displaced, thereby inducing a high pressure pulse in the liquid in which the pair of electrically conductive elements is submerged.

Abstract: A non-explosive acoustic source utilizes the combustion of aluminum and water to generate an acoustic pulse. The operation of the non-explosive acoustic source relies on a water/aluminum reaction to generate a burst pressure. The source may be deployed as a single charge or as one element of a multiple charge array and is configurable to explode at variable depths with variable energy levels. The inherent safety of the non-explosive acoustic source obviates the necessity for auxiliary safety features or procedures to protect against inadvertent explosion. As a result, the non-explosive acoustic source facilitates the implementation of sonic detection systems and reduces the operational costs associated with such systems.