Abstract: An ammunition round comprises an optimized projectile incorporating a hardened penetrator and a dual safe-fuze for a medium caliber high rate of fire round packaged into a form factor smaller than currently available multi-purpose rounds. The ammunition round incorporates a hardened segment penetrator followed by a point detonated high explosive warhead that substantially increases the terminal performance against both materiel and personnel targets. The hardened segment penetrator localizes the kinetic, energy of the projectile to increase target penetration prior to the initiation of the high explosive warhead.

Abstract: The present invention is for a downhole tool having a perforator gun portion disposed within a housing of the downhole tool for perforating an oil and gas formation. The downhole tool also includes a bypass passageway for directing fluid past the perforator gun portion in the downhole tool to permit fluid flowing into the downhole tool to flow out of the downhole tool to facilitate an oil and gas operation. Furthermore, the downhole tool is used in a method of performing the oil and gas operation in a wellbore by pumping fluid through the downhole tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively isolating a firing head associated with a perforating gun may include an igniter coupled to a firing head, a time delay module coupled to the igniter and generating a pressure pulse after being activated by the igniter, a metering module, and a second firing head. The metering module may be coupled to the time delay module and including a housing having a bore and at least one opening exposed to a wellbore annulus. A piston disposed in the housing bore may have at least one passage. The piston is axially displaced from a first position to a second position by the generated pressure pulse. The second firing head is coupled to the metering module and is in fluid communication with the housing bore. The piston blocks fluid communication from the at least one opening of the housing and the second firing head in a first position and allows fluid communication from the at least one opening of the housing to the second firing head in the second position.

Abstract: A delay composition for a detonator or delay device. The composition comprising a mixture of silicon and barium sulfate, and an amount of red lead in the range of about 3 to 15%, and preferably 6 to 12%, by weight of the mixture. The invention also relates to a delay element comprising a rigid metal tube containing the delay composition, and a delay device incorporating the delay element.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a dart that contains an HE payload, two time-delay fuses, one providing a relatively longer delay and the other providing a relatively shorter delay and two triggering mechanisms for triggering the fuses. The first triggering mechanism, which triggers on contact with a mine lid, triggers the relatively shorter time-delay fuse. The second mechanism, which triggers on overburdening exposure to water, sand, or soil, triggers the relatively longer time-delay fuse.

Abstract: A safe and arm (S&A) device is disclosed. The device utilizes a no-fire separation distance and a mechanical configuration of primary explosive/booster explosive and secondary explosive to establish a safe mode. While in safe mode, the device would allow no more than 1 in 1 million detonation transfers to occur from primary to secondary. In armed mode, the no-fire separation distance is taken away, allowing reliable detonation transfer. Two arming environments, which occur after launch and safe separation, are used to move the S&A device to armed mode. The first environment is the release event of the projectiles from their packed state in a dispenser. The second environment is a target sense mechanism. If either arming environment returns to its original state, the mechanism returns to safe mode. The S&A device will not allow inadvertent packing into the dispenser of explosive devices in the armed state.

Abstract: A modified 40 mm grenade round designed to breach doors without throwing a substantial amount of shrapnel into a building's interior. The modified round includes a standoff device located on its forward end. The standoff device detonates the explosive charge within the projectile before the nose of the projectile actually strikes the target. This early detonation throws a pressure wave again the door's exterior, forcing the door inward. Shrapnel produced by the detonation remains primarily outside the door. Thus, the modified projectile is able to blow open a door without throwing a significant amount of shrapnel into a building's interior.

Abstract: An impact fuse includes a body containing a piezoelectric generator positioned on a bracket integral with the body. The piezoelectric generator serving as an anvil. The fuse includes a piston intended to mechanically contact the generator upon impact. The piston receives the impact forces transmitted by a cap. The fuse being characterized in that the piston is slidably fitted within the body and in that it includes plastically deformable means that are interposed between the cap and the body. The means are deformed by cap movement upon impact with a target via piston movement. The plastically deformable means is configured to be deformed in a manner that causes the piston to more gradually exert force on the piezoelectric generator.

Abstract: A safe and arm (S&A) device is disclosed. The device utilizes a no-fire separation distance and a mechanical configuration of primary explosive/booster explosive and secondary explosive to establish a safe mode. While in safe mode, the device would allow no more than 1 in 1 million detonation transfers to occur from primary to secondary. In armed mode, the no-fire separation distance is taken away, allowing reliable detonation transfer. Two arming environments, which occur after launch and safe separation, are used to move the S&A device to armed mode. The first environment is the release event of the projectiles from their packed state in a dispenser. The second environment is a target sense mechanism. If either arming environment returns to its original state, the mechanism returns to safe mode. The S&A device will not allow inadvertent packing into the dispenser of explosive devices in the armed state.

Abstract: A safe and arm (S&A) device is disclosed. The device utilizes a no-fire separation distance and a mechanical configuration of primary explosive/booster explosive and secondary explosive to establish a safe mode. While in safe mode, the device would allow no more than 1 in 1 million detonation transfers to occur from primary to secondary. In armed mode, the no-fire separation distance is taken away, allowing reliable detonation transfer. Two arming environments, which occur after launch and safe separation, are used to move the S&A device to armed mode. The first environment is the release event of the projectiles from their packed state in a dispenser. The second environment is a target sense mechanism. If either arming environment returns to its original state, the mechanism returns to safe mode. The S&A device will not allow inadvertent packing into the dispenser of explosive devices in the armed state.

Abstract: A detonator (10) has a constant-diameter shell (12) which has a significantly higher shell length-to-diameter (outside diameter) ratio than prior art detonators. The shell (12) is configured to hold an explosive output charge (18) which is cylindrical in configuration and has a charge L:D ratio which is greater than that of prior art constant diameter detonators. As a result, a significant portion of the output signal of the detonator is directed laterally and it is feasible to transfer signals to a plurality of receptor lines disposed along that portion of the length of the detonator which is co-extensive with the length of the explosive output charge (18). A connector block (26) is configured to hold at least one array of receptor lines in side-by-side arrangement along the side of the detonator (10), and transversely to the longitudinal axis of the detonator (10).

Abstract: A fuze explosive train device for detonating a munition that uses a stab firing pin within a pressure cartridge, with the stab firing pin located between a gas generator and a stab detonator. The firing pin is capable of transferring an energy from the gas generator into the stab detonator in a manner that initiates the stab detonator to a high order explosive reaction. A method of initiating a stab detonator using a stab firing pin also is disclosed.

Abstract: A priming unit, consisting of a combination of rested casings 5, 6, 7, a firing pin 3 with assembly aid 12, as well as a priming spring 8 and a propulsion spring 9, are arranged to provide a secure detonation of a fuze or bomblet fuze. The priming unit ensures a secure detonation upon impact with a target or at the completion of the flight phase. As a result, almost no duds are created. If, for any reason, the detonator carrier has not been armed, it is maintained in the unarmed position as a result of the arrangement, so that no dangerous duds result.

Abstract: A priming unit, consisting of a combination of rested casings 5, 6, 7, a firing pin 3 with assembly aid 12, as well as a priming spring 8 and a propulsion spring 9, are arranged to provide a secure detonation of a fuze or bomblet fuze. The priming unit ensures a secure detonation upon impact with a target or at the completion of the flight phase. As a result, almost no duds are created. If, for any reason, the detonator carrier has not been armed, it is maintained in the unarmed position as a result of the arrangement, so that no dangerous duds result.

Abstract: A shock sensing dual mode warhead is provided for use against both soft and ard targets and is capable of sensing which type of target has been struck. The warhead comprises a casing made of a ductile material containing an explosive charge and a fuze assembly. The ductile warhead casing will mushroom upon striking a hard target while still confining the explosive. Proper ductility and confinement are necessary for fuze shock sensing. The fuze assembly contains a pair of parallel firing trains, one initiated only by dynamic pressure caused high impact deceleration and one initiated by low impact deceleration. The firing train actuated by high impact deceleration senses dynamic pressure transmitted, during deformation of the warhead, through the explosive filler which is employed as a fuzing signature. The firing train actuated by low impact deceleration contains a pyrotechnic delay to allow penetration of soft targets.

Abstract: The invention, as set forth in this disclosure, includes a perforating assembly for perforation of well tubing. This perforating assembly can be dropped by hand without attachments of any kind. The outside diameter of this manually-dropped tubing perforating assembly allows it to free fall within tubing to the plug or pump near the bottom of a well. It incorporates a firing head with secured frangible pin and only one moving part; and it can be detonated mechanically. After this apparatus reaches a plug or pump near the bottom of a well, an impact bar can be dropped by hand to hit the apparatus. This detonates an explosive charge which blasts a hole through the tubing. The apparatus remains in the tubing on top of the plug or pump, so when the tubing is pulled from the well, the apparatus is retrieved along with the tubing. The use of electric wireline or slickline operations to lower and to retrieve a perforator from a well is eliminated with the use of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention presents a method and apparatus for perforating a well in response to fluid pressure in a first tubing string while establishing a pressure balance in response to pressure in a second string, or in the well casing, through which the well will be produced. Additionally, redundant firing heads may be provided for perforating guns utilized to assure optimal reliability of the system. One or more perforating equipment assemblies may be employed in a tool string, each of which includes redundant firing mechanisms responsive to pressure in the tool string. Additionally, a firing head assembly is utilized which is initially responsive to pressure in the tool string, but which is subsequently actuated by annulus pressure. The firing head is suitable for use with much lower annulus pressures than are utilized with conventional hydraulically actuated firing head assemblies.

Abstract: A projectile for a darting gun, comprising a front head housing a front ignition plunger arranged for axial rearward movement when the tip of the projectile strikes a target, the ignition plunger communicating with a rearwardly extending striker means which in an uninfluenced position of the ignition plunger terminates at a first predetermined distance from an ignition time delay element, the ignition time element when triggered by the striker means being arranged to fire a detonator which in turn detonates a main charge arranged in a tubular body attached to the rear of the front head, a safeguarding means which can be influenced by an outer mechanical force, the safeguarding means in a first position holding the ignition time delay element at a second predetermined distance from the detonator, and in a second position allowing the ignition time delay element to travel the second predetermined distance so as to be brought in close enough communication with the detonator for the detonation thereof when said p

Abstract: A mine fuze timer having a ball serving as a locking element, which ball is released after the elapse of a predetermined time period. Such time period may be determined by a timer by exerting needed load against a readily deformable material, or as an alternative, by a dash-pot using a viscous liquid. The mine fuze timer is glued to the top of a mine containing a borerider and is encased in a mine canister. A fuze for small caliber ammunition, with a barrier consisting of two halves tied together by a soft wire and locked in safe position by two setback pins. The stretching and the eventual ruture of the soft wire, under the influence of spin which follows the setback at the time of firing, ensures the necessary safety delay for arming.

Abstract: A chisel point striker is retained by a shear pin on the center line of a warhead above an open-ended flash tube packed with a percussion sensitive priming mixture. Impact of the warhead with a resistant target causes the shear pin to shear and the striker to impact the target violently thereby to set off the priming mixture. The resulting blast wave is communicated via two paths in opposite directions to two separate detonation wave acceptors or boosters. Each booster accepts the detonation wave and communicates a detonation reaction to a main explosive charge of the warhead.

Abstract: A multi-path impact type, inertia class, igniter for use with both rotating and non-rotating projectiles or warheads includes two or more stab type "firing pins" that are arranged in a plane which is at 90.degree. to the center-line of the projectile. The firing pins are equally spaced apart on the plane and each bears directly upon a safety rupture-disc. The rupture-discs bear directly upon stab type primers, there being one primer per disc. Each firing pin has a sloped "conic" surface forming a cam which is in direct contact with a conic body-of-rotation inertia mass which lies on the projectile center-line. Upon impact, the conic shaped mass moves forward at a high rate forcing the firing pins outward at a much reduced velocity relative to that of impact. The moving firing pins pierce the rupture-discs and enter the stab primers, thereby causing the actuation of the latter.

Abstract: Our invention comprises a launcher which takes the form of a holster carried firearm and a rocket propelled missile slidably mounted within the launcher. Features of our invention include electrical ignition of the rocket propelled missile, waterproof electrical connectors and switches, an impact actuated warhead, a warhead firing mechanism, electrical and mechanical safety devices, and automatic warhead arming upon rocket motor ignition. Additional features include rapid reload capability, illuminated sight lights, ease of carry and one hand operation. Our design incorporates only two moving parts in the launcher, and one moving part sealed within the missile body. Advantageously, none of the components are subject to corrosion or contamination, and no special materials are necessary in its fabrication.

Abstract: Apparatus for rendering the fusing of a ballistic missile, including a firing pin, insensitive to raindrop impact, by interposing between the firing pin and the site of impact of raindrops, a resonant mechanical system having a natural period which is long compared to the duration of impact of any raindrop.

Abstract: A fuze for firing the explosive charge of a projectile, comprising, in combination, a firing mechanism, including a firing pin, mounted resiliently in said projectile for rearward axial movement of the pin to fire the charge, a probe, including forward and rearward ends and an integral shear washer between the ends, mounted in the projectile with the forward end positioned to receive impact from media traversed by the projectile, with the rearward end slightly spaced forward of the firing mechanism, the washer normally preventing movement of the probe toward the mechanism, so that impact of the fuze with a rigid target shears the washer and enables the probe to engage the mechanism and thereby cause firing of the projectile.

Abstract: Impact with a resistant media at adequate forward velocity and rate of rotation causes a pivoted sector weight to shear a retaining shear pin and rotate quickly, bringing a firing pin on the sector weight into violent contact with a percussion primer and thereby igniting a fuze train or high explosive booster.

Abstract: A delay function modulator for insertion between the primary fuze and the warhead of a projectile, which relies on the time required for the movement of the plunger through a certain distance, then on the further movement of an internal firing pin under the influence of inertial force.

Abstract: A device actuated electrically for triggering a mechanical percussion detonator, comprising a tubular container wherein is housed a striker with a percussion pin, an explosive cap actuated electrically and held secure by a cover and a detonator holder containing a mechanical percussion detonator that can be installed or moved afterwards opposite the striker in order to avoid any untimely explosion of the detonator.

Abstract: A percussion type projectile nose fuse includes a generally conical fuse body having a cavity open only to the base thereof. Disposed within the cavity is a firing pin, a sleeve and a ball igniter. A fuse tip portion is defined by a weakened region, open to the fuse body exterior surface, which ruptures upon tip impact with a target, thereby causing at least partial rearward penetration of the tip into the cavity. Upon such tip penetration, the tip severs a flange on the firing pin by driving it against the sleeve, and propells the firing pin rearwardly along the sleeve and into engagement with the ball igniter. By forming the sleeve substantially longer than the length of the firing pin, a time delay before ignition, equal to the firing pin transit time, is provided. A forward opening recess formed in the apex of the tip, with a thin deformable wall thereabout, provides shock absorption so that accidental rupture of the weakened region does not occur during normal handling and loading of the projectile.

Abstract: An elongated, aerodynamically improved ballistic projectile fuse, having an overall fuse length greater than its maximum diameter by a factor of approximately two, includes a lightweight aluminum fuse body having forward and rearward portions and an interiorily disposed firing pin with a shearable flange thereon. A steel sleeve mounted in the fuse body is provided for supporting the firing pin with a head portion thereof forwardly directed and exterior to the sleeve and for guiding the firing pin through the fuse body toward the rearward portion thereof subsequent to impact of the fuse with a target. A cap, enclosing the firing pin head, is configured for collapsing and impacting the head upon fuse impact with a target, thereby causing shearing of the firing pin flange and driving of the firing pin rearwardly toward detonation means disposed within the fuse body rearward portion. The cap is in turn enclosed by a windscreen which provides an aerodynamically streamlined, forward continuation of the fuse body.