Terrain Clearance Patents (Class 102/302)
  • 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: 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: 6374717
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device (10) for provoking an avalanche comprising a gas gun (12) the end of which is fixed to a seat (13) solidly anchored to the mountain and the downstream end of which is born by at least one leg (14) such that the mouth of the gun is arranged above the snow cover. The gun (1q2) upstream end is fixed to the seat (13) by an articulation (17), and the downstream end is ballasted, the leg (14) being mounted freely on a base (15) made integral with the ground. The leg (14) is hollow and contains ballast consisting of chippings or concrete. The gun (12) is further provided with ignition mechanisms (54) arranged upstream in its proximity and ensures the ignition of the detonating gas mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Technologie Alpine de Securite T.A.S. S.A.
    Inventor: Jacob Schippers
  • Patent number: 6339992
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: RockTek Limited
    Inventor: John D. Watson
  • Patent number: 6332401
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: RockTek Limited
    Inventors: Edward W. Tota, Mihailo Gavrilovic, John D. Watson, Peter N. Georgiou, Jeffrey W. Branson
  • Patent number: 6321655
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: RockTek Limited
    Inventors: Edward W. Tota, Kevin Mudge, Jeffrey W. Branson, Peter N. Georgiou, Mihailo Gavrilovic, John D. Watson
  • Patent number: 6318272
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Denel (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: Johann Mey
  • Patent number: 6289815
    Abstract: A device for dispersing birds in airport areas, including a self-propelled projectile with a delayed firing element (15, 18, 27, 29) and a sound-effect charge (9) designed to scare birds away and housed in said projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Etienne Lacroix Tous Artifices S.A.
    Inventors: Raymond Tougeron, Daniel Casenave
  • Patent number: 6279477
    Abstract: Supplying a predetermined amount of electric energy to a fine metal wire 4 in a short time causes the fine metal wire 4 to melt and evaporate. Following this phenomenon, a blasting substance 10 expands in volume, so that the evaporative expansion force resulting from the melting evaporation of the fine metal wire 4 is transmitted to and blasts a to-be-blasted object 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Arai, Hidehiko Maehata, Tetsuya Inoue, Daisuke Tamakoshi, Tsuyoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 6279481
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for provoking the collapse of a snow cornice comprising several exploders (11). Each exploder (11) consists of a main cylinder (12), perpendicular to the support base (14) arranged flat on the ground, and a positioning tube (13) connected to the main cylinder and mounted on a rigid seat (15) fixed to the mountain side. A supply conduit (20), connected by conduits (23, 24) respectively to an oxygen cylinder and a propane cylinder stored in a shelter (22), supplies via conduit sections (9) a detonating gas mixture, obtained from two gases, into the positioning tube (13) and into the main cylinder (12). Igniting means (21) mounted upstream of the supply conduit (20) ensure the ignition of the detonating gas mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Jacob Schippers
  • Patent number: 6155172
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for setting parameters required for any type of blasting operation using a bar-like charge system by devising equations based on which the maximum blasting efficiency may be achieved within a safe range to prevent flying rock accidents even when the line of least resistance W or filler length P is unknown. When defining a blast hole diameter, i.e., charge diameter as d, a charge hole length as M, a filler length as P, a charge length N=M-P, a fracture radius or interval length as D, and the specific gravity of charge as A, if the charge hole angle with respect to the first free surface G1, is .alpha..ltoreq.90.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Inventor: Yasuji Nakajima
  • Patent number: 5900578
    Abstract: Rock slabs or pieces are broken from larger rocks or from rock formations with reduced cracking of the broken rock slabs or pieces by drilling bore holes along the desired break lines, placing detonating cord into the bore holes, filling the bore holes with a shock transmitting and moderating composition, and detonating the detonation cord. The shock transmitting and moderating composition is preferably a gel with shock absorbing material such as microspheres or micro gas bubbles suspended therein. Openings in rock can also be formed by drilling at least one bore hole within the desired opening and drilling a plurality of bore holes along the desired periphery of the desired opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventor: Boyd J. Wathen
  • Patent number: 5874688
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus (10) for loading a sensitized flowable explosive into a borehole. The apparatus (10) is portable and comprises containers 14, 16 which are pressurizable, for containing an explosive under pressure. Containers 14, 16 have closeable explosive inlets, closeable explosive outlets, and closable fluid inlets. In accordance with the method gas bubbles are dispersed into an explosive base to provide a sensitized explosive which is fed as a batch into the portable containers. The containers are pressurized to de-sensitize the explosive, after which the containers are conveyed to a borehole where the explosive is loaded from the apparatus into the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: AECI Explosives Limited
    Inventors: Carl Hermanus Lubbe, Laurence Justin Pienaar Wislon, Colin Douglas Wilson, Keith Anthony Jordan
  • Patent number: 5810098
    Abstract: Rock slabs or pieces are broken from larger rocks or from rock formations with reduced cracking of the broken rock slabs or pieces by drilling bore holes along the desired break lines, placing detonating cord into the bore holes, filling the bore holes with a shock transmitting and moderating composition, and detonating the detonation cord. The shock transmitting and moderating composition is preferably a gel with shock absorbing material such as microspheres suspended therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: Boyd J. Wathen
  • Patent number: 5798477
    Abstract: The present invention includes a small diameter explosive cartridge and a two-stage large diameter explosive cartridge apparatus for presplitting rock can be axially detonated by detonating cord through a central detonation passageway in the explosive cartridge while keeping the detonating cord and the explosive material in the explosive cartridge physically separate. The explosive cartridge includes an outer tube and an inner tube inside of the outer tube. The explosive cartridge includes two or more continuous webs extending radially between the outer surface of the inner tube and the inner surface of the outer tube. For the small diameter explosive cartridge, the space between the outer surface of the inner tube and the inner surface of the outer tube is filled with high explosive material such as water gel or emulsion explosive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Inventors: Richard W. Givens, Greg S. Williams
  • Patent number: 5789694
    Abstract: An impulse generating tool for breaking up rock has a barrel, a breech body for a cartridge (50) loaded with gas producing propellant (70) and a firing mechanism for firing the cartridge. A hole is drilled in the rock and filled with water. The barrel is passed down the hole and the cartridge is fired. Shockwaves break up the rock. A firing pin (42) of the firing mechanism is off-set (56) from a centerline (54) of the breech body, and the cartridge, which is of a shotgun type, has a rim-fire percussion cap (63) complemental to the off-set of the firing pin. Conventional shotgun ammunition cannot be fired with the tool, and cartridges for the tool cannot be fired by a conventional shotgun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Denel (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: Johann Mey
  • Patent number: 5780763
    Abstract: A method for severing or weakening materials. Explosive cords are placed in grooves on the upper surface of the material to be severed or weakened. The explosive cords are initiated simultaneously to introduce explosive shock waves into the material. These shock waves progress toward the centerline between the explosive cords and the lower surface of the material. Intersecting and reflected waves produce a rarefaction zone on the centerline to fail the material in tension. A groove may also be cut in the lower surface of the material to aid in severing or weakening the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Morry L. Schimmel, deceased, Laurence J. Bement, Glenn F. DuBrucq, Jr., Edward A. Klein
  • Patent number: 5773750
    Abstract: A rock fragmentation system using Gold Schmidt method and process for blasting using the machine are provided, wherein the blasting machine has a capacitor bank, a switch, a high voltage electric power supply, a first charge dump and a second charge dump, and an electrode assembly which is connected to capacitor bank and switch with a coxial cable and electrodes at a lower end of the electrode assembly, wherein an aluminum and metal oxide composition of a predetermined mixture ratio is inserted between electrodes in a lower end of the electrode assembly for generating an instant reaction energy by discharging the electric energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Soosan Special Purpose Vehicle Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hwan-Young Jae, Chwll-Hwa Park, Hak-Won Kim, Byung-Ro Song, Woo-Sik Kim, Dae-Seung Kim
  • Patent number: 5739461
    Abstract: A pistol style flare launcher device suitable for multiple launches of flares uses an orifice in a gas duct to control the burn rate of blank cartridges by predictable high back pressure and a deflector pin in the launcher barrel to block gas from said orifice from striking the flare and deflect the gas into a plenum which allows gas to expand to a lower pressure still suitable to launch the flare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Quoin, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Jacobson
  • Patent number: 5670737
    Abstract: An impulse generating tool for breaking up rock has a barrel, a breech body for a cartridge (50) loaded with gas producing propellant (70) and a firing mechanism for firing the cartridge. A hole is drilled in the rock and filled with water. The barrel is passed down the hole and the cartridge is fired. Shockwaves break up the rock. A firing pin (42) of the firing mechanism is off-set (56) from a centreline (54) of the breech body, and the cartridge, which is of a shotgun type, has a rim-fire percussion cap (63) complemental to the off-set of the firing pin. Conventional shotgun ammunition cannot be fired with the tool, and cartridges for the tool cannot be fired by a conventional shotgun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Denel (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: Johann Mey
  • Patent number: 5650588
    Abstract: This invention is to provide a setting method of blasting in bar-like charge which is reasonable to achieve both of safety and maximum blasting or fracturing efficiency, and to provide the method which can be setting accurately a charge hole diameter d relative to the other facters.A safety charge amount L is derived by controlling a nominal total fracture rock volume V, namely, a filler length P.sup.2 .times.a charge hole length M, with an inclination coefficient sin.sup.3 .alpha..times.a blasting coefficient c.A charge hole diameter d is derived by the fact that the (sin.sup.3 .alpha..multidot.c.multidot.P.sup.2 .multidot.M) is equal to a ((.pi./4)d.sup.2 (M-P)) which applies the expression for deriving a volume of a circular column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Inventor: Yasuji Nakajima
  • Patent number: 5576511
    Abstract: A highly efficient anti-explosion pad comprising multiple sheets of expanded metal net separated by a core layer of porous material such as fiberglass, cotton batting or an assembly of miniature ellipsoids or balls formed from expanded metal net. When covering a wall or other structural element, the stratiform pad effectively dissipates the shock waves and thermal effects of a close range bomb explosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventor: Shaikh G. M. Y. Alhamad
  • Patent number: 5546862
    Abstract: A remote control adaptor for the XM-122 detonator system which utilizes a ir of color coded LED's to indicate the open or closed status of the output terminal of a bistable relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Paul G. Schabdach
  • Patent number: 5524546
    Abstract: A breaching device comprising a regular polygon structure in which identi, rectangular, concave flying plate devices (shape charges) form the sides of the polygon, and a strong, rigid, lightweight structure holds the flying plate devices in position. The flying plate devices are identical and comprise a copper or copper alloy plate having a uniform thickness and a concave front face, a uniform elastomeric material layer attached to and covering the back convex surface of the metal plate, and a uniform layer of high energy plastic-bonded explosive covering the back of the layer of elastomeric material. The flying plate devices are oriented so that when simultaneously fired they fly in trajectories that are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the plane of the polygon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Alexander G. Rozner, Bernard P. Howder
  • Patent number: 5437230
    Abstract: An unpowered air vehicle, i.e. a glider, which is air-launched from appreciable range, is densely packed with a large area, explosive net. At a pre-determined location, the net is extracted from the glider by a parachute and expanded completely before landing on the surface of the water or land that contains a large field of mines. The explosive material in the net is then detonated, destroying the mines covered by the net. The longitudinal ends of the net are attached to a folding, multi-arm framework designed to expand and thereby spread the net after separation from the glider. The spreading action is initiated by an extraction parachute which pulls the first frame from the air vehicle. The spreading action is completed by the second frame which is coupled to a brake mechanism in the glider that maintains tension throughout the net to complete the spreading of the net.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Leigh Aerosystems Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon L. Harris, Stephen L. Harris, Neil A. Levy
  • Patent number: 5413047
    Abstract: Coal and other mineral seams are uncovered of overburden to a predetermined width by blast casting a portion of the overburden into an adjacent spoil pit followed by fragmentation blasting of the remaining width of the overburden panel. A dragline excavator is moved at least partially onto the fragmented overburden for excavating a keycut portion together with excavation to level the bench for an adjacent overburden panel and placement of the material on a temporary spoil pile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: Randall N. Evans, Monica S. Cummins, Marlyn G. King, Robert L. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 5386779
    Abstract: A blast attenuator and ventilator for use in hardened or protective structures or the like that includes within a hollow housing a chamber that is arranged to receive directly the blast effect. Adequate openings for gas flow are provided so that appropriate gas flow for ventilation can occur therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Wilfred Baker Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Quentin A. Baker
  • Patent number: 5386778
    Abstract: A process for visualization of a blast wave, which is the shock wave resulting from an explosive charge, is practiced by observing disturbance contours on a liquid-air cloud and interpreting resulting graphical and calculated data to evaluate matters related to the explosive blast wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: John D. Sullivan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5375528
    Abstract: A light weight explosive mass for a spherical charge of high explosives used to simulate nuclear bursts at ground or above ground level or underwater wherein the sphericity of the loaded explosive mass must be maintained within tight tolerance, exemplary of which are particulate ammonium nitrate/fuel oil (ANFO) explosive and liquid nitromethane explosive, contained in a flexible fabric shell that becomes spheroidal by reason of being filled with the explosive, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventors: John A. Brinkman, Leon Shenfil, Donald N. Thatcher
  • Patent number: 5347930
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and installation for the destruction and of containers containing dangerous and noxious laboratory wastes, by explosion in a submerged medium. The automatic treatment installation comprises: at least one basin filled with water for submersion of the containers; means for the automatic conveyance and subsequent submersion of the baskets carrying waste containers; explosion means (explosive fuses and detonators); these means being integrated into a whole complex comprising: an area for the loading of the baskets; a room for the storage of explosives and a room for the storage of the detonators, with safety areas; and a system for the recovery of the broken containers. This method and installation can be applied to the destruction of wastes and products from all laboratories chemicals facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: SARP Industries
    Inventors: Pierre Baronquel, Jean-Louis Biros
  • Patent number: 5233926
    Abstract: A shaped secondary blasting charge including a frustoconical container and a viscous adhesive explosive overpacked into the container. A concave cover accommodates the overloaded explosive which is removed at the blasting site. The container with the explosive is pressed against the object to be blasted causing the viscous explosive to intimately bond to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: INCO Limited
    Inventors: Calvin W. Carmichael, Paul J. Dolan, Robert Park
  • Patent number: 5212343
    Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for contacting a hot reaction mass with water to initiate an explosive reaction. The reaction mass comprises a ceramic or intermetallic material that is produced by exothermically reacting a mixture of reactive elements. Suitable reaction masses include borides and/or carbides that are formed by reacting a mixture comprising B and/or C in combination with an element selected from Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta and W. Additional metals such as Al, Li, Mg, Zn, Cu, Be, Na, K, Ca, Rb, Y, U and Cs may also be present in the reactive mixture. In operation, the hot reaction mass is contacted with water to initiate an explosive water reaction and to produce large volumes of hydrogen containing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Brupbacher, Leontios Christodoulou, James M. Patton, Russell N. Bennett, Alvin F. Bopp, Larry G. Boxall, William M. Buchta
  • Patent number: 5196647
    Abstract: The invention comprises a device and method for forcibly opening a locked door. A sealed chamber is adapted to sealably receive the barrel of conventional firearm. A piston in the sealed chamber is connected to a ramming plate. A blank cartridge is placed in the firearm and detonated, pressurizing the chamber and forcing the ramming plate against the exterior of the door with great force and speed. After the piston moves a predetermined distance, the chamber is vented and a spring returns the piston and ramming plate to their original position. The procedure may be rapidly repeated as many times as may be necessary to force the door open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Inventor: J. Paul Majors
  • Patent number: 5194689
    Abstract: Coal and other mineral seams are uncovered to a desired width or "cut" by blast casting a portion of the overburden material above the seam into an adjacent pit portion followed by moving a dragline or other excavating apparatus onto a bench surface below the bench height of the unblasted overburden and building an extended bench portion with overburden material from above the seam to be uncovered. The excavating apparatus then moves onto the extended bench and removes overburden material from directly above the seam to a final spoil pile. The excavating apparatus may be returned to the start of the next cut by a return road, by building a return road along the spoil pile or by reversing its direction over the extended bench to uncover the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventor: Monica S. Cummins
  • Patent number: 5149911
    Abstract: An explosive device and process of using same is provided to exert a desi force on an object without exposure to the flame heat generated upon detonation of explosive charge sandwiched between protective layers of a protective casing. One of the layers is of a thickness sufficient to absorb substantially all of the explosive released thermal energy but sufficiently thin to transfer the kinetic energy associated with the desired force for cutting and/or deformation of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Vernon D. Ringbloom, Matthew O. Savage
  • Patent number: 5140907
    Abstract: Coal and other mineral seams are uncovered to a desired width by blast casting a portion of the overburden above the seam into an adjacent spoil pit, followed by excavation of a keycut between unblasted overburden and a plug portion of the overburden remaining above the seam and adjacent to the spoil pit. The excavated material forms a temporary spoil pile adjacent to the plug portion and covering the blast cast overburden. The plug portion and the temporary spoil pile are reshaped to form a support pad for the excavating apparatus which is moved onto the pad and then excavates the plug portion and reshaped temporary spoil pile to form a spoil pile laterally spaced from the pad so as to uncover the remaining uncovered portions of the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventor: Steven M. Svatek
  • Patent number: 5107765
    Abstract: The above device consists mainly of a rigid explosion tank (10) with a closed rear end (11) and a front opening (12). Said tank is mounted in the direction of the slope on which the avalanche is to be triggered. It is connected to a fuel gas supply station (19) and to an oxygen-carrying gas supply station (20). These two stations are linked by pipes (17 and 18) to injection nozzles (16) situated inside the tank (10). An ignition device (29) is mounted in the bottom of the tank and can be operated by remote control by means of a triggering device (30). An advantage of the above device is that the explosion is exponentially propagated inside the rigid explosion tank and causes a powerful high-velocity blast to be expelled from the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Inventor: Jacob Schippers
  • Patent number: 5035756
    Abstract: A thermite mixture with a low autoignition temperature for venting ordnance ase sidewalls during fuel fire, having increased density, tensile strength and elasticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Josephine Covino
  • Patent number: 5031540
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for severing tubular members and is provided with a carrier, which carries a sparging assembly and an explosive assembly downwardly into the tubular member to be severed. The outlet of the sparging assembly is below the lower end of the carrier and is at a level adjacent to the level of the explosive charge carried by the explosive assembly. The sparging assembly dislodges and agitates the debris accumulated within the tubular member and evacuates it from the level, wherein it is deployed, simultaneously allowing progression of the explosive assembly downward along the interior of the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Inventor: John J. Kenny
  • Patent number: 4976202
    Abstract: The antitank-antipersonnel weapons of this invention are synergistic combinations of lens-compromising agents, radar-compromising agents, and human irritants.The lens-compromising agents opaque the external lenses of tank periscopes and gunsights, and the radar-compromising agents block radar signals, forcing tank crews to navigate tanks and aim weapons by direct observation through open hatches, and to don "gas" masks for protection against the human irritants.The lenses of protective masks are also opaqued by the weapons of this invention, and when they are, tanks, tank crews, and other personnel are functionally blind and unable to fight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Inventor: Richard F. Honigsbaum
  • Patent number: 4905601
    Abstract: This invention relates to an explosive-containing device for cutting dense material, the device being particularly useful in forced entry situations, e.g. in law enforcement situations or where an immediate entry into a burning building through its wall is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Canadian Patents and Development Ltd.
    Inventors: Roy E. Gabriel, Alf G. Arneson
  • Patent number: 4817529
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for automatically positioning an explosive charge at a predetermined position above the surface of the snow for setting off an avalanche.The apparatus includes an electric winch for unwinding and rewinding a suspension string attached to the explosive charge. The winch is swingably mounted in a container of the apparatus in a manner so as to oscillate between up and down positions depending upon whether the string is tensioned or not. Magnetic detectors associated with the winch count and signal the number of turns of its drum to a programmable electronic unit. Coded wheels are provided to select a maximum height of descent and a lifting height for the charge after contact with the snow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Inventor: Jacob Schippers