Abstract: A blasting system which is established using an autonomously controlled vehicle to traverse a blast site, moving from blast hole to blast hole and at each blast hole using robotic means to prepare each blast hole for detonation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a material testing system that includes a fixture, a frame, a load sensor, a displacement sensor and a computer system coupled to the material testing system. The computer system includes one or more processors, one or more memory devices coupled to the one or more processors, one or more computer readable storage devices coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the one or more storage devices contain program code executable by the one or more processors via the one or more memory devices to implement a method for detecting a change in a material testing sequence. A computer program product that implements a method for detecting a change in a material test sequence, and methods for detecting a change in a material test sequence or fatigue test is further disclosed.

Abstract: An example charge holder includes an envelope made from a sheet material of foil formed from a metal or a metal alloy, the envelope defining an interior volume to receive therein a charge having a charge volume less than or equal to the interior volume, wherein a ratio of a charge volume of the interior volume to an envelope material volume is 5.0 or greater.

Abstract: A firing head configured to initiate the firing of an element in a perforating gun. The firing head includes an insert having a bore extending along a longitudinal direction X; a percussion detonator facing the bore and including an explosive material that is configured to detonate; a firing pin located partially in the bore; and a retention mechanism located on the firing pin and preventing the firing pin to move along the longitudinal direction X into the bore. The retention mechanism includes a degradable material that is configured to chemically react with a well fluid so that the retention mechanism degrades until freeing the firing pin so that the firing pin moves along the longitudinal direction X into the bore and strikes the percussion detonator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of the formulae (1) to (4), which are suitable for use in electronic devices, in particular organic electroluminescent devices, to intermediate compounds for the compounds or formulae (1) to (4) and to electronic devices, which comprise the compounds of formulae (1) to (4).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for designing a blasting sequence for a drilling pattern of a round. The apparatus (11) is configured to assist selecting one or more drill holes (3) for each time delay of the blast. The apparatus calculates burst volume (VB) for the selected drill hole set (34) and ensures that previously blasted free volume (VF) can receive it when being fired. The apparatus may also take into account burst angles burst distances and ground vibrations when suggesting the drill hole sets.

Abstract: A thermally activatable safety valve for a pressure vessel includes i) a pressure relief unit having a valve for pressure relief of the pressure vessel; ii) at least one release line which extends away from the pressure relief unit; and iii) at least one bursting device. The release line, the bursting device and the valve are fluidically connected and form a common fluid system. The valve is designed, for pressure relief, to pass from a first closed position into a second open position if the pressure in the fluid system is less than an actuating limit pressure. The bursting device is designed to bring about pressure relief in the fluid system if the pressure in the fluid system exceeds a release pressure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a well boring apparatus, and associated components, for drilling wellbores without the necessity of traditional well drilling equipment. The well boring apparatus operates on similar principles as a tunnel boring apparatus. The well boring apparatus is self-propelled, steerable, and can be launched from a topside vessel or directly from a seabed installation. The well boring apparatus is fully instrumented and capable of analyzing the surrounding environment including the temperature, pressure, acidity and the presence of particular chemicals. The well boring apparatus is highly modular such that it can be configured for different tasks. The well boring apparatus can include components to case/line the wellbore during drilling, eliminating the need for running casing/lining. Further, the well boring apparatus can be incorporated in a drilling system in which cuttings are processed at the seabed, thereby removing the need for a drilling riser.

Abstract: A method for releasing a fluid from a pressure vessel assembly, the method including the steps of providing: —a pressure vessel; a piezo electric device; and an electric field generator; arranging the piezo electric device in a sealed relationship with a part of the pressure vessel, thereby providing the pressure vessel assembly, providing a fluid contained within the pressure vessel assembly under pressure, and using the electric field generator to apply an electric field to the piezo electric device, such that the piezo electric device fails, thereby releasing the fluid from the pressure vessel assembly.

Abstract: An outer tube for a perforating gun is provided that includes an inner wall and an outer wall and also a wall thickness (D) and a length (L), wherein the outer tube has a hardness over its entire longitudinal extent along the length (L) and its transverse extent along the wall thickness (D), wherein the hardness of the outer tube is reduced, in at least one region, to an extent (T) measured from the outer wall to the inner wall, wherein, in this region, the outer tube has a reduced hardness (HV) on its outer wall, said reduced hardness being reduced in this region by at least 5% in relation to the hardness (H) of the inner wall.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for an apex fitting for securing to a high altitude balloon. An example apparatus involves: (a) a base plate defining an opening, where the base plate is configured to be securable to an exterior of a balloon envelope, (b) at least one stud coupled to the base plate and configured to be securable to a tendon, (c) a retention ring defining at least one opening configured to receive the at least one stud, (d) a fill-port body defining a cavity, wherein a flange is coupled to the fill-port body, wherein the fill-port body is arranged coaxially with and extends through the opening of the base plate such that the flange lies adjacent to the bottom surface of the base plate, and (e) a locking body coupled to the fill-port body, wherein the locking body defines an opening arranged coaxially with the fill-port body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device on the ignition device of a weapon, which can be triggered, for pressure relief, before or simultaneously with the initiation of the deflagrative reaction of the explosive charge, and has at least one channel that can be opened in a controlled manner and connects the interior of the weapon with the external surroundings of the weapon.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for radially expanding a tubular element below a previous tubular element.

Abstract: A system where a group of substantially universal pre-manufactured explosive pellet assemblies are provided for on-site forming of shaped charges. That is, a specifically tailored liner may also be separately provided to the worksite/oilfield and combined with any one of the pellet assemblies so as to form a shaped charge having characteristics that are determined by the particular liner used.

Abstract: A booster explosive (10) is comprised of assembled components comprising a canister body (12, 112) having a fuse tunnel (22) formed integrally therewith and a separate cap well (14, 114) mounted within the canister body (12, 112) which is filled with a solid cast explosive (34). The connector end (14c, 114c, 214c) of cap well (14, 114) is configured to engage cap well mounting fixture (28, 128) disposed within the canister body (12, 112). Cap well mounting fixture (28, 128) has a flexible and resilient crown-shaped locking member (28a, 128a) formed integrally therewith and is otherwise configured to positively retain a detonator (16, 116) within the cap well (14, 114). More than one cap well (214a, 214b, 214a?, 214b?) and more than one fuse tunnel (222a, 222b, 222a?, 222b?) may be provided in the canister body (212, 212?).

Abstract: An explosive cartridge comprising: an explosive composition; a deactivating agent that is capable of desensitising the explosive composition; and a barrier element that prevents contact between the explosive composition and the deactivating agent and that is adapted to be at least partially removed on use of the explosive cartridge.

Abstract: This invention relates to the oil and gas industry and to exploration and production of water resources, in particularly, for stimulation of fluid flow to the well, e.g., for higher oil production, productivity index, and recovery factor. The disclosed device and method can be used for higher permeability of the pay zone due to creation of a network of microcracks in the bottomhole formation zone and facilitates to increase the flow of oil, or other fluids, from the reservoir to the well. Generation of cyclic pressure pulses with varied amplitude and time parameters and proper localization of pulses in space through mechanism of convective combustion provides a “soft” impact upon the wellbore without risk of damage or formation consolidation; the said impact is achieved by using a device which is a downhole cyclic pressure generator operating by a consecutive combustion of layers of compositions having different combustion rates.

Abstract: A blast treatment method enables easy and safe blast treatment of ammunition having propellant provided with a warhead having a bursting charge and a propulsion unit having a propellant.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel salt compositions and to explosive compositions comprising said salt compositions. The salt compositions are useful as emulsifiers in the explosive compositions. The explosive compositions are water-in-oil emulsion explosives.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a charge holder assembly comprising: a charge holder, wherein the charge holder is a hollow cylinder, and wherein the charge holder comprises: (a) at least one hole disposed through a wall of the charge holder; and (b) at least one slot disposed through the wall of the charge holder, wherein the at least one slot is located diametrically opposite from the at least one hole; and a charge comprising a charge case, wherein the charge case comprises: (a) a tail end portion, wherein the tail end portion comprises: (i) a cord retaining groove; and (ii) two legs, wherein each of the two legs comprises at least one slot engaging groove, wherein the slot engaging grooves are at an angle offset from the cord retaining groove.

Abstract: A cylindrical casing (18) has first and second ends (33 and 31), the first end (33) being closed. The casing (18) encloses an accelerant (22) disposed adjacent the first end (33), at least one stemming mechanism (21), and a fuse (14 or 14?) extending from the accelerant (22) out of the second end (31) of the cylindrical casing (18). The cartridge (12) is made of a rupturable cylindrical casing (18) with accelerant (22) and self-stemming mechanism (22) inserted therein. A method of breaking hard (R) materials involves detonating a self-stemming cartridge (12) disposed in a borehole (B).

Abstract: An underwater hydro-reactive explosive system includes a pressure vessel with a central section of water disposed between identical sections of a material selected from the group consisting of thermites, intermetallics, nano-sized metallic particles, and micro-sized metallic particles. The water is provided in a stoichiometric quantity that provides a complete reaction with the material following simultaneous detonation of the sections thereof.

Abstract: An auxiliary cartridge for use in rock breaking is disclosed which comprises an elongate body, an end closure at each end of the body and a charge of combustible material in the space defined by the body and the end closures. One of the end closures includes a frangible membrane which closes off a charge of combustible chemicals. On being subjected to the pressure of an external ignition of fast burning combustible material, the membrane fails and permits flame to flash through it from externally of the auxiliary cartridge to internally thereof thereby to ignite said charge.

Abstract: An explosive charge (1) comprising an elongate casing (2) with elongate grooves (3,4) running along the casing, each groove locally reducing the thickness of the casing. The grooves are distributed in two or more groups around the circumference of the casing and the edge-to-edge spacing between each adjacent pair of grooves in a group is less than the edge-to-edge spacing between each pair of adjacent groups. Detonation causes the casing to break at a pair of grooves in one of the groups and form a fragment from material between the pair of grooves, the fragment cutting an obstacle (28).

Abstract: An explosive tool is disclosed. The explosive tool comprises a body structure, a charge, a detonator to ignite the charge via propagation of thermal energy, a pressure actuated safety to prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the pressure actuated safety is subjected to a surface pressure and to not prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the pressure actuated safety is subjected to at least a predefined pressure threshold, and a temperature actuated safety to prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the temperature actuated safety is subjected to a surface temperature and to not prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the temperature actuated safety is subjected to at least a predefined temperature threshold. The charge, the detonator, the pressure actuated safety, and the temperature actuated safety are contained within the body structure.

Abstract: Detonators comprising a base charge of explosive material present a safety hazard for transportation and storage, especially when a plurality of detonators are packaged together. Disclosed herein are detonator protectors for the explosive ends of detonators that, at least in preferred forms, prevent ejection of shrapnel and/or explosive energy upon detonator actuation. Also disclosed are corresponding detonator assemblies, packages comprising protected detonators or detonator assemblies, and corresponding packaging methods.

Abstract: A lightweight man-packable system for breaching in a single application reinforced structure such as steel reinforced concrete (SRC) walls. Embodiments comprise two explosive charge arrays installed in a housing that is abutted against a wall using either studs or prop sticks. One embodiment positions a secondary linear shaped charge (LSC) or self-forming fragment charge (SFF) spaced apart from a primary high explosive (HE) charge that contacts the structure. The HE is detonated to remove concrete in a pattern sufficient to enable a human to transit the resultant opening and the secondary charge cuts the reinforcement shortly thereafter enabling a “clean” breach via a single application of the system. In select embodiments the second array is positioned on a hinged frame to increase stand-off from the first array and moves into place to detonate over the opening immediately after detonation of the first array.

Abstract: A demolition charge system has a multi-primed initiation system with a rigid container defining an internal chamber. An initiation tube is supported within the internal chamber and is configured to receive a demolition initiator.

Abstract: A demolition charge system has a multi-primed initiation system with a rigid container defining an internal chamber. An initiation tube is supported within the internal chamber and is configured to receive a demolition initiator.

Abstract: A demolition charge system has a multi-primed initiation system with a rigid container having interconnected thin end walls, side walls, a base and a lid. The lid continuously fits onto the end and side walls to cover and contain an internal chamber. Each of the ends walls has a threaded opening longitudinally aligned with each other. An elongated thin-walled tube longitudinally extends through the internal chamber and has threaded ends engaging inner portions of the threaded openings to securely hold the tube in the container. At least one demolition initiator is capable of longitudinally extending in the tube and a main charge in the internal chamber is positionable in abutting contact along the tube to assure demolition. Magnets assure magnetic securing of the demolition system on a ferrous target.

Abstract: An actuation and/or communication device for the downhole environment. The device includes a selectively implosion resistant canister; and an environment within the canister and releasable upon implosion of the canister. A method for actuating a downhole device and/or communicating. The method includes delivering a selectively implosion resistant canister having an environment internal to the canister releasable upon implosion of the canister to a selected location within a borehole; imploding the canister; releasing the environment; and receiving a signal generated by the release of the environment. A method for an actuating a tool and/or communicating including delivering of an implosive device to a selected location; creating a rarefaction event by imploding said device; and affecting a tool in response to the event.

Abstract: Breaching apparatus including a housing constructed of a material that disintegrates upon explosion without significant amounts of fragments being given off, and an explosive element disposed in the housing capable of producing an explosive force sufficient for breaching a structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for driving at least one explosive driven projectile into an open hole or well bore of a subterranean formation for the purpose of stimulating productive formation. The apparatus is capable of pivoting within the open hole or well bore for desired firing at an angle and is also capable of deep penetration into a subterranean formation. The apparatus may also be conveyed by a tubing in horizontal drilling applications.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for generating energy by using exothermic reaction of metal, comprising the steps of reacting an oxidant containing mostly water with combustion substances mainly containing light metals to generate hydrogen; reacting generated hydrogen with nitric acid, sulfuric acid, chlorine peroxide, metal nitrate, metal perchlorate, metal sulfate, and hydrogen peroxide to generate water and heat; continuously repeating the above two steps with the use of water to gradually increase explosive power, and to a method for utilizing generated energy. The method can generate increased amounts of energy by repeatedly reacting oxidants such as water, liquid acid, and metal salt with combustion substances containing mostly light metals, and has economic advantages in that inexpensive substances such as light metal and oil are used as combustion substances.

Abstract: A cartridge shell 10 comprises a main body 12 defining a volume 14 for holding energetic material. The main body 12 has a first end 16 for location adjacent a toe 48 of a hole 46 and a second end 18 directed to the collar 50 of hole 46. The second end 18 is tapered to reduce in transverse area away from the first end to form a point or wedge-like member 20.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drilling and penetrating hard materials utilizes a high velocity gun system that fires multiple shots of a projectile and an energetic slurry at the surface of the material to be penetrated. The penetrating device includes one or more firing barrels that are loaded with a propellant, a projectile and an energetic (explosive) slurry, and are controlled to fire in a preselected firing sequence. The projectile enters the material to be penetrated generating a hole into which the energetic slurry is also fired. The energetic slurry detonates upon contact with the material causing an explosion that further fractures the material and which blows the material out of the hole. The process is repeated until a desired penetration depth is obtained.

Abstract: An explosive system is disclosed which may be used in repair of damaged casing. In a described embodiment, an explosive system includes a flexible elongated tubular container with a liquid explosive disposed within the container. As an alternative, the liquid explosive may be flowed into a wellbore without being retained within a container. The liquid explosive is detonated in the wellbore, thereby fragmenting the damaged casing and forcing it out into a formation surrounding the wellbore.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drilling and penetrating hard materials utilizes a high velocity gun system that fires multiple shots of a projectile and an energetic slurry at the surface of the material to be penetrated. The penetrating device includes one or more firing barrels that are loaded with a propellant, a projectile and an energetic (explosive) slurry, and are controlled to fire in a preselected firing sequence. The projectile enters the material to be penetrated generating a hole into which the energetic slurry is also fired. The energetic slurry detonates upon contact with the material causing an explosion that further fractures the material and which blows the material out of the hole. The process is repeated until a desired penetration depth is obtained.

Abstract: A cartridge shell 10 comprises a main body 12 defining a volume 14 for holding energetic material. The main body 12 has a first end 16 for location adjacent a toe 48 of a hole 46 and a second end 18 directed to the collar 50 of hole 46. The second end 18 is tapered to reduce in transverse area away from the first end to form a point or wedge-like member 20.

Abstract: As has been established, the use of energetic materials, generated by manufacturer's excess and/or demilitarization projects, as ingredients in commercial blasting explosives is a feasible and environmentally acceptable method of handling them. Ammonium picrate is used as an explosive charge in the manufacturing of conventional ammunition rounds, such as large caliber navy guns. The present invention is directed to the use of recovered ammonium picrate in commercial blasting agent compositions, that include watergel slurries, ANFO, HANFO-blends and emulsion based blasting agents. These new blasting agents exhibit favorable cost for performance characteristics and have found a use for recovered ammonium picrate, which would heretofore have been incinerated or otherwise disposed of at significant cost.

Abstract: A process for the impact healing of inner discontinuities or defects in the surface area of a cast workpiece where the defects are localized comprises locating an explosive charge on the surface of the workpiece over the inner discontinuities or defects and detonating the explosive charge.

Abstract: The invention provides shaping apparatus for an explosive charge, particularly for use with plastic explosive in forming shaped charges. The shaping apparatus comprises a hollow cylindrical body (1), a substantially conical partition (2) within said body for shaping an explosive charge (3) inserted into the body on one side of said partition (2) and means (5) on the other side of said partition (2) for supporting a detonator (6).

Abstract: The invention relates to a down-hole seismic source with containment. The seismic source comprises a source body (1) supporting an explosive test charge (SE). The source body (1) is constituted by a hollow cylinder and the outside surface of the cylinder includes a containment housing (2) in which the explosive source (SE) is received. The invention is applicable to down-hole seismic sources.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of an explosive cartridge in a tubular casing, including mixing a solution containing hydrogen peroxide, an oxidizable organic material, and at least one precursor monomer of a gelling agent; and reacting the at least one precursor monomer to form macromolecules of the gelling agent in situ in the tubular casing.

Abstract: A booster container is used to hold a primary charge useful for detonating cap insensitive explosives, such as ammonium nitrate. The container includes a pair of cord tunnels which may be used in various combinations to detonate the primary charge with either an electric blasting cap or a detonating cord. The container is also useful for holding non-electric blasting caps and transfer tubes in place as the booster container is lowered into the bore hole.

Abstract: A molded plastic dynamite tube with an air ventillation hole is defined by a recess within the lower portion of the tube. The vent hole is formed by air pressure inside the tube during the molding process. The plastic blown out of the recess to define the vent hole and to form an extent co-planar with the side wall of the tube.

Abstract: An improved blasting charge for a blast-actuated high voltage power switch is provided which contains at least one electrically combustible detonator and one blasting powder, the blasting powder containing a compound which forms electro-negative gases upon thermal decomposition. Halogen compounds are preferred compounds for use in the blasting powder.