Abstract: A downhole perforating gun switch is located in the sub housing and has first, second and intermediate contacts, with the intermediate contact located between the first and second contacts. In an initial position, the intermediate and second contacts are in contact with each other, while the intermediate and first contacts are out of contact with each other. A thermoplastic plug is positioned between the intermediate and second contacts. A conductive sleeve or enclosure provides the electrical contact between the intermediate and second contacts. When the switch is subjected to detonation effects from the perforating gun, the second contact, the plug, and the intermediate contact are moved toward the first contact, wherein the first and intermediate contacts contact each other and the intermediate and second contacts are out of contact with each other.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a casing with an opened end for receiving a liquid and a holding end where the liquid is stored. Between the open end and the holding end there narrow neck. A ball is placed into the opened end of the casing, so that lodging the ball into the neck will seal the neck area so that the liquid contained within the holding area will remain in the holding area until the ball is dislodged upon impact. Attached to the opened end of the casing is a nozzle. The nozzle serves two purposes, first it assures that the liquid contained within the casing does not quickly run out of the device upon impact minimizing the spray area covered by the liquid. Additionally the nozzle contains a number of holes distributed throughout the surface of said nozzle, so that the passage of liquid through the nozzle will cause the device to flail erratically, further maximizing the area sprayed by the device.

Abstract: A system for unloading fluids from a generally upright tubular member of a wellbore wherein a combustible fuel cell can be placed in the tubular member below the fluid and ignited to generate gasses. The gasses generated by the burning of the fuel cell can be used to force at least a portion of the fluid upward out of the tubular member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for deploying a data sensing apparatus into a subsurface geologic formation for intermittent or continuously gathering data from the subsurface formation and transmitting the data to a remote data receiver. In a preferred embodiment, a non-linear arrangement of a barrel and a burn chamber is used to provide a gun-like device for firing a bullet-shaped data sensing apparatus into a formation of interest. The data sensing apparatus, once disposed within the matrix of the formation of interest, monitors formation conditions and transmits the data for use in optimizing drilling and production activities.

Abstract: A compressed air blasting device (1), insertable in a pre-prepared bore, has a cylindrical housing or tube (2) containing a number of air guns (4). Apertures (3) in the housing (2) direct the flow of compressed air exhausted by the air guns (4) so as to produce a build-up of pressure sufficient to weaken and displace material from the area surrounding the bore. The further enhance the effect of the device (1), the bore may be filled with water and sealed with a packer (11) mounted on the device (1) prior to blasting.

Abstract: A decoy flare for infrared (IR) seeking missiles comprises a tubular outer shell with a first rupturing disc sealing a rear end of the outer shell and a cover member with a second rupturing disc sealing a front end of the outer shell. These form a sealed container for a pyrophoric liquid. A nozzle cap is attached to the cover member with a nozzle being located in front of the second rupturing disc. A piston in the container adjacent the first rupturing disc separates the pyrophoric liquid from the disc. A holder for a gas generator, a disc of energetic material, is connected in sealed relationship to the container to position the gas generator adjacent the first rupturing disc and form a gas generating chamber between the holder and that disc. That holder contains an ignition mechanism for the gas generator and a seal to prevent gases from escaping via the ignition mechanism after it is activated.

Abstract: A launching device with a work-controlled gas generator employs a dampening piston in combination with an accumulator volume to provide substantially uniform acceleration of a launching piston.

Abstract: A device for simultaneously ejecting two fluids, in particular pyrotechnic fluids, intended to react on contact after ejection includes a reservoir for each fluid open to the exterior of the device through a respective nozzle. The two reservoirs comprise a respective cylinder/piston combination and simultaneous ejection of the two fluids is achieved by displacement of one piston inside the respective cylinder and mechanical coupling of the pistons. The ejection rates are in constant proportion defined by the section of the piston regardless of how full the reservoirs are.

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.

Abstract: A technique for fragmenting rock or other relatively hard and/or compact material without the use of explosives is disclosed herein. In accordance with this technique, an elongated, blind opening is provided in the rock or other material to be fragmented and a pulse of water having a relatively high peak pressure and a relatively rapid rise time is directed into the elongated opening without the use of explosives to produce the pulse, whereby to produce a shock wave in the rock or other material sufficient to fragment it. In an actual embodiment, this explosion free pulse of water has a peak pressure of about 80,000 psi and a rise time of about one millisecond.