Abstract: A firecracker packaging is provided which enables both carrying a single ignition detonation of a large number of firecrackers in an attractive package resembling a giant firecracker. At least one and preferably a plurality of spiral-wound strings of firecrackers having interconnected fuses are stacked together in a substantially cylindrical stack, covered by wrapping, and a handle extends from one end of the wrapping. The handle is preferably a length of line. Binding is positioned between the strings and the wrapping to retain the cylindrical configuration of the strings. Connecting fuses between adjacent strings permit ignition of the woven individual firecracker fuses in one string to lead to ignition of the woven individual firecracker fuses of the adjacent string.

Abstract: A compression mold apparatus for compressing a segment has a base having an elongated and substantially semi-circular mold cavity and an end plate including a blade mounted thereon. The mold cavity has a top opening. A ram is aligned with the top opening. The ram includes two fixed opposing planar flank surfaces. The two fixed opposing planar flank surfaces are nominally centrally separated by a ram groove for mating with the blade while allowing linear movement within the mold cavity. A ram press is connected to the ram for translating the ram linearly along the blade within the mold cavity. A plurality of cartridge heaters is mounted in the base and arranged around the mold cavity for heating the segment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating high density monolithic metal and oy billets. The process requires preheating precursor materials of metal or alloy billets by means of a combustion synthesis called Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis (SHS). The reaction takes place in an insulated reaction vessel where the precursors, in a powder form, are heated to high temperatures. The precursors are then compacted to high density by means of pressure waves generated by detonation of an explosive. The method is capable of producing high purity tungsten and tungsten-based alloys of greater than 90% theoretical density.

Abstract: A method for producing substantially spherical energetic compounds such as ammonium dinitramide (ADN) which minimizes the time during which the ADN is melted involves providing solid ADN, feeding the ADN at a controlled continuous rate to a heating means, melting the ADN, the melted ADN being fed continuously to a non-solvent cooling fluid maintained at a temperature below the temperature of solidification of the ADN, the cooling fluid agitated in a manner which promotes the formation of droplets of controlled size which solidify in the cooling fluid to produce substantially spherical ammonium dinitramide in a particle size corresponding to the droplet size.

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.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to an apparatus and process for mixing and delivering an explosives composition. The apparatus for use in the process comprises a main conduit which can be gas pressurised, a means for introducing a solid particulate phase to the main conduit for transportation by the gas and a means for introducing an emulsion phase into said main conduit such that turbulence of the gas in the main conduit causes uniform mixing of the solid particulate phase and the emulsion phase.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for reducing the grain size of crystalline explosive provide for, first of all, dissolving the coarse crystalline explosive in an organic solvent. Subsequently, the dissolved explosive is brought together with ice water in a precipitation reactor. In the precipitation reactor the precipitation and crystallization of the explosive occur, while turbulent agitation takes place. A filtration stage is connected downstream of the precipitation reactor. A fine crystalline explosive is obtained, having a mean particle size of from 4 to 6 micrometers.

Abstract: A hybrid inflator for an automotive inflatable safety system and method for assembling the same. In one embodiment, a mixture of an inert gas (e.g., argon) and oxygen are contained within the inflator housing and a gun type propellant is used in the gas generator to supply the propellant gases.

Abstract: A continuous process of manufacturing black powder and black powder substitute using a twin screw extruder is disclosed. Guar gum mixed with the composition at a concentration in the range from 0.05% to 0.5%, by weight, dramatically reduced the friction in the dies and permitted extrusion of the powder at much lower water levels. Different size dies used in combination with face cutting of the extruded strands produce various sized granules. The process can be operated remotely and automatically. The process reduces the number of buildings, equipment and personnel required to manufacture black powder or black powder substitute. The process produces more uniform and reproducible particle sizes.

Abstract: A sabot segment molding apparatus and a method for molding a sabot segment therein, are provided in which wedge-shaped sections of carbon-fiber plies, impregnated with B-stage epoxy or thermoplastic resin, are stacked in a heated arcuate channel. Pressure is applied to the radial surface of the stack by a compression mechanism acting on a novel hinged wing assembly. The hinge pin is secured coaxially in the channel by a support mechanism, so that no vertical downward force is applied to the stack. Instead, a pair of hinged planar wing members rotate around the hinge pin toward each other, and compress the stack of wedge-shaped sections to the desired arcuate shape. The compressed stack is kept under a desired pressure and temperature for a desired period of time until a suitable 120.degree. sabot segment is formed.

Abstract: A batch process produces unitary grains of propellant material. A constituent mixture of the material is prepared by mixing constituents while heating to at least a predetermined pouring temperature within a permissible temperature range. The constituent mixture is poured into a mold, while vibrating it to avoid voids or interfaces within the material, to cast a block of propellant. The cast block is cured for a predetermined period resulting in a cured, cast block of semirigid yet plasticly deformable material. A hydraulic press with a ram carrying a tubular cutting die is positioned, as by transferring the mold without its bottom to the press bed, for permitting grains to be cut by movement of the press ram by forcing the cutting die into the cast block to cut from the block a grain of the propellant material, then extracting the grain for further use. The cutting cycle is repeated until the cast block has yielded a satisfactory number of grains.

Abstract: The application relates to a gas deflecting device for use in the blow loading of emulsion explosives compositions, the gas deflecting device comprising a nozzle which is capable of being removably attached to a blow loading hose, the nozzle comprising at least one vent and at least one vane along its length, the vane being adapted to allow free escape of gas from the nozzle through the vent but inhibit the exit of explosive composition through the vents during blow loading.

Abstract: An apparatus for homogenizing plastic explosive material comprises a frame aving a base and spaced first and second supports extending perpendicularly therefrom in parallel. First and second spaced parallel generally cylindrical rolls are provided. Each roll is journaled at opposite end portions thereof to the supports. Each roll has an uninterrupted peripheral surface portion for engagement with the plastic explosive material. A crank is operably associated with one of the rolls at a first end thereof for rotating the roll. Gears meshingly interconnect the rolls at a second end thereof so that rotation of the one roll causes associated rotation of the other roll. Plastics explosive material is caused to be drawn between the rolls by their rotation so as to be homogenized.

Abstract: The invention is a lid for a shaped charge which enables application of torque to the shaped charge for mounting in an expendable bar carrier borehole penetrating gun assembly. The lid comprises a plurality of flat surfaces facially parallel with the axis of a threaded stud forming part of the lid, the stud engaging mating threads in a hole in the carrier. The flat surfaces are arranged around the circumference of the lid so that a wrench or socket can be used to apply torque to the lid for mounting in the carrier. Each juncture of two contiguous ones of the flat surfaces includes a score line extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of the stud.In a preferred embodiment of the invention each juncture includes a crimp on part of the juncture on a side of the score line opposite to the stud, to retain the lid on the charge.The invention is also an apparatus for simultaneously torquing a plurality of shaped charged in a bar carrier. Each of the shaped charges comprises the charge lid of the invention.

Abstract: An elastomeric prepreg wherein a carrier, whether roving, yarn, broad goods or tape, is impregnated with an uncured elastomeric rubber system which may include the addition of modifiers to enhance the properties of the coating. The prepreg is capable of being spooled and de-spooled for subsequent filament winding or laid up into laminates. In either process no environmental control equipment is required as the volatiles have previously been removed, leaving the elastomer in the generally uncured state.

Abstract: Disclosed is a launch element seater for repeatably placing projectiles or ther launch package elements at an exact location within a breech of a gun. The seater includes a tube closely fit and slidable in the breech and a plate for precisely locating the tube on the breech, the plate encircling the tube and opposing a reference surface on the breech. An internally threaded terminus of the tube threads with a rod entering the tube, and the rod joins a seat member fit closely and slidably in the breech. A positionable set nut threaded on the rod outside the tube locates the innermost position of the rod relative to the tube and thereby locates the seat member and a projectile engaged thereto within the breech.

Abstract: A propellant stick kerfing apparatus includes a support frame, a conveyor mounted on the support frame and operable for conveying a succession of spaced propellant sticks along a path of travel with the sticks extending in transverse relation to the direction of travel, a drive arrangement mounted on the support frame and coupled to the conveyor for driving the conveyor to advance the succession of propellant sticks along the path of travel, and pairs of upper and lower blades mounted stationarily on the support frame and defining cutting edges for making transaxial kerfs in the propellant sticks from opposite upper and lower sides thereof as the succession of spaced sticks are advanced along the path of travel between the cutting edges.

Abstract: A one-shot thermal fuse mounted directly on the casing of a centrifugal pump to prevent overheating and concentration of ammonium nitrate. The thermal fuse is screwed into a standard pipe coupling welded to a designated location on the pump casing. The thermal fuse has an electrical contact connected in the pump control circuit. A compressed spring is prevented from urging the electrical contact into an open position by a pellet of fusible material which is designed to melt at a desired threshold temperature below the temperature at which ammonium nitrate explodes. If the heat produced by the pump melts the pellet of fusible material, the spring is released, thereby opening the electrical contact and shutting off the pump. Alternatively, the temperature-sensitive element mounted on the pump casing can be a thermocouple or a temperature switch having a bimetallic element.

Abstract: In the production of monobasic propellant charge powders with alcohol and ether as solvents there is the risk of ether bubbles forming in the propellant charge powder material, and those bubbles greatly reduce the quality of the propellant charge powder. The invention provides for cooling the propellant charge powder material prior to its leaving the extruder. To accomplish that, the extruder head (4) is provided with a cooling means. The invention is especially well suited for use in the preparation of monobasic propellant charge powders with alcohol and ether as solvents.

Abstract: Multiple measuring cavities of given and identical volume are formed in a base. Each measuring cavity is elevated from the base by a protrusion with tapered sides. Pulverulent or granular material is then poured into the cavities filling them to overflowing. The excess material flows down the protrusions and drains through holes in the base. The surfaces of the base present sharp edges to the flow of medium to eliminate its collection other than in each measuring cavity. Cartridges to be filled are inverted and the cartridge mouth is placed over each protrusion and its full measuring cavity. The cartridge mouths come to rest on the tapered sides of each protrusion. A cartridge retaining cover made to fit over and align with the base is placed over the cartridges. The cover holds the cartridges is contact with the sides of the protrusions, then, the cover and base are grasped and turned over as a unit, emptying the contents of the measuring cavities into the cartridges.