Abstract: An explosive cutter for severing a mooring of a moored mine includes a securing apparatus for attaching the explosive cutter to a mooring and for detaching the explosive cutter from an underwater vessel. The securing apparatus includes a mooring capturing jaw; a clamping lever having a withdrawn position in which it is clear of the capturing jaw and a clamping position in which it closes off the capturing jaw for holding the mooring captive in the capturing jaw; and a slidable shuttle having a first position and a second position.

Abstract: An active, automatic-firing, impact responsive cable-cutting apparatus for use on conventional aircraft such as helicopters for virtually instantaneously forcibly severing obstructive cables. A lightweight, non-corrosive frame comprising a mounting base portion and an integral, outwardly extending, angular deflection arm is adapted to be selectively mounted on an aircraft or on an extension pole which extends downwardly toward the ground or forward of the nose of the aircraft. Mechanical firing components of the assembly are housed within a cylindrical sleeve adapted to be accessed for maintenance through a removable butt. Sharpened, serrated guide blades extending along outwardly angled forward edges of the frame are adapted to strain the outer periphery of a cable as it is forcibly deflected and guided into a central mouth. A removable cutting block is provided at the interior of the apparatus adjacent the cutting assembly mouth in operative association with a rigid, angular, cutter knife.

Abstract: An explosive actuated hand tool for cutting clean holes in sheet material, wherein the explosive force causes a piston to pull a punch toward a die, the material being located between the punch and die. Convenience and safety features include means for arming the firing mechanism by rotation of a locking ring which secures a cartridge in its chamber and means to prevent movement of a firing pin unless a lever has been moved from an OFF position to the ON position.

Abstract: This invention improves on explosively actuated cable cutters in that it orporates a remote capability of activating the cutter. The improved apparatus comprises an acoustical transducer for receiving a remote coded signal, an electric circuit designed to detect the specific coded signal, a motor and gear mechanism which is initiated upon detection of the remote coded signal to activate the explosively actuated cable cutter.The electronics and motor compartment are hydrostatically sealed and pitted with a pressure switch and a water intrusion fail-safe circuit. The pressure switch is designed to inactivate the apparatus beyond a preset ocean depth, and the water intrusion fail-safe circuit is designed to detect any seawater seepage into the sealed electronics compartment. Upon the detection of such seepage the intrusion fail-safe circuit disconnects the system from the battery thereby removing danger of premature triggering of the cable cutter.

Abstract: An explosive line cutting device is provided with a frictional igniter assembly permitting actuation throughout a broad range of positional attitudes. An insulating sleeve is provided around a pyrotechnic delay charge which substantially reduces deviations of the burning time. Explosive forces are concentrated behind the cutting blade by introducing a flow restriction that impedes release of pressure energy to non-useful parts of the device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for severing concrete pilings containing one or more longitudinally extending reinforcing rods are provided. The apparatus is comprised of at least one elongated barrel, a projectile positioned within the barrel, remotely detonatable explosive means attached to the barrel for propelling the projectile through the barrel into contact with the piling and means for clamping the barrel to the piling.

Abstract: In the combination of a railroad rail and a rail-piercing gun having a support area extending across the tread of the rail, a gauge is provided which includes a rail-end stop bearing against an end of the rail, and an elongated saddle bar connected to the stop, and having in a side away from the tread of the rail a plurality of seats spaced a distance equal to the desired lengthwise spacing of fish plate bolt holes to be formed by the gun, of a length and depth to accommodate closely the gun support area and of a height from the tread to locate the gun at the desired position heightwise of the web of the rail. In the use of the gauge, the gauge is placed on the rail, the gun is seated in a seat whereby the saddle bar is held in position laterally of the tread, the gun is moved away from the stop end of the gauge until the stop engages the end of the rail, a hole is formed with the gun, the gun is moved to another seat and the process is repeated.