Existing linear shaped charges are not known for their great performance, primarily because of the lack of a linear initiation system and the lack of radial convergence of the liner. Today's technology offers only single point or multi-point initiation and a two-dimensional collapse of the liner, which causes the resulting explosively formed projectile (EFP) to be scattered, have a jagged leading edge, low velocity and poor performance, for the amount of energetics and liner material used.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an initiation mechanism that can be linear and simultaneous.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
One example embodiment includes a simultaneous linear initiation mechanism. The simultaneous linear initiation mechanism includes a first layer. The first layer includes a port, where the port passes through the first layer and is configured to receive a first high explosive. The first layer is composed of a first low sound speed material. The simultaneous linear initiation mechanism also includes a second layer. The second layer includes one or more traces, where the one or more traces include channels within the second layer configured to receive a second high explosive and two or more destination points, where the two or more destination points are the terminal ends of the one or more traces. The second layer is composed of a second low sound speed material. A portion of each of the one or more traces in the second layer is adjacent the port in the first layer. The simultaneous linear initiation mechanism further includes one or more saddle blocks. The one or more saddle blocks include one or more traces, where the one or more traces include channels within the saddle block configured to receive a third high explosive and multiple outlets, where the multiple outlets are configured to receive the third high explosive. The one or more saddle blocks are each configured to spread the detonation wave into a simultaneous shaped stimulation on the main high explosive surface and composed of a third low sound speed material. Each destination point in the second layer is adjacent a portion of one of the one or more traces in the saddle block. The multiple outlets are configured to be placed adjacent a main high explosive.
Another example embodiment includes a simultaneous linear initiation mechanism. The simultaneous linear initiation mechanism includes a first layer. The first layer includes a port, where the port passes through the first layer and is configured to receive a first high explosive. The first layer is composed of a first low sound speed material. The simultaneous linear initiation mechanism also includes a second layer. The second layer includes one or more traces, where the one or more traces include channels within the second layer configured to receive a second high explosive and two or more destination points, where the two or more destination points are the terminal ends of the one or more traces. The second layer is composed of a second low sound speed material. A portion of each of the one or more traces in the second layer is adjacent the port in the first layer. The simultaneous linear initiation mechanism further includes a third layer. The third layer includes two or more ports configured to receive a third high explosive and is composed of a third low sound speed material. Each port in the third layer is adjacent at least one of the destination points in the second layer. The simultaneous linear initiation mechanism additionally includes one or more saddle blocks. The one or more saddle blocks include one or more traces, where the one or more traces include channels within the saddle block configured to receive a fourth high explosive and multiple outlets, where the multiple outlets are configured to receive the fourth high explosive. The one or more saddle blocks are each configured to spread the detonation wave into a simultaneous wide line of stimulation on the main high explosive surface and composed of a fourth low sound speed material. Each port in the third layer is adjacent a portion of one of the one or more traces in the saddle block. The multiple outlets are configured to be placed adjacent a main high explosive.
Another example embodiment includes a simultaneous linear initiation mechanism. The simultaneous linear initiation mechanism includes a first layer. The first layer includes a port, where the port passes through the first layer and is filled with a first high explosive. The first layer is composed of a first low sound speed material. The simultaneous linear initiation mechanism also includes a second layer. The second layer includes one or more traces, where the one or more traces include channels within the second layer filled with a second high explosive and two or more destination points, where the two or more destination points are the terminal ends of the one or more traces. The second layer is composed of a second low sound speed material. A portion of each of the one or more traces in the second layer is adjacent the port in the first layer. The simultaneous linear initiation mechanism further includes a third layer. The third layer includes two or more ports filled with a third high explosive and is composed of a third low sound speed material. Each port in the third layer is adjacent at least one of the destination points in the second layer. The simultaneous linear initiation mechanism additionally includes one or more saddle blocks. The one or more saddle blocks include one or more traces, where the one or more traces include channels within the saddle block filled with a fourth high explosive and multiple outlets, where the multiple outlets are filled with the fourth high explosive. The one or more saddle blocks are each configured to spread the detonation wave into a simultaneous wide line of stimulation on the main high explosive surface and composed of a fourth low sound speed material. Each port in the third layer is adjacent a portion of one of the one or more traces in the saddle block. The multiple outlets are configured to be placed adjacent a main high explosive. The simultaneous linear initiation mechanism moreover includes a linear liner.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
To further clarify various aspects of some example embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
Reference will now be made to the figures wherein like structures will be provided with like reference designations. It is understood that the figures are diagrammatic and schematic representations of some embodiments of the invention, and are not limiting of the present invention, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale.
The simultaneous linear initiation mechanism 100 facilitates initiation of high explosive in a linear fashion. I.e., from a single point of initiation, a line or multiple lines of initiation, having simultaneous stimulation over the full length of the lines, can be accomplished. Therefore, multiple linear (or other shaped) charges are initiated concurrently allowing for a high degree of shaping. For example, linear shaped charges are used for cutting long slots in metals, concrete, rock or any material. There are many uses for this invention in military, oil field and mining, etc. The lines of simultaneous initiation can be straight, spline configuration, window frame or round shape.
As used in the specification and the claims, the phrase “configured to” denotes an actual state of configuration that fundamentally ties recited elements to the physical characteristics of the recited structure. That is, the phrase “configured to” denotes that the element is structurally capable of performing the cited element but need not necessarily be doing so at any given time. Thus, the phrase “configured to” reaches well beyond merely describing functional language or intended use since the phrase actively recites an actual state of configuration.
By having dual line simultaneous initiation higher jet velocities can be achieved from wider angle liners, similar to circumferential initiation in a conical charge, this facilitates shorter charges. By initiating the high explosive in two lines aligned with the collapse plane and some distance away from said plane, the angle of the detonation wave to the liner surface is decreased, causing the device to produce higher velocities and greater mass in the jet, thusly greater performance.
One of skill in the art will appreciate that the number of layers can be changed depending on need. For example, the simultaneous linear initiation mechanism 100 can include a first layer 102, a second layer 106, a third layer 112, another second layer 106, another third layer 112 and a saddle 116. Thus any configuration of first layer 102-(second layer 106-third layer 112)n-saddle block 116 can be used.
The layering system provides a number of benefits. For example, as noted above, the number of layers can be adjusted according to need. In addition, each layer can be separately produced before the exact needs are known. For example, a mining operation could have multiple configurations of each layer stored, and then determine, and quickly assemble, a simultaneous linear initiation mechanism 100 according to immediate need. Further, each layer can be stored isolated from other layers, preventing accidents. I.e., if an accidental detonation occurs anywhere in a preassembled initiation mechanism, the whole mechanism will detonate. However, with the simultaneous linear initiation mechanism 100 if a detonation occurs as little as a single layer may be detonated, reducing the size and severity of the resulting explosion. Moreover, the layering system lends itself to visual inspection. That is, each layer can be visibly inspected before use. In contrast a preassembled initiation mechanism can't be visually inspected. Therefore, if any damage has occurred (e.g., in transportation) then it can't be detected until the explosion doesn't occur as planned and costly measures are employed to inspect or destroy the preassembled initiation mechanism.
The first layer can include a port. The port is a hole which passes through the first layer and is configured to be filled with high explosive material. High explosives are explosive materials that detonate, meaning that the explosive shock front passes through the material at a supersonic speed. High explosives detonate with explosive velocity ranging from 3 to 9 km/s. For instance, TNT has a detonation (burn) rate of approximately 5.8 km/s (19,000 feet per second), Detonating cord of 6.7 km/s (22,000 feet per second), and C-4 about 8.5 km/s (29,000 feet per second). The term high explosive is in contrast with the term low explosive, which explodes (deflagrates) at a lower rate. Thus, the port is configured to allow the detonation of the high explosive to pass entirely through the first layer.
The second layer can include one or more traces. The one or more traces are channels within the second layer configured to receive a high explosive. The traces do not extend through the second layer at all points. Starting from a single point, which is coincident with the port, the traces are configured to receive high explosive and observe critical diameters required for the type of high explosive used.
The second layer can also include two or more destination points. The destination points are the terminal ends of the traces. The distance from the initiation point to the destination points is equidistant for all destination points. Because the high explosive detonates at a consistent rate, equidistant traces ensure that the detonation propagates through the second layer and reaches all destination points at the same time. Thus, the second layer has taken a single detonation at the initiation point and created multiple detonation points at the destination points.
By having dual line simultaneous initiation higher jet velocities can be achieved from wider angle liners, similar to circumferential initiation in a conical charge, this facilitates shorter charges. By initiating the high explosive in two lines aligned with the collapse plane and some distance away from said plane, the angle of the detonation wave to the liner surface is decreased, causing the device to produce higher velocities and greater mass in the jet, thusly greater performance.
The simultaneous linear initiation mechanism can include one or more traces in the saddle block. The one or more traces are channels within the saddle block configured to receive a high explosive. The traces do not extend through the saddle block at all points. Starting from a single point, which is coincident with the port 104, the traces are configured to receive high explosive and observe critical diameters required for the type of high explosive used.
The simultaneous linear initiation mechanism can include multiple outlets. The multiple outlets are adjacent the main high explosive. Thus, the detonation spreads from the multiple outlets into the main high explosive in a linear manner. I.e., the main high explosive detonates along a line as stimulated by the multiple outlets.
One skilled in the art will appreciate that, for this and other processes and methods disclosed herein, the functions performed in the processes and methods may be implemented in differing order. Furthermore, the outlined steps and operations are only provided as examples, and some of the steps and operations may be optional, combined into fewer steps and operations, or expanded into additional steps and operations without detracting from the essence of the disclosed embodiments.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims the benefit of and priority to, U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 15/910,885 filed on Mar. 2, 2018, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. application Ser. No. 15/910,885 claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/466,296 filed on Mar. 2, 2017, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62466296 | Mar 2017 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15910885 | Mar 2018 | US |
Child | 16103746 | US |