Metal working – Means to assemble or disassemble – Means to interrelatedly feed plural work parts from plural...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-23
2001-07-03
Hughes, S. Thomas (Department: 3726)
Metal working
Means to assemble or disassemble
Means to interrelatedly feed plural work parts from plural...
C029S281500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253450
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to fabrication of explosive line charges. In particular, this invention relates to an assembly system and procedure that minimize and eliminate many problems associated with line charge fabrication that can degrade performance.
The use of contemporary explosive line charges to breach an obstacle and mine laden area can be an inherently unreliable proposition. Line charges are expected to perform under extremely adverse conditions and accomplish difficult missions during combat. The line charges often are subjected to numerous abuses as they are transported to and emplaced in the field. In addition, they must survive intense self-destructive forces as they are deployed by rockets or other highly accelerating launch systems. Consequently, a considerable number of line charges simply do not fly to where they should, or some components do not work right or break apart. As a result, detonations are ineffective or interrupted throughout the lengths of the line charges, and they fail to clear a path through the obstacles and mines.
Many of these failures can be traced to the components used and the procedures followed during the assembly of these components into line charges. Failures have been created by nonuniform arrangements of the components and nonuniform interconnections among the components. These nonuniformities unevenly distribute the forces created during deployment and compromise reliability.
Thus, in accordance with this inventive concept, a need has been recognized in the state of the art for a means for and method of assembling explosive line charges that have greater reliability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to providing a system and procedure for assembling explosive line charges and includes tension exerting means that exerts tension on elongate lines, and holding means that holds a grenade secured to the lines to resist the tension exerted by the tension exerting means. Clamping means that clamps grenades to the lines is interposed between the tension exerting means and the holding means, and a connector securing means that secures connector elements to ends of the lines is interposed between the tension exerting means and the holding means. Grenade spacing means spacing the clamped grenades predetermined distances apart in wells receives grenades clamped to the lines, and slack creating means is interposed between each of the wells to create slack lengths of detonating cord between the spaced clamped grenades. Detonating cord securing means secures opposite end portions of the detonating cord to the connector elements.
An object of the invention is to provide means for and method of manufacturing reliable explosive line charges used for clearing obstacles and mines.
Another object of the invention is to provide means for and method of manufacturing line charges that reduce problems associated with fabrication that can degrade performance.
Another object of the invention is to provide means for and method of manufacturing line charges that ensures proper grenade spacing.
Another object of the invention is to provide means for and method of manufacturing line charges that tensions lines to minimize slack and provide for accurate grenade spacing.
Another object of the invention is to provide a stripe along each line to visually indicate unwanted twisting of the lines during each phase of the fabrication process.
Another object of the invention is to provide means for and method of manufacturing line charges using pneumatic air tools for repeatable, precalibrated clamping and cutting of band and connector clamps to reduce human errors associated with human powered clamping tools.
Another object of the invention is to provide means for and method of manufacturing line charges using a grenade working jig to clamp lines to properly spaced grenades.
Another object of the invention is to provide means for and method of manufacturing line charges using a connector jig to clamp lines to connector elements.
Another object of the invention is to provide means for and method of manufacturing line charges using hand held gauges to make on the spot inspections of lines, clamps, grenades, and connector elements.
Another object of the invention is to provide means for and method of manufacturing line charges having a pack out table and cast plug structure that permits proper alignment of and tolerances for the detonating cord to improve reliability.
Another object of the invention is to provide means for and method of manufacturing line charges having a pack out table with humps to manage slack in the detonating cord and reduce twisting of lines and detonating cord as they are packed.
Another object of the invention is to provide means for and method of manufacturing line charges that are lightweight and maintain critical spacing distances or tolerances among components that are essential for their effectiveness.
Another object of the invention is to provide means for and method of manufacturing reliable line charges that have little, if any, strain loading of the detonating cord used to detonate the explosive grenades.
Another object of the invention is to provide means for and method of manufacturing line charges that reduce self-destructive stresses and strains during deployment and maintain spacing among the grenades.
These and other objects of the invention will become more readily apparent from the ensuing specification when taken in conjunction with the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
shows an explosive line charge fabricated in accordance with this invention.
FIG. 2
schematically shows the assembly line table.
FIG. 3
schematically shows the pack out table.
FIG. 4
is a side view of a band or connector clamp showing the clip, buckle, and tail.
FIG. 5
is a cross-sectional side view of male and female connector elements showing: their interconnection by a spring clip; ends of detonating cords within the critical separation distance; engagement of male and female connector elements and lines by connector clamps; and threaded end caps, washers, nylon plates, nylon cups, and cast plugs holding end portions of detonating cords in connector elements.
FIG. 6
is a cross-sectional view of two mold parts just prior to being held together with mirror-image mold parts to cure a cast plug.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1532285 (1925-04-01), Watson
patent: 4967636 (1990-11-01), Murray et al.
patent: 5467520 (1995-11-01), Nunez et al.
patent: 5959233 (1999-09-01), Garcia et al.
patent: 5960732 (1999-10-01), Peterson
Garcia Felipe
Irizarry Gilberto
Woodall Robert
Gilbert Harvey A.
Hughes S. Thomas
Omgba Essama
Peck Donald G.
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
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