Ordnance – Mine-destroying devices
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-03
2001-10-30
Carone, Michael J. (Department: 3641)
Ordnance
Mine-destroying devices
C102S402000, C102S403000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308607
ABSTRACT:
ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION
The invention described herein was made in the performance of official duties by employees of the Department of the Navy and may be manufactured, used, licensed by or for the Government for any governmental purpose without payment of any royalties thereon.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to munitions, and more particularly to a munition capable of neutralizing a target while minimizing the probability of an explosive event.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Underwater mines are varied in their designs and mechanisms for sensing when detonation should occur. Such sensing systems include mechanical, electrical, acoustic, heat, optical, or other types of sensors. Regardless of the type of mine, underwater mine neutralization typically involves the direct placement of an explosive material on a mine or involves a projectile-delivered explosive that will impact the mine and cause an explosive event. Both of these methods have drawbacks. In terms of direct placement of a bulk explosive, underwater divers must be used to place the explosive directly on a mine. The explosive could be set off prematurely or accidentally and injure/kill the diver. Further, the diver is generally at risk just swimming amongst underwater mines. Still further, whether directly-placed or projectile-delivered, the resulting explosive event signals to an enemy that operations of some sort may be underway. This could compromise the covert nature of a mission.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a munition that can be directed/delivered to a target for the neutralization thereof without the use of an explosive event.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a munition that can be used to neutralize an underwater mine without endangering personnel.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a munition that can be used to neutralize an underwater mine without causing the underwater mine to detonate.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more obvious hereinafter in the specification and drawings.
In accordance with the present invention, a munition is provided for deploying a molten payload within a target. The munition has a projectile body with a nose cone. A plurality of holes are formed in the projectile body about a circumference thereof. A seal closes off each hole. A firing mechanism is mounted in the nose cone and is capable of generating energy of initiation upon deformation of the nose cone. A first burnable material is housed in the projectile body and is coupled to the firing mechanism to receive the energy of initiation. The first burnable material extends in a tree-like fashion along a plurality of connected paths in the projectile body with each of the connected paths terminating at one of the seals. Voids are formed in the projectile body around the connected paths. A second burnable material fills the voids in the projectile body. The first burnable material has a lower threshold of combustion than the second burnable material. Upon impacting a target, deformation of the nose cone activates the firing mechanism. As a result, the energy of initiation is applied to the first burnable material which burns quickly along the connected paths and causes the failure of the seals. The heat generated by the burning of the first burnable material ignites the second burnable material which, in turn, becomes molten and flows out of the unsealed holes in the projectile body.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3580171 (1971-05-01), Maes
patent: 3687076 (1972-08-01), Friant et al.
patent: 3983818 (1976-10-01), Ciccone et al.
patent: 4353303 (1982-10-01), Bell
patent: 4436036 (1984-03-01), Bell
patent: 4478151 (1984-10-01), Vetter et al.
patent: 4699061 (1987-10-01), Jeffers
patent: 4920852 (1990-05-01), Miller
patent: 4955939 (1990-09-01), Petrousky et al.
patent: 5014623 (1991-05-01), Walker et al.
patent: 5078117 (1992-01-01), Cover
patent: 5129305 (1992-07-01), Reilly
patent: 5223666 (1993-06-01), Delaney, Jr.
patent: 5415845 (1995-05-01), Brede et al.
patent: 5686686 (1997-11-01), Woodall, Jr. et al.
patent: 5728968 (1998-03-01), Buzzett et al.
patent: 5963184 (1999-08-01), Majerus et al.
patent: 5970841 (1999-10-01), Trocino
patent: 6032567 (2000-03-01), Jones et al.
patent: 6105505 (2000-08-01), Jones
patent: 6142056 (2000-11-01), Taleyarkhan
patent: 6209461 (2001-04-01), Riffet et al.
patent: 6232519 (2001-05-01), Eidelman et al.
patent: 78856 (1919-10-01), None
patent: 316128 (1919-11-01), None
Garcia Felipe
Woodall Robert
Carone Michael J.
Chambers Troy
Gilbert Harvey A.
Peck Donald G.
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
LandOfFree
Neutralizing munition does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Neutralizing munition, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Neutralizing munition will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2568530