Ordnance – Mine-destroying devices
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-27
2001-11-27
Carone, Michael J. (Department: 3641)
Ordnance
Mine-destroying devices
C102S403000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321630
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to munitions deployed in line charges. In particular, this invention relates to line charges having shrinkable exterior sleeves over tubular fabric strength members that hold explosive charges and detonating cords.
The use of line charge systems by the military to create safe lanes in mine and obstacle fields is well known. Usually, these systems are launched from a relatively safer launch point by a rocket that pulls the line charge out of a container to fly downrange and drape over obstacles and mines. The number of explosives in the line charge is detonated a short time later to clear a path.
Various designs of the air-launched line charge systems have evolved, and have shown varying degrees of effectiveness. Some designs cannot withstand the rigors of deployment and fail, or the air-launched line charges don't go where they are intended to go. Many are incapable of detonating reliably. One thing that most designs do have had in common, however, is that the manufacturing processes for the concatenated arrangements of explosives and detonators were labor and/or tooling intensive. Consequently, the complicated manufacturing processes not only made contemporary line charges too expensive but also compromised their reliability.
Thus, in accordance with this inventive concept, a need has been recognized in the state of the art for cost effective manufacturing processes for rocket launched line charges of warheads used for obstacle and mine clearing as single dimensional line charges or two dimensional distributed arrays.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to providing an improved line charge and assembly procedure therefor. A composite strength member conforms to outer rounded contours of a plurality of spaced-apart explosive charges. The explosive charges have longitudinal passageways to permit free longitudinal travel of a detonating cord through them. The composite strength member has an inner fabric sleeve covered by an outer sleeve of thermoset/thermoplastic material that shapes and holds the inner fabric sleeve on the explosive charges and permits free longitudinal travel of the detonating cord through the explosive charges
An object of the invention is to provide an improved line charge and method of manufacture thereof.
Another object of the invention is to provide a lower cost line charge that is less complicated and less time consuming to assemble.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a cost-effective line charge having a lightweight management system for detonating cord and fastening system for spaced explosive charges.
Another object of the invention is to provide a lightweight, strong, and low cost line charge having a thermoset/thermoplastic outer sleeve heat shrunk to combine with a fabric sleeve as the strength element.
Another object of the invention is to provide a line charge assembled to have a thermoset/thermoplastic outer sleeve heat shrunk to conform a fabric sleeve to explosive charges to secure their position and absorb excess loading as the system is launched via rocket, mortar, or other less severe deployment means.
Another object of the invention is to provide a line charge assembled to have a thermoset/thermoplastic outer sleeve heat shrunk to conform a fabric sleeve to explosive charges to secure their position and absorb excess loading while simultaneously providing strain relief for a detonating cord running through the center of the explosive charges.
Another object of the invention is to provide an array of explosive charges in one or two-dimensional spacing for blast or directional effects above water, underwater or underground, and for signaling devices that stream discontinuous payloads.
Another object of the invention is to provide a line charge assembled to provide strain relief for the detonating cord and hold the explosive charges in proper alignment and spacing while absorbing variable shocks through various fabrics, weaves and different thermoset/thermoplastic compositions.
Another object of the invention is to provide a line charge assembled to absorb most of the energy transmitted during launch by an outer composite fabric strength member and minimize any stretching of a weaker detonating cord.
Another object of the invention is to provide a line charge assembled to have elasticity of the fabric strength member to allow the line charge to stretch upon launch and return to its original position upon landing to limit the peak acceleration of explosive charges by spreading launch forces over a longer time period.
Another object of the invention is to provide a line charge assembled to have an elastic fabric strength member stretching upon launch and returning to its original length upon landing to return the relative spacings of the explosive charges to their original positions, or spacings for maximized explosive effectiveness.
Another object of the invention is to provide a line charge assembled to have an outer composite strength member making greater surface contact with each explosive charge as compared to other external or internal elongate strength members.
Another object of the invention is to provide a line charge allowing more energy to be absorbed by the composite strength member prior to structural failure so that much more powerful rocket motors may fly heavier and longer line charges from much greater and safer standoff distances.
These and other objects of the invention will become more readily apparent from the ensuing specification when taken in conjunction with the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2433875 (1948-01-01), Walker et al.
patent: 3000303 (1961-09-01), Littleton
patent: 3114316 (1963-12-01), Littleton
patent: 3351010 (1967-11-01), Ainslie et al.
patent: 3515068 (1970-06-01), Galko
patent: 3724319 (1973-04-01), Zabelka et al.
Garcia Felipe
Woodall Robert
Carone Michael J.
Gilbert Harvey A.
Peck Donald G.
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
Thomson Michelle
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