Abstract A new method for melt loading explosives is provided by the use of a nozzle with a substantially cylindrical hollow body open at one end and having a restricted orifice at the other end which is provided with a plunger or poppet valve. The plunger has an actuating rod at one end and a plunger head at the other end. The plunger is slidably disposed in the nozzle with the actuating rod extending through the restricted orifice. The plunger head is of complementary shape to the restriction so that when the nozzle is in a normally upright position the plunger head due to hydraulic pressure of molten explosive normally seats against the nozzle restriction to prevent liquid flow therefrom. The actuating rod extending through the restricted orifice, when moved upward, causes the plunger head to move out of contact with the restriction to permit liquid explosive flow. This apparatus is used to facilitate the melt loading of explosives.
Inventors
👤 K Fichter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-05 08:07
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B33/00; F42B33/02; F42B33/0214
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of filling munitions with molten explosive, comprising: introducing a continuous stream of said molten explosive into a conduit, terminating with an externally actuated poppet valve opening into said conduit; positioning said poppet valve over said munition; applying axial force to unseat said poppet valve to permit flow of said explosive into said munition to a predetermined level and removing said axial force to allow the hydraulic force of said explosive to reseat said poppet valve thereby interrupting the flow of said explosive and providing a substantially instantaneous shutoff of said explosive.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of filling munitions with molten explosive, comprising: introducing a continuous stream of said molten explosive into a conduit, terminating with an externally actuated poppet valve opening into said conduit; positioning said poppet valve over said munition; applying axial force to unseat said poppet valve to permit flow of said explosive into said munition to a predetermined level and removing said axial force to allow the hydraulic force of said explosive to reseat said poppet valve thereby interrupting the flow of said explosive and providing a substantially instantaneous shutoff of said explosive.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said munition has an opening therein and said positioning step is accomplished by placing said poppet valve over the opening in said munition so that the longitudinal axis of said poppet valve is normal to the transverse axis of said opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the application of said axial force is accomplished by contacting said poppet valve with said munition to unseat said poppet valve and the removal of said axial force is accomplished by removing said poppet valve from contact with said munition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said molten explosive has a melting point below about 100*C.