US3744369A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermite cable cutter
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1971-07-16
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1991-07-16
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for severing a steel cable comprising a housing having an upper reservoir and a lower work piece holder component, a flow gate extending downward from the reservoir through the work piece holder, port means positioned at the bottom of the housing, whereby on the ignition of the thermite mixture in the reservoir component, the resultant molten mass contacts the steel cable positioned in the work piece holder for a short period of time, thereby severing the cable.
Inventors
- 👤 S Marziano
- 👤 J Revell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 12:31
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42D; F42D3/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/04; Y10T83/0405; Y10T83/041; Y10T83/0414
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
An apparatus for severing a steel cable by the flow of a molten mass thereover comprising; an upper reservoir designed to contain a thermite mixture, a lower work piece holder reservoir designed to hold the cable to be severed and to receive the produced molten mass, and molten mass outlet port means below the work piece holder reservoir, all components positioned in the interior of a housing; flow gate means extending downward from the upper reservoir circumferentially through the work piece holder reservoir and connecting with the molten mass outlet port means; a metal disk positioned at the entrance of the flow gate means thereby providing a slight delay in releasing the products of a thermite reaction from the upper reservoir, thus permitting the separation of the molten iron and aluminum oxide.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
132 words
An apparatus for severing a steel cable by the flow of a molten mass thereover comprising; an upper reservoir designed to contain a thermite mixture, a lower work piece holder reservoir designed to hold the cable to be severed and to receive the produced molten mass, and molten mass outlet port means below the work piece holder reservoir, all components positioned in the interior of a housing; flow gate means extending downward from the upper reservoir circumferentially through the work piece holder reservoir and connecting with the molten mass outlet port means; a metal disk positioned at the entrance of the flow gate means thereby providing a slight delay in releasing the products of a thermite reaction from the upper reservoir, thus permitting the separation of the molten iron and aluminum oxide.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
160 words
A system for severing a steel cable by the flow of a molten mass thereover comprising; an upper reservoir containing a thermite mixture, a lower work piece holder reservoir having the steel cable to be severed postion therein, and molten mass outlet port means below the work piece holder reservoir, all components positioned in the interior of a housing; flow gate means extending downward from the upper reservoir circumferentially through the work piece holder reservoir and connecting with the molten mass outlet port means; a metal disk positioned at the entrance of the flow gate means; so that on ignition of the thermite mixture, a molten mass of iron and aluminum oxide slag is produced, the metal disk providing a slight delay in releasing the products of the thermite reaction from the upper reservoir thus permitting the separation of the molten iron and aluminum oxide, the molten iron travels along the flow gate, contacting the cable and thereby severing it.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
160 words
A system for severing a steel cable by the flow of a molten mass thereover comprising; an upper reservoir containing a thermite mixture, a lower work piece holder reservoir having the steel cable to be severed postion therein, and molten mass outlet port means below the work piece holder reservoir, all components positioned in the interior of a housing; flow gate means extending downward from the upper reservoir circumferentially through the work piece holder reservoir and connecting with the molten mass outlet port means; a metal disk positioned at the entrance of the flow gate means; so that on ignition of the thermite mixture, a molten mass of iron and aluminum oxide slag is produced, the metal disk providing a slight delay in releasing the products of the thermite reaction from the upper reservoir thus permitting the separation of the molten iron and aluminum oxide, the molten iron travels along the flow gate, contacting the cable and thereby severing it.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |