US3797392A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reversible sensitization of liquid explosives
Assignee: ROBERT ECKELS FAMILY TRUST
•
Filing: 1973-02-12
•
Granted: 1974-03-19
•
Expires: 1993-02-12
Abstract
Abstract Microspheres spacially suspended in a liquid, not normally considered an explosive, cause a propagating detonation in the liquid, and the liquid is reversed to non-explosive configuration by removal of the microspheres. The microspheres are prepositioned in a predetermined quantity in a porous suspending medium, the quantity being sufficient to cause an overdrive of velocity of chemical reaction to detonate the liquid. The suspending medium with the microspheres may be inserted or withdrawn as desired from the liquid, whereby the liquid with the included medium and microspheres will detonate and the liquid without the medium and microspheres will not detonate.
Inventors
- 👤 R Eckels
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:00
CPC Classifications
C; C06; C06B; C06B25/00; C06B25/36; C06B23/00; C06B23/002; C06B23/003; C06B47/00; F; F42; F42B; F42B3/00; F42D; F42D5/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S149/00; Y10S149/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
18 words
A reversible explosive system according to claim 1 wherein said permeable body is a loose roll of cotton.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
19 words
A reversible explosive system according to claim 1 wherein said permeable body is an open cell, foamed synthetic resin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A reversible explosive system according to claim 3 wherein said foamed synthetic resin is a polyurethane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A reversible explosive system according to claim 1 wherein said hearth material is glass microspheres.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A reversible explosive system according to claim 1 wherein said hearth material is ceramic microspheres.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A reversible explosive system according to claim 1 wherein said hearth material is silicon grit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A reversible explosive system according to claim 1 wherein said hearth material is ground closed cell foam glass.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
A reversible explosive system according to claim 1 wherein said liquid is nitromethane in a large excess of the amount absorbed by said porous body and at about 3 weight percent of ceramic microspheres are supported in said porous body whereby to overdrive the detonation in said nitromethane to produce a propagated detonation throughout the nitromethane in excess of that described in said porous body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A reversible explosive system according to claim 1 wherein said body of a normally non-sensitive liquid is substantially greater than the quantity of liquid absorbed by said porous body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A reversible explosive system according to claim 1 wherein said permeable body is a closed cell body having sufficient cells ruptured to provide the necessary hearth material for said detonation.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of propagating detonation throughout the body of a liquid explosive in which the velocity of detonation is overdriven by at least about 10 percent excess over normal steady state velocity in the liquid, comprising forming a small body of explosive liquid having a diameter at least as great as its critical length; forming a liquid explosive absorbing carrier for from 3 to 33 weight percent of spaced hearths to weight of said small body of liquid explosive, which carrier is capable of absorbing said small body of liquid explosive; placing said carrier with said spaced hearths in a large body of said liquid explosive; and detonating said small body of liquid explosive in said carrier in said large body of said liquid explosive to cause propagation of detonation throughout said large body of liquid explosive.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein said liquid is nitromethane.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein said hearths are 4-14 weight percent of glass microspheres.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein said hearths are 5-11 weight percent of ceramic microspheres.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of autosterilizing a liquid explosive comprising: forming a booster for said liquid explosive containing a sufficient quantity of hearths in spaced relation to sensitize said liquid explosive to detonate, and being formed of a material which absorbs said liquid explosive and dissolves therein; and placing said booster in a body of said liquid explosive, whereby if not detonated within the solubility time of dissolution of said material in said liquid explosive, said spaced hearths are released from their sensitizing spaced relation.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of sensitizing a liquid explosive comprising forming a body of a closed cell, rigid foam; subjecting said body of foam to fluid pressure at a sufficient pressure and for a sufficient time to rupture sufficient cells to absorb an amount of liquid explosive sufficient to form a critical diameter and critical length body of liquid explosive and provide sufficient edges of ruptured cells acting as hearths to sensitize the absorbed liquid; placing said foam body in a body of liquid explosive, and then detonating said foam body while in said liquid explosive.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein said rigid foam is a foamed insulating glass.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein said liquid explosive is nitromethane.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 19 wherein said foam is foamed insulating glass having a 2-inch length and 2-inch diameter, ruptured at about 400 psi.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-18 | 1977-09-17 | 1978-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-18 | 1981-09-17 | 1982-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-18 | 1985-09-17 | 1986-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |