Explosive valve

Claim 3

The device of claim 1 wherein the material to be sheared comprises a separate diaphragm member positioned between said explosive material and said shear member.

Claim 4

The device of claim 2 further comprising a depression in said diaphragm member aligned with said groove in said support means to receive said explosive material.

Claim 5

The device of claim 3 wherein said explosive material comprises an explosive cord and said means to detonate said explosive cord includes an electrically-activated detonator positioned adjacent the end of said cord.

Claim 6

The device of claim 4 wherein said shear member comprises an annular ring having an inner diameter defining the size of the sheared diaphragm opening.

Claim 7

The device of claim 1 wherein the material to be sheared comprises a separate cover means for a container.

Claim 8

The device of claim 6 wherein said shear member comprises a shear plate overlying the periphery of said cover means.

Claim 9

The device of claim 7 wherein said explosive material comprises a resilient, explosive O-ring.

Claim 10

The device of claim 1 wherein the material to be sheared comprises a connecting member joining separable means.

Claim 11

The device of claim 9 further comprising a bore in said connecting member and said shear member includes a shear plug positioned within said bore.

Claim 12

The device of claim 10 wherein said explosive material comprises a resilient, explosive O-ring seal.

Claim 13

A valve assembly for explosively forming an opening in a container comprising: a support member receivable within an opening in the container; an aperture in said support member, the peripheral edge defining said aperture having an arcuate surface; a diaphragm member overlying said aperture; an explosive material positioned against the arcuate surface of said aperture and adjacent said diaphragm; a backing element abutting said diaphragm on the side opposite said explosive material, said backing element having a shear edge aligned with the arcuate surface of said aperture; and explosive detonating means adjacent said explosive material, whereupon detonation of said explosive material, said diaphragm is forcibly displaced against said backing element to shear said diaphragm.

Claim 14

A valve assembly for explosively forming an opening in a container comprising: a support member receivable within an opening in the container; an aperture in said support member, the peripheral edge defining said aperture having an arcuate surface; a diaphragm member overlying said aperture; an explosive material positioned against the arcuate surface of said aperture and adjacent said diaphragm; a backing element abutting said diaphragm on the side opposite said explosive material, said backing element having a shear edge aligned with the arcuate surface of said aperture; and explosive detonating means adjacent said explosive material, whereupon detonation of said explosive material, said diaphragm is forcibly displaced against said backing element to shear said diaphragm.

Claim 15

The valve assembly of claim 12 wherein said backing element comprises an annular ring having an inner peripheral surface inline with the arcuate peripheral surface of the aperture in said support member.

Claim 16

The valve assembly of claim 13 further comprising: a groove in said diaphragm adjacent said explosive material; and a perforated clamping member abutting said backing element and cooperating with said support member to secure the valve assembly in assembled condition.

Claim 17

The valve assembly of claim 14 wherein said explosive material is resilient explosive cord and said explosive detonating means include an electrical detonator positioned adjacent one end of said cord.

Claim 18

An explosively-activated removable cover for containers comprising: a support member attachable to the container and having an aperture therein; a receiving recess in said support member adjacent said aperture; an explosive material positioned in said recess: severable cover means supported by said supported member and overlying said aperture and said recess and said explosive material; shearing means adjacent to and overlying the edges of said cover means; a shear edge on said shearing means aligned with said recess; and explosive detonating means adjacent to said explosive material; whereby detonation of said explosive material forcibly displaces said cover means against the shear edge of said shearing means to sever and remove said cover means from the container.

Claim 19

An explosively-activated removable cover for containers comprising: a support member attachable to the container and having an aperture therein; a receiving recess in said support member adjacent said aperture; an explosive material positioned in said recess: severable cover means supported by said supported member and overlying said aperture and said recess and said explosive material; shearing means adjacent to and overlying the edges of said cover means; a shear edge on said shearing means aligned with said recess; and explosive detonating means adjacent to said explosive material; whereby detonation of said explosive material forcibly displaces said cover means against the shear edge of said shearing means to sever and remove said cover means from the container.

Claim 20

The cover of claim 16 wherein said explosive material comprises a resilient, explosive sealing material and said shearing means comprises an annular plate having said shear edge positioned adjacent the centerline of said recess.

Claim 21

An explosively-activated severable connecting device for joining a first means to a separable second means comprising: a support member attachable to the first means, said member having an aperture therein; a receiving recess in said support member adjacent said aperture; an explosive material positioned in said recess; explosive detonating means adjacent said explosive material; an elongated connecting member having a first end receivable in said aperture and a second end attachable to the second means; a bore in said elongated connecting member; a severable portion of reduced thickness in said connecting member approximate said first end, said portion being positioned adjacent said recess and said explosive material in the assembled condition of the device; a shear member positioned within said bore adjacent to said portion of reduced thickness; and a shearing edge on said shear member axially aligned with said receiving recess, whereby detonation of said explosive material by said detonating means forcibly displaces the reduced-thickness portion of said connecting member against the shearing edge of said shear member of sever said connecting member and release said first means and said second means.

Claim 22

An explosively-activated severable connecting device for joining a first means to a separable second means comprising: a support member attachable to the first means, said member having an aperture therein; a receiving recess in said support member adjacent said aperture; an explosive material positioned in said recess; explosive detonating means adjacent said explosive material; an elongated connecting member having a first end receivable in said aperture and a second end attachable to the second means; a bore in said elongated connecting member; a severable portion of reduced thickness in said connecting member approximate said first end, said portion being positioned adjacent said recess and said explosive material in the assembled condition of the device; a shear member positioned within said bore adjacent to said portion of reduced thickness; and a shearing edge on said shear member axially aligned with said receiving recess, whereby detonation of said explosive material by said detonating means forcibly displaces the reduced-thickness portion of said connecting member against the shearing edge of said shear member of sever said connecting member and release said first means and said second means.

Claim 23

The connecting device of claim 18 wherein said explosive material comprises a resilient, explosive sealing material.