Patent US4151798A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4151798A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Shaped explosive charge device for underwater use
Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1977-09-26
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Granted: 1979-05-01
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Expires: 1997-09-26
Abstract
Abstract A shaped explosive charge device for underwater use wherein a deflated inflatable element is positioned within the stand-off space and, when the device is in position for firing, for example, as an inside cutter, the inflatable element is inflated to exclude water from the cavity and stand-off space between the explosive charge and the target surface.
Inventors
- 👤 John J. Ridgeway
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 09:13
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B3/00; F42B3/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A casing for a shaped explosive charge device comprising a hollow chamber for holding an explosive charge, said chamber having a liner wall presenting a convex surface to said chamber and a concave surface externally of said chamber, said liner wall defining an open base cavity of the shaped explosive charge, and, adjacent to the concave surface of said liner wall, an inflatable, flexible, impervious, collapsible element, said element in the uninflated condition being essentially wholly accommodated within the casing and upon inflation expanding in said casing and in a stand-off space outwardly of said casing to confine and seal a volume of gas occupying said cavity and the stand-off space for the explosive charge, said cavity being exposed to ambient fluid pressure which acts on or around said element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A casing for a shaped explosive charge device comprising a hollow chamber for holding an explosive charge, said chamber having a liner wall presenting a convex surface to said chamber and a concave surface externally of said chamber, said liner wall defining an open base cavity of the shaped explosive charge, and, adjacent to the concave surface of said liner wall, an inflatable, flexible, impervious, collapsible element, said element in the uninflated condition being essentially wholly accommodated within the casing and upon inflation expanding in said casing and in a stand-off space outwardly of said casing to confine and seal a volume of gas occupying said cavity and the stand-off space for the explosive charge, said cavity being exposed to ambient fluid pressure which acts on or around said element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A casing as claimed in claim 1 wherein the liner wall is V-shaped in cross-section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A casing as claimed in claim 1 wherein the liner wall is made of steel, copper or aluminium or an alloy of any of the said metals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A casing as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inflatable, flexible element comprises thin rubber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A casing as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inflatable, flexible element comprises an inner impervious member and an outer reinforcing abrasion-resistant cover.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A casing as claimed in claim 5 wherein the outer cover comprises nylon cloth.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A casing as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inflatable element forms with the liner wall a complete seal over the mouth of the cavity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A casing as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inflatable element defines a completely sealed volume and is independent of the cavity liner.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A casing as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inflatable element is a circumferential continuous tubular element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A casing as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inflatable element is connected to a differential relief and check valve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
A casing as claimed in claim 1 wherein the side walls of the casing extend beyond the base of the liner wall to enclose at least a portion of the stand-off space and the inflatable flexible element is, in its deflated condition, accommodated in the said enclosed portion of the stand-off space.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A shaped explosive charge device comprising a casing as claimed in claim 1 containing an explosive charge in the hollow chamber thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of cutting a metal object underwater wherein the object is cut by means of a shaped explosive charge as claimed in claim 12.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US2690123A
Cited
US3031964A
Cited
US3490085A
Cited
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Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-04-30 | 1982-10-30 | 1983-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-04-30 | 1986-10-30 | 1987-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-04-30 | 1990-10-30 | 1991-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |