Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of causing an explosion comprising the following steps in order: A. Placing a thermal device in a confined space which is filled with a liquid which consists essentially of water, wherein the thermal device comprises (1) pyrotechnic material comprising a mixture of powders of (a) nickel, (b) metal oxide, (c) an aluminum containing component selected from the group consisting of (i) aluminum and (ii) a mixture of from 50 to less than 100 weight percent of aluminum and from more than zero to 50 weight percent of a metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, zirconium, bismuth, beryllium, boron, tantalum, copper, silver, niobium, tungsten, and mixtures thereof; (2) means for igniting the pyrotechnic material; and (3) a case enclosing the pyrotechnic material and the ignition means, wherein the case is composed of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, copper, and brass; and B. igniting the pyrotechnic material of the thermal device to cause the explosion in the confined space.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of causing an explosion comprising the following steps in order: A. Placing a thermal device in a confined space which is filled with a liquid which consists essentially of water, wherein the thermal device comprises (1) pyrotechnic material comprising a mixture of powders of (a) nickel, (b) metal oxide, (c) an aluminum containing component selected from the group consisting of (i) aluminum and (ii) a mixture of from 50 to less than 100 weight percent of aluminum and from more than zero to 50 weight percent of a metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, zirconium, bismuth, beryllium, boron, tantalum, copper, silver, niobium, tungsten, and mixtures thereof; (2) means for igniting the pyrotechnic material; and (3) a case enclosing the pyrotechnic material and the ignition means, wherein the case is composed of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, copper, and brass; and B. igniting the pyrotechnic material of the thermal device to cause the explosion in the confined space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the metal oxide of the pyrotechnic material is selected from the group consisting of Fe 2 O 3 , Fe 3 O 4 , CuO, Cr 4 O 3 , Co 3 O 4 , and mixtures thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the metal oxide of the pyrotechnic material is selected from the group consisting of Fe 2 O 3 , CuO, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the pyrotechnic material is comprised of (a) from 15 to 50 weight percent nickel, (b) from 20 to 76 weight percent of metal oxide, and (c) from 15 to 50 weight percent of the aluminum containing component.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the pyrotechnic material is comprised of (a) from 15 to 45 weight percent of nickel, (b) from 30 to 65 weight percent of metal oxide, and (c) from 20 to 35 weight percent of the aluminum containing component.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the pyrotechnic material is composed of powders of (a) nickel, (b) metal oxide, and (c) aluminum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the case is made of aluminum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7 wherein the liquid consists essentially of sea water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 wherein the liquid consists essentially of fresh water.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 wherein the confined space is a bore hole.