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US4393014A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method of casting explosive charge with high solids content

Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1981-09-16
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Granted: 1983-07-12
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Expires: 2001-09-16
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Abstract

Abstract A high solids content explosive charge is formed by placing the dry solidsuch as RDX in a mold, adding TNT over the dry solids and holding the interior of the mold at an elevated temperature and reduced pressure to permit diffusion of the liquid TNT through the solids while the vacuum enhances the discharge of air from the mass. In one embodiment, a casing and liner of a shaped-charge warhead is employed for the mold and the TNT is placed in a funnel atop the casing. This assembly is placed inside a heated evacuated chamber for long enough to permit the liquid TNT to diffuse through the solid particles and for air to be discharged. In other embodiments, an air-tight casing is employed whose interior is evacuated while heating is performed.

Inventors

  • 👤 George E. Ziegler

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 22:10
CPC Classifications
C; C06; C06B; C06B21/00; C06B21/0033; C06B21/005

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 102 words
A method of casting an explosive charge of trinitrotoluene containing a high percentage of solid particles insoluble therein in a mold comprising: adding said solid particles to said mold; adding an appropriate quantity of said trinitrotoluene to said mold over said solid particles; heating said mold with said solid particles and said trinitrotoluene contained therein whereby said trinitrotoluene is liquefied and diffuses into said solid particles; drawing a vacuum in said mold whereby release of air from said explosive charge is encouraged; and continuing the heating and drawing steps simultaneously for a long enough time to complete the diffusion and air release.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 102 words
A method of casting an explosive charge of trinitrotoluene containing a high percentage of solid particles insoluble therein in a mold comprising: adding said solid particles to said mold; adding an appropriate quantity of said trinitrotoluene to said mold over said solid particles; heating said mold with said solid particles and said trinitrotoluene contained therein whereby said trinitrotoluene is liquefied and diffuses into said solid particles; drawing a vacuum in said mold whereby release of air from said explosive charge is encouraged; and continuing the heating and drawing steps simultaneously for a long enough time to complete the diffusion and air release.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 38 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the steps of heating, drawing and continuing are performed by placing said mold containing said solid particles and said trinitrotoluene in a heated sealed chamber and evacuating air from said chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 24 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein said mold includes a casing of a shaped-charge warhead having a conical liner closing one end thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 44 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said appropriate amount includes an amount exceeding the ability of said solid particles to absorb trinitrotoluene whereby a region of substantially pure trinitrotoluene is provided over a region of said solid particles with said trinitrotoluene diffused therethrough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 14 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said trinitrotoluene is added as flake trinitrotoluene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 18 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of heating includes contacting said mold with hot water.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 31 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said mold includes a conical liner closing one end thereof and the step of heating includes heating an exterior surface of said conical liner.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 23 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein the step of heating an exterior surface includes contacting said exterior surface with a heated mandrel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 20 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said solid particles include particles of at least one of HMX and RDX.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1311176A Cited
US2361382A Cited
US3107574A Cited
DE2335925A1 Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1986-07-11 1987-01-10 1987-07-12 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1990-07-11 1991-01-10 1991-07-12 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1994-07-11 1995-01-10 1995-07-12 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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