US4552597A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Soft composite explosives and process for making same
Assignee: MEGABAR EXPLOSIVES Corp A CORP OF UT
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Filing: 1984-08-17
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Granted: 1985-11-12
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Expires: 2004-08-17
Abstract
Abstract A soft composite explosive composition is made by forming an oil-continuous, melt-in-fuel emulsion in which the discontinuous phase is comprised of ammonium nitrate and other ingredients which together form a eutectic mixture. The continuous phase includes a combination of fuels and emulsifiers constituting less than 2.5% by weight of the formulation. Soluble compounds such as self-explosive compounds or compounds which can be converted to explosive compounds in situ may be added directly to the discontinuous phase along with one or more oxidizer salts.
Inventors
- 👤 M. Taylor Abegg
- 👤 John A. Peterson
- 👤 Harvey A. Jessop, deceased
- 👤 personal representative by Ormond F. Lavery
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 23:20
CPC Classifications
C; C06; C06B; C06B47/00; C06B47/14; C06B47/145
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
An essentially anhydrous soft composite explosive composition comprising a melt-in-fuel emulsion in which the discontinuous phase is a eutectic mixture comprised of ammonium nitrate and at least one soluble compound with at least one other oxidizer salt, and in which the continuous phase is a mixture of at least one emulsifier and at least one fuel, comprising less than 2.5% by weight of the explosive composition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
An essentially anhydrous soft composite explosive composition comprising a melt-in-fuel emulsion in which the discontinuous phase is a eutectic mixture comprised of ammonium nitrate and at least one soluble compound with at least one other oxidizer salt, and in which the continuous phase is a mixture of at least one emulsifier and at least one fuel, comprising less than 2.5% by weight of the explosive composition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A composition as set forth in claim 1, wherein moisture is limited to 3% maximum by weight of the composition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A composition as set forth in claim 1, wherein the oxygen balance is between +5 and -30%.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A composition as set forth in claim 1, wherein the composition includes metallic fuels and the oxygen balance is between +5 and -50%.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A composition as set forth in claim 1, wherein the emulsifier concentration is less than 1.0% by weight of the explosive composition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
A composition as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one inorganic nitrate, perchlorate or combination thereof is added in conjunction with NH 4 NO 3 in the eutectic portion of the emulsion, and the concentration of added oxidizer salts is at most the same as the percentage by weight of NH 4 NO 3 in the explosive composition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A composition as set forth in claim 6, wherein the added oxidizer salts are from the group consisting of alkali and alkaline earth nitrates and perchlorates and ammonium perchlorate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A composition as set forth in claim 7, wherein the added oxidizers are selected from the group consisting of Zn(NO 3 ) 2 , Mn(NO 3 ) 2 , Cu(NO 3 ) 2 , Pb(NO 3 ) 2 and their perchlorate analogs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A composition as set forth in claim 6, wherein a soluble and compatible potassium salt is added to phase-stabilize the ammonium nitrate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein the fuel is a hydrocarbon oil, and wherein the fuel concentration is less than 2.5% by weight of the explosive composition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A composition as set forth in claim 1, wherein the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of anionic, cationic or non-ionic emulsifiers, and has R-groups containing from 10 to 22 carbon atoms.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A composition as set forth in claim 1, wherein an originally fluid mixture is employed as a matrix into which at least one insoluble solid is added.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A composition as set forth in claim 12, wherein the added insoluble solid is a compound explosive.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A composition as set forth in claim 12, wherein the added insoluble solid is a metallic fuel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A composition as set forth in claim 12, wherein the added insoluble solid is an oxidizer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A composition as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one soluble compound explosive is added.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A composition as set forth in claim 16, wherein the soluble compound explosive is made in situ.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
A composition as set forth in claim 16, wherein the soluble compound explosive is selected from the group consisting of the nitrate or perchlorate adducts of an alkylamine, an alkanolamine and a combination thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A composition as set forth in claim 16, wherein the added soluble compound explosive is an oxidizer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A composition as set forth in claim 16, wherein the added soluble compound explosive is selected from the group consisting of hexamethylenetetramine nitrates and perchlorates.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
A composition as set forth in claim 16, wherein the soluble compound explosive is selected from the group consisting of metal ammonia coordination compounds.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
A composition as set forth in claim 16, wherein the soluble compound explosive is a nitroazole salt.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
A composition as set forth in claim 17, wherein the soluble compound explosive is selected from the group consisting of the nitrate or perchlorate adducts of an alkylamine, an alkanolamine and a combination thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
A composition as set forth in claim 17, wherein the added soluble compound explosive is an oxidizer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
A composition as set forth in claim 1, wherein the added compound is a non-self-explosive fuel which is soluble in the discontinuous portion of the emulsion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
A composition as set forth in claim 1, wherein density control and sensitization is achieved by the use of additives selected from the group consisting of microballoons, perlite, fumed silica, entrained gas, or gas generated in situ.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
A composition as set forth in claim 1, wherein sensitization is effected in the absence of density control or the addition of compound explosives.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-11-11 | 1989-05-13 | 1989-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-11-11 | 1993-05-13 | 1993-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-11-11 | 1997-05-13 | 1997-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |