Non-detonable explosive scent training tool

Abstract

A non-detonable explosive scent source for use as a tool in training dogs to detect explosive is disclosed. The tool utilizes actual explosive materials as the scent source, and not diluted or synthetic explosive materials. The explosive is contained in a carrier made from a non-volatile material such as metal, ceramic or the like. The explosive is contained in sub-critical dimension receiver spaces formed within the carrier and exposed to atmosphere. The receiver spaces have at least one dimensional parameter less than the “critical thickness” of the explosive material. “Critical thickness” relates to a property of explosive materials that requires every dimension of the explosive material in a charge must exceed the critical thickness property of the explosive used or the charge will not detonate. When any dimension of a charge's explosive material is smaller than the explosive's critical thickness, the charge in effect ceases to be an explosive charge.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention is in the field of compositions specialized and designed for use in training dogs. More specifically, the present invention relates to an explosive scent source for training dogs to detect explosives. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Due to the increased terrorist threat following the 9 / 11 terrorist attack in New York City, an increasing number of airports and many small cities in the US and internationally are using dogs trained to detect explosives to provide enhanced security. To maintain their effectiveness dogs require frequent training, which involves the dog's smelling and detecting various explosives. Military explosive security dogs are currently trained with ½ to 1 pound samples of various actual explosives. Typically an explosive scent kit contains dynamite, black powder, TNT, ammonium nitrate dynamite, a water-gel explosive (e.g. Tovex®), Composition C4, DetaSheet®, Det Cord, and PBXN-106. The total explosive weight o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The present invention is a safe, non-detonable explosive scent training tool for training dogs to detect explosive materials such as dynamite, black powder, TNT, ammonium nitrate dynamite, a water-gel explosive (e.g. Tovex®), Composition C4, DetaSheet®), Det Cord, and PBXN-106. Many other explosive materials are practicable in the present explosive scent training tool, including: RDX (cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine), HMX (cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine), PETN (Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate), and certain perchlorates and nitrates. See Picatinney Arsenal Encyclopedia of Explosives and Related Items, NITS, US GPO for a general listing of high explosives. The present non-detonable explosive scent training tool uses actual explosive materials as a scent source packaged in a manner to render the explosive materials non-detonable. The term “non-detonable” as used herein means that the item or charge containing an explosive material cannot be detonated if exposed to fire or to an otherwise appropriate detonating shock. The present scent training tool exploits a physical property typical of all explosive materials to construct a scent training tool that while it utilizes an actual explosive material as the scent source, the explosive in the tool cannot be detonated. This renders the scent training tool safer and less difficult to handle and store, and also provides a better scent training aid than such tools utilizing diluted or synthetic explosive scent sources.

[0009] The present explosive scent training tools do not comprise an explosive charge in the sense that the tools cannot be detonated in the usual manners. Even though the present scent tools contain an explosive material, under the UN Transportation Regulations for Hazardous Materials, the present scent tools likely will be classified as 1.4 explosives. This likely classification for the present scent tools, class 1.4, relates to items that represents only a moderate fire hazard. A class 1.3 item may burn, but it will not detonate. Furthermore, an item classified as a 1.4S explosive may be shipped in an essentially unregulated manner including shipment by cargo aircraft. The storage regulations for such items are also greatly relaxed in comparison to items classified as 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives. This greatly reduces shipping and storage costs.

[0010] Optionally, the present explosive-scent tools can be constructed so that no explosive material is exposed where it can be touched. This reduces the risk of contaminating the scent source during handling and cleaning. The item can also be made virtually tamper-proof by welding or bolting it closed (with high security bolts) so that the explosive contained therein cannot be removed easily for illegal purposes. In view of the above, the safe handling of an explosive based scent tool is increased, while the utility of stealing the tool in order to convert it for illegal purposes is diminished. It is an object of the present invention to provide a scent training tool that without more cannot be used as an explosive charge.

Problems solved by technology

Furthermore, an item classified as a 1.4S explosive may be shipped in an essentially unregulated manner including shipment by cargo aircraft.

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