Improvements in or relating to explosive charges

Abstract

A container for an explosive shaped charge, the container is a generally cylindrical bottle-like container and is open at an initiation end, within the container a first membrane is provided to define a proximal enclosure in the container for receiving liquid explosive, a second membrane is provided at or towards the end of the container opposite the initiation end and spaced from the first membrane so as to define a distal enclosure in the container for receiving liquid projectile.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates generally to an explosive charge and particularly, but not exclusively, to a shaped charge.

[0002] The present invention provides a container for an explosive shaped charge, the container is a generally cylindrical bottle-like container and is open at an initiation end, within the container a first membrane is provided to define a proximal enclosure in the container for receiving liquid explosive, a second membrane is provided at or towards the end of the container opposite the initiation end and spaced from the first membrane so as to define a distal enclosure in the container for receiving liquid projectile.

[0003] The membranes may comprise first and second cones.

[0004] First and second membranes, where provided, may have substantially the same profile

[0005] Either or both of two cones may have a cone angle of approximately 60 degrees.

[0006] The second membrane may be generally flat.

[0007] First and second membranes may be formed as nesting components.

[0008] Charges formed in accordance with the present invention may comprise or form part of an assembly that comprises an underwater housing securable to one end of the container.

[0009] The present invention may also provide a container filled with liquid explosive and projectile material.

[0010] Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together.

[0011] Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combination other than those explicitly set out in the claims. Each aspect can be carried out independently of the other aspects or in combination with one or more of the other aspects.

[0012] The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] The example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternative forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

[0014] Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and detailed description where appropriate.

[0015] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealised or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0016] In the following description, all orientational terms, such as upper, lower, radially and axially, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be interpreted as limiting on the invention.

[0017] Referring first to Figures 1 to 3 there is shown a charge generally indicated 10 not forming part of the present invention.

[0018] The charge 10 comprises a generally cylindrical bottle-like container 15. The container includes a generally cylindrical body 16. At one end of the body an inclined wall 17 extends radially inwards. At the centre of the wall 17 a neck 18 is provided and has a central passage 19. In this embodiment a separate screw threaded collar 20 is provided for receiving a detonator and can be screwed onto the neck 18.

[0019] The other end of the body 16 is closed by a partition / barrier / barrier membrane 25. The membrane 25 has an annular flange 26 that fits onto the open end of the body. A short annular skirt 27 depends from the flange. The skirt 27 is positioned to fit into the interior of the body.

[0020] At the centre of the flange 26 a longitudinal annular leg 29 extends and is closed by a concave plate 30 (so the plate 30 is "inside" the body).

[0021] The interior of the body provides an enclosure 32 for receiving liquid explosive, such as nitromethane.

[0022] A projectile in the form of a metal cone 37 (such as magnesium, aluminium or copper) is provided. The shape / profile of the cone 37 is complimentary with the shape of the plate / leg. The charge diameter is greater than the projectile diameter.

[0023] In some ways, therefore, this could be thought of as a bottle with the correct front / bottom profile to receive a liner.

[0024] The container could be formed from a plastics material.

[0025] The cone could be formed as a thin plastic membrane.

[0026] A further example of a charge of the type described in relation to Figures 1 to 3 is shown in Figures 4 to 6.

[0027] The charge 110 is shown assembled in Figure 6. The body 116 can be filled with liquid explosive and the collar 120 is screwed onto the body 116. A detonator 140 is fitted into the collar and a projectile 137 is fitted into the membrane 125.

[0028] In use, activation of the detonator 140 causes detonation of the liquid explosive material, which in turn causes projection of the projectile 137.

[0029] Figures 7 to 9 show a charge 210 formed according to the present invention.

[0030] In a similar way to the charge 10 and 110, the charge 210 has a cylindrical container 215 with a screw threaded neck 218 at one end of its body 216. The other end of the body 216 is closed by a double cone arrangement. First and second cone members 250, 255 are placed, axially spaced from each other, into the interior of the body.

[0031] In this embodiment the cone members 250, 255 are provided in a nested format, with the second cone member nested inside the first cone member (with the cone apices being axially mutually spaced from each other). A liquid explosive material compartment 232 is formed between the first cone member and the neck. A liquid projectile material compartment 233 is formed between the two cones members.

[0032] In some embodiments either / both of the cone members are welded / adhered or otherwise permanently fixed into the body.

[0033] The container could be formed from a plastics material.

[0034] The cones could be formed as thin plastic membranes.

[0035] A further example of a charge 210 of the type described in relation to Figures 7 to 9 is shown in Figures 10 and 11.

[0036] Figure 10 shows the body with the collar screwed on. In Figure 11 the cone member has been inserted.

[0037] The body can be filled, for example, with liquid explosive and water. A detonator can be fitted into the collar.

[0038] In use, activation of the detonator causes detonation of the liquid explosive material, which in turn causes the water to be projected. The liquid explosive may be binary e.g. a sensitizer could be added first and then liquid explosive material.

[0039] The first cone (defining the explosive material compartment / chamber) could be formed as part of the container, or could be provided separately and pre-fitted or fitted at the time of use. The second cone could be fitted / secured after filling with projectile material.

[0040] Figures 12 and 13 show the charge 210 forming part of an underwater-compatible variation. An underwater housing 260 is provided and fits over / onto the end of the assembled charge.

[0041] Figures 14 and 15 show a charge 310 formed according to a further embodiment. The charge 310 is similar to the charge 210, having a liquid explosive material compartment 332 and a liquid projectile material compartment 333.

[0042] In this embodiment a front membrane 355 has a generally flat profile and an inner cone 350 is provided with a (approximately) 60 degree angle.

[0043] The figures show different variants formed in accordance with the present invention. The interlayer / liner / membrane between the explosive and the projectile, whether that be a liquid projectile (e.g. water) or a metal (e.g. magnesium) liner.

[0044] Some embodiments therefore allow the production of charges that do not have the projectile in and / or don't have explosive material in; they can be added at an appropriate time. Transport / storage of an empty or partially empty (and not fully enabled) charge container is therefore much safer.

[0045] In some embodiment any sort of projectile could be used / fitted, for example a composite or single material projectile.

[0046] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A container for an explosive shaped charge, the container is a generally cylindrical bottle-like container and is open at an initiation end, within the container a first membrane is provided to define a proximal enclosure in the container for receiving liquid explosive, a second membrane is provided at or towards the end of the container opposite the initiation end and spaced from the first membrane so as to define a distal enclosure in the container for receiving liquid projectile.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, in which the first and / or second membrane is a cone.

3. A container as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which either or both of the cones have a cone angle of approximately 60 degrees.

4. A container as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the second membrane is generally flat.

5. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the first and second membranes have substantially the same profile.

6. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, in which the first and second membranes are provided as cones in a nested format, with the second cone member nested inside the first cone member with the cone apices being axially mutually spaced from each other.

7. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising an underwater housing securable to the second membrane end.

8. An explosive shaped charge comprising a container as claimed in any preceding claim and filled with liquid explosive in the proximal enclosure and liquid projectile in the distal enclosure.

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