Munroe effect breaching device

• US 4,418,622 A
• Filed: 07/02/1982
• Issued: 12/06/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Foster, John S., Zehmer, John A. M. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Peter A.
• Application Number:
  US06/394,975
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 102/306-310, 102/289, 102/331, 102/332
• US Class Current: 102/307
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 1/02 Shaped or hollow charges blasting cartridges with cavities in the charge F42B3/08; oil winning using shaped-charge perforators E21B43/116

Abstract

An unlined Munroe Effect device for breaching structures in urban terrain.he device is constructed as an unlined, linear, shaped explosive charge which directs an explosive jet into the structure. The shaped charge is formed with a honeycombed substrate of metal in which the substrate interstices are filled with and the substrate is covered by an explosive material. The substrate is embedded in the explosive material. The explosive material and substrate, prior to curing of the explosive material, are formed into an unlined, semi-cylindrical shape to create the explosive jet or Munroe Effect. The device is initiated or detonated with a booster charge.

Claims

1. A Munroe Effect device for breaching walls in urban terrain, comprising:

a metallic, honeycombed support structure formed to have concavo-convex surfaces over a linear extent; and

an explosive material completely covering said metallic, honeycombed support structure and filling the interstices thereof to define an unlined shaped charge;

whereby, upon detonation of said explosive material, the detonation wave melts said metallic, honeycombed support structure to produce a high velocity jet of molten metal directed outwardly from the concave surface for breaching walls in urban terrain.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

means for detonating said explosive material.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein:

said metallic, honeycombed support structure is semicylindrical in shape.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein:

said metallic, honeycombed support structure is constructed of aluminum.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein:

said metallic, honeycombed support structure is constructed of a reactive metal.

6. the device of claim 1 wherein:

said metallic, honeycombed support structure is constructed of magnesium.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein:

said metallic, honeycombed support structure is constructed of zirconium.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein:

said explosive material is a plastic bonded explosive.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein:

said explosive material is a castable explosive.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein:

said explosive material is a curable explosive.