Diversionary device

• US 6,253,680 B1
• Filed: 02/24/1999
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions Of Sandia LLC (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sandia Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Grubelich, Mark C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Peter A.
• Application Number:
  US09/256,812
• Time in Patent Office: 860 Days
• Field of Search: 102/334, 102/363, 102/502, 102/336
• US Class Current: 102/334
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/52 Fuel-air explosive devices
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 8/26 Hand grenades

Abstract

A diversionary device has a housing having at least one opening and containing a non-explosive propellant and a quantity of fine powder packed within the housing, with the powder being located between the propellant and the opening. When the propellant is activated, it has sufficient energy to propel the powder through the opening to produce a cloud of powder outside the housing. An igniter is also provided for igniting the cloud of powder to create a diversionary flash and bang, but at a low enough pressure to avoid injuring nearby people.

Claims

1. A diversionary device comprising:

a housing having a wall with an outside surface and an opposed inside surface surrounding a volume;

a non-explosive propellant within said housing;

a sufficient quantity of fine powder packed within said housing, said powder being inert in said housing;

means for activating said propellant;

said propellant having sufficient energy to expel said powder from said housing said powder producing a cloud of powder outside of and adjacent said housing; and

an igniter for igniting said cloud of powder to create a fuel-air explosion.

2. The diversionary device of claim 1 wherein said housing is generally tubular and has two opposed ends, said propellant being adjacent a closed first end;

said powder being expelled through an opening adjacent a second end.

3. The diversionary device of claim 2 wherein said opening is in said second end.

4. The diversionary device of claim 2 wherein said opening extends around a portion of said housing wall adjacent said second end.

5. The diversionary device of claim 4 wherein the radius of said housing is less for the portion of said wall contain said opening than the remainder of said housing.

6. The diversionary device of claim 1 wherein the propellant consists of deflagrating means for expelling the powder through said opening without deforming said housing.

7. The diversionary device of claim 6 wherein said deflagrating means is black powder.

8. The diversionary device of claim 6 wherein said igniter consists of said deflagrating means.

9. The diversionary device of claim 8 wherein said means for activating said deflagrating means is remotely initiated.

10. The diversionary device of claim 9 wherein said means for igniting is an SCB.

11. The diversionary device of claim 1 wherein the propellant consists of a compressed gas.

12. The diversionary device of claim 11 wherein the gas is CO₂.

13. The diversionary device of claim 11 wherein said igniter is a spark gap adjacent said opening.

14. The diversionary device of claim 1 further comprising said housing being frangible and said powder being between said inside surface and said propellant;

wherein said propellant expels said powder by forcing openings in the housing when the device is actuated.

15. The diversionary device of claim 14 wherein said housing is scored with weak spots so the openings occur at predetermined locations.

16. The diversionary device of claim 15 wherein said housing is scored so that the housing will not fragment into separate pieces.

17. The diversionary device of claim 14, said housing being formed of a low density material.

18. The diversionary device of claim 17 wherein said housing is fire-retardant foam.

19. The diversionary device of claim 18 wherein said housing is waterproof.

20. The diversionary device of claim 14 wherein said housing is waterproof.

21. The diversionary device of claim 1 wherein said powder is a fine metal or organic powder.

22. The diversionary device of claim 21 wherein said powder is aluminum.