Water pressured destruct enhancer

• US 6,896,204 B1
• Filed: 10/29/2003
• Issued: 05/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2000
• 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: DeVane, Samuel J., Greene, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): KIM, CHRISTOPHER S
• Application Number:
  US10/695,364
• Time in Patent Office: 573 Days
• Field of Search: 239/309, 239/329, 239/331, 239/504, 239/518, 239/548, 239/589, 169/46, 169/6, 169/11, 169/12, 169/71, 169/72, 169/84, 169/85, 169/289, 261/115
• US Class Current: 239/309
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 9/0075 characterised by special nozzle arrangements, e.g. for a swirling effect or a directional effect
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 9/0087 characterised by the intended use, e.g. for self-defence, law-enforcement, industrial use, military purposes F41B9/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 33/062 by high-pressure water jet means

Abstract

The present invention comprises an extension tube that attaches to the bore end of a water jet producing device that is used to render safe improvised explosive devices by disrupting the firing train of said devices. The present invention comprises an extension tube having a sudden enlargement of cross section, that may be formed by adjusting the dimensions of the interior diameter of the extension tube, at the point of attachment, and a series of apertures in the attachment tube. The extension tube provides a more uniform jet of water with more focused energy by containing the jet until breech pressures are vented. Better control of the water jet will be maintained during firing operations. Further, more energy may be put into the water jet to accomplish specific tasks.

Claims

1. A water jet producing device, comprising:

a tube having a slug of water therein;

a burst diaphragm proximate to the slug of water;

a pusher plate proximate to the slug of water and opposite to the burst diaphragm;

a breech charge proximate to the pusher plate wherein initiation of the breech charge produces breech gases;

said tube having a bore end, having an inner diameter;

an extension tube, comprising;

an inner diameter;

a first end, having an inner diameter greater than the inner diameter of the bore end, wherein the inner diameter of the extension tube decreases when moving away from the first end until the inner diameter of the extension tube approximately equals the inner diameter of the bore end;

a volume sufficient to hold the water slug;

means for attaching the first end of the extension tube to the bore end; and

,

at least one aperture located within the extension tube, proximate the attaching means wherein the breech gases vent through the at least one aperture.

2. The extension tube of claim 1, the attachment means comprising an inner thread capable of screwing on to the bore end of the water jet producing device.

3. The extension tube of claim 2, further comprising angled tubes attached to the at least one aperture wherein the breech gases are directed away from a second end of the extension tube.

4. The extension tube of claim 2, further comprising at least one flange placed proximate to the at least one aperture wherein the at least one flange directs the breech gases escaping through the at least one aperture away from the second end.

5. The extension tube of claim 2, further comprising eight apertures.

6. The extension tube of claim 5, wherein the extension tube comprises steel.

7. The extension tube of claim 6, wherein the inner diameter of the first end comprises approximately 1.5 inches.

8. The extension tube of claim 7, wherein the inner diameter of the bore end comprises approximately 1 inch.

9. The extension tube of claim 8, wherein the apertures further comprise a diameter from about 0.3 to about 0.5 inches.

10. A method for disrupting the firing train of unexploded ordnance, comprising the steps of:

providing a water jet producing device comprising a tube having a slug of water therein, a burst diaphragm proximate to the slug of water, a pusher plate proximate to the slug of water and opposite to the burst diaphragm, a breech charge proximate to the pusher plate wherein initiation of the breech charge produces breech gases, said tube having a bore end, and an inner diameter associated with the bore end, an extension tube comprising an inner diameter, a first end, having an inner diameter greater than the inner diameter of the bore end, wherein the inner diameter of the extension tube decreases when moving away from the first end until the inner diameter of the extension tube approximately equals the inner diameter of the bore end, a volume sufficient to hold the water slug, means for attaching the first end of the extension tube to the bore end, and, at least one pressure release port located within the extension tube, proximate the attaching means wherein the breech gases vent through the at least one aperture;

aiming the water jet producing device at the firing train; and

,

initiating the water jet producing device.

11. A water jet producing device, comprising:

a tube having a slug of water therein;

a burst diaphragm proximate to the slug of water;

a piston proximate to the slug of water and opposite to the burst diaphragm;

a breech charge proximate to the pusher plate wherein initiation of the breech charge produces breech gases;

said tube having a bore end, having an inner diameter;

an extension tube, comprising;

an inner diameter;

a first end, having an inner diameter greater than the inner diameter of the bore end, wherein the inner diameter of the extension tube decreases when moving away from the first end until the inner diameter of the extension tube approximately equals the inner diameter of the bore end;

a volume sufficient to hold the water slug;

means for attaching the first end of the extension tube to the bore end; and

,

at least one aperture located within the extension tube, proximate the attaching means wherein the breech gases vent through the at least one aperture.