Explosive neutralization method and device

• US 7,331,268 B1
• Filed: 06/02/2004
• Issued: 02/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2004
• 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: Russell, Thomas P., Pangilinan, Gerardo I., Whitley, Von H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bergin; James S
• Application Number:
  US10/863,842
• Time in Patent Office: 1,357 Days
• Field of Search: 102/402, 102/403, 102/475, 102/305, 102/306, 102/307, 102/476, 86/50, 89/11.3, 588/301, 588/311, 588/403
• US Class Current: 86/50
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 33/06 Dismantling fuzes, cartridges, projectiles, missiles, rockets or bombs F42B33/004 and F42B33/04 take precedence; elimination of undesirable components of explosives C06B21/0091
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 5/04 Rendering explosive charges harmless, e.g. destroying ammunition F42B39/14 and F42B39/20 take precedence ; extracting primers, dismantling ammunition F42B33/04, F42B33/06 ; chemical deactivating of explosives C06B21/0091; Rendering detonation of explosive charges harmless

Abstract

A method for neutralizing explosive ordnance is provided. According to an aspect of the method, an energetic charge is activated to produce a shockwave, which is imparted at an effective velocity and temperature on a gas to ionize the gas for creating plasma and to drive the plasma. The plasma is impacted on a casing of an ordnance containing an explosive to penetrate through the casing and, without or before causing an explosive event of explosive within the casing, substantially consume the explosive.

Claims

1. A method for neutralizing an explosive ordnance, comprising:

activating an energetic charge to produce a shockwave;

imparting the shockwave at an effective velocity and temperature on a gas to ionize the gas for creating plasma and to drive the plasma; and

impacting the plasma on a casing of the explosive ordnance containing an explosive to penetrate through the casing using an energy-focusing guide and, at least before causing an explosive event of the explosive within the casing, substantially consuming the explosive.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the energetic charge comprises at least 94 weight percent of a nitrate-containing compound.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the nitrate-containing compound comprises of nitramine.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the energetic charge comprises a nitramine selected from HMX, RDX, and CP-20.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the gas comprises air.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the energetic charge has a detonation velocity of at least 7 mm/μ

sec.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the effective velocity is at least 6 mm/μ

sec.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein the effective temperature is greater than 10,000°

C.

9. The method according to claim 5, wherein the effective temperature is greater than 50,000°

C.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said impacting comprises focusing plasma on the casing with an energy-focusing guide.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the energy-focusing guide is cylindrical shaped.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the energy-focusing guide is tapered.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the energy-focusing guide includes a distal end contacting the casing.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ordnance comprises a mine.

15. A method for neutralizing explosive ordnance, comprising:

activating an energetic charge having a detonation velocity of at least 7 mm/μ

sec to produce a shockwave;

imparting the shockwave on a gas at an effective velocity of at least 6 mm/μ

sec and a temperature of at least 10,000°

C.; and

impacting the gas to a casing of the explosive ordnance containing an explosive to penetrate through the casing using an energy-focusing guide and, at least before causing an explosive event of the explosive within the casing, substantially consuming the explosive.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the energetic charge comprises at least 94 weight percent of a nitrate-containing compound.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the nitrate-containing compound comprises a member selected from HMX, RDX, and CL-20.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein said impacting comprises focusing the gas on the casing with a focusing guide.