Fragmentation warhead with selectable radius of effects
First Claim
1. An explosive structure of the fragmentation type, comprising:
- an outer casing comprising an energy dense explosive material and having an inner surface defining a chamber;
means for propagating shock waves across the inner surface from a selected one of at least first and second detonation points within the casing;
first means for directing shock waves, propagated from the first detonation point, against at least a selected portion of the inner surface in a first pattern for scoring and weakening the casing along first, segment-defining lines;
second means for directing shock waves, propagated from the second detonation point, against the selected portion of the inner surface in a second pattern for scoring and weakening the casing along second, segment-defining lines, the segments of the second pattern being larger than the segments of the first pattern; and
means for fragmenting the casing along the resulting, segment-defining lines scored in the casing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An explosive structure of the fragmentation type includes an outer casing comprising an energy dense explosive material and having an inner surface defining a chamber and means for propagating shock waves across the inner surface from a selected one of at least first and second detonation points within the casing. The explosive structure further includes first means for directing shock waves, propagated from the first detonation point, against at least a selected portion of the inner surface in a first pattern for scoring and weakening the casing along first, segment-defining lines and second means for directing shock waves, propagated from the second detonation point, against the selected portion of the inner surface in a second pattern for scoring and weakening the casing along second, segment-defining lines, the segments of the second pattern being larger than the segments of the first pattern. The explosive structure further includes means for fragmenting the casing along the resulting, segment-defining lines scored in the casing.
45 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An explosive structure of the fragmentation type, comprising:
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an outer casing comprising an energy dense explosive material and having an inner surface defining a chamber; means for propagating shock waves across the inner surface from a selected one of at least first and second detonation points within the casing; first means for directing shock waves, propagated from the first detonation point, against at least a selected portion of the inner surface in a first pattern for scoring and weakening the casing along first, segment-defining lines; second means for directing shock waves, propagated from the second detonation point, against the selected portion of the inner surface in a second pattern for scoring and weakening the casing along second, segment-defining lines, the segments of the second pattern being larger than the segments of the first pattern; and means for fragmenting the casing along the resulting, segment-defining lines scored in the casing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An explosive structure of the fragmentation type, comprising:
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an outer casing comprising an energy dense explosive material and having an inner surface defining a chamber; at least two detonating charges respectively positioned within the casing at the first and second detonation points for propagating shock waves across the inner surface from a selected one of at least first and second detonation points within the casing; a layer of material lining at least a selected portion of the inner surface of the outer casing and enclosing the explosive charge, the layer defining; a first set of grooves formed in the layer of material and opening at least toward the outer casing, at least some of the first set of grooves being inclined, in cross section and with respect to the adjacent inner surface of the casing, toward the first detonation point for passing detonation shock waves, propagated from the first detonation point, to at least the selected portion of the inner surface of the outer casing in a first pattern for scoring and weakening the casing along first, segment-defining lines; and a second set of grooves formed in the layer of material and opening at least toward the outer casing, at least some of the second set of grooves being inclined, in cross section and with respect to the adjacent inner surface of the casing, toward the second detonation point for passing detonation shock waves, propagated from the second detonation point, to at least the selected portion of the inner surface of the outer casing in a second pattern for scoring and weakening the casing along second, segment-defining lines; and an explosive charge contained within the outer casing for fragmenting the casing along the resulting, segment-defining lines scored in the casing. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification