METHODS OF PREVENTING INITIATION OF EXPLOSIVE DEVICES, DEACTIVATED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES, AND A METHOD OF DISRUPTING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A DETONATION DEVICE AND AN EXPLOSIVE DEVICE

• US 20090188379A1
• Filed: 01/25/2008
• Published: 07/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Inc. (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Incorporated (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Inventors: Doll, Daniel W., Olson, Jared K., Hiza, Sarah B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,810,421 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 86/50
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 5/00 Safety arrangements
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: F42D 5/045 Detonation-wave absorbing or damping means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/60 Protecting data

Abstract

A method of preventing initiation of an explosive device. The method comprises substantially encasing an explosive device with a conductive foam. The explosive device is configured to be initiated by an electromagnetic radiation signal, such as that emitted by a transmitter of a wireless door bell device. Deactivated explosive devices are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of preventing initiation of an explosive device, comprising:

applying a conductive foam to an explosive device configured to be initiated by an electromagnetic radiation signal emitted from a transmitter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein applying a conductive foam to an explosive device comprises applying a conductive foam configured to disrupt the electromagnetic radiation signal emitted from the transmitter to the explosive device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein applying a conductive foam to an explosive device comprises applying a conductive foam comprising polyurethane and conductive carbon to the explosive device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein applying a conductive foam to an explosive device comprises applying a conductive foam comprising polyurethane and graphite to the explosive device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein applying a conductive foam to an explosive device comprises covering exposed surfaces of the explosive device with the conductive foam.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein applying a conductive foam to an explosive device comprises forming a foam-generating composition comprising a conductive material, a polyol, a curing agent, a foaming agent, and a cure catalyst, foaming the foam-generating composition, and applying the foam-generating composition to the explosive device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein applying a conductive foam to an explosive device comprises directly contacting the explosive device with the conductive foam.

8. A method of preventing initiation of an explosive device, comprising:

substantially encasing an explosive device with a conductive foam.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein substantially encasing an explosive device with a conductive foam comprises substantially encasing an electromagnetic signal receiver of an improvised explosive device with the conductive foam.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein substantially encasing an explosive device with a conductive foam comprises substantially encasing an explosive device configured to be actuated by an electromagnetic radiation signal with the conductive foam.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein substantially encasing an explosive device with a conductive foam comprises applying the conductive foam to the explosive device configured to be detonated by an electromagnetic radiation signal produced by a detonation device selected from the group consisting of a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a pager, a garage door opener, a car alarm, a remote control model car controller, a remote control model airplane controller, a two way radio, a television remote control, wireless door bell device activation portion, and a baby monitor.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein substantially encasing an explosive device with a conductive foam comprises disrupting communication between the explosive device and a detonation device configured for wireless initiation of the explosive device.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein substantially encasing an explosive device with a conductive foam comprises spraying the conductive foam on the explosive device.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein substantially encasing an explosive device with a conductive foam comprises substantially encasing an object in which the explosive device is at least partially contained with the conductive foam.

15. A deactivated explosive device, comprising:

an explosive device configured to be initiated by an electromagnetic radiation signal; and

a conductive foam disposed over at least a substantial portion of the explosive device.

16. The deactivated explosive device of claim 15, wherein the conductive foam forms a rigid casing over the explosive device.

17. The deactivated explosive device of claim 15, wherein the explosive device comprises an improvised explosive device and the conductive foam comprises a rigid polyurethane foam.

18. The deactivated explosive device of claim 15, wherein the conductive foam is formed from a composition comprising conductive carbon black or graphite, an isocyanate, and 1,4-butanediol.

19. A deactivated explosive device, comprising:

an explosive device substantially encased by a conductive foam, the explosive device configured to be initiated by electromagnetic radiation.

20. The deactivated explosive device of claim 19, wherein the conductive foam contacts exposed surfaces of the explosive device.

21. The deactivated explosive device of claim 19, wherein the conductive foam contacts exposed surfaces of an object in which the explosive device is concealed.

22. A method of preventing initiation of an explosive device, comprising:

spraying a conductive foam on an explosive device to disrupt communication between the explosive device and a detonation device thereof.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein spraying a conductive foam on an explosive device comprises spraying the conductive foam comprising a conductive material substantially homogeneously dispersed in a polymeric material.