US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

Molycorp, Inc.

Arthur Daniels

Ernest L Baker

James Pham

Robert E Davis

David S Wesson

John L Burba, Iii

Vladimir M Gold

William J Poulos

David Charles Daniel

Jack Pincay

Chuck L Chin

Stanley DeFisher

Irene Wu

A warhead includes a body, a patterned liner made of plastic, and an explosive charge disposed within the liner. The liner pattern is formed of gaps and liner elements. The explosive charge includes a first set of sections that are disposed adjacent to the liner gaps and a second set of sections that are disposed adjacent to the liner elements. Upon detonation of the explosive charge and because of the temporal delay in transmitting the detonation energy between these two sets of sections, the warhead body is caused to shear and break into fragments with controlled size. The use of plastic as the liner material also provides a welcome safety feature for this warhead. In the event of unwanted heat ignition, the plastic (which is also low melt temperature material), would melt to seal the explosive and would also flow. Because of the plastic, neither sudden pressure nor heat/ignition inside the round, would therefore be as catastrophic.

More safe insensitive munition for producing a controlled fragmentation pattern

A shaped charge warhead having a longitudinal axis includes a casing; a liner disposed in the casing; an explosive disposed behind the liner; a wave shaper disposed in the explosive, the wave shaper comprising a low reaction rate high blast reactive material; and a detonator disposed adjacent the explosive. Preferably, the wave shaper is symmetrical about the longitudinal axis. The low reaction rate, high-blast material may be, for example, one of powdered silicon or boron and powdered silicon or boron in a plastic matrix.

Low reaction rate, high blast shaped charge waveshaper

Shaped charges that generate fan-like jets can produce slotted holes in rock formations. A shaped charge includes a case having on open front end, an external surface and a longitudinal axis, all transverse cross-sections of the case being bi-symmetric; an explosive material disposed in the case, the case including at least one opening extending from the external surface to the explosive material for initiation of the explosive material; and a liner disposed over the explosive material; wherein a pair of substantially identical longitudinal slots are formed on the external surface, the longitudinal slots being about 180 degrees apart.

Geometric/mechanical apparatus to improve well perforator performance

Various shaped charges and methods of operation produce multiple jets in various profiles by employing multiple initiation points to address various earthen formations and producing different types of perforations in well bores. The shaped charge device includes a configuration of components wherein multiple detonation tracks are used to allow selective initiation and operation. Dual or quad initiation may be provided to initiate operation.

Selectable output well perforator and method for producing variable hole profiles

A non-linear shaped charge perforator for use in perforating an oil and gas formation into which a wellbore has been drilled comprises a monolithic, axisymmetric metal case in which is disposed a main explosive charge between the front of the case, which is closed with a concave metal liner, and the closed back end of the case. The main explosive charge contains multiple initiation points, preferably two initiation points located about 180&#xb0; apart on the outside surface of the charge, so that when the perforator is detonated the main charge is initiated such that the metal liner is collapsed into a non-circular jet, preferably a fan-shaped jet, that pierces the casing of the wellbore and forms non-circular perforations, preferably slot-shaped perforations, in the surrounding formation.

Method and apparatus to improve perforating effectiveness using a unique multiple point initiated shaped charge perforator

A machinable datum for use in a vacuum fixture is disclosed. The vacuum fixture comprises: a cylindrical stationary mandrel portion having a central cavity therethrough, and comprising: a first end mountable to a machine tool, such as a lathe; a second end terminating in a contact datum intended for contact with a workpiece; and, vacuum means capable of introducing a vacuum into a space between said contact datum and said workpiece; a cylindrical plunger portion residing within said central cavity of said cylindrical stationary mandrel portion, said cylindrical plunger portion comprising: a first end approximately coextensive with said first end of said stationary mandrel portion, comprising a biasing spring; a plunger comprising a cylindrical plunger residing within said central cavity of said cylindrical stationary mandrel portion, and biased away from said first end of said stationary mandrel portion by said biasing spring; and, a second end terminating in a contact datum intended for contact with a workpiece; and wherein at least one of said contact datums are comprised of an easily machinable material which can be shaped to facilitate contact with a workpiece.

Machinable datum for a self-centering vacuum fixture

Dual mode warheads utilizing high-blast explosives ( ) and a shaped charge liner ( ) and a process for forming such warheads.

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Rockaway, NJ, United States of America

Arthur Daniels