Triad National Security, LLC

Los Alamos National Security, LLC

University of California

The United States of America As Represented by the Department of Energy

Lawrence Eugene Bronisz

Jonathan Lee Mace

Gerald J Seitz

Bryce Tappan

David W Steedman

Christopher Robert Bradley

Paul N Arendt

Stephen R Foltyn

Vladimir Matias

David Platts

Scott Avery Watson

Michael L Clark

Fred M Mueller

Tony J Beugelsdijk

Nicola Maree Winch

Eric Byron Sorensen

David C Nelson

Robert M Hollen

Laura Catherine Stonehill

Nathaniel Morgan

Dominic S Peterson

Michael L Krogh

Sascha Kreiskott

Jonathan Morgan

Holger Grube

Marcelo Norona

Patrick Bowden

Tracy H Erkkila

Phillip A Duran

Daniel Preston

Jeffrey E Roybal

A process for constructing a high-tensile strength, high-gradient insulator (HGI) may include stacking alternating layers of conductors and insulators, and vacuum pressure potting the stacked layers onto an insulating rod. The process may also include post machining the stacked layers to form a complete assembly of the HGI.

Technique for constructing high gradient insulators

Various components, such as radio frequency (RF) or thermal reflectors, may be constructed from joining of pre-formed tape. For reflectors, this process may reduce the number of ribs, only require partial ribs, or eliminate the use of ribs altogether. To build such a reflector, a spool of tape, a joining tractor, and a foundation ring may be employed.

Construction of structures by joining of pre-formed tape

Disclosed herein are embodiments of precursor components (or compositions thereof) that can be combined with one or more additional components (or compositions thereof) to form an explosive composition. The disclosed precursor components (or compositions thereof) can be handled and transported safely to a particular location where they can be mixed with liquid fuel to form an explosive composition. In particular disclosed embodiments, the precursor components (or compositions thereof) can comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of an oxidizer component, a metal component, or combinations thereof.

Multi-phasic explosive fracturing system

Detonation control modules and detonation control circuits are provided herein. A trigger input signal can cause a detonation control module to trigger a detonator. A detonation control module can include a timing circuit, a light-producing diode such as a laser diode, an optically triggered diode, and a high-voltage capacitor. The trigger input signal can activate the timing circuit. The timing circuit can control activation of the light-producing diode. Activation of the light-producing diode illuminates and activates the optically triggered diode. The optically triggered diode can be coupled between the high-voltage capacitor and the detonator. Activation of the optically triggered diode causes a power pulse to be released from the high-voltage capacitor that triggers the detonator.

Detonation control

An explosive system for fracturing an underground geologic formation adjacent to a wellbore can comprise a plurality of explosive units comprising an explosive material contained within the casing, and detonation control modules electrically coupled to the plurality of explosive units and configured to cause a power pulse to be transmitted to at least one detonator of at least one of the plurality of explosive units for detonation of the explosive material. The explosive units are configured to be positioned within a wellbore in spaced apart positions relative to one another along a string with the detonation control modules positioned adjacent to the plurality of explosive units in the wellbore, such that the axial positions of the explosive units relative to the wellbore are at least partially based on geologic properties of the geologic formation adjacent the wellbore.

System for fracturing an underground geologic formation

Explosive devices and assemblies are described herein for use in geologic fracturing. Components of energetic material used in the explosive devices can be initially separated prior to inserting the assembled system down a wellbore, then later combined prior to detonation. Some exemplary explosive units for insertion into a borehole for use in fracturing a geologic formation surrounding the borehole can comprise a casing comprising a body defining an internal chamber, a first component of an explosive positioned within the internal chamber of the casing, and an inlet communicating with the internal chamber through which a second component of the explosive mixture is deliverable into the internal chamber to comprise the explosive.

Fluid transport systems for use in a downhole explosive fracturing system

Explosive geologic fracturing methods, devices, and systems can be used in combination with other geologic fracturing means, such as hydraulic fracturing methods, devices and systems, or other fluid-based fracturing means. An exemplary method comprises introducing an explosive system into a wellbore in a geologic formation, detonating the explosive system in the wellbore to fracture at least a first portion of the geologic formation adjacent to the wellbore, and introducing pressurized fluid into the wellbore to enhance the fracturing of the first portion of the geologic formation. Such multi-stage fracturing can further enhance the resulting fracturing of geologic formation relative to explosive fracturing alone.

Multi-stage geologic fracturing

In disclosed explosive units for use in a wellbore, the casing can include a tubular outer body comprising grooves, pockets, or other variances in thickness that create stress concentrations that promote shear and tensile fragmentation instead of ductile expansion of the casing, which can negatively impact permeability of a wellbore. In other embodiments, the casing can comprise non-ductile and/or reactive material which responds to explosive or high temperature loading by brittle failure, disintegration, melting, burning, and/or chemically reacting with the energetic materials and/or the borehole environment. Such embodiments can enhance the permeability of the wellbore after detonation.

Casings for use in a system for fracturing rock within a bore

A continuous process of forming a highly smooth surface on a metallic tape by passing a metallic tape having an initial roughness through an acid bath contained within a polishing section of an electropolishing unit over a pre-selected period of time, and, passing a mean surface current density of at least 0.18 amperes per square centimeter through the metallic tape during the period of time the metallic tape is in the acid bath whereby the roughness of the metallic tape is reduced. Such a highly smooth metallic tape can serve as a base substrate in subsequent formation of a superconductive coated conductor.

High current density electropolishing in the preparation of highly smooth substrate tapes for coated conductors

A magnetic infrasound sensor is produced by constraining a permanent magnet inside a magnetic potential well above the surface of superconducting material. The magnetic infrasound sensor measures the position or movement of the permanent magnet within the magnetic potential well, and interprets the measurements. Infrasound sources can be located and characterized by combining the measurements from one or more infrasound sensors. The magnetic infrasound sensor can be tuned to match infrasound source types, resulting in better signal-to-noise ratio. The present invention can operate in frequency modulation mode to improve sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio. In an alternate construction, the superconductor can be levitated over a magnet or magnets. The system can also be driven, so that time resolved perturbations are sensed, resulting in a frequency modulation version with improved sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio.

Magnetic infrasound sensor

A standard laboratory module for automatically producing a solution of cominants from a soil sample. A sonication tip agitates a solution containing the soil sample in a beaker while a stepper motor rotates the sample. An aspirator tube, connected to a vacuum, draws the upper layer of solution from the beaker through a filter and into another beaker. This beaker can thereafter be removed for analysis of the solution. The standard laboratory module encloses an embedded controller providing process control, status feedback information and maintenance procedures for the equipment and operations within the standard laboratory module.

Sonication standard laboratory module

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Los Alamos, NM, United States of America

Lawrence Eugene Bronisz