The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 17, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 03, 1997
Thomas H Bootes, Tucson, AZ (US);
Mel Castillo, San Diego, CA (US);
Raytheon Company, Lexington, MA (US);
Abstract
A hard-target penetrating warhead (10) adapted for use with length constrained warhead payload bays. The warhead (10) includes a warhead case (12) for containing warhead explosives (22, 27). A tungsten ballast (16) is disposed within the case (12) for providing a high warhead sectional pressure upon impact of the warhead (10) on a target. A fuse (19) detonates the warhead explosives (22, 27) upon penetration of the target. The fuse (19) is housed by a fuse well (18) that is attached to the case (12) at one end. A slip fit section of the fuse well (18) provides structural support to the case (12) and prevents dislodging of the fuse well (18) and the fuse (19) from the case (12) upon warhead target impact. Explosives blowout ports (24) included in the fuse well (18) inhibit undesirable explosion or detonation of the warhead explosives (22, 27) by accidental exposure to high heat or fire. In a specific embodiment, the case (12) has a 6 caliber radius head nose (14). The explosives blowout ports (24) include main explosives blowout ports (24) for allowing the heat to burn the warhead explosives (22) and vent gases resulting from the burning. The main explosive blowout ports (24, 25) are placed around a circumference of the fuse well (18) and include nine ports having a surface area designed to minimize danger of explosion and/or detonation in the event of an accidental fire. The blowout ports (24, 25) also include booster blowout ports (25) for allowing safe burning of booster charge explosives (27) included in the fuse (19). Additionally, a special polyethelene/polyalphaolefin liner (20) lines the inside of the case (12) and improves fast cook-off safety performance. In the illustrative embodiment, the warhead explosives (22) include PBXN-109. The case (12) includes a textured or grooved surface that facilitates bonding of the ballast (16) to the case (12).