GB2030684A

GB2030684A - Bomb circuit disrupting device and method

Info

Publication number: GB2030684A
Application number: GB7838563A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-09-28
Filing date: 1978-09-28
Publication date: 1980-04-10
Also published as: GB2030684B

Abstract

A device and method for disrupting bomb circuitry. The device is a light weight tubular member having a barrel loaded with a liquid missile which is expelled by the expansion of gas from a fired cartridge. The liquid upon rupturing and entering the bomb housing, disrupts the bomb circuitry and coats the interior of the bomb housing to prevent a fire outbreak. The gas expanding with considerable force upon entering the bomb housing further disrupts the circuitry and other structures therein. The liquid attains a velocity on the order of 500 ft./sec. requiring 500 microseconds to rupture and to enter the bomb housing. The element of time to accomplish this is less than the time required by a bomb circuit to be energized to detonate a bomb. The device and method have particular application in disrupting the bomb circuitry of home-made bombs.

Description

SPECIFICATION Bomb circuit disrupting device and method The present invention relates to bomb disrupting and deactivating devices.

U.S. Patent No. 4,034,497 discloses a handheld self-defense device which upon being triggered, causes water to become heated and expelled by gas generation of material within the water. U.S. Patent No. 1 567,659 discloses a hand-held weapon which upon being fired, causes a gas-producing substance to vaporize and be discharged. U.S. Patent No. 3,695,141 suggests the firing of a disc to disable a target device and U.S. Patent No. 2,404,441 discloses a device to either insulate the context of a circuit to prevent detonation or to reduce the temperature of a bomb to a point at which it will be held inactive by freezing.

We have sought to provide a simplified structure using water as a missile together with a gas from a fired cartridge which expands with considerable force acting to propel the water as a missile and acting in concert therewith in following thereafter to enter the bomb housing and further disrupt the same, the water upon entering the bomb housing first wets the same to prevent a fire outbreak.

Accordingly in one aspect the present invention provides a device for disrupting a bomb circuit which comprises an elongated housing containing a chamber adapted to hold a liquid missile and a cartridge adapted on being fired to provide an expanding gas to expel the liquid missile.

In another aspect the present invention provides a method of disrupting a bomb circuit within a bomb housing which comprises forming a liquid missile chamber within an elongated housing removably sealing the liquid in the missile chamber, providing an expanding gas generating means in a chamber adjacent the missile chamber, separating the chambers by a first rnleasable seal means, firing the gas generating means so that the liquid missile is expelling from the elongated housing and ruptures the bomb housing, the gas following the liquid into the bomb housing to further disrupt it.

The simply constructed readily portable device comprises a tubular housing having a chamberto hold a liquid missile and a cartridge therein which upon being fired provides an expanding gas to expel the missile under very high velocity. The expanding gas follows closely after the missile to enter the bomb housing directly thereafter and to further disrupt the contents of the bomb housing.

The liquid missile entering the bomb housing first wets the same to prevent a fire outbreak with the device acting to disrupt the bomb in a time interval. It is then necessary for the bomb detonating circuit to be energized and operative. It is one of the salient features of this device that when detonating the bomb no damage is caused by the device outside the bomb housing.

The invention is further illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which iike reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the device of the present invention in operating position; Figures 2 and 3 are views partially in vertical section showing the operation of the device of the present invention; Figure 4 is a view of the device of the present invention inside elevation; Figure 5 is a view in vertical longitudinal section of the device of the present invention on an enlarged scale; Figure 6 is a fragmentary view of a detail of structure in vertical section on an enlarged scale; and Figure 7 is a view in transverse section taken on line 7-7 of Figure 6.

In Figures 1 to 3, bomb circuit disrupting device 10 is shown in operating position secured by sand bags 17 and having its electrical lines 30 and 36 running to an energy source 19 such as the detonating device illustrated and being aimed at a bomb 15. Forward wall 21 of the bomb 1 5 is shown in ruptured condition and circuitry 20 therein is disrupted resulting from the impact of and penetration by liquid missile 40 followed closely by expanding gas 46a as will be described later. The use of sand bags for holding purposes is shown here for purpose of illustration and not for purpose of limitation.

Referring now to Figures 4 to 7, the device as here shown comprises a housing 25 of tubular form and this may be made very readily from conventional tubing material. The housing may be about one and one-half inches O.D. and ten to twelve inches in length. With the use of aluminium tubing for the housing, the operating weight of the device is only about one and one-half pounds.

The housing has a forward barrel or missile holding portion 38 forming a liquid holding missile chamber 40 therein and at the inner or rearward portion thereof is a releasable seal means 26 and there is a similar seal means 27 for firing or cartridge chamber 45 which is shown having therein an expanding gas generating means shown here as a cartridge 46 and shown therewith is a firing cap 47. The missile chamber 40 has an unrestricted passage therethrough. A loading of 6 grams of smokeless powder generates an expanding gas sufficient for operation of the device of the present invention as herein described. Said seal means are of known structure.

A breech member 31 is threaded onto the rear end portion of the housing and threaded therein is an insulator 33 having an electrode 32 disposed therethrough for engagement with the firing cap 47 and carried on the outer projecting end of the electrode is a terminal or lead 35 having a wire or line 36 in circuit with the electrode and running to the energy source 19.

A transverse socket 28 in the breech 31 receives a jack or plug 29 of the ground wire or line 30 which is in circuit with the energy source 19. The lines 30 and 36 are shown having attachment clips 30a and 36a.

Disposed in the chamber 38 is a liquid 40 and preferably the chamber has a capacity of about 100 grams. The liquid is preferably water or glycerine.

Overlying the forward end of the housing and the missile chamber is a readily dislodged or releasable cap seal 42 which may be made of for example a plastic material which is simply stretched tight or pressure fitted over the end of the housing.

In Figure 3, gases 46a from the fired cartridge 46 are shown expanding and passing through the shattered wall of the bomb 15 to further disrupt the circuitry therein.

The gases 46a upon expelling the water as a missile from the chamber 38 follow directly after the water and with considerable expanding force enter the bomb housing ruptured by the water to further disrupt the circuitry therein, the liquid thoroughly wetting the interior of the housing to prevent any outbreak of fire.

The most widespread use for the device of the present invention is with respect to homemade bombs which for the most part have as a container or housing, a cardboard box, a wooden box, a suitcase or an attache case.

The device of the present invention is positioned preferably within six to twelve inches of the bomb to be deactivated and may be secured in position by the use of fifty or sixty pound sand bags, as illustrated. The device of the present invention is readily accurately aimed at the bomb at such a short distance.

The cartridge will be fired from a safe point for example by use of any convenient energy source such as a battery as other current supply. The use of liquid as a missile particularly in the form of water provides what is practically an expense free readily available missile having a very high degree of effectiveness.

The front seal 42 of the housing is preferably a plastic cap or cover which is readily dislodged when the water is expelled by the firing of the cartridge 46.

The liquid 40 as a missile is judged to have a velocity of about 500 ftisec. and at this velocity in tests made the liquid in the form of water has shattered a 5/8 inch pine board at a distance of 2 feet. This velocity is attained by the use of a cartridge containing about 6 grams of smokeless powder. At the velocity indicated, the time for the liquid as a missile to penetrate and engage the circuitry within the bomb is about 500 microseconds (0.0005 sec.). It is estimated that the explosion time of typical bomb detonators is about 5 to 10 milliseconds (0.005 to 0.010 sec.) which is a substantially longer period of time than the penetration time for the liquid to enter the housing and to disrupt the bomb.There is an accompanying further disruption of the bomb by the considerable force of the expanding hot gases from the firing of the cartridge and these gases have a substantial additional effect in disrupting the bomb circuitry.

When the cartridge 46 is fired, the seals 26 and 27 are expelled from the housing by the gases generated from the fired cartridge and serve to provide a wall between the gases and the liquid expelled. The seals in effect provide a solid front for the gases expelling the liquid.

One of the significant advantages of the device of the present invention is the absence of damage caused outside the bomb housing. The liquid as a missile in effect spends itself in penetrating the bomb housing as do the gases following directly thereafter. This contrasts with the bomb deactivating devices which use a solid projectile or missile to penetrate the-bomb housing and which have the capability of passing right through the housing and of causing damage beyond the housing.

Among other significant features of the invention is the relatively small size of the device making it very readily portable and easy to position as in confined areas. The use of a liquid as a missile which is readily available makes the device easy to load and avoids the necessity of carrying a supply of missiles. Sand bags are easily handled to position the device but as an alternative, an appropriate carriage may be provided.

The device has proved to be very successful in operation.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A device for disrupting a bomb circuit which comprises an elongated housing containing a chamber adapted to hold a liquid missile and a cartridge adapted on being fired to provide an expanding gas to expel the liquid missile. 2. A device for disrupting the bomb circuit which comprises an elongated housing containing a missile chamber adapted to hold a liquid missile and a firing chamber containing means for generating an expanding gas, a first releasable seal means separating the chambers, the missile chamber having a discharge opening and an unrestricted passage through the missile chamber and the discharge opening, a second releasable seal overlying the discharge opening, in use the expanding gas expels the missile which ruptures and disrupts a bomb housing, and the expanding gas follows directly after the missile and enters and further disrupts the bomb housing. 3. A device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the elongated housing is formed as a tubular member, having an unrestricted passage therethrough, the discharge opening is formed by one end portion of the elongated housing, and the second seal is formed as a pressure fit cap member. 4. A device as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein the first releasable seal means comprises a pair of cup shaped seals in abutting oppositely facing relationship. 5. A device as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 5, including a breech member threaded onto the elongated housing enclosing the firing chamber, a firing cap in the firing chamber, and a line running to an energy source from the firing cap. 6. A device as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the elongated housing has a uniform passage therethrough formed into a missile chamber and a firing chamber by the first seal means. 7. A device for disruptinga bomb circuit substantially as herni4esribed and-with referencoe to tçáccompanying drawings. 8. Any novel element, or combination of elements, herein described and/or shown in the accompanying drawings, irrespective of whether the present claim is within the scope of, or relates to the same invention as, any of the preceding claims. 9. A methdd of disrupting a bomb circuitwithin a bomb housing which comprises forming a liquid missile chamber within an elongated housing, removably sealing the liquid inthe missile chamber, providing an expanding gas generating means in a chamber adjacent the missile chamber, separating the chambers by a first releasable seal means, firing the gas generating means so that the liquid missile is expelling from the elongated housing and ruptures the bomb housing, the gas following the liquid into the bomb housing to further disrupt it. 10. A method as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the missile chamber is filled with 100 grams of the liquid, and the gas generating means is adapted to expel the liquid at a velocity of 500 ft./sec. 11. A method as claimed in Claims 9 or 10, wherein the missile chamber is placed within six to twelve inches of the bomb housing, and the liquid is expelled to reach and rupture the bomb housing in 500 microseconds. 12. A method as claimed in any of Claims 9 to 11, wherein a remote means to fire the gas generating means is provided. 13. A method of disrupting a bomb circuit within a bomb housing substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. New claims or amendments to claims filed on 20th March, 1979. Superseded claims 1-1 3. New or amended claims: CLAIMS

1. A device for disrupting a bomb circuit which device comprises an elongated housing containing a missile chamber adapted to hold a liquid missile and a firing chamber containing means for generating an expanding gas, a first releasable seal means separating the chambers, the missile chamber having a discharge opening and an unrestricted passage through the missile chamber and the discharge opening which are of the same size, a second releasable seal overlying the discharge opening, in use the expanding gas expels the missile which ruptures and disrupts a bomb housing, and the expanding gas follows directly after the missile and enters and further disrupts the bomb housing.

2. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the first releasable seal means provides a front wall for the gases separating them from the liquid missile.

3. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the liquid missile after rupturing the bornb housing wets the interior thereof.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongated housing is formed as a tubular member, having an unrestricted passage therethrough, the discharge opening is formed by one end portion of the elongated housing, and the second seal is formed as a pressure fit cap member.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 4, wherein the first releasable seal means comprises a pair of cup shaped seals in abutting oppositely facing relationship.

6. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, including a breech member threaded on to the elongated housing enclosing the firing chamber, a firing cap in the firing chamber, and a line running to an energy source from the firing cap.

7. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the elongated housing has a uniform passage therethrough formed into a missile chamber and a firing chamber by the first seal means.

8. A device for disrupting a bomb circuit substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A novel element, or combination of elements, herein described and/or shown in the accompanying drawings, irrespective of whether the present claim in within the scope of, or relates to the same invention as, any of the preceding claims.

10. A method of disrupting a bomb circuit within a bomb housing which comprises forming a liquid missile chamber within an elongated housing, removably sealing the liquid in the missile chamber, providing an expanding gas generating means in a chamber adjacent the missile chamber, separating the chambers by a first releasable seal means, firing the gas generating means so that the liquid missile is expelling from the elongated housing and ruptures the bomb housing, the gas following the liquid into the bomb housing to further disrupt it.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the missile chamber is filled with 1 00 grams of the liquid, and the gas generating means is adapted to expel the liquid at a velocity of 500 ft./sec.

12. A method as claimed in claims 10 or 11, wherein the missile chamber is placed within six to twelve inches of the bomb housing, and the liquid is expelled to reach and rupture the bomb housing in 500 microseconds.

13. A method as claimed in any of claims 10 to 12, wherein a remote means to fire the gas generating means is provided.

14. A method of disrupting a bomb circuit within a bomb housing substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.