US3726215A

US3726215A - Explosive destruct device

Info

Publication number: US3726215A
Application number: US00163228A
Authority: US
Inventors: D Colpitts; R Vigneault
Original assignee: US Department of Navy
Current assignee: US Department of Navy
Priority date: 1971-07-16
Filing date: 1971-07-16
Publication date: 1973-04-10
Anticipated expiration: 1990-04-10

Abstract

A compact destruct device which is designed to fit into the filler opening of a fuel cell in a critical airframe structure of an aircraft, for example. The device may be remotely controlled to terminate the flight of the aircraft if desired.

Description

Bite Sttes Patent Colpitts et al.

[ 51 Apr. 10, 1973 EXPLOSIVE DESTRUCT DEVICE Inventors: David A. Colpitts; Ronald R.

Vigneault, both of Ridgecrest, Calif.

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Filed: July 16, 1971 Appl. No.: 163,228

Assignee:

U.S. Cl ..l02/24 R, 102/56 Int. Cl ..F42b 3/00 Field of Search ..102/24, 56, 67

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l/l965 Urdapilleto -102/67 X Primary ExaminerVerlin R. Pendegrass Attorney-R. S. Sciascia et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A compact destruct device which is designed to fit into the filler opening of a fuel cell in a critical air frame structure of an aircraft, for example. The device may be remotely controlled to terminate the flight of the aircraft if desired.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR] 01m sum 1 OF 3 Fig.1

PATENTEUAPR 1 01m 3,726,215

Fig. 2

PATENTEUAPR 1 3,726,215

sum 3 OF 3 EXPLOSIVE DESTRUCT DEVICE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to flight termination destruct means for use in remotely controlled aircraft, for example, which might otherwise endanger populated areas.

The previous flight termination systems used on F9 aircraft, for example, consisted of an elongated box containing 43 pounds of explosives designed to cut the main structural member of the wings. The box was attached under the wing and besides being heavy and bulky it created additional air drag. According to the present invention flight is terminated by the function of an explosive charge installed in the filler opening, for example, of one or more inboard fuel cells. The device typically weights about 2.6 pounds and may be triggered by radio signal, which, through a series of coded electronic circuit configurations, operates safe and arm devices containing explosives components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of a second embodiment; and

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of a third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Indicated generally by numeral in FIG. 1 is a first embodiment of the invention designed to be placed in the fuel cell filler opening of an aircraft. The canister 11 is contoured to fit the filler opening and carries a top anvil member 12, a central anvil member 13 and a bottom anvil member 14. Between the anvils is a booster explosive plug 16 and surrounding the anvil members is an explosive 17 having a nylon inner liner 15. The detonating means is inserted so that a length of detonating cord 26 extends through the explosive members 16. The detonator means is connected to a safe and arm device in a manner disclosed in the above mentioned copending application, by a length of mild detonating cord 24. In this application, the canister is fitted with a cover plate 21 and a gasket 22. Obturating rings such as 18 and 19 may be placed where necessary in the assembly.

The explosive device 50 shown in FIG. 2 is modified by having the ends of

anvils

52, 53 and 54 tapered such that the explosive boosters 56, 57 act much on the order of a shaped charge device giving, in this case, a radial jet action. Explosives 51 may be the same as explosive 17 in FIG. 1. The canister, however, is greatly simplified in this embodiment.

The embodiment 60, shown in FIG. 3, has a canister 11' substantially identical to the canister in FIG. I. In this embodiment, however, only one charge 63 is placed between a top anvil 62 and a bottom anvil 65. The explosive material 69, thus, extends the full length of canister 11. Illustrated also is the method of securing the skin 70 to the canister by means of screws 71,

5 72. One or more of these screws may be drilled as is the case with screw 72 to accept safety wire 73. In any of the embodiments, it may be desirable to add locking lugs 74 to fit the inner contour of certain fuel cell filler openings.

10 What is claimed is:

I. An explosive charge comprising: at least one piece of toroidal explosive material having an elongated body with top and bottom circular surfaces and a central bore;

top and bottom anvil pieces each having a circular disk portion and a depending coaxial cylindrical portion; said disk portions abutting respectively the said top and bottom surfaces of said explosive charge with said depending portions extending into said bore;

explosive booster means in said central bore between said depending portions;

detonating means passing through said top anvil and connecting with said booster means a cylindrical housing for said explosive charge;

said top and bottom anvil pieces forming a top and bottom of said housing; and

means on said housing for securing the housing in an aircraft fuel cell filler opening and flush with surrounding surfaces.

2. An explosive charge comprising two separate pieces of toroidal explosive material each having an elongated body with top and bottom circular surfaces 35 and a central bore:

top and bottom anvil pieces each having a circular disk portion and a depending coaxial cylindrical portion;

said disk portions abutting respectively the said top and bottom surfaces of said explosive charge with said depending portions extending into said central bore;

explosive booster means in said central bore between said depending portions; and

detonating means passing through said top anvil and connecting with said booster means;

a central circular anvil piece between said pieces of explosive material with first and second depending portions of said anvil piece extending on opposing sides thereof into respective ones of said pieces of explosive material;

said explosive booster means including top and bottom booster pellets respectively filling spaces between the top anvil and the center anvil and between the center anvil and the bottom anvil; and

said detonating means, further, passing through said center anvil.

3. An explosive charge according to claim 2 further comprising:

a cylindrical housing for said explosive charge;

said top and bottom anvil pieces forming a top and bottom of said housing; and

means on said housing for securing the housing in an aircraft fuel cell filler opening and flush with sur rounding surfaces. 4. An explosive charge according to claim 2 further comprising:

a cylindrical housing for said explosive charge; said top and bottom anvil pieces forming a top and bottom of said housing; and means on said housing for securing the housing in an aircraft fuel cell filler opening and flush with sur- 5 rounding surfaces.

Claims

1. An explosive charge comprising: at least one piece of toroidal explosive material having an elongated body with top and bottom circular surfaces and a central bore; top and bottom anvil pieces each having a circular disk portion and a depending coaxial cylindrical portion; said disk portions abutting respectively the said top and bottom surfaces of said explosive charge with said depending portions extending into said bore; explosive booster means in said central bore between said depending portions; detonating means passing through said top anvil and connecting with said booster means a cylindrical housing for said explosive charge; said top and bottom anvil pieces forming a top and bottom of said housing; and means on said housing for securing the housing in an aircraft fuel cell filler opening and flush with surrounding surfaces.

2. An explosive charge comprising two separate pieces of toroidal explosive material each having an elongated body with top and bottom circular surfaces and a central bore: top and bottom anvil pieces each having a circular disk portion and a depending coaxial cylindrical portion; said disk portions abutting respectively the said top and bottom surfaces of said explosive charge with said depending portions extending into said central bore; explosive booster means in said central bore between said depending portions; and detonating means passing through said top anvil and connecting with said booster means; a central circular anvil piece between said pieces of explosive material with first and second depending portions of said anvil piece extending on opposing sides thereof into respective ones of said pieces of explosive material; said explosive booster means including top and bottom booster pellets respectively filling spaces between the top anvil and the center anvil and between the center anvil and the bottom anvil; and said detonating means, further, passing through said center anvil.

3. An explosive charge according to claim 2 further comprising: a cylindrical housing for said explosive charge; said top and bottom anvil pieces forming a top and bottom of said housing; and means on said housing for securing the housing in an aircraft fuel cell filler opening and flush with surrounding surfaces.

4. An explosive charge according to claim 2 further comprising: a cylindrical housing for said explosive charge; said top and bottom anvil pieces forming a top and bottom of said housing; and means on said housing for securing the housing in an aircraft fuel cell filler opening and flush with surrounding surfaces.