Closed initiator system including explosive energy-initiatable blasting caps, and method
AssigneeHercules Incorporated
InventorDavid T. Zebree
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A closed initiator system for explosives containing one or more non-electrically initiated blasting caps containing an ignition charge ignitable by action of explosive energy of an explosive gas mixture, including means for removal of resident non-explosive gases from the blasting cap(s) to provide space for the explosive gas mixture and subsequent emplacement of the explosive gas in the blasting cap(s) for explosion and responsive ignition of the ignition charge. Means for removal of the resident non-explosive gases include evacuation means and gas displacement means. Method involving initiation of one or more of the blasting caps disposed in gas-tight relationship is also provided.
Claims20
A closed initiator system including at least one non-electrically initiatable blasting cap, which comprises:
- as said blasting cap(s), (1) a closed shell, (2) an ignition charge in said shell ignitable in response to action of explosive energy of an explosive gas mixture, and (3) conduit means communicating the interior of said shell with the exterior thereof and opening in said shell in operative relationship with said ignition charge therein to convey resident non-explosive gas being removed from said shell and convey an explosive gas mixture as a confined stream from outside said shell into position therein for explosion and responsive ignition of said ignition charge;
- separate means outside said shell connecting through said conduit means for (1) removal of at least a portion of resident non-explosive gas from said shell, (2) subsequent emplacement of said explosive gas mixture in said position for explosion of same, and (3) for then igniting said explosive gas mixture when so emplaced;
- and
- said conduit means and said shell of said blasting cap(s) disposed in gas-tight relationship with the other and with said means for removal of said non-explosive gas and subsequent emplacement of said explosive gas mixture and said means for igniting said mixture.
A method for initiating one or more non-electric blasting caps for detonation of a main explosive charge, when the blasting cap(s) contains an ignition charge ignitable in response to action of explosive energy of an explosive gas mixture, comprising maintaining said blasting cap(s) in gas-tight relationship as a closed system, removing resident non-explosive gas from said blasting cap(s), thereafter emplacing said explosive gas mixture in said blasting cap(s) in operative communication therein with said ignition charge for explosion and responsive ignition of said ignition charge, and then igniting, and concomitantly exploding, the emplaced explosive gas mixture.
A method for initiating one or more non-electric blasting caps for detonation of a main explosive charge, when the blasting cap(s) contains an ignition charge ignitable in response to action of explosive energy of an explosive gas mixture, comprising maintaining said blasting cap(s) in a closed system, evacuating at least a portion of the resident non-explosive gas from the blasting cap(s) to increase capacity of some for containing said explosive gas mixture, thereafter passing said explosive gas mixture into said blasting cap(s) into operative communication with said initiator charge for explosion and responsive ignition of said ignition charge, and then igniting said explosive gas mixture.
A non-electrically initiated blasting cap assembly including a plurality of non-electrically initiated blasting caps, each said blasting cap comprising (1) a closed shell, (2) an ignition charge in said shell ignitable in response to action of thermal detonation energy of an explosive gas mixture, (3) conduit means operatively extending into said shell so as to convey an explosive gas mixture into detonating position therein for responsive ignition of said ignition charge;
- gas evacuation means connecting outside each said shell with said conduit means for evacuation of initially present non-explosive gas from said blasting cap, prior to delivery of said explosive gas mixture into said shell;
- means for passing an explosive gas mixture from outside each said shell into and through said conduit means into said detonating position in said shell after said evacuation;
- each said conduit means communicating in gas-tight relationship with the other with each said shell, said evacuation means and said explosive gas delivery means;
- and
- means for igniting said explosive gas mixture for detonation of same when contained in said conduit means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.