Patent · US Active

Systems and method for igniting explosives

US8578830B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
13References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 7, 2011
Grant dateNov 12, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 7, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF41H11/12
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Systems and methods are presented herein that provide for ignition of explosive devices through electric and/or electromagnetic discharge. In one embodiment, an electrostatic discharge is directionally propagated through air to conduct electric current to the explosive device. The electric current may ignite the explosive device via heat, via triggering of ignition circuitry, via induced electric current conduction to the explosive material therein and/or via direct electric conduction to the explosive material therein. Alternatively, or in addition to, electromagnetic energy may be directionally propagated to the device through a waveguide. Such electromagnetic energy may be in the microwave region and may heat and/or induce electric current in the explosive device. In either instance, the directionally propagated energy may be time varying. In one embodiment, a system is configured with a vehicle to distally position the directionally propagated energy to the explosive device such that damage caused by the device is inhibited.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.