U.S. patent application number 11/864007 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-20 for blast attenuating, blast directing and extinguishing apparatus.
Invention is credited to John K. McKenzie, Ernest Ogden.
Application Number | 20080282874 11/864007 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32749904 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080282874 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ogden; Ernest ; et
al. |
November 20, 2008 |
BLAST ATTENUATING, BLAST DIRECTING AND EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS
Abstract
An apparatus by which to attenuate, direct or extinguish the
resultant effects of a blast or explosion. This includes the use of
a spherical interior skinned apparatus (1) with an inner container
(2) that will deform and/or rupture easily in the event of a blast
or explosion therein. Membrane (16) rupture will occur on
compression of fluid (7) and air initially directing fluid/material
and debris in a less harmful direction. The apparatus (1) can be a
fixture, re-usable and portable for on site location. The apparatus
(1) will be constructed based on the anticipated force of blast or
explosion. The apparatus (1) will be re-usable in certain
environments such as in the event of disposal of several blast or
explosive items at different locations. The inner walls, which will
form the inner container (2), can be replaced in the event of a
blast or explosion. The containment fluid (7) and air to be added
at location or each application.
Inventors: |
Ogden; Ernest; (Bootle,
GB) ; McKenzie; John K.; (Bootle, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HUNTON & WILLIAMS LLP;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
1900 K STREET, N.W., SUITE 1200
WASHINGTON
DC
20006-1109
US
|
Family ID: |
32749904 |
Appl. No.: |
11/864007 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11671295 |
Feb 5, 2007 |
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11864007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
86/50 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B 39/14 20130101;
B65F 2210/13 20130101; F42D 5/045 20130101; B65F 2220/104 20130101;
B65F 2001/1494 20130101; B65F 1/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
86/50 |
International
Class: |
F42B 33/00 20060101
F42B033/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 5, 2004 |
GB |
PCT/GB03/00293 |
Claims
1. A blast attenuating, blast-directing and extinguishing
apparatus, comprising of an open mouthed inner container housed
within an open mouthed partially spherical outer container with a
cavity defined between the two containers containing a fluid with
extinguishing capabilities such as water, the walls of the outer
container being of uniform thickness and the upper ends of the
outer and inner containers being joined by a member having a number
of apertures adjacent the mouth of the inner container.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a blast direction, blast
attenuation and extinguishing apparatus.
[0002] Containers such as litterbins have been used by terrorists
to plant bombs in public places. As most the containers used for
public use are metal, explosives placed in such containers, are
dangerous because of the shrapnel generated from the break up of
the container body into fragments, which are rapidly dispersed in
random directions. Indeed, some areas have dispensed with such
litter bins and other storage areas because of their potential
risk.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
[0003] The invention is defined in the attached claims. All
subsequent passages of the description relate to preferred
combinations of optional features or exemplary embodiments of the
invention within the scope of the claims. A blast directing,
blast-attenuating and extinguishing apparatus and method comprises
a primary spherically interior shaped container with a secondary
inner container. A cavity defined between the two containers is a
containment means for fluid with good compression qualities to
reduce the initial force of the blast. The wall of the primary
container is uniform thickness other than in certain membrane
regions at the aperture part of the primary container, where the
wall is much thinner. An explosion or blast arising in the inner
container results in a compression force on the fluid inside the
cavity. The easiest escape route of the fluid from the cavity is
then through the thinner-walled membrane regions. Fluid and any
debris generated from the possible rupture of the inner container
are then directed out through the aperture, in a less harmful
manner than the radially directed debris from an explosion
occurring in an ordinary enclosure.
[0004] In a further assembly, in place of the membrane regions are
apertures through which fluid and debris can be displaced. The
aperture part of the unit may be detachable for the re-use of the
primary unit.
[0005] A blast attenuating, blast-directing and extinguishing
apparatus comprises a housing containing fluid having an inner wall
and an outer wall structure having one or a plurality of apertures
such that force from a blast applied to the inner wall causes an
increase pressure in said housing, the rise in fluid pressure
causing displacement of fluid and air through said apertures.
Energy from the blast is thus transformed to energy expended in
displacement of the fluid from the housing.
[0006] Advantageously, said apertures are covered with membrane
regions disposed in the outer wall structure, which membrane
regions are weaker in structure in comparison with the rest of the
outer wall structure, such that any rise in fluid pressure in the
housing cause preferential rupture of the membrane regions and
consequent exposure of said apertures.
[0007] The housing may be made of plastic, fibreglass, lightweight
metal or any adaptable material. The dimensions of the aperture can
be altered to direct the blast exhaust including debris from the
apparatus in a desired direction.
[0008] Advantageously, said membrane regions are disposed in the
aperture portion of said outer wall structure and oriented such
that fluid/material displacement through said apertures is
initially safely re-directed away from harms way.
[0009] Preferably, said inner wall forms all or part of a primary
container adapted to removeably receive a further container such as
a litterbin.
[0010] Advantageously, said outer wall structure forms all or part
of a primary container, which may be a hollow sphere of varying
wall thickness', said membrane regions being of lesser thickness
than the remainder of said outer wall structure.
[0011] Furthermore, said inner container is adapted to deform
and/or rupture easily in the event of a blast or explosion therein,
to thereby transfer lateral forces of the blast to the liquid in
the housing.
[0012] It is advantageous that said membrane regions are inclined
towards a central axis of the assembly and are disposed in
diametrically opposite pairs so that any membrane rupture produces
apertures in the housing from which jets of fluid/material and
debris of the inner container or said further container housed
therein, can emerge and the resultant opposing jets coincide on
said central axis. Energy from a blast in the assembly is thus
dispersed through collision of coincident jets of fluid and/or
debris, as well as through displacement of fluid from the
housing.
[0013] In a further embodiment of the present invention, said
apertures are continuous with tubing means into which water can be
displaced. In another embodiment said tubing means runs between
diametrically opposite membrane regions such that jets of fluid and
debris simultaneously arising from opposing regions will disperse
energy from the blast, through collision with one another in the
tube. The tube is further provided with one or a plurality of
perforations through which fluid can pass to extinguish any flames
below the tube. A canopy can be provided over said tubing to
attenuate any upwardly directed fluid and/or debris from the
assembly. The tubing may be u-shaped in cross-section.
[0014] In another embodiment of the present invention, the tubing
can run substantially vertically upwards to an area outside a
building in which the assembly is placed.
[0015] Preferably, one or a plurality of sealable means is provided
in the housing into which fluid can be placed and from which fluid
can be emptied.
[0016] Advantageously, the housing is only partially filled with
fluid. Where the housing is provided with membrane regions, the
air/gas above the fluid is compressible behind the membrane regions
when the fluid below is displaced towards the aperture portion of
the housing.
[0017] A base portion is provided for the housing to add stability
and reduce the likelihood of rolling if the assembly is tipped
over. A device for loading and emptying fluid from said container
can also be provided.
[0018] Said tubes may be adapted for ornamentation by plants, said
spheres may be used for advertising, and an optional seating area
placed around the outer face of said housing.
[0019] In accordance with a method for attenuating or re-directing
a blast, the energy and/or debris from an explosion is dispersed
through displacement of fluid or material in a specified direction.
The inner spherical nature of the device is the fundamental item,
which reduces and directs the force of the blast and the debris in
a desired direction.
[0020] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be
described with respect to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a spherical blast-attenuating
blast-directing assembly with apertures of the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a further embodiment of a blast assembly.
[0023] FIG. 3 is still further embodiment of a blast assembly with
containment hood.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the embodiment showing aperture and
membrane in FIG. 1,
[0025] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2
and 3
[0026] The assembly 1 comprises of an inner container 2 disposed
symmetrically inside a primary container 3. The primary container 3
comprises an aperture member 4 and a hollow sphere 5. The outer
walls 6 of the inner container 2, the inner walls of the primary
container 3, together with the upper member 4, define a housing in
which fluid 7 such as water can be disposed. An upper edge 8 of the
inner container 1 is disposed lower than an upper edge 9 of the
inner container 2. Upper member 4 spans the annular gap between
edges 8 and 9, respectively.
[0027] Upper member 4 is provided with diametrically opposed
membrane regions, circular or elongated in shape (FIGS. 4 & 5),
which are of a lesser thickness in comparison with the rest of the
upper member 4. These membrane regions prevent objects from being
inserted into the apertures 16 of assembly. The membrane regions
also enable compression of air between the upper member and the
surface of fluid contained, in the event of explosion, which
compression can aid uniform emergence of fluid from the apertures.
The upper member 4 may be moulded as an integral part of the
primary container or it may be a member separate from the primary
in inner containers for replacement.
[0028] The inner container is adapted to receive a further
container such as a litterbin (not shown). The inner container 2 is
made of a material, which will readily deform and/or collapse in
the event of an explosion inside the litterbin. Lateral forces
generated by collapse of the wall of the inner container generate a
pressure wave that causes uniform radial compression on the fluid
in the housing, compression of the gas above it and eventual fluid
breakthrough through the membrane regions, the weaker parts of the
primary container. Once perforated, the membrane regions define
apertures 16 through which jets of water and diverted debris
emerge. Because of the symmetrical arrangement of the membrane
regions and their inclination towards the central axis of symmetry
11 of the assembly, simultaneously emergent jets of water will
coincide over the central axis, and thereby disperse at this
location, some of the energy of fluid flow due to the blast.
Further sealable apertures 18 (only one shown) are provided in the
assembly as inlet and outlet means for said fluid.
[0029] A base member 12 is adapted to be attachable to any part of
the primary container. The base has three or more sides, and has an
overall width approximately equal to that of the sphere diameter.
Should the assembly be tipped on its side, the base will prevent it
from rolling.
[0030] In another embodiment shown in FIG. 2, tubes 13 can be
disposed continuous with apertures 16, which tubes can lead upwards
and/or outwards of a building or other container. Such an
embodiment can dispense with the membrane regions of the embodiment
in FIG. 1.
[0031] In a still further embodiment shown in FIG. 3, U-shaped
tubing 14 can run between diametrically opposite apertures 16. The
tubing can be provide with apertures 15 through which fluid from
the housing can be displaced, and thereby act as extinguishing
means in the event of the presence of a fire A hemispherical canopy
17 disposed over the u-shaped tubing will attenuate any upwardly
directed fluid and/or debris from the blast in the assembly.
[0032] In addition, the device can act as a fire-extinguishing
unit. If a fire is generated in the assembly through combustion of
material in the primary container, the internal walls can collapse
under the effect of heat to release the water over the fire.
* * * * *