U.S. patent application number 11/279485 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-27 for apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving beyond-penetration results.
This patent application is currently assigned to Tech Energetics, Inc. a New Mexico corporation. Invention is credited to Thomas J. Schilling.
Application Number | 20080289529 11/279485 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40071196 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080289529 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schilling; Thomas J. |
November 27, 2008 |
APPARATUS FOR PENETRATING A TARGET AND ACHIEVING BEYOND-PENETRATION
RESULTS
Abstract
The specification and drawing figures describe and show an
apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving beyond-penetration
results. The apparatus includes a liner. The liner includes at
least one liner member formed of a penetrating material and one
liner member formed of a reactive material, and may include at
least one liner member formed of neither a penetrating nor reactive
material. The liner member is positioned in a housing. The housing
includes an explosive and means for detonating the explosive.
Inventors: |
Schilling; Thomas J.;
(Datil, NM) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICE OF RAY R. REGAN, P.A.
P.O. BOX 1442
CORRALES
NM
87048
US
|
Assignee: |
Tech Energetics, Inc. a New Mexico
corporation
Datil
NM
|
Family ID: |
40071196 |
Appl. No.: |
11/279485 |
Filed: |
April 12, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
102/307 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B 1/028 20130101;
F42B 1/032 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
102/307 |
International
Class: |
F42B 1/02 20060101
F42B001/02 |
Goverment Interests
U.S. GOVERNMENT INTEREST
[0001] The U. S. Government has a paid-up license in the apparatus
for penetrating a target and achieving beyond-penetration results,
and the right in limited circumstances to require the patent owner
to license others on reasonable terms, as provided by Contract Nos.
N68936-03-C-0018 arid N68936-04-C-0001 awarded by the U.S.
Department of the Navy.
Claims
1. An apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving
beyond-penetration results, comprising: a shaped charge liner,
wherein the shaped charge liner is formed of a penetrating material
adapted to form a penetrating stream of penetrating material to
penetrate the target following explosive collapse of the shaped
charge liner, and further wherein the shaped charge liner is
further formed of a reactive material adapted to form a reactive
stream of reactive material following explosive collapse of the
shaped charge liner for achieving beyond-penetration results; a
housing adapted to contain the liner, wherein an opening is formed
in one end of the housing through which the penetrating stream of
the penetrating material and the reactive stream of the reactive
material are discharged; a cavity formed between the liner and the
housing adapted to hold an explosive for the detonation of the
apparatus; and means for detonating the explosive to discharge at
least the leading penetrating stream and the trailing reactive
stream toward a target following explosive collapse of the shaped
charge liner.
2. An apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving
beyond-penetration results as recited in claim 1, wherein the
shaped charge liner further comprises a material other than a
penetrating material and a reactive material.
3. An apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving
beyond-penetration results as recited in claim 2, wherein the
shaped charge liner is further adapted to eject toward the target
one or more slugs of material from the shaped charge liner
following explosive collapse of the shaped charge liner.
4. An apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving
beyond-penetration results as recited in claim 3, wherein the means
for detonating the explosive is an initiator system mountable in
one end of the housing.
5. An apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving
beyond-penetration results as recited in claim 4, further
comprising a standoff adapted to direct detonation and explosive
collapse of the liner.
6. A shaped charge, comprising: at least one liner member formed of
at least one penetrating material for forming a leading penetrating
stream of penetrating material following explosive collapse of the
liner; at least one liner member formed of at least one reactive
material connected to the at least one liner member formed of at
least one penetrating material for forming a trailing reactive
stream of reactive material following explosive collapse of the
liner; a housing adapted to contain the at least one liner member
formed of a penetrating material and the at least one liner member
formed of a reactive material, wherein the housing further
comprises a cavity adapted to hold an explosive for forming one or
more streams composed of the penetrating material and reactive
material; and an initiator system mountable in the housing adapted
to detonate the explosive.
7. A shaped charge as recited in claim 6, further comprising at
least one liner member formed of neither a penetrating material nor
a reactive material connected to the at least one liner member
formed of a penetrating material and the at least one liner member
formed of a reactive material.
8. A shaped charge as recited in claim 7, wherein the at least one
liner member formed of at least one penetrating material, the least
one liner member formed of at least one reactive material, and the
at least one liner member formed of neither a penetrating material
nor a reactive material are collectively connected to form the
liner of a shaped charge.
9. A shaped charge as recited in claim 8, wherein the liner is
formed monolithically.
10. A shaped charge as recited in claim 8, wherein the liner is
formed by explosive welding.
11. A shaped charge as recited in claim 8, wherein the liner is
formed by diffusion bonding.
12. A shaped charge as recited in claim 8, wherein the liner is
formed mechanically.
13. A shaped charge as recited in claim 8, wherein the liner is
formed by mean of connection selected from the group of means for
selection consisting of adhesion, and/or friction welding, inertial
welding, electron beam welding, chemical bonding.
14. A shaped charge as recited in claim 6, wherein the liner is
formed with a cross-section selected from the group of
cross-sections consisting of cones, hemispheres, ellipses,
trumpets, tulips, and biconical shapes.
15. A shaped charge as recited in claim 6, further comprising a
standoff mountable on the distal end of the housing adapted to
direct detonation and explosive collapse of the liner.
16-20. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY
[0002] The apparatus and method disclosed and claimed in this
document pertains generally to explosive devices that not only
penetrate a target with at least one penetrating stream of
penetrating materials, but also deliver at least a second
penetrating stream of reactive materials for achieving
beyond-penetration results. More particularly, the new and useful
apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving beyond-penetration
results that is disclosed and claimed in this document pertains to
a shaped charge liner that, on detonation, collapses into streams
of material and slugs of material that both penetrate a target and
discharges beyond the target at least one reactive material that
causes and induces pressurization, impulses, heat and other effects
beyond the impact point of the target. The apparatus is
particularly, but not exclusively, useful in munitions and in
hydrocarbon recovery from oil and gas wells.
BACKGROUND
[0003] High penetration is an art well developed for shaped
charges. Achieving beyond-penetration-effects can both augment
lethality in weapons and, in another embodiment, provide for
enhanced oil and gas recovery. Current reactive metal-lined shaped
charge devices have poor penetration properties because the
reactive materials thus far chosen for use in making shaped charge
liners suffer inferior material properties for forming penetrating
streams, resulting in disappointing implementation. Attempts to
improve shaped charge weapon lethality using follow-through of
reactive materials also has failed to deliver substantial internal
effects in part because the slug or slugs that are formed and
ejected following explosive collapse of a shaped charge liner block
passage of a reactive stream of reactive material through an entry
hole formed in the target.
[0004] No one has suggested a structure either in the industry
literature or in patents for a shaped charge liner that combines
and connects metal and non-metal materials for a specifically
contemplated mission that requires both penetration and
post-penetration reactive results and effects. The absence of such
an apparatus probably results from the absence of any requirement
for such an apparatus by organizations currently funding research
and development in the field. In addition, teachings in the
industry suggest that coherent material stream formations and
predictable sequences of coherent streams of material would not be
possible.
[0005] Reactive metals such as aluminum, zirconium, magnesium and
similar metals have different dynamic properties than shaped
charges formed with penetrating materials composed of copper,
molybdenum, and similar metals. Teachings in the art assume that
use of those materials in a construct of the materials assembled
adjacent to one another in a shaped charge liner would likely
result in failure, and would not produce a jet or stream of the
materials described in this document (in this document,
individually a "stream" and collectively, "stream of
materials").
[0006] The inventor named in this document reasoned and then proved
by testing that while a metallurgical bond would facilitate
interface conditions to achieve stream coherency during collapse of
a liner composed of dissimilar metals, experiments also indicated
that formation of a stream of materials following detonation of a
shaped charge and the consequent collapse of the shaped charge
liner does not depend necessarily on a method of connecting the
adjacent materials used to make the shaped charge liner.
[0007] Another reason that likely explains the absence of an
apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving beyond-penetration
results arises from the feet that penetration of a target has been
the primary goal or object of shaped charge warheads. Shaped charge
engineers, therefore, have focused on penetrating a target, not on
both penetrating a target and achieving beyond-penetration results.
Accordingly, there has been little motivation to extend the art
beyond achieving penetration of a target.
[0008] However, a need exists in the industry for a new, useful
apparatus in the form of a shaped charge for both penetrating a
target and for achieving beyond-penetration results.
[0009] The apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving
beyond-penetration results as described and claimed in this
document provides a target-penetrating apparatus made of energetic
materials in the form, in at least one embodiment, of a shaped
charge that generates volume encompassing defects and results
beyond the point of impact on the target without sacrificing
penetration capabilities of the apparatus.
[0010] In at least one other embodiment of the apparatus for
penetrating a target and achieving beyond-penetration results (the
"hydrocarbon recovery embodiment"), the apparatus is capable of
perforating cemented well bore cases and geologic formations.
Thereafter a material stream subsequently pressurizes perforations
to increase the length and number of fractures, while opening the
fractures to enhanced hydrocarbon recovery. In the hydrocarbon
recovery embodiment of the apparatus, it should be understood that
after an oil and/or gas well is drilled, an act of "completion" is
undertaken in which the well is perforated. Perforations provide a.
means by which the well bore is interconnected to the geologic
formation. An additional process may be undertaken called
"fracturing." Fracturing is done quasi-statically or dynamically.
During the fracturing process the well bore is pressurized. In
addition, fractures are initiated in the geologic formations,
driven into the geologic formations, and interconnected.
Interconnecting the fractured materials can be achieved by the
apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving beyond-penetration
results as shown and claimed in this document.
[0011] Because of the unique combination of both a penetrating
material and a reactive material, the liner included in the
apparatus disclosed and claimed in this document will collapse
following detonation and explosion. The collapsing of the liner
will result in formation of a penetrating stream of materials
formed from penetrating material that penetrates a target. The
collapsing of the liner also will result in a reactive stream of
materials composed of reactive materials that follow the
penetrating stream through the target past the impact point. The
reactive stream of materials initiates energetic effects beyond the
point of impact. The inventor named in this document has confirmed
what no one else has confirmed, a penetrating stream of penetrating
material is inadequate to achieve beyond-penetration results. What
is needed is the addition of a reactive stream formed of a reactive
material for achieving beyond-penetration results.
SUMMARY
[0012] An apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving
beyond-penetration results includes a liner. The liner includes at
least one liner member formed of a penetrating material. The liner
also includes at least one liner member formed of a reactive
material that is connected to the at least one liner member formed
of a penetrating material. The liner may also include a liner
member formed neither of a penetrating material nor a reactive
material. The liner members may be connected by any of a variety of
connecting options including monolithically, by explosive welding,
by diffusion bonding, mechanically, by an adhesive, friction
welding, inertia welding, electron beam welding, chemical bonding,
and any other means for connecting liner members.
[0013] An apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving
beyond-penetration results also includes a housing. The housing is
adapted to contain the substantially conical liner prior to
detonation and explosion. When installed in the housing, the liner
defines an opening in one end of the housing. A penetrating stream
of the penetrating material for penetrating a target (in this
document, a "penetrating stream"), and a reactive stream of the
reactive material for achieving the beyond-penetration results (in
this document, a "reactive stream"), is discharged through the
opening formed in the liner. A cavity also is formed between the
liner and the housing. The cavity is adapted to hold an explosive
for detonation of the apparatus.
[0014] An apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving
beyond-penetration results also includes means for detonating the
explosive to collapse the liner and to discharge a penetrating
stream and a reactive stream through and past a target. At least
one means for detonating the explosive is an initiator system. In
addition, a standoff may be provided to provide a known or desired
distance between the apparatus and target. The standoff helps
directs detonation and explosive collapse of the liner.
DEFINITIONS
[0015] To better appreciate the disclosure and claims provided in
this document, the following terms have the following meanings:
[0016] The term "housing" means at least an axially symmetric body
that may have physical walls to support the explosive charge. The
housing for the shaped charge is an abstract space to which the
cavity extends.
[0017] The term "formed monolithically" means a manufacturing
process whereby the item is cast or molded resulting in a final
product such that a single structure is an undifferentiated
whole.
[0018] The term "initiation system" means a device that serves to
align explosive components used to initiate detonation in the
explosive contained in the cavity surrounding the shaped charge
liner. Components may include items such as a booster, a detonator,
fusing and sensor components typically found in shaped charge
devices.
[0019] The term "material" or "materials" means either or both
metal and non-metal substances.
[0020] The term "penetrating material" means at least a material
having the characteristics of being ductile, high-density materials
that may also have the property of low melt energy. Oxygen-free
high-conductivity copper is one example. Other non-exclusive
examples include tantalum, lead, silver, gold, aluminum,
molybdenum, nickel, and zinc. "Penetrating materials" also include
powder metals, gradient of powder metals, and gradient blends of
metals and alloys.
[0021] The term "reactive materials" means at least a material
having the characteristics of having substantial reaction
spontaneity, feasibility, and reasonable activation energy.
Reactive materials also reduce to small particles ("comminute")
when subjected to abrasion and similar forces that pulverize
reactive materials. Other non-exclusive examples of reactive
materials are aluminum, titanium, zirconium, some of their
respective alloys, some alloys of tantalum/tungsten at suitably
high strain and strain rates typically achieved during explosive
collapse of shaped charge liners.
[0022] The term "detonation and explosive collapse" and related
terms means an action induced in a shaped charge device whereby an
explosive detonation wave interacts with the liner to compress it,
thus forming (i) one or more streams of material originating from
the interior of the liner (the "air side"), and (ii) one or more
pieces, chunks, or slugs of material (in this document, "slugs")
formed from the exterior surface of a liner (the "explosive
side").
[0023] The term "explosively welding" means a solid state bonding
process that forms a metallurgical, electron-sharing bond between
adjacent metals.
[0024] The term "diffusion bonding" means a specific manner of
welding causing an interdiffusion of atoms in the joined materials.
Formation of bonds is at the atomic level. Mating surfaces are
brought together at high temperatures for a sustained period of
time. The process is usually conducted in a partial vacuum.
[0025] The term "mechanically connected" means an interlocking
joint between two materials, such as, for example, a dovetail
joint, or a tenon and mortise.
[0026] The term "adhesive" means a substance placed between two
materials that, after curing, form a molecular bond and
mechanically connects the components.
[0027] The term "beyond-penetration result" means thermo-chemical
and kinetic events occurring in the immediate area of a material
stream impact beyond an entry hole through a target In a weapons
application, beyond-penetration effects may be referred to as
"behind-armor-effects". At least three beyond-penetration-effects
are possible. Internal blast is characterized by pressurization of
a volume, shock waves, and sustained pressure, impulse effects
include phenomena such as entrainment of debris in blast waves that
result in multiple ricochets of material. Combustion effects
include heat flux, augmented sustained pressurization, and
sustained impulse. In a hydrocarbon recovery application
beyond-penetration-effects have some similar effects as in weapons
applications, but include, for example, well bore and perforation
pressurization resulting from the reaction of reactive liner
materials.
[0028] The term "mission" means the application or objective sought
to be accomplished by a user of the apparatus and methods described
and claimed in this document, such as a specific beyond-penetration
result sought to be accomplished.
[0029] The term "order" means the arrangement and grouping, both as
to sequence and number, of the material or materials used in the
assembly of a liner for a given mission.
[0030] The term "stream" means ejecta from detonation and explosive
collapse of a shaped charge device. A stream may include slower
moving aft components of the collapsed liner called a "slug" or
"slugs" in this document. A stream is formed from the interior of
the liner (as indicated, the air side). A slug is formed from the
exterior of the liner (as indicated, the explosive side). The
leading end of a stream is moving at approximately the velocity of
detonation of the explosive. The trailing end of a stream may move
at approximately one-quarter the speed of the leading end; a slug
may move at approximately one-sixteenth the speed.
[0031] The term "standoff" means a device that defines a distance
between the shaped charge device and the target. As shown in this
document, the standoff is a device that defines a distance, and may
be mountable on the housing A standoff may also be a combination of
a sensor and a fuse (not shown) that also activates when a desired
distance from a target, but may or may not be mountable on the
housing. The standoff may be necessary to provide a volume or void
into which a stream or streams of material may form and stretch or
extend to an optimal length without perturbation before impacting
or penetrating a target.
[0032] The term "comminute" or "comminution" means at least a size
reduction typically resulting from operations such as compression,
impact, attrition, nibbing, cutting, grating, shearing, filing, or
cutting.
[0033] It will become apparent to one skilled in the art that the
claimed subject matter as a whole, including the structure of the
apparatus, and the cooperation of the elements of the apparatus,
combine to result in a number of unexpected advantages and
utilities. The structure and co-operation of structure of the
apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving beyond-penetration
results will become apparent to those skilled in the art when read
in conjunction with the following description, drawing figures, and
appended claims.
[0034] The foregoing has outlined broadly the more important
features of the apparatus claimed, and includes useful definitions,
to better understand the detailed description that follows and to
better understand the contributions to the art. The apparatus for
penetrating a target and achieving beyond-penetration results is
not limited in application to the details of construction, and to
the arrangements of the components, provided in the following
description or drawing figures, but is capable of other
embodiments, and of being practiced and carried out in various
ways. The phraseology and terminology employed in this disclosure
are for purpose of description, and therefore should not be
regarded as limiting. As those skilled in the art will appreciate,
the conception on which this disclosure is based readily may be
used as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and
systems. The claims, therefore, include equivalent constructions.
Further, the abstract associated with this disclosure is intended
neither to define the apparatus for penetrating a target and
achieving beyond-penetration results, which is measured by the
claims, nor intended to limit the scope of the claims.
[0035] The novel features of the apparatus for penetrating a target
and achieving beyond-penetration results are best understood from
the accompanying drawing, considered in connection with the
accompanying description of the drawing, in which similar reference
characters refer to similar parts, and in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0036] FIG. 1 of the drawing is a perspective view of the apparatus
for penetrating a target and achieving beyond-penetration results
in an operative environment;
[0037] FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the apparatus for
penetrating a target and achieving beyond-penetration results in
the operative environment shown in FIG. 1;
[0038] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of one embodiment of the
liner of the apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving
beyond-penetration results;
[0039] FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of another embodiment of the
liner of the apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving
beyond-penetration results showing a stream of materials;
[0040] FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of yet another embodiment of
the liner of the apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving
beyond-penetration results showing a stream of materials with
legends correlated to the liner materials;
[0041] FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of yet another embodiment of
the liner of the apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving
beyond-penetration results in a hydrocarbon recovery
embodiment;
[0042] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a stream flow following
explosion of the apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving
beyond-penetration results in a hydrocarbon recovery
embodiment;
[0043] FIG. 8 is yet another a cross-sectional view of a stream
flow following explosion of the apparatus for penetrating a target
and achieving beyond-penetration results in a hydrocarbon recovery
embodiment; and
[0044] FIG. 9 is a detail view of a portion of FIG. 8.
[0045] To the extent that subscripts to the numerical designations
include the lower case letter "n," as in "a-n," the letter "n" is
intended to express a number of repetitions of the element
designated by the numerical reference and subscripts,
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0046] As shown in FIGS. 1-9, an apparatus for penetrating a target
and achieving beyond-penetration results 10 is provided that in the
broadest context includes a shaped charge liner ("liner") 12. As
shown in FIGS. 2-6, in one embodiment the liner is substantially
conical, but the cross-sectional shape of the liner 12 is not a
limitation of liner 12. The liner 12 includes at least one liner
member 14a formed of a penetrating material 16. The liner 12 also
includes at least one liner member 14b formed of a reactive
material 18. The at least one liner member 14a formed of a
penetrating material 16, and the at least one liner member 14b
formed of a reactive material 18, as well as any liner member 14n
not formed of either a penetrating material 16 or of a reactive
material 18, are connected to form the liner 12.
[0047] The liner members 14a-n may be connected in any of a variety
of ways, including monolithically, by explosive welding, by
diffusion bonding, mechanically, by adhesion using an adhesive,
friction welding, inertial welding, electron beam welding, chemical
bonding, or other means for connecting the liner members 14a-n.
[0048] An apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving
beyond-penetration results 10 also includes a housing 20. The
housing 20 is adapted to contain the liner 12. When installed in
the housing 20, the liner 12 defines an opening 22 in one end of
the housing 20. A penetrating stream 24 of the penetrating material
16 ("penetrating stream") for penetrating a target 26 and a
reactive stream 28 of the reactive material 18 ("reactive stream")
for achieving the beyond-penetration results are discharged through
the opening 22. A cavity 30 also is formed between the liner 12 and
the housing 20. The cavity 30 is adapted to hold an explosive 32
for the detonation of the apparatus 10 and to induce or cause
collapse of liner 12.
[0049] An apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving
beyond-penetration results 10 also includes a means 34 for
detonating the explosive 32 to discharge the penetrating stream 24
and the reactive stream 28, such as an initiation system 34'. In
addition, a standoff 36 may be provided. The standoff 36 is
mountable on the housing 20 to provide a volume into which the
penetrating stream 24 and reactive stream 28 may form and stretch
or extend to an optimal length without perturbation before
impacting or penetrating a target 26.
[0050] More specifically, in the embodiment illustrated by
cross-reference between FIGS. 1-2, an apparatus for penetrating a
target and achieving beyond-penetration results 10 is provided by a
shaped charge device 38 that shows a penetrating stream 24 that
impacts an impact point 40 on a target 26, forms an entry hole 42
through the target, and is followed by a reactive stream 28. The
reactive stream 28, as shown in FIGS. 1-2, initiates and causes
energetic effects beyond both the impact point 40 and the entry
hole 42.
[0051] In addition, as shown by cross-reference between FIGS. 1-2
and 7-9, a portion of the liner 12 that is collapsed following
detonation and explosion may contribute to beyond-penetration
results. As shown, following detonation of the explosive 32 in the
cavity 30, and the formation of a penetrating stream 24 and a
reactive stream 28, at least one slug 44 of material from a liner
member 14a-n may be discharged toward the target 26. A slug 44 may
be formed of reactive material 18. A slug 44 also may be formed of
one or more other materials from which a liner member 14a-n is
made.
[0052] Generally, a slug 44 moves more slowly toward the target 26
than the penetrating stream 24 and follows behind or trails the
penetrating stream 24 and any reactive stream 28. As indicated, the
penetrating stream 24 impacts the impact point 40 of the target 26,
continues through the target 26, thus forming an entry hole 42
through the target 26. The entry hole 42 tends to be jagged, with
one or more edges 46a-n that macerate or comminute the slug 44 into
particles 48 that continue into and past the target in a materials
stream, preferably a reactive stream 28. The particles 48 of the
reactive stream 28 contribute to beyond-penetration results desired
in a particular application of the apparatus for penetrating a
target and achieving beyond-penetration results 10.
[0053] Moreover, the size reduction of the particles 48 provides
for un-oxidized, high surface area particles to enter an
environment preconditioned to combust other materials efficiently.
The preconditioning event is the injection of the reactive
materials 18 in the form of a reactive stream 18, and its
exothermic reaction. Experimentation has disclosed that at least
the following materials are appropriate for utilizing selected
parts of the liner as follow-through components which comminute
Into finely divided particles 48 that contribute to the
beyond-penetration effects and results, whether in a weapons
application, or in a hydrocarbon recovery application of the
apparatus for penetrating a target, and achieving
beyond-penetration results 10.
[0054] The at least one liner member 14a formed of a penetrating
material 16, and the at least one liner member 14b formed of a
reactive material 18 connected to the at least one liner member 14a
formed of a penetrating material 16, as perhaps best shown in FIGS.
2-5, are made from materials selected on the basis of physical,
chemical, and structural properties, both static and dynamic. The
combination of materials selected to form an apparatus 10 depends
on a specific application for the apparatus 10. Thus, manufacture
or fabrication of the liner 12 may be from a single piece of
material or may be from multiple pieces assembled.
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 2-5, the liner 12 is shown with two liner
members 14a-b in FIG. 3, at least one liner member 14a formed of a
penetrating material 24, and at least one liner member 14b formed
of a reactive material 18. However, one or more liner member 14a-n
may be connected in any number of combinations and permutations
depending on the mission to be accomplished as shown in FIGS. 4-5.
The cross-sectional geometry of the shaped charge liner as shown in
FIGS. 1-5 is conical. However, the cross-sectional shape or shapes
of the liner 12 is not a limitation of the apparatus 10, and any
number of shapes for the liner 12 may be employed by those skilled
in the art. In addition, at least one liner member 14n formed of
neither a penetrating material 16 nor of a reactive material 18 may
by included in the liner 12 as shown in FIG. 5.
[0056] The at least one liner member 14a-n formed of a penetrating
material 16, the at least one liner member formed of a reactive
material 18, and the at least one liner member formed of neither a
penetrating material nor of a reactive material are collectively
referred to in this document as "liner members 14a-n." The liner
members 14a-n are in collective connection to form liner 12. The
terra "collective connection" as used in this document means that a
liner member 14a-n need only touch or be in contact with another
liner member 14a-n that is included in a liner 12. Thus, although
FIG. 3 shows a machined over-lapping tongue joint 50 for connecting
liner member 14a to liner member 14b, no bond or bonding is
necessary to securely connect liner members 14a-n.
[0057] As indicated, and as shown by cross-reference between FIGS.
2-5, liner member 14a is formed of a penetrating material 16. The
penetrating material 16 is a ductile, high-density metal. In a
preferred embodiment, the penetrating material 16 is oxygen-free
high-conductivity copper. However, a number of other materials may
be used as the penetrating material 16, including at least
tantalum, lead, silver, gold, aluminum, as well as non-metals.
[0058] As also shown by cross-reference between FIGS. 2-5, liner
member 14b is formed of a reactive material 18, and is connected to
the at least one liner member 14a formed of a penetrating material
18 is shown. As shown, the reactive material 18 is selected from a
group of reactive materials that has substantial reaction
spontaneity, feasibility, and reasonable activation energy for the
particular application intended for the apparatus 10.
[0059] The reactive material 18 also has property characteristics
that, upon detonation and explosion of the explosive 32, allows the
reactive material 18 to be reduced into smaller particles 48 by
actions typically associated with comminution, such as shearing,
attrition, impact, pulverization, maceration, filing and cutting.
Preferably, comminution of the reactive material 18 used to form
the at least one liner member 14b formed of reactive material 18
will shear into small flakes with comparatively high surface area.
Thus, reactive material 18 preferably includes materials that fail,
under comminution action, by adiabatic shear. Accordingly, the
reactive materials 18 may include at least aluminum, titanium,
zirconium, alloys of those metals, some alloys of tantalum combined
with tungsten, and depleted uranium. These metals, among others,
provide for varying reaction spontaneity, feasibility and
activation energy.
[0060] As also shown in FIGS. 2 and 4-5, the trailing reactive
stream 28 of the reactive material 18 follows the leading
penetrating stream 24 of the penetrating material 16 through the
entry hole 42 formed through the target 26 by the leading
penetrating stream 24. In a weapons application, the
beyond-penetration results would be, for example, to destroy or
disable munitions, interior surfaces, fuel storage and similar
secondary targets. In an oil and gas well perforating charge
application, the penetrating stream 24 substantially penetrates a
geologic formation, as shown by cross-reference to FIGS. 6-9. The
trailing reactive stream 28 provides additional penetration. The
reactive stream 28 initiates an energetic event, which increases
the pressure and generates heat in a confined space beyond the
preliminary target, whether an armored or fortified military
target, or an oil and gas well geologic perforation.
[0061] The energetic event is an environmental preparation for
follow-through material generated by a stream of particles 48
adapted to sustain additional beyond-penetration results following
detonation of the explosive 32. As a result, in a weapons
application as shown in FIGS. 1-5, lethality past the impact point
at the target 26 is increased. As shown in FIGS. 6-9, in an oil and
gas well perforating application, fractures 52 initiate and
propagate in geologic formations 54 from the geologic perforations
56, interconnect with natural fractures (not shown), while some
reaction (combustion) products and other materials open the
fractures 52 and other reaction materials maintain such open
fractures 52 in an open configuration, thus providing for enhanced
hydrocarbon recovery.
[0062] FIGS. 4-5 and 6-9 show alternative embodiments of the
apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving beyond-penetrating
results 10 . As shown in FIGS. 4-5, liner 12 is formed of more than
two liner members 14a-n. As shown, by way of example, at least one
liner member 14c formed of a penetrating material 16 is provided.
In addition, a liner member 14d and 14d' formed of a reactive
material 18 is connected to the at least one liner member 14c
formed of a penetrating material 16.
[0063] To assist in an understanding of the unique contributions
made to the art by the apparatus for penetrating a target and
achieving beyond-penetration results 10, FIGS. 4-5 include
correlative cross-hatching and legends. Thus, the cross-hatching of
penetrating material 14c in liner 12' correlates to the
cross-hatching of slug 44. All three liner members are collectively
connected. The choice of materials 16,18 for the respective liner
members 14a-n is dictated by the intended mission or application of
the apparatus 10 in an operative environment. For example, the
combination and permutation of liner members 14a-n may depend on or
be dictated by thermo-chemical requirements such as increasing the
combustion and/or reaction spontaneity, or reducing activation
energy required to initiate and sustain beyond-penetration
results.
[0064] As shown in cross-reference between FIGS. 6-9, an apparatus
for penetrating a target and achieving beyond-penetration results
10 is shown in an operative environment for use in an oil and gas
well perforating charge application. As shown, a shaped charge
liner 12n composed of at least one liner member 14a formed of a
penetrating material 16, and at least one liner member 14b formed
of a reactive material 18, is oriented for discharge against a well
casing 58. In some instances, a well casing 58 may not be present.
In such instances, the shaped charge liner 12n may be oriented for
penetration of concrete 60 adjacent to a geologic formation 54. In
the absence of either a well casing 58 or a concrete liner 60, the
shaped charge liner 12n may be oriented for penetration of the
geologic formation 54.
[0065] FIG. 7 shows particles 48' of reactive material 18
penetrating the geologic formation 54 following penetration of the
target 26'. The beyond-penetration results achieved in this
embodiment are shown in FIGS. 8-9. Reaction of the comminuted
reactive materials takes place (represented diagrammatically by the
letter "A" on FIG. 8), pressurizing the perforation in initiation
of a fracture 52'' in the geologic perforation. FIG. 9 shows that
as a result of the beyond-penetration actions, combustion products
from the reaction form relatively hard materials, preferably of
aluminum oxide if an aluminum reactive material is used. The
fracture 52'' is expanded or opened, allowing enhanced hydrocarbon
recovery.
[0066] The apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving
beyond-penetration results shown in drawing FIGS. 1 through 9
includes a number of embodiments, but the embodiments are not
intended to be exclusive, merely illustrative of the disclosed but
non-exclusive embodiments.
[0067] Claim elements and steps in this document have been numbered
solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Claim elements
and steps have been numbered solely as an aid in readability and
understanding. The numbering is not intended to, and should not be
considered as intending to, indicate the ordering of elements and
steps in the claims. Means-plus-function clauses in the claims are
intended to cover the structures described as performing the
recited function that include not only structural equivalents, but
also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and screw may not
be structural equivalents, in the environment of the subject matter
of this document a nail and a screw may be equivalent
structures.
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