U.S. patent application number 12/336796 was filed with the patent office on 2011-10-06 for reactive shaped charge, reactive liner, and method for target penetration using a reactive shaped charge.
Invention is credited to Thomas H. Bootes, George D. Budy, Wayne Lee, Richard K. Polly, Jason M. Shire, Jesse T. Waddell.
Application Number | 20110239888 12/336796 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44708109 |
Filed Date | 2011-10-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110239888 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Waddell; Jesse T. ; et
al. |
October 6, 2011 |
REACTIVE SHAPED CHARGE, REACTIVE LINER, AND METHOD FOR TARGET
PENETRATION USING A REACTIVE SHAPED CHARGE
Abstract
Embodiments of a reactive shaped charge, a reactive liner, and a
method for penetrating a target are generally described herein. The
reactive shaped charge comprises a reactive liner having a matrix
of reactive metal particles in a hydrocarbon fuel, a high
explosive, and an inner barrier separating the reactive liner from
the high explosive. The hydrocarbon fuel fills the interstitial
spacing between the reactive metal particles, and the matrix is
tightly packed or compresses to exhibit a solid like property.
Inventors: |
Waddell; Jesse T.; (Tucson,
AZ) ; Bootes; Thomas H.; (Tucson, AZ) ; Budy;
George D.; (Tucson, AZ) ; Polly; Richard K.;
(Tucson, AZ) ; Shire; Jason M.; (Tucson, AZ)
; Lee; Wayne; (Vail, AZ) |
Family ID: |
44708109 |
Appl. No.: |
12/336796 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61060632 |
Jun 11, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
102/307 ;
102/309 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B 1/032 20130101;
F42B 1/028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
102/307 ;
102/309 |
International
Class: |
F42B 1/028 20060101
F42B001/028; F42B 1/032 20060101 F42B001/032; F42B 1/036 20060101
F42B001/036 |
Claims
1. A reactive shaped charge comprising: a reactive liner comprising
a matrix of reactive metal particles in a liquid hydrocarbon fuel;
a high explosive; and an inner barrier separating the reactive
liner from the high explosive.
2. The shaped charge of claim 1 wherein the reactive liner is
provided in a sealed region between an outer barrier and the inner
barrier.
3. The shaped charge of claim 2 wherein the liquid hydrocarbon fuel
fills an interstitial spacing between the reactive metal particles,
wherein the matrix is tightly packed to exhibit a solid property,
and wherein the reactive liner is free of oxidant.
4. The shaped charge of claim 2 wherein the liquid hydrocarbon fuel
fills an interstitial spacing between the reactive metal particles,
wherein the matrix is tightly packed to exhibit a solid property,
and wherein the reactive liner includes an oxidant.
5. The shaped charge of claim 3 wherein the reactive metal
particles comprise a single reactive metal selected from the group
consisting of aluminum, magnesium, zirconium, titanium and
boron.
6. The shaped charge of claim 3 wherein the reactive metal
particles comprise two or more reactive metals selected from the
group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, zirconium, titanium and
boron, and wherein the two or more metals are selected for reactive
burn rate and matrix effective density.
7. The shaped charge of claim 3 wherein the sealed region between
the inner barrier and the outer barrier comprising the reactive
liner is hermetically sealed.
8. The shaped charge of claim 3 wherein the inner barrier and the
outer barrier have a trumpet-like shape to provide the reactive
liner in a trumpet-like shape with an apex toward a detonator of
the shaped charge.
9. The shaped charge of claim 8 wherein when the high explosive is
detonated, the reactive liner forms a jet directed in a direction
of a target, and wherein the matrix of reactive metal particles and
the liquid hydrocarbon fuel is configured to disperse and mix with
ambient air within a target space and then rapidly combust after
perforation of a protective target barrier.
10. The shaped charge of claim 3 further comprising one or more
liner fill ports to allow the sealed region to be filled with the
matrix.
11. The shaped charge of claim 10 wherein the sealed region is
configured to be filled through the liner fill ports by performing
a process that includes: pouring the matrix of the reactive metal
particles and the liquid hydrocarbon fuel into the region through
the liner fill ports; waiting for the reactive metal particles to
settle and for any excess liquid hydrocarbon fuel to form on a top
surface near the liner fill ports; removing the excess liquid; and
repeating the pouring, waiting and removing to completely fill the
region and maximize a density of the matrix.
12. The shaped charge of claim 3 wherein the reactive liner is
formed by a pressing operation to pre-form the matrix in a shape
for installation in the shaped charge.
13. The shaped charge of claim 3 wherein the reactive liner is
formed by a pressing operation to form the reactive liner from the
matrix within the shaped charge.
14. The shaped charge of claim 3 wherein both the inner barrier and
the outer barrier have conical shapes with differing apex angles to
define the reactive liner having a conical shape with an apex
toward a detonator of the shaped charge.
15. The shaped charge of claim 3 wherein the inner barrier has a
conical shape and the outer barrier provides a flat base of the
conical shape to define the reactive liner, the sealed region
comprising a volume of a cone.
16. The shaped charge of claim 3 wherein the inner barrier has a
trumpet-like shape and the outer barrier has a hemispherical shape
to define the sealed region that comprises the reactive liner.
17. The shaped charge of claim 3 wherein both the inner barrier and
the outer barrier have the hemispherical shape and define the
sealed region that comprises the reactive liner, the hemispherical
shape being convex toward a detonator.
18. The shaped charge of claim 3 wherein the inner barrier has the
hemispherical shape and the outer barrier provides a flat base to
define the sealed region, the hemispherical shape being convex
toward a detonator.
19. The shaped charge of claim 3 wherein the reactive liner and the
high explosive are arranged in a stacked configuration within a
casing.
20. The shaped charge of claim 1 wherein a plurality of pre-formed
metal shapes are provided for fragmentation effects on a target
within an outer region of a casing outside a region containing the
high explosive.
21. A reactive liner for use in a shaped charge, the reactive liner
comprising a matrix of reactive metal particles in a hydrocarbon
fuel, wherein the liquid hydrocarbon fuel fills in an interstitial
spacing between the reactive metal particles, and wherein the
matrix is tightly packed to exhibit a solid property.
22. The reactive liner of claim 21 wherein the reactive liner is
free of oxidant.
23. The reactive liner of claim 21 wherein the reactive liner
includes an oxidant.
24. The reactive liner of claim 22 wherein the reactive metal
particles comprise a single reactive metal selected from the group
consisting of aluminum, magnesium, zirconium, titanium and
boron.
25. The reactive liner of claim 22 wherein the reactive metal
particles comprise a two or more reactive metals selected from the
group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, zirconium, titanium and
boron, and wherein the two or more metals are selected for reactive
burn rate and matrix effective density.
26. The reactive liner of claim 22 wherein a high explosive of the
shaped charge is detonated, the reactive liner forms a jet directed
toward a target, and wherein the matrix of reactive metal particles
and the liquid hydrocarbon fuel disperses and mixes with ambient
air within a target space followed by rapid combustion after
perforation of a protective target barrier.
27. The reactive liner of claim 22 wherein the liquid hydrocarbon
fuel is in a liquid state, and wherein the reactive liner is
configured to have a low effective shear strength in tension.
28. The reactive liner of claim 22 wherein the reactive liner is
formed by a pressing operation to pre-form the matrix in a shape
for installation in the shaped charge.
29. The reactive liner of claim 22 wherein the reactive liner is
formed by a pressing operation to form the reactive liner from the
matrix within a shaped charge.
30. A method for penetrating a target comprising: providing a
reactive shaped charge having a reactive liner comprising a matrix
of reactive metal particles in a liquid hydrocarbon fuel, a high
explosive, and an inner barrier separating the reactive liner from
the high explosive; launching the reactive shaped charge toward a
target; and detonating the high explosive to cause the reactive
liner to form a high velocity jet to perforate protective target
barriers and to disperse and mix with air in a target space
followed by a rapid combustion of the reactive metal particles, the
liquid hydrocarbon fuel and the air.
31. The method of claim 30 wherein the reactive liner is provided
in a sealed region between an outer barrier and the inner barrier,
wherein the liquid hydrocarbon fuel fills an interstitial spacing
between the reactive metal particles, wherein the matrix is tightly
packed to exhibit a solid property, and wherein the reactive liner
is free of oxidant.
32. The method of claim 30 wherein the reactive liner is provided
in a sealed region between an outer barrier and the inner barrier,
wherein the liquid hydrocarbon fuel fills an interstitial spacing
between the reactive metal particles, wherein the matrix is tightly
packed to exhibit a solid property, and wherein the reactive liner
includes an oxidant.
33. The method of claim 31 wherein the inner barrier and the outer
barrier have a trumpet-like shape to provide the reactive liner
having a trumpet-like shape with an apex toward a detonator of the
shaped charge.
34. The method of claim 33 wherein the reactive metal particles
comprise a single reactive metal selected from the group consisting
of aluminum, magnesium, zirconium, titanium and boron.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Patent Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/060,632, filed Jun. 11, 2008
entitled "APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR REACTIVE SHAPED CHARGE", the
entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Some embodiments pertain to reactive shaped charges and
shaped-charge warheads. Some embodiments pertain to reactive
materials. Some embodiments pertain to reactive liners suitable for
use in lined shaped charges. Some embodiments pertain to warheads
and precision lethal technology.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A lined shaped charge generates an enormous amount of
pressure by detonation of an explosive to drive a liner to
penetrate a target. In conventional shaped charges, the residual
liner material perforates a target's protective barrier and enters
a confined target space. Because many conventional shaped charges
use inert liner material, the residual liner material deposits only
a small amount of energy, in the form of heat and pressure, before
exiting the target. Conventional penetrating warheads require
allocation of substantial warhead mass to survive an impact with a
target and to perforate a protective target barrier to enable
detonation of energetic materials within the target space.
[0004] Thus, what are needed are reactive shaped charges that are
capable of perforating protective target barriers followed by
signification energy release inside the confined target space. What
are also needed are reactive liners suitable for use in shaped
charges, and warheads that maximize the allocation of payload mass
to the energetic verses inert material components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates a reactive shaped charge in accordance
with some embodiments;
[0006] FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate shaped charges with shaped reactive
liners in accordance with various embodiments;
[0007] FIGS. 2F-2H illustrate warheads with reactive liners in
accordance with various stacked configuration embodiments;
[0008] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate side and perspective views of a
warhead with a reactive liner in accordance with some
embodiments;
[0009] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate side and perspective views of a
warhead with a reactive liner in accordance with some other
embodiments; and
[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of a hyperbaric TOW
Bunker Buster warhead in accordance with some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The following description and the drawings sufficiently
illustrate specific embodiments to enable those skilled in the art
to practice them. Other embodiments may incorporate structural,
logical, electrical, process, and other changes. Examples merely
typify possible variations. Individual components and functions are
optional unless explicitly required, and the sequence of operations
may vary. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included
in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments. Embodiments set
forth in the claims encompass all available equivalents of those
claims.
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a reactive shaped charge in accordance
with some embodiments. Reactive shaped charge 100 includes reactive
liner 102, high explosive 104, and inner barrier 106 separating
reactive liner 102 from high explosive 104. In accordance with some
embodiments, reactive liner 102 may comprise a matrix of reactive
metal particles in a hydrocarbon fuel. Reactive liner 102 may be
provided in a sealed region 105 between outer barrier 108 and inner
barrier 106. Reactive shaped charge 100 may also include detonator
112 and casing 110 as illustrated, as well as other elements
associated with conventional shaped charges.
[0013] In accordance with some embodiments, the hydrocarbon fuel
fills the interstitial spacing between the reactive metal particles
to provide the matrix that comprises reactive liner 102. The matrix
may be tightly packed to exhibit a solid property and so as to
retain its shape unsupported by any structural housing exhibiting a
non-liquid quality (i.e., a solid or solid-like property).
[0014] In some embodiments, reactive liner 102 is free of oxidant.
In these embodiments, because the reactive liner is free from and
devoid of an oxidant, any reaction may be delayed until liner 102
is dispersed and exposed to oxygen in the confined space of the
target.
[0015] In some alternate embodiments, reactive liner 102 may
include an oxidant, such as ammonium perchlorate or a synthetic
fluoro-polymer, although the scope of the embodiments is not
limited in this respect. Examples of synthetic fluoro-polymers
include poly-tetra-fluoro-ethylene or poly-tetra-fluoro-ethene
(PTFE).
[0016] In some embodiments, the reactive metal particles of the
matrix may comprise a single reactive metal selected from the group
consisting of aluminum, magnesium, zirconium, titanium and boron.
In these embodiments, almost any metal that reacts with air or
oxygen may be used. In some embodiments, metalloids may be used.
Metalloids may have properties of both metals and non-metals.
[0017] In some alternate embodiments, the reactive metal particles
may comprise two or more reactive metals selected from the group
consisting of aluminum, magnesium, zirconium, titanium and boron.
The two or more metals may be selected for reactive burn rate and
matrix effective density, although the scope of the embodiments is
not limited in this respect. In these embodiments, metalloids may
also be used.
[0018] In some embodiments, sealed region 105 provided between
inner barrier 106 and outer barrier 108 may be hermetically sealed,
although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this
respect.
[0019] In some embodiments, inner barrier 106 and outer barrier 108
may have a trumpet-like shape (as shown in FIG. 1) to provide
reactive liner 102 in a trumpet-like shape with apex 116 toward
detonator 112. When high explosive 104 is detonated, reactive liner
102 may form a jet directed in direction 114 (i.e., toward a
target). The matrix of reactive metal particles and hydrocarbon
fuel may disperse and mix with ambient air within a target space
and may then rapidly combust after perforation of a protective
target barrier.
[0020] In some embodiments, reactive liner 102 may be configured to
have a low effective shear strength in tension. In these
embodiments, the effective shear strength of reactive liner 102 may
be lower than some conventional liners that, for example, include
metal particles suspended in a wax. In accordance with embodiments
of the present invention, reactive liner 102 may act like a liquid
(shear flow) under high pressure (e.g., when high explosive 104
ignites).
[0021] In some embodiments, reactive shaped charge 100 may include
one or more liner fill ports 103 to allow sealed region 105 to be
filled with the matrix of reactive metal particles and hydrocarbon
fuel. Sealed region 105 may be filled through liner fill ports 103
by performing a process that includes pouring the matrix of
reactive metal particles and hydrocarbon fuel into region 105
through liner fill ports 103. The process may also include waiting
for the reactive metal particles to settle and for excess liquid
comprising the hydrocarbon fuel to form on a top surface near liner
fill ports 103. The process may also include removing the excess
liquid and/or the pouring, waiting and removing until region 105 is
completely filled and/or until the density of the matrix is
maximized. In some embodiments, this "settling-out" process may
include pressing or compressing the matrix to help maximize or
customize the density. Once region 105 is completely filled and/or
the density of the matrix is maximized, the matrix may exhibit a
solid property.
[0022] In some embodiments, the matrix may be initially provided in
a slurry form with a lower density and steps of the process may be
repeated to increase the density of the matrix or until a minimum
density (e.g., between 2 and 4 g/cc) is achieved. In these
embodiments, the hydrocarbon fuel may be in a liquid state,
although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this
respect. In other embodiments, the hydrocarbon fuel may be in a gas
state. In other embodiments, the matrix may be provided in a higher
density form in which the matrix is compressed to reduce the
interstitial spacing between the metal particles and displace the
lower density hydrocarbon fuel.
[0023] In some alternate embodiments, a pressing operation may be
performed to pre-form solid liners from the matrix. These
pre-formed solid lines may be installed in a shaped charge.
Alternatively, a pressing operation may be performed "in-situ" to
form the solid liner in the shaped charge, although the scope of
the embodiments is not limited in this respect.
[0024] In the alternate embodiments that reactive liner 102
includes an oxidant, the oxidant may be mixed in with the metal
particles and the hydrocarbon fuel before the settling out and/or
pressing operations described above.
[0025] In some embodiments, inner barrier 106 may comprise metallic
material, such as copper, aluminum, titanium, and tantalum. In some
other embodiments, inner barrier 106 may comprise a non-metallic
material, such as nylon. In some embodiments, outer barrier 108 may
comprise copper, aluminum, titanium, and tantalum. In some
embodiments, high explosive 104 may be a HMX based composition,
such as PBXN-110, or may comprise RDX based compositions although
other high explosives may also be suitable. In some embodiments,
the hydrocarbon fuel used in reactive liner 102 may comprise a jet
fuel such as JP-5, JP-8 or JP-10, although other fuels, such as
kerosene, gasoline and diesel may also be suitable.
[0026] Although reactive liner 102 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as
having a trumpet-like shape, the scope of the embodiments is not
limited in this respect as reactive liner 102 may be configured to
have almost any shape. Some of these other embodiments are
described in more detail below. Reactive shaped charge 100, as well
as the various embodiments that use reactive liner 102 discussed
below, may be suitable for use as a warhead in guided and unguided
anti-tank missiles, spun and unspun gun-fired projectiles, rifle
fired grenades, mines bomblets, torpedoes as well as other launched
projectiles and missiles.
[0027] FIG. 2A illustrates shaped charge 230 with a conical-shaped
reactive liner 102 in accordance with some embodiments. Shaped
charge 230 includes reactive liner 102, high explosive 104, and
inner barrier 106 separating reactive liner 102 from high explosive
104. Reactive liner 102 may comprise a matrix of reactive metal
particles in a hydrocarbon fuel as discussed above. In shaped
charge 230, both inner barrier 106 and outer barrier 108 have
conical shapes with differing apex angles to define reactive liner
102 having a conical shape with apex 116 toward detonator 112.
Shaped charge 230 may also include fill ports 103.
[0028] FIG. 2B illustrates shaped charge 240 with a conical-shaped
reactive liner in accordance with some other embodiments. Reactive
shaped charge 240 includes reactive liner 102, high explosive 104,
inner barrier 106 separating reactive liner 102 from high explosive
104, and detonator 112. Reactive liner 102 may comprise a matrix of
reactive metal particles in a hydrocarbon fuel as discussed above.
In these embodiments, inner barrier 106 has a conical shape and
outer barrier 108 provides a flat base to define reactive liner
102. In these embodiments, sealed region 105 may comprise a volume
of a cone.
[0029] FIG. 2C illustrates shaped charge 270 with a shaped reactive
liner in accordance with some embodiments. Reactive shaped charge
270 includes reactive liner 102, high explosive 104, and inner
barrier 106 separating reactive liner 102 from high explosive 104.
Reactive liner 102 may comprise a matrix of reactive metal
particles in a hydrocarbon fuel as discussed above. In these
embodiments, inner barrier 106 has a trumpet-like shape and outer
barrier 108 has hemispherical shape 218 to define sealed region 105
that comprises reactive liner 102. Apex 216 of inner barrier 106 is
nearer detonator 112 as shown. In some embodiments, shaped charge
270 may include fill ports (not illustrated).
[0030] FIG. 2D illustrates shaped charge 250 with a shaped reactive
liner in accordance with some embodiments. Reactive shaped charge
250 includes reactive liner 102, high explosive 104, and inner
barrier 106 separating reactive liner 102 from high explosive 104.
Reactive liner 102 may comprise a matrix of reactive metal
particles in a hydrocarbon fuel as discussed above. In these
embodiments, both inner barrier 106 and outer barrier 108 have a
curved (e.g., hemispherical) shape as shown to define sealed region
105 that comprises reactive liner 102. In these embodiments,
reactive liner 102 may have a curved shape that is convex with
respect to detonator 112. In some embodiments, shaped charge 250
may also include fill ports 103.
[0031] FIG. 2E illustrates shaped charge 260 with a shaped reactive
liner in accordance with some embodiments. Reactive shaped charge
260 includes reactive liner 102, high explosive 104, and inner
barrier 106 separating reactive liner 102 from high explosive 104.
Reactive liner 102 may comprise a matrix of reactive metal
particles in a hydrocarbon fuel as discussed above. In these
embodiments, inner barrier 106 may have a curved (e.g.,
hemispherical) shape and outer barrier 108 may be substantially
flat to define sealed region 105. In these embodiments, the curved
shape of inner barrier 106 may be convex with respect to detonator
112.
[0032] FIG. 2F illustrates warhead 200 with a reactive liner in
accordance with stacked configuration embodiments. Warhead 200
includes reactive liner 102, high explosive 104, and inner barrier
106 separating reactive liner 102 from high explosive 104. Reactive
liner 102 may comprise a matrix of reactive metal particles in a
hydrocarbon fuel as discussed above. In these embodiments, reactive
liner 102 and high explosive 104 are arranged in a stacked
configuration as illustrated within casing 110. In these
embodiments, inner barrier 106 and outer barrier 108 are
substantially flat.
[0033] FIG. 2G illustrates warhead 210 with a reactive liner in
accordance with some other stacked configuration embodiments.
Warhead 210 includes reactive liner 102, high explosive 104, and
inner barrier 106 separating reactive liner 102 from high explosive
104. Reactive liner 102 may comprise a matrix of reactive metal
particles in a hydrocarbon fuel as discussed above. In these
embodiments, reactive liner 102 and high explosive 104 are arranged
in a stacked configuration within casing 110. In these embodiments,
inner barrier 106 is flat. These embodiments may be referred to as
bunker buster embodiments and are described in more detail
below.
[0034] FIG. 2H illustrates warhead 220 with a reactive liner in
accordance with some other stacked configuration embodiments.
Warhead 220 includes reactive liner 102, high explosive 104, and
inner barrier 106 separating reactive liner 102 from high explosive
104. Reactive liner 102 may comprise a matrix of reactive metal
particles in a hydrocarbon fuel as discussed above. In these
embodiments, reactive liner 102 and high explosive 104 are arranged
in a stacked configuration within casing 110. In these embodiments,
inner barrier 106 is flat. In some of these embodiments, pre-formed
metal shapes 222 may be provided for fragmentation effects on a
target within an outer region of casing 110 (i.e., outside the
region containing the high explosive 104). In some embodiments,
pre-formed metal shapes 222 may comprise a plurality of steel and
aluminum balls may have a diameter of approximately a quarter inch,
although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this
respect.
[0035] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate side and perspective views of
warhead 300 with a reactive liner in accordance with some
embodiments. Warhead 300 includes reactive liner 102, high
explosive 104, and inner barrier 106 separating reactive liner 102
from high explosive 104. Reactive liner 102 may comprise a matrix
of reactive metal particles in a hydrocarbon fuel as discussed
above. In these embodiments, reactive liner 102 may have a
star-like cylindrical shape provided longitudinally within casing
110 of warhead 300 as illustrated. In these embodiments, high
explosive 104 may comprise an inner star-like cylindrical region
and reactive liner 102 may comprise an outer star-like cylindrical
region as illustrated.
[0036] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate side and perspective views of
warhead 400 with a reactive liner in accordance with some other
embodiments. Warhead 400 includes reactive liner 102, high
explosive 104, and an inner barrier 106 separating reactive liner
102 from high explosive 104. Reactive liner 102 may comprise a
matrix of reactive metal particles in a hydrocarbon fuel as
discussed above. In these embodiments, reactive liner 102 and high
explosive 104 may be arranged in a cylindrical configuration
provided longitudinally within casing 110 of warhead 400. In these
embodiments, high explosive 104 may comprise an inner cylindrical
region and reactive liner 102 may comprise an outer cylindrical
region as illustrated.
[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of a hyperbaric TOW
Bunker Buster warhead in accordance with some embodiments. Warhead
500 includes case 510, reactive liner 502, canister 506 to hold
high explosive 504, and o-ring 508 to seal canister 506. Reactive
liner 502 may comprise a matrix of reactive metal particles in a
hydrocarbon fuel as discussed above. Warhead 500 may also include
igniter 512, which may be referred to as an initiation assembly.
Warhead 500 may correspond to warhead 210 (FIG. 2G) in which
reactive liner 502 may correspond to reactive liner 102 (FIG. 2G)
and high explosive 504 may correspond to high explosive 104 (FIG.
2G).
[0038] Some embodiments of the present invention provide a reactive
liner for use in a shaped charge or warhead. In these embodiments,
the reactive liner comprises a matrix of reactive metal particles
in a hydrocarbon fuel. The hydrocarbon fuel fills in the
interstitial spacing between the reactive metal particles. The
matrix may be tightly packed or compressed to exhibit a solid
property. In some embodiments, the reactive liner may be free of
oxidant. In alternate embodiments, the reactive line may include an
oxidant.
[0039] In some embodiments, a method for penetrating a target with
a reactive shaped charge is provided. In these embodiments, the
reactive shaped charge may include a reactive liner, such as
reactive liner 102, and a high explosive.
[0040] The method may include launching the reactive shaped charge
toward a target and detonating the high explosive. The detonation
of the high explosive may cause the reactive liner to form a high
velocity jet to perforate protective target barriers and to
disperse and mix with air in a target space followed by a rapid
combustion of the mixture of the reactive metal particles, the
hydrocarbon fuel and the air. In these embodiments, the reactive
liner may comprise a matrix of reactive metal particles in a
hydrocarbon fuel as discussed above and may be provided in a sealed
region. The hydrocarbon fuel may fill the interstitial spacing
between the reactive metal particles. The matrix of the reactive
metal particles and the hydrocarbon fuel may be tightly packed to
exhibit a solid property.
[0041] The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section
1.72(b) requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to
ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It is
submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to limit
or interpret the scope or meaning of the claims. The following
claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with
each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.
* * * * *