Abstract:
This application details a device which utilizes the controlled, explosive release of a pressurized fluid to simulate the effects of an explosive event.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/452,791 filed on Mar. 8, 2003. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to simulated weapon devices, simulated explosive devices, nonlethal and less-than-lethal weapon systems. This invention was created to provide for the development and use of non-pyrotechnically based stand-alone weapons and weapon simulators, such as mines or booby-traps. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    Drawing  1  contains a diagram of one embodiment of the device and its related components 
           [0004]    Drawing  2  contains a diagram of an additional embodiment of the device and its related components. 
           [0005]    Drawing  3  contains diagrams of components of the device 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The Method for Creating Controlled Pressure Release in a Pneumatic Device consists of five primary components. These are the Main Body ( 1 ), a Pressurized Gas Supply ( 2 ), a Piercing Pin ( 3 ) or related means for introducing pressurized gas from the Gas Supply, A Frangible Pressure Control Membrane ( 4 ) and a Pressure Control Membrane Retainer ( 5 ). 
         [0007]    The Main Body consists of four parts—A Body ( 6 ), a Piercing Pin End Cap ( 7 ), a Open End Cap ( 8 ) and a Volume Chamber ( 9 ). The Body ( 6 ) consists of a walled element with a first open end ( 10 ) and a second open end ( 1  I) connected by a chamber ( 9 ) running parallel with the long axis of the Body ( 6 ) The First Open End ( 10 ) and Second Open End ( 1  I) are configured with a releasable retaining method ( 12 ), sufficient to hold the Piercing Pin End Cap ( 7 ) and the Open End Cap( 8 ) in place under fluid pressure. 
         [0008]    The Piercing Pin End Cap ( 7 ) is releasabley retained by screws or other method ( 12 ) in the Body ( 6 ). When attached to the Body ( 6 ), the Piercing Pin End Cap ( 7 ) will create a seal at one open end ( 11 ) of the Body ( 6 ) creating a partially closed volume. Running around the circumference of the Piercing Pin End Cap is a flexible seal ( 21 ). Centered within the Piercing Pin End Cap ( 7 ) and oriented so that it is contained within the interior of the Volume Chamber ( 9 ) is a Piercing Pin ( 13 ), which consists of a conical pin, capable of breaking the seal of the pressure vessel ( 2 ) when placed under sufficient force. 
         [0009]    The Piercing Pin ( 13 ) may also utilize a flexible seal ( 23 ) to prevent leaks form the Volume Chamber. 
         [0010]    Contiguous to the Piercing Pin ( 13 ) and oriented along the same axis as the Piercing Pin is a Return Device ( 14 ), consisting of a compressible element that will return to its original shape and size upon removing a load that it is placed under, such as a spring, and having sufficient force to push the Pressure Vessel ( 2 ) away from the Piercing Pin ( 13 ). 
         [0011]    The Return Device ( 14 ) must be shaped such that it can fit around the circumference of the Piercing Pin ( 13 ) but not around the circumference of the Pressure Vessel ( 2 ). 
         [0012]    The Open End Cap ( 8 ) is releasabley retained by screws or other method ( 12 ) in the Body ( 6 ). When attached to the Body ( 6 ), the Open End Cap ( 8 ) creates a partial seal at one open end (II) of the Body ( 6 ) creating a partially closed volume. The Open End Cap ( 8 ) consists of the Body of the End Cap, a means for receiving the retaining method ( 12 ) and Conduits ( 15 ) that form an opening that passes through the End Cap ( 8 ) and communicates with the interior Volume Chamber ( 9 ) of the Body ( 6 ). Retained within the Open End Cap is the Plunger Assembly ( 18 ). The Plunger Assembly consists of the Plunger Top ( 19 ), the Plunger Body ( 20 ) and the Plunger Return Spring ( 21 ). Running around the circumference of the Open End Cap is a flexible seal ( 22 ). 
         [0013]    The Interior side of the Open End Cap ( 8 ) is shaped with a tapered or stepped circular Retaining Wall ( 16 ) for retaining the Frangible Pressure Control Membrane ( 17 ). The Retaining Wall ( 16 ) is concentric with the Conduit ( 15 ) and the Interior Volume Chamber ( 9 ). The outer diameter of the Retainig Wall is of a diameter less that the interior diameter of the Volume Chamber ( 9 ) and greater that the outer diameter of the Frangible Pressure Control Membrane ( 17 ); the Retaining Wall provides for a smooth, uninterrupted surface which is capable of providing for a pressure seal when the Frangible Pressure Control Membrane is under pressure. 
         [0014]    The Frangible Pressure Control Membrane ( 17 ) consists of a material capable of remaining intact until it reaches a pressure threshold. Upon reaching the pressure threshold, the material will catastrophically fail, allowing the pressurized fluid within the Volume Chamber ( 9 ) of the device to pass through Conduit ( 15 ). 
         [0015]    The Pressurized Gas Supply ( 2 ) consists of a commercially available sealed pressure vessel, such as a 12-gram C02 cartridge or similar device which is capable of retaining a fixed volume of pressured gas at a fixed psi. 
         [0016]    In application, one embodiment of the device works in the following manner: The Piercing Pin End Cap ( 7 ) is fixed to the Body ( 6 ) of the device using the retaining means ( 12 ). A Pressurized Gas Vessel ( 2 ) is placed within the interior volume chamber ( 9 ) of the device, oriented so that its seal is adjacent to the piercing pin ( 13 ) and the Return Device ( 14 ). A Frangible Pressure Control Membrane ( 17 ) is placed within the Open End Cap ( 8 ), such that its outer diameter is contiguous to the Retaining Wall ( 16 ). 
         [0017]    The Open End Cap is then fixed to the Body ( 6 ) of the device using the retaining means ( 12 ). 
         [0018]    The Plunger ( 18 ) is oriented so that it is exposed into a working environment (such as just above ground level). An external force, acting upon the Plunger ( 18 ), Presses down upon the Frangible Pressure Control Membrane ( 17 ), which in turn presses against the Pressure Vessel ( 2 ), pushing it down against the Return Device ( 14 ) and the Piercing Pin ( 13 ). 
         [0019]    The Piercing Pin ( 13 ) then creates an opening in the Pressure Vessel ( 2 ). Once the external force is removed from the device, the Return Device ( 14 ) forces the Pressure Vessel ( 2 ) away from the Piercing Pin (I J) and allows the pressurized fluid contained within the Pressure Vessel ( 2 ) to be released into the Volume Chamber ( 9 ) of the device. 
         [0020]    The pressurized fluid will continue to vent into the Volume Chamber until the pressure threshold of the Frangible Pressure Control Membrane ( 17 ) is reached, after which the Frangible Pressure Control Membrane will fail, allowing the pressurized fluid to explosively pass outside of the device through the conduit ( 15 ). 
         [0021]    In an alternate embodiment of the device, an electronic switching device ( 25 ), such as a solenoid, can be used to remotely activate the device.