Methods and apparatus for disarming an explosive device

A disrupter for launching a combination of water and a projectile toward an explosive device to disable the explosive device. The position of the projectile in the barrel of the disrupter determines an exit velocity of the water and the projectile from the barrel of the disrupter.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to disrupter cannons used to disable explosive devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Disrupter cannons are used by military, bomb squad, and other emergency service personnel to destroy and/or disable explosive devices including improvised explosive devices (“IED”), bombs (e.g., pipe bombs, pressure cooker bombs), and ordinance.

Disrupter cannons may propel a projectile, water, or both a projectile and water toward an explosive device to impact (e.g., strike) the explosive device. Impact of the projectile with the explosive device may interfere with (e.g., damage, destroy) a portion of the explosive device to disable (e.g., destroy, render safe) the explosive device.

The temperature of a projectile when it hits an explosive device may be a factor in whether the projectile disables the explosive device without detonating the explosive device. Temperature of a projectile may be decreased by positioning water between the pyrotechnic (e.g., cartridge) that launches the projectile and the projectile while in the barrel of the disrupter cannon prior to launch. The water decreases (e.g., prevents) the rise in temperature due to friction between the projectile and the inner surface of the barrel of the disrupter cannon and/or the transfer of heat from the burning pyrotechnic to the projectile. A projectile that has a lower temperature at impact with an explosive device is less likely to detonate the explosive device.

The weight of a projectile and velocity of launch may be a factor in whether the projectile disables the explosive device without detonating the explosive device. A projectile with more mass may be launched at a lower velocity to provide the same momentum as a lighter projectile launched at a higher velocity. Launching at a lower velocity decreases the likelihood of detonating the explosive device. The velocity of launch of a projectile from a disrupter cannon is the velocity at which the projectile travels on exit (e.g., leaving) the muzzle (e.g., muzzle end portion) of the barrel of the cannon (e.g., muzzle velocity).

The material that forms the projectile may be a factor in whether the projectile disables the explosive device without detonating the explosive device. A projectile that produces (e.g., makes, emits) sparks (e.g., fiery particles) via contact with the inner surface of the barrel or on impact (e.g., contact) with the explosive device may increase the likelihood of detonation of the explosive device.

The shape of a projectile, in particular the shape of the front (e.g., nose) of the projectile may be a factor in whether the explosive device is disabled. Many explosive devices, such as pipe bombs, are formed of components that mechanically coupled to each other. The shape of the nose of a projectile may be a factor in whether the impact of the projectile decouples the components of the explosive device thereby disabling the explosive device.

Barrel112may be positioned in mount104. A barrel includes any disrupter barrel, including barrels formed of steel, titanium, and/or composite materials. A barrel may be of any length. Experiments with launching a combination of water and a projectile have been performed using a barrel having a length of about six (6) inches.

Mount104may be positioned on a surface (e.g., earth, ground) proximate to an explosive device. Mount104holds disrupter cannon112prior to launch. Mount104may position disrupter cannon110so as to aim (e.g., set trajectory of) disrupter cannon110so that projectile210launched by disrupter cannon110travels an intended trajectory toward the explosive device. Mount104may hold disrupter cannon110until projectile210is launched from disrupter cannon110.

Firing disrupter cannon110launches projectile210from barrel112. Firing a disrupter cannon may be accomplished by igniting a pyrotechnic in a cartridge so that a rapidly expanding gas from the burning pyrotechnic pushes the projectile, and water if any, from barrel112. Firing disrupter cannon110creates a force of recoil that separates disrupter cannon110from mount104. The force of recoil moves disrupter cannon110in rearward direction230away from mount104. Firing disrupter cannon110launches projectile210in forward direction240toward a target (e.g., explosive device).

An aerodynamic break (e.g., parachute), not shown, may be attached to disrupter cannon110to slow and/or eventually halt movement of disrupter cannon110away from mount104.

As discussed above, disrupter cannon110may launch projectile210. Disrupter cannon110may also launch water220toward a target. Disrupter cannon110launch both projectile210and water toward a target. A projectile, water, or the combination thereof may operate to disable and/or destroy an explosive device.

As discussed above, a cartridge may provide the force that launches (e.g., propels) the projectile and/or water from disrupter cannon110. A cartridge includes a casing and a pyrotechnic inside the casing. Igniting the pyrotechnic provides a rapidly expanding gas. The rapidly expanding gas from the cartridge is directed toward the projectile and/or water in barrel112to launch (e.g., propel, push) the projectile and/or water from barrel112.

A cartridge may include a primer that when activated (e.g., struck) ignites the pyrotechnic. Breech114may include a firing pin (not shown). A firing pin may move to strike the primer of a cartridge to ignite the pyrotechnic in the cartridge. Shock tube118may provide a force to move a firing pin to strike a primer of a cartridge. Shock tube118provides a rapidly expanding gas that applies a force to a firing pin to move the firing pin to strike the primer of a cartridge.

A cartridge may include a seal around the outside of the casing that seals between an outer surface of the casing and an inner surface of the barrel and/or breech. A seal around the casing of a cartridge retains water that is positioned forward of the cartridge so that water positioned in a barrel does not leak from the barrel and/or from the breech. A seal around the casing of the cartridge retains water in a barrel prior to launch. The cartridge may be water proof so that at least a portion (e.g., forward portion) of the cartridge may be surrounded by water without causing the cartridge to malfunction.

A projectile includes an object or collection of objects suitable for launching through a barrel toward a target. A projectile may be a single piece of material or several pieces of material. A projectile may be of any length suitable for launching from a barrel. An implementation of a projectile may have a generally spherical or cylindrical shape. An outer diameter of a spherical or cylindrically shaped projectile is slightly less than the inner diameter of the barrel from which the projectile is launched.

A projectile may include one or more seals. The one or more seals may be positioned around an outer surface of the projectile. A projectile may include one or more channels around a circumference of the projectile to receive a seal. A seal may be positioned in each channel of a projectile. The one or more seals may form a seal between an outer surface of the projectile and an inner surface of the barrel of a disrupter cannon.

A seal may operate to seal water inside a barrel of a disrupter cannon. One or more seals that operate to seal water in a barrel enables the projectile to be positioned in a barrel with water so that the water and projectile may be launched at the same time. The seals of a projectile reduce water loss from the barrel by retaining the water behind the projectile during the time between loading the disrupter cannon with the projectile and water and firing (e.g., launching) the projectile and water from the barrel of the disrupter cannon.

Further, the seals of a projectile retain the water behind (e.g., with respect to the direction of launch) the projectile as a rapidly expanding gas forces the water against the projectile as both the water and the projectile are launched toward a target (e.g., explosive device). Retaining the water behind the projectile increases the amount of force transferred from the water to the projectile to launch the projectile. Retaining the water behind the projectile increases a consistency of operation between firings that use the same amount of water, the same type of projectile, and the same type of cartridge for successive shots.

A seal may operate to retain a rapidly expanding gas provide by a cartridge behind the projectile. A seal between an outer surface of the projectile and an inner surface of the barrel decreases the likelihood that a rapidly expanding gas from a cartridge will pass between the inner surface of the barrel and the outer surface of the projectile. Retaining the rapidly expanding gas behind the projectile increases the amount of force transferred from the rapidly expanding gas to the projectile to launch the projectile. Further, retaining the rapidly expanding gas behind the projectile increases a consistency of operation between firings that use the same type of projectile and the same type of cartridge for successive shots.

A projectile may be formed of a material that reduces the likelihood of generating sparks. As a projectile is launched from a barrel, portions of the projectile may contact an inner surface of the barrel thereby producing a spark. Contact of a projectile with an explosive device, depending on the material of the explosive device, may generate sparks. Generating sparks increases a likelihood of detonating the explosive device. Materials that decrease a likelihood of generating sparks include brass, water, and plastic.

A projectile may include one or more materials that reduce a likelihood of reducing the generation of sparks. A projectile may be formed of any material, but coated with (e.g., encased by, enclosed with) a spark reducing material to reduce the likelihood of generating sparks.

For example, projectile300is an implementation of a projectile. Projectile300performs the functions of a projectile discussed above, including projectile210. Projectile300includes rear portion310, forward portion320, body340, one or more channel330, and conical void350.

Body340is shaped to fit into barrel112of disrupter cannon110. The outside diameter of body340, without seals, is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of barrel112. Body340may be formed of a single piece of material. Sections, such as sections360,362, and364of body340may be formed (e.g., manufactured) of a single piece of material. Sections, such as sections360,362, and364, may be formed separately then assembled to form body340. Some sections, for example sections362may be similar (e.g., length, weight) to each other. The number of similar sections assembled or manufactured to form body340may be proportional to a desired weight of projectile300. Some sections, for example,360and364may be different from each other and different from section362for placement at a particular position on body340, such as placement of section360as rear portion of projectile300and placement of section364as forward portion of projectile300. Including more sections362increases a weight of projectile300.

Body340may include one or more channels330. A channel (e.g., groove) receives seal710. Seal710performs the functions of a seal as discussed above. A channel positions a seal. A channel retains a seal in a position relative to body340before, during, and/or after launch. A channel provides increased surface area for forming a seal. A channel provides an area for compressing a seal. In an implementation, seal710includes an O-ring positioned in a respective channel330. An O-ring may be formed of butyl rubber.

While projectile300is positioned in barrel112prior to firing disrupter cannon110, seal710compresses between the outer surfaces of body340, including the surfaces of channel330, and an inner surface of barrel112. Seal710forms a seal between the outer surface of body340, including the surfaces of channel330, and the inner surface of barrel112. The seal between body340and barrel112operates to decrease the passage of water and/or a rapidly expanding gas between the outer surface of body340and an inner surface of barrel112as discussed above.

A projectile may be shaped to increase its effectiveness at disabling and/or destroying an explosive device. A projectile may be shaped so that at least a portion (e.g., forward portion, nose) of the projectile deforms on impact in a manner to more effectively disable and/or destroy the projectile. A forward portion of a projectile may be shaped to be effective at penetrating and/or separating portions of an explosive device.

For example, forward portion320of projectile300is formed to have conical void (e.g., cavity)350that extends inward into body340. The shape of forward portion320deforms (e.g., bends, is crushed) on impact with an explosive device. On impact, forward portion320may deform to conform to a shape of the explosive device at the point of impact. Conforming to the shape of an explosive device may concentrate a force of impact in such a manner as to disable the explosive device. Conforming to a shape of an explosive device may decrease a likelihood that the projectile will graze (e.g., skim) along a surface of the explosive device without penetrating the surface of the explosive device.

For example, firing projectile300toward the intersection (e.g., connection) of cap920and pipe940of pipe bomb910causes ridge370around conical void350to deform on each side of cap920so that pipe940is punctured at the connection between pipe940and cap920and force is applied to cap920. Puncturing pipe940and pushing on cap920disconnects cap920from pipe940thereby disabling pipe bomb910. Projectile300may be aimed and fired at either cap920or cap930to achieve a similar result. Mount104may position (e.g., aim) disrupter cannon110so that projectile300strikes at the junction between pipe940and cap920.

Each type of explosive device may have a location where if struck by the projectile, the likelihood of disabling the explosive device increases. Such locations on explosive device may be referred to as predetermined locations. For example, on pipe bombs, as discussed above, the predetermined location is the junction between the pipe and the cap. For a bomb made of a pipe fitting, the predetermined location is near an edge of the fitting as further discussed below. For a bomb made from a pressure cooker, the predetermined location may be at the lower edge of the lid between lugs. For an explosive device made from an ammunition box, the predetermined location may be just under the hinges.

Rear portion310is shaped to have a flat surface for receiving a force provide by a rapidly expanding gas and/or from water moved (e.g., pushed) by a rapidly expanding gas. Rear portion310may have any shape.

In an implementation, body340is formed, in whole or part, of non-sparking (e.g., does not spark) material such as copper and/or brass to reduce the likelihood that a spark from launching the projectile or the projectile striking the explosive device ignites the explosive device.

In an implementation, projectile300includes three sections362to provide a mass of projectile300(e.g., 4 ounces) that is suitable for the type of explosive device to be disable. In another implementation, projectile300includes two sections362to provide a suitable mass (e.g., 3.5 ounces). A suitable mass for a projectile is a mass that is sufficient to disable and/or destroy the explosive device when launched from disrupter cannon110.

A discussed above, a heavier projectile may permit the projectile to be launched at a slower speed, to reduce the likelihood of detonating the explosive device, to disable the explosive device. Muzzle velocity may be categorized into four groups: low velocity, medium velocity, high velocity, and ultra-high velocity. Low muzzle velocity is in the range of 515 feet per second to 1,085 feet per second. Medium muzzle velocity is in the range of 1,086 feet per second to 1,410 feet per second. High muzzle velocity is in the range of 1,411 feet per second to 1,555 feet per second. Ultra-high muzzle velocity is in the range of 1,556 feet per second to 1,765 feet per second. In an implementation, low muzzle velocity is about 800, medium muzzle velocity is about 1,370, high muzzle velocity is about 1,450, and ultra-high muzzle velocity is about 1,660 feet per second.

Muzzle velocity is measured by placing the projectile next to the cartridge in the barrel without water, igniting the cartridge and measuring the velocity of the projectile at the end (e.g., muzzle) of the barrel as the projectile exits the barrel. Because the projectile is positioned proximate to the cartridge, the expanding gas accelerates the projectile to its maximum velocity for that particular type of cartridge.

Cartridges may be categorized according to the muzzle velocity they impart to a projectile. A low velocity cartridge launches a projectile at between 515 and 1,085 feet per second. In an implementation the low velocity cartridge launches the projectile at about 800 feet per second. A medium velocity cartridge launches a projectile at between 1,086 and 1,410 feet per second, or 1,370 feet per second, and so forth for high velocity and ultra-high velocity cartridges.

As discussed above, a disrupter cannon may launch a projectile and water together toward an explosive device to disable and/or destroy the explosive device. For example,FIG. 9shows a simplified cross-section of disrupter cannon110. Disrupter cannon110has been loaded with cartridge810, water820, and projectile830. A seal on cartridge810retains water820forward of cartridge810. The seals on projectile830retains water820behind projectile830.

Igniting cartridge810causes cartridge810to produce a rapidly expanding gas that exerts a force on water820. Because the compressibility of water is low and the water is constrained by barrel112, the force applied on water820is transferred to projectile830. The force on water820and projectile830via water820forces (e.g., propels) water820and projectile830from the muzzle (e.g., forward end) of barrel112.

The presence of water820in barrel112shields projectile830from the hot, rapidly expanding gases from cartridge810thereby limiting the heat transferred from the rapidly expanding gas to projectile830. Limiting the heat transferred from the rapidly expanding gas to the projectile decreases the increase in temperature that projectile830would have experience in the absence of water820. Limiting the increase in the temperature of projectile830before it strikes and explosive device decreases a likelihood of detonating an explosive device.

As projectile830is pushed from barrel112, projectile830contacts an inner surface of barrel112. The contact between projectile830and barrel112during launch increases the temperature of projectile830through friction with barrel112. However, water820limits the increase in temperature of projectile830due to friction because water820is in contact with projectile830and absorbs (e.g., receives) some of the increase in temperature. Water820acts to limit the temperature increase in projectile830during launch thereby decreasing the likelihood that projectile830will detonate the explosive device when it strikes the explosive device.

A result of launching projectile830with water820is that projectile830experiences little or no temperature increase during launch. Because the temperature of projectile830does not increase or does not increase very much during launch, the temperature of projectile830is about the same as the surrounding environment when it impacts the explosive device. As discussed above, a projectile having a lower temperature is less likely to ignite an explosive device.

At launch, water820follows the trajectory of projectile830. Projectile830pierces (e.g., punctures) the housing of the explosive device to make a hole in the housing. Water820enters the explosive device through the hole thereby wetting the interior of the explosive device including the explosive material (e.g., gun powder) thereby further decreasing a likelihood that the explosive device will detonate.

Water820further decreases the amount of fire (e.g., flames, burning material) from cartridge810that exits the muzzle of barrel112once projectile830and water020have exited barrel112. Decreasing the fire emitted from barrel112decreases the likelihood of detonating the explosive device.

The launch characteristics (e.g., muzzle velocity) of a projectile may further be determine by the position of the projectile in the barrel relative to the muzzle of the barrel prior to launch. Because projectile830is loaded (e.g., positioned) in barrel112by a human operator, the operator may position projectile830to increase or decrease the muzzle velocity of projectile830and water820when it exits the muzzle of barrel112.

Ignoring the presence of water820, the expanding gas from cartridge810pushes on projectile830to launch projectile830from barrel112. For each millisecond that the expanding gas acts on projectile830, the velocity of projectile830increases. Decreasing the amount of time that the expanding gas operates on projectile830decreases the muzzle velocity of projectile830. Increasing the amount of time that the expanding gas operates on projectile830increases the muzzle velocity of projectile830. As projectile830exits barrel112, the expanding gas can no longer operate on projectile830to accelerate projectile830. The relationship between the amount of time that projectile830remains in barrel112to be acted upon by the expanding gas and the velocity of projectile830holds whether or not water is positioned between cartridge810and projectile830.

In operation, decreasing distance850between cartridge810and projectile830increases the muzzle velocity of projectile830; whereas increasing distance850decreases the muzzle velocity of projectile830.

When water820is present between cartridge810and projectile830, the force of the expanding gas from cartridge810acts on water820which in turn acts on projectile830to accelerate projectile830. However, as soon as projectile830exits the barrel, water820is no longer able to transfer force to projectile830to accelerate projectile830because water820is no longer constrained by barrel112. Even though the force of the expanding gas from cartridge810continues to act on water820after projectile830exits barrel112, water820cannot transfer the force to projectile830, so projectile830continues to accelerate until projectile830exits barrel112. Once projectile830exits barrel112, the walls of barrel112no longer constrain the outward expansion of water820, so the diameter of the column of water820may expand responsive to the rapidly expanding gas rather than provide force to accelerate projectile830.

So, even when water820is present in barrel112between cartridge810and projectile830, the muzzle velocity of projectile830is determined by distance850which corresponds to an amount of time that the rapidly expanding gas acts on projectile830to accelerate the velocity of projectile830. Distance850may also be expressed as the length of barrel112minus distance854. The greater distance850, the less the amount of time the expanding gas may act on projectile830and therefore the less the muzzle velocity of projectile830.

In the field, positioning projectile830distance850from cartridge810reduces the amount of force that the expanding gas may applied to projectile830because projectile830travels a distance852plus distance854before it exits the barrel as opposed to traveling distance850plus distance852plus distance854. Distance854may be set by a technician while loading disrupter cannon110so that the muzzle velocity of projectile830is consistent with the type of explosive device being disabled.

In an implementation, barrel112includes barrel870that attaches to breech114and barrel872that attaches to barrel870to extend the length of barrel112. A technician may remove barrel872from barrel870, insert projectile830at least partially into barrel870then couple barrel872to barrel870. Positioning projectile830in barrel870then coupling barrel872to barrel870means that the expanding gas will act on projectile830for a distance of about the length of barrel872, which is just less than distance852plus distance854. In an implementation, the length of barrel872is about six inches, so the rear of projectile830travels slightly more than six inches, between 6.05 and 6.6 inches, before the rear of projectile830exits barrel112.

Regardless of whether barrel112is formed of a single piece of material or of multiple pieces that are coupled together, the rearward portion of projectile830may be positioned in barrel112at any distance in front of cartridge810or behind (e.g., rearward of) the muzzle of barrel112. The distance that the rearward portion of projectile830may be positioned rearward of the muzzle of barrel112may range from about 4 inches to about 8 inches. For a 6-inch barrel, positioning the rearward portion of projectile8304 to 5 inches rearward of the muzzle leaves between 1 and two inches between projectile830and cartridge810. For a 12-inch barrel, positioning the rearward portion of projectile8304 to 8 inches rearward of the muzzle leaves between 4 and 8 inches between projectile830and cartridge810.

Exit velocity for a particular cartridge and a particular projectile may be determined empirically. Testing has been conducted for determining distance852plus854for disabling various types of bombs using projectiles consistent with projectile300.

Referring toFIG. 9, projectile300may be launched from disrupter cannon110, also referred to as cannon110, toward pipe bomb910to disable pipe bomb910. Pipe bomb910has exposed threads at the intersection of cap930pipe940and cap920and pipe940. Prior to launch, the muzzle of barrel112may be placed about 12 inches (distance860) from intersection (e.g., joint)950between pipe940and cap920. Barrel112may be oriented to launch projectile300at angle960of between 20 and 25 degrees with respect to pipe940. Disrupter cannon110may be positioned to aim the point (e.g., tip) of the cone inside projectile300at intersection950. Aiming the tip of the conical cavity aims a central axis of the projectile toward intersection950. Projectile300may be placed in barrel112so that the distance from the rear of projectile300to the muzzle (e.g.,852+854) is about six inches. Water may be positioned in barrel112between projectile300(e.g.,830) and cartridge810. A high velocity cartridge may be used to launch projectile300from barrel112. A high velocity cartridge will launch projectile300from barrel112at about 1,450 feet per second; however, because the rear of projectile300(830) is not positioned next to cartridge810, but about six inches away from the muzzle (e.g.,852+854=about 6 inches), water820and projectile300(830) will exit barrel112at a velocity that is less than 1,450 feet per second.

If pipe bomb910is positioned on a soft surface, such as mud or snow, an ultra-velocity cartridge may be used to launch projectile300(830) to compensate for movement of pipe bomb910into the soft surface on impact of projectile300. An ultra-high velocity cartridge will launch projectile300from barrel112at about 1,660 feet per second; however, because the rear of projectile300(830) is not positioned next to cartridge810, but about six inches away from the muzzle (e.g.,852+854=about 6 inches), water820and projectile300(830) will exit barrel112at a velocity that is less than 1,660 feet per second.

Experiments have shown that launching a 3.5 ounce projectile similar to projectile300(e.g., two sections362) using the above parameters results in a pipe bomb with external threads being disabled without igniting the pipe bomb.

Referring toFIG. 10, projectile300may be launched from disrupter cannon110toward pipe bomb1010to disable pipe bomb1010. Pipe bomb1010is formed from pipe fitting1020(e.g., elbow) which is closed with plug1030to retain the explosive material inside pipe fitting1020. The threads that couple pipe fitting1020, also referred to as fitting1020, to plug1030are positioned primarily inside pipe fitting1020. Prior to launch, the muzzle of barrel112may be placed about 6 inches (distance860) from point1050on pipe fitting1020. Barrel112may be oriented to launch projectile300at angle1060of between 50 and 55 degrees with respect to pipe fitting1020. Disrupter cannon110may be positioned to aim the point (e.g., tip) of the cone inside projectile300at point1050. Aiming the tip of the conical cavity aims a central axis of the projectile toward point1050. Projectile300may be placed in barrel112so that the distance from the rear of projectile300(800) to the muzzle (e.g.,852+854) is about six inches. Water may be positioned in barrel112between projectile300(e.g.,830) and cartridge810. A high velocity cartridge may be used to launch projectile300from barrel112. A high velocity cartridge will launch projectile300from barrel112at about 1,450 feet per second; however, because the rear of projectile300is not positioned next to cartridge810, but about six inches away from the muzzle (e.g.,852+854=about 6 inches), water820and projectile300(830) will exit barrel112at a velocity that is less than 1,450 feet per second.

If pipe bomb1010is positioned on a soft surface, such as mud or snow, an ultra-velocity cartridge may be used to launch projectile300(830) to compensate for movement of pipe bomb1010into the soft surface on impact of projectile300as discussed above.

Experiments have shown that launching a 4.0 ounce projectile similar to projectile300(e.g., three sections362) using the above parameters results in a pipe bomb with internal threads being disabled without igniting the pipe bomb.

The foregoing description discusses embodiments, which may be changed or modified without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the claims. Examples listed in parentheses may be used in the alternative or in any practical combination. As used in the specification and claims, the words ‘comprising’, ‘comprises’, ‘including’, ‘includes’, ‘having’, and ‘has’ introduce an open-ended statement of component structures and/or functions. In the specification and claims, the words ‘a’ and ‘an’ are used as indefinite articles meaning ‘one or more’. When a descriptive phrase includes a series of nouns and/or adjectives, each successive word is intended to modify the entire combination of words preceding it. For example, a black dog house is intended to mean a house for a black dog. While for the sake of clarity of description, several specific embodiments have been described, the scope of the invention is intended to be measured by the claims as set forth below. In the claims, the term “provided” is used to definitively identify an object that not a claimed element but an object that performs the function of a workpiece. For example, in the claim “an apparatus for aiming a provided barrel, the apparatus comprising: a housing, the barrel positioned in the housing”, the barrel is not a claimed element of the apparatus, but an object that cooperates with the “housing” of the “apparatus” by being positioned in the “housing”.

The location indicators “herein”, “hereunder”, “above”, “below”, or other word that refer to a location, whether specific or general, in the specification shall be construed to refer to any location in the specification whether the location is before or after the location indicator.