Patent Publication Number: US-2012024182-A1

Title: Explosive device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part application of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 12/489,089, filed Jun. 22, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention pertains to an explosive device. More particularly, the present invention pertains to an explosive device for use with a warhead. Even more particularly, the present invention pertains to an explosive device for use with a warhead fueled by a gas. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Various types of warheads exist in the prior art which have been used for many years. For example, warheads using explosive chemicals, such as gunpowder, have been in common use for hundreds of years. Other more recent warheads have been devised which involve the dispersion of chemical or biological particles upon impact with a target. In addition, nuclear warheads have been functional since World War II. However, the uses of chemical, biological, or nuclear warheads have drawn severe criticism from the public as a result of the harm to bystanders that occur. 
     Therefore, there remains a need for a new reliable replacement warhead, or RRW, which is highly effective at delivering a controlled payload to a target, and which results in minimal harm to non-targeted bystanders. In addition, it is desired that such an RRW could be scalable for use in a wide range of applications, ranging from a hand-held weapon to an intercontinental ballistic missile. 
     The present invention, as is detailed herein below, seeks to provide a new RRW by providing an explosive device for use with a warhead fueled by a gas. The present invention provides a new type of explosive device which is non-radioactive and non-contaminatory. Unlike nuclear weapons, the present invention does not cause electromagnetic fallout or electromagnetic communication disturbances. Rather, the present invention provides an explosive device which can be used in a humane manner so as to not harm bystanders because it provides a very fast, controlled, and complete burn over a precisely defined radius of destruction. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the preferred embodiment hereof, the present invention provides an explosive device for use with a warhead comprising: (a) a core having an interior chamber, the interior chamber filled with a volume of a gas; (b) a frequency generator for resonating the gas at a high frequency; (c) means for securing the frequency generator to the core; and (d) a detonator including a conductive material and means for inserting the conductive material into the core. 
     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing. In the drawing, like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the views in which: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1   a  is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the present invention hereof; 
         FIG. 1   b  is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the core of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1   c  is a cross-sectional view of yet another alternate embodiment of the core of the present invention: 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a waveguide and the means for attaching the frequency generator to the core; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a cylinder and slidable rod for detonating the explosive device; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a solenoid and a conductive material for detonating the explosive device; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a sealed cartridge comprising a flaked metal and pressurized gas for detonating the explosive device; and 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a spring-loaded latch having a conductive material attached thereto for detonating the explosive device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the present invention and as shown generally in  FIG. 1   a , there is provided an explosive device  10  for use with a warhead comprising a rupturable core  12  having an interior chamber  14  which is filled with a volume of a gas  16 , a frequency generator  18  attached to the core  12  for resonating the gas  16  at a high frequency, and a detonator  20  including a conductive material  22  and means for inserting  24  the conductive material  22  into the core  12 , thereby creating an explosion. 
     The core  12  includes the interior chamber  14  having a smooth surface. As shown in  FIGS. 1   b  and  1   c , the interior chamber  14  can be any suitable shape which allows the gas  16  to achieve a standing wave resonance, as described further below. To achieve maximum performance, the interior chamber  14  is preferably spherical. The interior chamber  14  is preferably lined with a smooth lining, such as polished glass or ceramic, to maximize the peak efficiency and power of the explosive device. 
     The core  12  has an exterior surface  26  that can be of any shape which is suitable for use herewith. Although it is not necessary, the exterior  26  of the core  12  can be dimensioned so that it matches that of the interior chamber  14 . 
     The core  12  is comprised of a material which can withstand the rigors of being fired from a tank or a firearm and which can sustain airborne in-flight turbulence. Likewise, the core  12  material also has properties which allow the core  12  to rupture upon detonation, as described in further detail below. Any suitable material which fits these criteria can be used. Preferably, the core  12  is comprised of glass, ceramic, or a high-tensile strength plastic. 
     The size of the core  12  can be any dimension which is suitable for use with a particular embodiment (as discussed further below). However, when the interior chamber  14  is a sphere, then the radius is preferably an even-numbered divisible of Π (i.e., 3.14159265 . . . ) or Φ (i.e., 1.6180339 . . . ), or a close approximation thereof. 
     For purposes which will be discussed in further detail below, the interior chamber  14  is filled with the volume of a gas  16 . The gas  16  is preferably a flammable gas pressurized at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. Although any suitable gas can be used, the gas  16  is preferably a flammable light gas such as hydrogen or methane. The gas  16  is injected into the core  12  during assembly of the explosive device  10 . Alternatively, a proper volume of the gas  16  can also be housed in a pressurized sealed cartridge (not shown). The cartridge is attached to the core  12  such that when the seal is pierced, the gas  16  is expelled into the interior chamber  14  of the core  12 . 
     The explosive device  10  also includes a frequency generator  18  for resonating the gas  16  molecules at a high frequency. The frequency generator  18  resonates the gas molecules at an amplitude and frequency sufficient to resonate the gas molecules at a single peak intensity, or a “standing wave resonance.” The frequency generator  18  is any suitable type of frequency generator known in the art, such as a traveling-wave tube, a magnetron, a gyrotron, a klystron, or the like. The type of frequency generator used will be dictated, in part, by the size of the explosive device  10  deployed for any particular application. In order to sufficiently resonate the gas  16 , the frequency generator  18  preferably produces a frequency of at least 2.4 GHz. The frequency generator  18  is attached to the explosive device  10  as described below. 
     A power source  56  for operating the frequency generator  18  is also provided. The power source  56  can be a DC battery  57  which holds an adequate charge for a sufficiently-long period such that the gas molecules are fully resonated and have reached a standing wave resonance throughout the entire gaseous contents so that the gas is resonating as one complete mass. The power source  56  can be electrically connected to the frequency generator  18  by a switch  58  so that the explosive device  10  is live only when necessary. The switch  58  can be an inertia switch, whereby the circuit is completed when the explosive device  10  is launched or fired. The switch  58  can also be manually activated via a remote control. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the present invention can also include a waveguide  30  for directing the extracted RF energy from the frequency generator  18  to the interior chamber  14  of the explosive device  10 . The waveguide  32  is a structure which guides a wave, such as an electromagnetic wave. The waveguide  32  may be formed from either a conductive or dielectric material, depending upon the frequency of the wave, and is usually rectangular in cross-section. 
     Also provided are means for attaching  30  the frequency generator  18  to the core  12 . If a waveguide  32  is provided, the means for attaching  30  can also attach the waveguide  32  to both the frequency generator  18  and the core  12 . The means for attaching  30  includes fasteners such as bolts, welding, or the like. 
     The core  12 , frequency generator  18 , and waveguide  32  are hermetically sealed in order to contain the pressurized gas  16 . A plurality of gaskets  34  are provided to ensure that the gas  16  remains pressurized within the interior chamber  14  of the core  12 . At least one gasket from the plurality of gaskets  34  is provided as required between each of the core  12  and the waveguide  32 , as well as between the waveguide  32  and the frequency generator  18 . 
     It is to be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that the gas  16  may not escape while under pressure and that the plurality of gaskets  34  is provided because the pressurized gas  16  must be properly contained within the explosive device  10  prior to an explosion. Each of the gaskets in the plurality of gaskets  34  are formed from any suitable type of material known in the art for providing a hermetic seal, such as an elastomer. 
     The present invention also includes a detonator  20  having a conductive material  22  and means for inserting  24 . The means for inserting  24  is provided to insert the conductive material  22  into the core  12 . The conductive material  22  may be any suitable type of high-temperature metal, such as iridium, tungsten, molybdenum, platinum, or the like. The conductive material  22  may be provided in any suitable shape which is conducive to increasing the surface area of the conductive material  22 , such as a triangle, a square, a circle, the Star of David, or the like. Also, irregular shapes, such as flakes, may be used. 
     As noted above, the present invention, also, includes the means for inserting  24  the conductive material  22  into the core  12 . For instance, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the conductive material  22  can be disposed at a first end  36  of a rod  38 , the rod  38  being slidably disposed within a cylinder  40 . A second end  42  of the rod  38  extends outwardly of the cylinder  40 , and the first end  36  of the rod  38  is positioned adjacent to the core  12 . The means for inserting  24  is positioned on the leading face, or end, of the explosive device  10 . As the explosive device  10  contacts its target, the second end  42  of the rod  38  is abutted against the target and the rod  38  is pushed into the cylinder  40 . The first end  36  of the rod  38  and the conductive material  22  are pressed into the core  12 , rupturing a portion of the core  12 , thereby allowing the conductive material  22  into the interior chamber  14 . As the conductive material  22  enters the interior chamber  14 , an explosion occurs, as discussed in further detail below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the means for inserting  24  the conductive material  22  into the core  12  can also comprise an electromechanical device  44 , such as a solenoid, which is attached to the conductive material  22  and which, upon activation, ruptures a portion of the core  12  as it forces the conductive material  22  into the interior chamber  14 . The electromechanical device  44  can be activated by a device such as a timer, altimeter, inertia switch, a mercury switch, or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the means for inserting  24  the conductive material  22  into the core  12  can also be a cartridge  46  filled with a flaked metal  48  and a second pressurized gas  49 , such as hydrogen or carbon dioxide. The second gas  49  is at a pressure higher than the gas  16 . The cartridge  46  has a piercable, or rupturable, seal  50 . The cartridge  46  is attached to the core  12  such that when the seal  50  is pierced, the second pressurized gas  49  expels the conductive material  22  into the interior chamber  14  of the core  12 . The seal  50  can be pierced by means such as described above, such as by a slidable rod upon impact, or by an electromechanical device  44  such as a solenoid. As the conductive material  22  enters the interior chamber  14 , an explosion occurs, as discussed below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the means for inserting  24  the conductive material  22  into the core  12  can also be a spring-tensioned latch  52  having the conductive material  22  attached thereto. A spring  54  is provided for rotating the latch from a “loaded” position to a “fired” position. Preferably the spring  54  is a helical torsional spring. Upon impact with the target, the latch  52  is released, and the spring  54  rotates the conductive material  22  into and through a small portion of the core  12  so that the conductive material  22  enters the interior chamber  14 , thereby resulting in an explosion. 
     As the conductive material  22  enters the interior chamber  14 , the conductive material  22  is exposed to the electromagnetic field generated by the frequency generator  18 . The electromagnetic field excites the freely moving electrons in the conductive material  22 , causing the electrons to arc from the molecules of the conductive material  22  to the air, thereby creating a spark, which is not unlike a tiny bolt of lightning. This is similar to the phenomenon which occurs when metal is placed in a microwave oven. The spark ignites the resonating gas, thereby resulting in an explosion. 
     It is to be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that the present invention is scalable in size for various applications, as needed. For instance, the present invention can be used with any suitable type of warhead or explosive device, such as: an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM); an air-launched cruise missile (ALCM); bombs, such as gravity bombs; sea-launched cruise missiles (SLCM); air-to-air rockets and missiles; surface-to-air rockets and missiles; rocket and mortar tube launched exploding grenades; rifle and pistol fired exploding grenades; shoulder-fired exploding grenades; tank-fired exploding projectiles and grenades; and so forth. 
     Furthermore, the present invention may be launched or fired from any suitable type of vehicle or object, including: any air, land, sea, or space vehicle capable of firing an exploding projectile; stationary-firing devices; space satellite fired exploding projectiles; space vehicle fired exploding projectiles; and so forth. 
     The frequency generator  18  can comprise a traveling-wave tube when the present invention is used with small-scale weapons, such as rifles, pistols, or hand-held grenade launchers. 
     A traveling-wave tube, or TWT, is an electronic device used to amplify radio frequency signals to high power. A TWT can produce frequencies in the range of 300 MHz to 50 GHz. A TWT is an elongated vacuum tube with a heated cathode that emits electrons at one end. A magnetic containment field around the tube focuses the electrons into a beam, which then passes down the middle of a wire helix that stretches from the RF input to the RF output, the electronic beam finally striking a collector at the other end. A directional coupler, which can be either a waveguide or an electromagnetic coil, is fed with the low-powered radio signal that is to be amplified, and is positioned near the emitter, and which induces a current into the helix. The helix acts as a delay line in which the RF signal travels at approximately the same speed along the tube as the electron beam. The electrons are “bunched” together as the electromagnetic field interacts with the electron beam due to the current in the helix. The electromagnetic field then induces more current back into the helix. 
     In this embodiment, a solid state having an RFI source providing a frequency in the range of about 2.4 GHz to about 5.8 GHz or higher is provided by the TWT. The TWT emits the frequency into the interior chamber  14  which is filled with the gas  16 , preferably, hydrogen. The gas  16  is pressurized within the core  12 , at a pressure of up to or greater than, 100 psi. The mass of the gas  16  in this embodiment may be as small as 0.001 gram, although it may be larger. 
     When the present invention is used with medium-scale weapons, such as rocket and mortar tube launched grenades, or tank-fired grenades or projectiles, the frequency generator  18 , preferably, comprises a magnetron. 
     A magnetron is a high-powered vacuum tube that generates non-coherent microwaves. A magnetron consists of a hot filament, or cathode, which is kept at or pulsed to a high negative potential by a high-voltage, direct-current power supply. The cathode is built into the center of an evacuated, lobed, circular chamber. A magnetic field parallel to the filament is imposed by a permanent magnet. The magnetic field causes the electrons, which are attracted to the positively charged outer portion of the chamber, to spiral outward in a circular path rather than moving directly to the positive anode. Spaced around the rim of the chamber are cylindrical cavities. The cavities are open along their length and connect the common chamber space. As electrons sweep past these openings they induce a resonant, high-frequency radio field in the chamber, which in turn causes the electrons to bunch into groups. A portion of this field is extracted with a short antenna that is connected to a waveguide. 
     Medium-sized applications require an output from the frequency generator  18  in the range of about 500 Watts to about 1500 Watts. A very narrow bandwidth RF output from the frequency generator  18  is emitted directly into the interior chamber  14  via a waveguide  32 . The frequency generator  18  and waveguide  32  are hermetically sealed to the core  12 . In this embodiment, the gas  16  is at a pressure of about 100 psi or higher, and the mass of the gas  16  can be as small as 0.5 gram, although it may be larger. 
     When the present invention is used with large-scale weapons, such as ICBM&#39;s, or ALCM&#39;s, the frequency generator  18  comprises a gyrotron or a klystron. 
     A gyrotron is a high-powered vacuum tube which emits millimeter-wave beams by bunching electrons with cyclotron motion in a strong magnetic field. Output frequencies range from about 20 GHz to about 250 GHz, and gyrotrons can be designed for pulsed or continuous operation. A gyrotron is a type of free electron MASER (Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation). It has high power at millimeter wavelengths because its dimensions can be much larger than the wavelength, unlike conventional vacuum tubes, and it is not dependent on material properties, as are conventional MASER&#39;s. Gyrotrons are often used to heat plasmas. 
     A klystron is a specialized linear-beam vacuum tube. Klystrons are used as amplifiers at microwave and radio frequencies to produce both low-power reference signals for superheterodyne radar receivers and to produce high-power carrier waves for communications. They are the driving force for modern particle accelerators. Klystron amplifiers have the advantage over the magnetron of coherently amplifying a reference signal so its output may be precisely controlled in amplitude, frequency, and phase. Klystrons have an output in the range of 50 megawatts at frequencies nearing 3 GHz. Many klystrons have a waveguide for coupling microwave energy into and out of the device, although it is also quite common for lower power and lower frequency klystrons to use coaxial couplings instead. In some cases a coupling probe is used to couple the microwave energy from a klystron into a separate external waveguide. Klystrons operate by amplifying RF signals by converting the kinetic energy in a DC electron beam into radio frequency power. A beam of electrons is produced by a thermionic cathode (a heated pellet of low work function material), and accelerated by high voltage electrodes (typically in the tens of kilovolts). This beam is then passed through an input chamber. RF energy is fed into the input chamber at, or near, its natural frequency to produce a voltage which acts on the electron beam. The electric field causes the electrons to bunch because electrons which pass through during an opposing electric field are accelerated while later electrons are slowed, thereby causing the previously continuous electron beam to form bunches at the input frequency. The RF current carried by the beam will produce an RF magnetic field, and this will in turn excite a voltage across the gap of subsequent resident activities. In the output chamber, the developed RF energy is coupled out. The spent electron beam, with reduced energy, is then captured in a collector. 
     Large-sized applications require an output from the frequency generator  18  in the range of about 1500 Watts or greater. The frequency generator  18  can emit the RF output directly into the interior chamber  14  via a waveguide  32 . The frequency generator  18  can also be directly attached to the core  12  to directly emit the RF output into the core  12 . The frequency generator  18  and waveguide  32  are hermetically sealed to the core  12 . The interior chamber  14  of the core  12  is filled with the gas  16  pressurized to about 100 psi or higher. The mass of the gas  16  in this embodiment may be as small as 1 pound, although it may be larger. 
     Although various embodiments of the invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, it is understood that one skilled in the art can make variations and modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention.