Patent ID: 12252453

The detailed description explains embodiments of the disclosure, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments provided herein disclose a shock tube system that allows for deployment of a shock tube with lowered noise generation.

With reference toFIGS.1-3, an embodiment of the present invention relates to a coreless-coil shock tube package system20. The package system20includes a “coreless” bundle of shock tubing22, by which it is meant that the tubing bundle22is not supported or contained by being wrapped around a spool or other supporting structure. The tubing bundle may be a generally cylindrical (in overall shape) coil of shock tube. Also, a flexible or elastic outer cover or envelope28at least partially covers or is disposed about the periphery of the coil22.

In an embodiment, one end of the tubing22(the “inner” end30) is positioned at the interior24of the coil22, and the other end of the tubing (the “outer” end32) is positioned on the outside of the coil. Alternatively (seeFIG.3), a detonator34is attached to the tubing's inner end30and is then tucked into the coil22, through opening40in the outer cover28, for convenient storage and transport. Also, a percussive initiator device (“igniter”)36may be attached to the tubing's outer end32and secured in place against the outer covering28. In an embodiment, the initiator device36is removably coupled to the outer cover28using a strap33, such as an elastic band strap or a textile or fabric strap having a hook and loop fastener for example. In an embodiment, the connection means for holding the initiator device36is integrated into the outer covering28.

In use, the detonator34is removed from the coil22by pulling on a portion of the tubing22left protruding through a central hole40in the neck portion26of outer cover280. Alternatively, a pull string or tab27(FIG.4) may be attached to the detonator34or proximate tubing for use in removing the detonator from the coil interior24. Then, the detonator34is attached to an explosive charge or device (not shown) in a conventional manner. To deploy the tubing22, the coil package20is pulled away from the detonator and explosive, thereby uncoiling the tubing through the opening40and out of the outer covering28. Then, once at a safe distance, the igniter36is actuated, igniting the shock tubing22, which in turn actuates the detonator, igniting the explosive. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, such as those used in military applications, it is desirable to uncoil the tubing with little noise.

The shock tube coil22can be any length as desired, from tens to hundreds of feet in length or more. The shock tubing22may be similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,753, or the shock tubing as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,973, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein their entirety. In this embodiment, the shock tubing22has an outside diameter between 0.08 inches and 0.12 inches. In an embodiment, the outside diameter may be 0.085 inches, 0.100 inches, or 0.118 inches. It should be appreciated that the dimensions provided herein are for example purposes and the size may be changed without deviating from the teachings herein, and the claims should not be so limited. This size of small-diameter shock tubing will yield the desired degree of resiliency and stress at the inside diameter of the coiled shock tubing, after removal from a mandrel in the manufacturing method described below. However, as should be appreciated, shock tubing with different diameters may be used.

The outer covering28may be a flexible or elastic material. In an embodiment, the outer covering28is made from a textile, such as cotton, nylon, polyester, a polyether-polyurea copolymer, or a combination of the foregoing. The outer covering includes a first end29having an opening31. In an embodiment, the opening31is 0.75 inches (19.05 mm) is provided to allow a mandrel to pass therethrough during assembly. In an embodiment, the opening31allows the end32to exit the outer covering28and connect with the initiator device36. In another embodiment, the end32exits the internal portion of the outer covering through a hole (not shown) near the periphery of the outer covering28. The first end29and the opening31are configured to expand from a first size to a larger second size as the shock tube coils are inserted into the outer covering28. The outer covering28further includes a second end35that includes the neck portion26.

The neck portion26includes an opening40. The neck portion26and opening40are configured to expand from a first size to a larger second size to allow the shock tube coils22to be inserted into the outer covering28. After the shock tube coils22are inserted, the neck portion26and opening40return to the first size to retain the shock tube coils22within the outer covering28. In an embodiment, the second end35is shaped like the first end29and does not include a neck portion26. In an embodiment, the weave of the textile material of the outer covering28is configured to be elastic and to automatically reduces in size to the first size after the shock tube coils22are inserted. In an embodiment, the neck portion includes a section that extends about the circumference of the neck portion and is elastic, but stiffer, than the surrounding material. In another embodiment, an external elastic member41(FIG.4) is placed around the neck portion26after the shock tube coils22have been inserted.

In an embodiment, the outer covering28is sized to provide a compression fit on the shock tube coils22. In an embodiment, the outer covering28is formed from a single piece textile material. In another embodiment, the outer covering28may be formed by multiple components. The multiple components may be separate, integral, or coupled together. In an embodiment, the outer covering28is sized to form a compression fit over a 5-inch (127 mm) long×2¾ inch (70 mm) diameter cylinder. It should be appreciated that the cylinder may be larger or smaller. In an embodiment, the outer covering28may be formed from any suitable material that maintains a compression fit when exposed to a temperature range of +160 F to −60 F, including in some embodiment one or more of after temperature cycling, after a 10-foot drop, or after being submerged in water. In an embodiment, the material of the outer covering28is selected to provide a predetermined sound level when the shock tube coil is being removed during operation.

As noted, the detonator34is operably connected to the inner end30of the coiled shock tube22. The detonator34may be a device made in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 6,272,996, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Also, the detonator34may be positioned inside the coil22for reducing the volume of the resulting package20. The igniter36is operably connected to the outer end32of the tubing22, and is held in place by a suitable means, such as an adhesive, an elastic member or a strap for example. The igniter36may be a device constructed in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 6,272,996. Alternatively, the coreless-coil shock tubing package20may be provided without a detonator or igniter, in which case these or similar devices would be connected to the coil22by a user in the field or otherwise. The igniter and detonator are sometimes collectively referred to herein as “shock tube devices,” by which it is meant a device either for actuating a shock tube or being acted upon by a shock tube signal.

As noted above, the shock tubing is provided as a “bundle,” which refers generally to configurations where a length of shock tubing is wound in a compact manner or otherwise compactly arranged. Thus, the shock tubing bundle may be in the form of a coil, or, e.g., it could comprise successive short lengths of the tubing folded back over on one another. The bundle does not have to be cylindrical in overall shape, and could be other shapes. Thus, one embodiment may be characterized as packaged shock tubing comprising a bundle consisting of a compactly arranged length of shock tubing (e.g., no spool or other support) and a flexible or elastic outer covering that maintains the length of shock tubing in a bundled manner, e.g., in a compact arrangement.

Alternatively, the detonator34is attached to the inner end30of the tubing22and inserted into the opening provided at one end of the coil22. Also, the igniter36may be attached to the outer end32of the tubing22and alternatively retained by a shrink-wrap layer or covering instead of via the strap, elastic member or adhesive.

As should be appreciated, instead of tucking in whichever device is attached to the inner tubing end, such device can be left on the outside of the coil and removably secured to, e.g., the end of the coil. Also, for use in certain applications, instead of attaching a detonator34to the inner end30of the tubing22and an igniter36to the outer end32of the tubing22, the igniter may be attached to the inner end and the detonator to the outer end. In this configuration, the detonator and coil would remain with the explosive device while the igniter is moved away from both. It might also be the case that the igniter would remain stationary (e.g., held by a soldier or other user) while the coil and detonator are moved in a direction of interest.

The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For example, “about” can include a range of ±8% or 5%, or 2% of a given value.

Additionally, the term “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” Any embodiment or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. The terms “at least one” and “one or more” are understood to include any integer number greater than or equal to one, i.e. one, two, three, four, etc. The terms “a plurality” are understood to include any integer number greater than or equal to two, i.e. two, three, four, five, etc. The term “connection” can include an indirect “connection” and a direct “connection”.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.

While the disclosure is provided in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the disclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the disclosure can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Additionally, while various embodiments of the disclosure have been described, it is to be understood that the exemplary embodiment(s) may include only some of the described exemplary aspects. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.