Method and system for electronically shaping detonated charges

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9291434-B2
Application number	US-201414519890-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 21, 2014
Priority date	Mar 19, 2012
Publication date	Mar 22, 2016
Grant date	Mar 22, 2016

Abstract

A method of controlling the shape and direction of an explosion may include embedding a plurality of detonators in an explosive, and arranging the detonators in the explosive to produce a shaped explosion of the explosive in a pre-set direction and having a pre-set intensity when triggered in a selected sequence; sensing a direction of an incoming threat relative to a protected region, calculating an intercept vector for the incoming threat, and sending a signal in response thereto by a sensor; receiving information from the sensor pertaining to the intercept vector and determining a sequential firing pattern for the detonators in response to the information from the sensor by a firing sequence calculator connected to trigger the detonators; and activating the firing sequence calculator to trigger the detonators in the sequential firing pattern to generate a counteracting force substantially along the intercept vector.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of controlling the shape and direction of an explosion, the method comprising:
embedding a plurality of detonators in an explosive, and arranging the detonators in the explosive to produce a shaped explosion of the explosive in a pre-set direction and having a pre-set intensity when triggered in a selected sequence;
sensing a direction of an incoming threat relative to a protected region, calculating an intercept vector for the incoming threat, and sending a signal in response thereto by a sensor;
receiving information from the sensor pertaining to the intercept vector and determining a sequential firing pattern for the detonators in response to the information from the sensor by a firing sequence calculator connected to trigger the detonators; and
activating the firing sequence calculator to trigger the detonators in the sequential firing pattern to generate a counteracting force substantially along the intercept vector.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein activating the firing sequence calculator controls both the direction and intensity of the counteracting force.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein embedding a plurality of detonators in the explosive includes embedding a plurality of detonators in a regularly shaped explosive.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein embedding a plurality of detonators in the explosive includes arranging the detonators in one of a linear, rectangular, cylindrical, conical, or spherical pattern in the explosive.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein arranging the detonators includes arranging the detonators in one of a one-dimensional, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional pattern.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein activating the firing sequence calculator to trigger the detonators in the sequential firing pattern generates the counteracting force to disperse and diminish an intensity of an incoming shock wave generated by the incoming threat.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising mounting the explosive on a substantially vertical surface.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein mounting the explosive includes mounting the explosive conformal to the surface.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein mounting the explosive includes forming the explosive in a flat, oblong shape.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein embedding the plurality of detonators includes arranging the plurality of detonators in a regular grid pattern in the explosive; and activating the firing sequence calculator to trigger the detonators in the sequential firing pattern includes determining an optimum sequential firing pattern for the detonators, and triggering the detonators in the regular grid pattern in the optimal sequential firing pattern.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein sensing a direction of an incoming threat relative to a protected region includes detecting an explosion by evaluating electromagnetic radiation selected from one of infrared light, visible light, ultraviolet light, microwaves, and X-Rays.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein sensing a direction of an incoming threat relative to a protected region includes sensing the direction of the incoming threat using at least two different types of sensors.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein sensing a direction of an incoming threat relative to a protected region includes sensing the direction of a shock wave from an explosion.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein sensing a direction of an incoming threat relative to a protected region by the sensor includes estimating one or more of the magnitude, distance, elevation angle and azimuthal position of the explosion.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein embedding a plurality of detonators in an explosive includes arranging the detonators in a pattern within the explosive; and wherein activating the firing sequence calculator to trigger the detonators in the sequential firing pattern includes independently activating the detonators by the firing sequence calculator.

16. A method for deflecting or destroying an incoming threat to a vehicle, the method comprising:
embedding a plurality of detonators in an explosive, and arranging the detonators in the explosive to produce a shaped explosion of the explosive in a pre-set direction and having a pre-set intensity when triggered in a selected sequence;
sensing a direction of an incoming threat relative to the vehicle, calculating an intercept vector for the incoming threat, and sending a signal in response thereto by a sensor;
receiving information from the sensor pertaining to the intercept vector and determining a sequential firing pattern for the detonators in response to the information from the sensor by a firing sequence calculator connected to trigger the detonators; and
activating the firing sequence calculator to trigger the detonators in the sequential firing pattern to detonate the explosive to generate a counteracting force substantially along the intercept vector.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising mounting the explosive on the vehicle.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein mounting the explosive on the vehicle includes providing the explosive with a substrate that provides reinforcement to protect the vehicle and occupants of the vehicle from the counteracting force of the explosive.

19. The method of claim 16 , further comprising mounting the sensor on the vehicle.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein mounting the sensor on the vehicle includes mounting the sensor within a door of the vehicle.

21. A method for providing an offensive weapon against an incoming threat, the method comprising:
embedding a plurality of detonators in an explosive, and arranging the detonators in the explosive to produce a shaped explosion of the explosive in a pre-set direction and having a pre-set intensity when triggered in a selected sequence;
detecting an incoming threat relative to a protected area, and sending a signal containing distance, elevation and azimuthal information by a sensor; and
triggering the detonators in a pre-set sequence determined by the signal received by a firing sequence calculator to shape and direct an explosion from the explosive toward the incoming threat to neutralize, destroy, or deter the threat.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Tillotson Brian J
• Hanneman Jeffrey Evan

Classifications

• F42C19/0846

  Arrangements of a multiplicity of primers or detonators, dispersed within a warhead, for increased efficiency · CPC title

• F41H11/02

  Anti-aircraft or anti-guided missile {or anti-torpedo} defence installations or systems (cartridges or missiles for producing smoke or for dispensing radar chaff or infrared material F42B5/15, F42B12/48, F42B12/70; {informative reference: details of radar or sonar systems G01S7/00; jamming or electronic countermeasures G01S7/38, G01S7/495, H04K3/00}) · CPC title

• F42C19/0842

  Arrangements of a multiplicity of primers or detonators, dispersed within a warhead, for multiple mode selection · CPC title

• F41H5/007 Primary

  Reactive armour; Dynamic armour · CPC title

• F42C19/0838

  Primers or igniters for the initiation or the explosive charge in a warhead (F42C19/095 takes precedence) · CPC title