Annular Shaped Charge for Breaching Masonary Walls

This invention relates to shaped charges, and more particularly to a shaped charge and method for breaching reinforced masonary construction.

In the demolition of masonary structures, and in particular the breaching of reinforced concrete walls, sufficient for persons to pass through, large quantities of bulk explosives have been required. For example, to breach a two foot thick reinforced concrete wall, so that a person could pass through the hole created, a minimum of 28 pounds of bulk explosive placed next to the wall is required. Such large quantities of explosive in bulk form are dangerous and time consuming to handle. Special precautions must be taken to protect personnel and special containers and material handling equipment is required to transport such explosives.

Also bulk explosive must be placed next to the wall at the location where it is to be breached, which makes it difficult, if not impossible, to penetrate the wall at locations off the ground. When bulk explosives are detonated next to a wall, a substantial portion of the explosive force is directed away from the wall and is not utilized to penetrate the structure. This is dangerous to surrounding structures and personnel and is a highly inefficient use of the explosive.

It can be appreciated that bulk explosives are inefficient means for breaching concrete structures and there is a need for a small, lightweight, relatively safe and powerful device for breaching such structures. Ideally the device would be capable of providing man size openings in the structure.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide for an explosive device capable of breaching reinforced masonary construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide for an explosive device for breaching reinforced concrete walls that expends substantially all of its explosive energy in breaching the wall.

A further object of the invention is to provide for an explosive device for breaching reinforced concrete walls that does not require the use of bulk explosives.

Another object of the invention is to provide for an explosive device that is capable of making man size openings in reinforced concrete walls.

A still further object of the invention is to provide for an explosive device for breaching concrete structures that is easily handled by personnel.

And, another object of the invention is to provide for an explosive device for breaching concrete walls that reduces the risk of injury to personnel and surrounding structures.

The objects of the invention are achieved and the shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by utilizing the principles of shaped charges by providing for a shaped charge device having a hemispherical annular shaped liner centrally located between the ends of the device. The device is filled with an explosive. The device is positioned within a pilot hole in the wall to be breached and the opposing ends are simultaneously detonated causing the annular liner to collapse creating an annular jet directed Radially outward into the wall.

FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment showing details of construction.

FIG. 3 is a front pictorial view showing graphically the preferred embodiment in use breaching a wall.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal longitudinal cross-sectional view of the wall of FIG. 3 showing graphically the preferred embodiment in use.

Shown in FIG. 1 is an hourglass shaped charged 10. The shaped charge includes an outer case 12 having a first cavity portion 14 on one end and a second cavity portion 16 on an opposing second end. Cavities 14, 16 are interconnected by a third cavity portion 18 located coaxial therebetween. Third cavity 18 has a reduced radial dimension 19 centrally located therealong, see FIG. 2, and a shape defined by an annular concave section of case 12 located equidistance from each end. The concave section defines a shaped charge liner 20. Liner 20 has a reduced cross-sectional thickness from the portions of case 12 that surround cavities 14, 16. Liner 20 is designed to collapse, invert, and form an expanding annular jet 22, see FIG. 4, when the device is detonated. Case 12 and liner 20 are preferrably machined from a single piece of material capable of forming reactive jets, such as aluminum or zirconium; however, other acceptable liner and case materials include castable zinc aluminum alloys. Changing the liner shape and material changes the effect of the charge. For example, the hemispherical liner gives large mass-fraction in the jet, and an aluminum liner gives an increased energetic jet. Other acceptable shapes include V and parabolic shapes. Those skilled in shaped charges can readily adapt other shapes and materials having the benefit of the disclosure herein, e.g., truncated conical shaped cavities 14, 16, or a combination of cylindrical and conical.

Cavities 14, 16, 18 are filled with any well known explosive 17 used in shaped charges, e.g., those generally known as Composition B, HMX, Octol, RDX, or other cast loaded or press loaded explosives.

In use, the device is initiated simultaneously at the opposite ends by initiation means, not shown, and included preferrably on the surfaces of the charge on each end.

Shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a portion of a reinforced masonary wall 24 that is to be breached. In use, a pilot hole 26, is slightly larger than the diameter of charge 10 for providing enough clearance for jet formation. Pilot hole 26 is made in the wall at the location to be breached. The pilot hole is made by conventional means, such as an impacting shape charge or projectile. To breach an 8" thick double reinforced concrete wall providing a man sized hole, on the order of 2 square feet, the shaped charge of this invention only need be 8 inches in length, 3.5 inches in diameter at cavities 14, 16, provided with a hemispherical liner having a 2 inch diameter, and filled with approximately 23/4 pounds of one of the above mentioned explosives. A 31/2 inch pilot hole is within the capabilities of present devices.

Charge 10 is placed within the pilot hole and the charge in cavity portions 14, 16, are simultaneously detonated with the detonation waves travelling toward reduced section 19 into cavity portion 18 thus causing liner 20 to collapse, invert, and form an annular, radially expanding jet of liner material and further causing explosive gases 22 directed into the wall interior, as shown in FIG. 4, to breach the wall.

Having described the preferred embodiment and its operation, those skilled in the field will readily be able to devise other embodiments and modifications having the benefit of said description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings Therefore said embodiments and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the appended claims.