초록 ▼

An explosive charge such as a cast booster charge (10, 110, 210) includes an explosive charge (14, 114, 214) having a first explosive matrix material (114a, 214a) with discrete bodies (118, 218) of a second material embedded therein. In some embodiments, discrete bodies may comprise explosive materi

An explosive charge such as a cast booster charge (10, 110, 210) includes an explosive charge (14, 114, 214) having a first explosive matrix material (114a, 214a) with discrete bodies (118, 218) of a second material embedded therein. In some embodiments, discrete bodies may comprise explosive material and the first explosive matrix material (114a, 214a) may be more sensitive to initiation than the explosive material of the discrete bodies (118, 218). In a separate aspect of the invention, the discrete bodies may have a minimum dimension of at least 1 millimeter or, optionally, 1.6 millimeter, regardless of the explosive properties of the material therein. In a particular embodiment, discrete bodies may be shaped as cylindrical pellets rounded at at least one end. The cast booster charge (10, 110, 210) may be produced by melting the first explosive, disposing discrete bodies therein and cooling the molten material to solid form.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An explosive charge comprising: a continuous phase comprising a first explosive matrix material having therein a plurality of discrete bodies of a second material which is less sensitive to initiation than the continuous phase, the discrete bodies having a minimum dimension of at least 1 mm, w

1. An explosive charge comprising: a continuous phase comprising a first explosive matrix material having therein a plurality of discrete bodies of a second material which is less sensitive to initiation than the continuous phase, the discrete bodies having a minimum dimension of at least 1 mm, where in the matrix material defines a contact surface for an initiator and wherein the discrete bodies are concentrated away from the contact surface to provide a region of high sensitivity near the contact surface. 2. The explosive charge of claim 1, wherein the matrix material comprises a combination of PETN and TNT. 3. The explosive charge of claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising a second plurality of discrete bodies comprising an explosive material. 4. The explosive charge of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the discrete bodies comprise pellets having lengths and diameters of 0.8 cm. 5. The explosive charge of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the discrete bodies comprise pellets having a minimum dimension of 1.6 cm. 6. The explosive charge of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the second material comprises TNT. 7. The explosive charge of claim 1 wherein the discrete bodies comprise a non-explosive material. 8. The explosive charge of claim 1 wherein the contact surface comprises a cylindrical contact surface. 9. An explosive charge comprising: a first explosive matrix material having therein an interspersed phase comprising a plurality of discrete bodies of a second material which is more sensitive to initiation than the matrix material, wherein the discrete bodies have a minimum dimension of at least 1 mm, and wherein the charge defines a contact surface for an initiator, wherein the discrete bodies are concentrated near the contact surface to provide a region of high sensitivity near the contact surface. 10. The explosive charge of claim 9 or claim 7 wherein the discrete bodies further comprise pellets having a minimum dimension of 1.6 cm. 11. The explosive charge of claim 9 or claim 7 comprising discrete bodies in the shape of round-ended cylinders having a diameter of at least 1.6 cm. 12. The explosive charge of claim 7 wherein the matrix material defines a contact surface for.an initiator and wherein the discrete bodies are concentrated away from the contact surface to provide a region of high sensitivity near the contact surface. 13. The explosive charge of claim 12 wherein the matrix material comprises pentolite. 14. The explosive charge of claim 1, claim 2 or claim 9 wherein the discrete bodies comprise round-ended cylindrical pellets. 15. The explosive charge of claim 14 wherein the discrete bodies have a length of about 1.6 centimeters. 16. The explosive charge of claim 14 wherein the discrete bodies comprise TNT. 17. The explosive charge of claim 12 wherein the contact surface comprises a cylindrical contact surface.