US2575071A - Explosive-operated device - Google Patents

Description

1951 G. 0. ROCKWELL EXPLOSIVE OPERATED DEVICE Filed Feb. 2?, 1948 3 0 0 3 m K m 5 u m\\wv 5 m a F will INVENTOR M j 9 $6M ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 13, 1951 UNITED EXPLOSIVE-OPERATED DEVICE Gaynor -0. Rockwell, Houston, Tex., assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Application February 27, 1948, Serial No. 11,476

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to a pressure operated device and is particularly directed to a pressure operated mechanism wherein the pressure is created by an explosion occuring completely within an inclosure.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved device operated by pressures created by an explosion, which device is flash proof and does not permit loss of pressure due to the escape of the gases at the time of the explosion.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a pressure operated device which is positive in action and simple in construction and operation.

Still further objects, advantages, and improvements will be apparent from the following description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along the longitudinal axis of the device.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the device at the instant of operation.

Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals of reference are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views, the numeral refers to an explosive containing device having a body portion II with threads I! cut thereon and a flange type cap 13 mounted integrally on the body portion H. An axial bore [5 extends through the full length of the device 10. The lower portion of the bore I5 is threaded to receive threads similar to those on the tubular portion 22 of the bellows It. The end of the bore I5 is rounded to eliminate a sharp edge which would tend to shear ofi the bellows when in use. An explosive charge l2 contained within the bore 15 is fired electrically by means of a filament iii, of which one end is attached to the body II and the other end to a centrally positioned electrode l8, which with a surrounding insulation material seals ofi the outer end of the bore l5.

The device I0 is secured to a mechanism (shown in part) by being threaded into an opening l9 by means of a tool (not shown) fitted into the recesses 2| in the cap IS. The bellows l4 fits into a cylindrical bore 26 in which a piston 28 slidably mounted bearing against the free end of the bellows 14. The electrical circuit for firing the explosive charge I2 is made through the mechanism 24 and through a contactor 30 which bears on the external surface of the electrode l8.

' In the normal operation of the device, an electric current is permitted to pass through the filament 16 to ignite the explosive charge. The gases produced by the explosion build up pressure in the chamber formed in part by the bellows M. The gas pressure tends to cause elongation of the bellows and presses it on the piston 28. The piston is forced down as shown by Fig. 3 and operates the mechanism (not shown). The pressure on the piston 23 and the distance travelled by the piston 28 are controlled by the amount of explosive used and the length and strength of the bellows [4.

The mechanism 24 which is shown in part is not any part of the present invention since it can be any conventional mechanism such as an automatically operated latch device.

While the invention has been described with reference to a certain preferred example thereof which gives satisfactory results, it will be understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, after understanding the invention that various changes and modifications within the purview of the claim herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is my intention therefore to cover in the appended claim all such changes and modifications.

What I claim as new and desire to be secured by Letters Patent is:

In an explosive operated latch mechanism having an opening, a cylinder communicating with said opening, a piston slidably positioned in said cylinder, the combination of a unitary explosive-containing device having a body portion mounted in said opening and having an axial bore therethrough communicating with said cylinder, a flange type cap portion formed integrally with said body portion positioned flush .with the surface of said mechanism, a bellows mounted in said cylinder, having one end secured to the body portion in communication with said bore and the other end in contact with.

the piston, an explosive charge contained by said bore, an electrode in contact with the charge, insulator means surrounding said electrode and sealing the free end of said bore, and a filament embedded in and adapted to explode said charge, having one end secured to said electrode and the other end secured to said body portion.

GAYNOR O. ROCKWELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

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