Avalanche control device

Abstract

An avalanche control device includes a detonation initiator unit and a bio-degradable linear bag. The initiator unit is elongated and includes an ignition end, an inflation end, and a stepped transition zone in between that gets progressively greater in diameter as it extends from the ignition end towards the inflation end. The inflatable bag is adapted for connection to the inflation end of the initiator unit. The design of initiator unit is fixed and reusable, while the bag dimensions can be tailored to the desired blast strength for the end user, in terms of length, diameter, and mixture ratio.

Claims

1. An avalanche control device, comprising: a. initiator unit body comprising: i. an ignition end and an inflation end; ii. an oxygen input and a fuel injector at the ignition end; iii. an ignitor port indirectly connected to the oxygen input and the fuel injector via the initiator unit body; and iv. a tapered portion extending between the ignitor port and the inflation end; and b. an inflatable bag adapted for attachment to the inflation end of the initiator unit body, wherein the bag attachment is movable between a stored configuration and an inflated configuration.

2. The avalanche control device according to claim 1, wherein the tapered portion comprises a series of steps that get increasingly larger in diameter as the tapered portion extends from the ignition end towards the inflation end.

3. The avalanche control device according to claim 1, wherein the initiator unit body further comprises a converging throat positioned between the ignition end and the tapered portion.

4. The avalanche control device according to claim 1, wherein the inflatable bag is biodegradable.

5. The avalanche control device according to claim 1, wherein the inflation end terminates in a bulkhead.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description of the Invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view schematic representation of an initiator unit (inflatable bag not depicted), in accordance with an embodiment.

(3) FIG. 2 is a side view schematic representation of an initiator unit with the inflatable bag in the stored configuration, in accordance with an embodiment.

(4) FIG. 3 is a side view schematic representation of an initiator unit with the inflatable bag in the inflated configuration, in accordance with an embodiment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

(5) The present disclosure is directed to an avalanche control device.

(6) According to an aspect is an avalanche control device, comprising an initiator unit body. The initiator unit body comprises an ignition end and an inflation end; an oxygen input and a fuel injector at the ignition end; an ignitor port indirectly connected to the oxygen input and the fuel injector via the initiator unit body; and a tapered portion extending between the ignitor port and the inflation end. The device also includes an inflatable bag adapted for attachment to the inflation end of the initiator unit body, wherein the bag attachment is movable between a stored configuration and an inflated configuration.

(7) According to an embodiment the tapered portion comprises a series of steps that get increasingly larger in diameter as it extends from the ignition end towards the inflation end.

(8) According to an embodiment, the initiator unit body further comprises a converging throat positioned between the ignition end and the tapered portion.

(9) According to an embodiment, the inflatable bag is biodegradable.

(10) According to an embodiment, the inflation end terminates in a bulkhead.

(11) According to an aspect, a method for controlling an avalanche in a blast zone, comprising the steps of providing an elongated initiator unit body having an ignition end and a inflation end and a stepped transition zone that increases in diameter as it extends from the ignition end towards the inflation end; attaching an inflatable bag to the inflation end of an initiator unit body; orienting the initiation unit body such that it extends from the ignition end towards the inflation end in a direction towards the blast zone; deploying the inflatable bag over the blast zone; attaching a source of oxygen and a source of fuel to the ignition end of an elongated initiator unit; closing the supply valve to the ignition unit; and remotely igniting the oxygen and fuel mixture to create a detonation wave within the initiator unit body.

(12) These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the embodiments described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(13) An avalanche control device, designated generally by reference numeral 10, comprises an elongated detonation initiator unit 12 having a particular geometry described hereinafter and a bio-degradable linear bag 14. Although the design of initiator unit 12 is fixed and reusable, the linear bag 14 dimensions can be tailored to the desired blast strength for the end user, in terms of length, diameter, and mixture ratio. The initiator unit 12 functions by rapidly mixing a fuel/oxidizer blend (not shown) which is delivered to the bag 14 by passing through the initiator unit 12. Once the bag 14 is inflated, the supply valves 16 are closed and the ignition event occurs. Due to the local restriction 18 at the head-end of the initiator unit 14 (e.g., throat) and the series of turbulence generating steps 20 (e.g., narrowing tapered stepped transition zone that increase in diameter as it extends from the ignition end towards the inflation end) after the throat 18, a rapid deflagration-to-detonation transition process occurs and a detonation wave will form. After the detonation wave forms and exits the initiator unit 12 at the aft bulk head 22, the geometry and mixtures used will support the diffraction of the detonation wave around the corner and successfully transmits the detonation wave into the bag mixture as a self-supporting wave. The resulting local overpressures will be approximately 300-400 psi immediately behind the detonation wave and decay rapidly to lower values as the wave spreads cylindrically. The overpressure values should be sufficient to trigger an avalanche if the snowpack structure is inherently unstable.

(14) The two reactants are safely transported to the area of concern since they are stable until dynamically mixed. The system is deployed by placing the initiator tube 12 on the snow pack and directed towards the area of concern. The linear bag 14 is then deployed across the desired blast zone which can be accomplished via a harpoon like system, quadcopter, or unrolled during the fill process much like a party streamer would unfurl. In either case, once the plastic bag 14 is connected to the initiator unit 12, the fuel and oxidizer supply lines (not shown) may be connected to the manifold valves 24. The remote control box is connected to initiator controller through a cable and located approximately 400′ from the initiator unit. After it is verified that the firing officer possesses the safety key, the ignitor may be connected to the ignitor port 26, the supply gases are opened, and all personnel evacuated to the remote control box location. The officer may then insert the key, arm the system, and proceed with a fill and detonate sequence.

(15) While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto; inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed.

(16) It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. There is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.