Diversionary device with electronic trigger and directed high efficiency output

Abstract

A single use diversionary device having a semi-hollow barrel with a closed first end forming a pressure-resistant bulkhead and a second open end that receives one or more powder filled cartridge assemblies. A pivotable gate is mounted at the second open end of the barrel and configured to direct an explosion in more than one direction. A cap containing electronic delay circuitry is attached to the first closed end.

Claims

1. A single use diversionary device, comprising: a semi-hollow barrel having a closed first end forming a pressure-resistant bulkhead and a second open end that receives one or more powder filled cartridge assemblies; a pivotable gate mounted at the second open end of the barrel and configured to direct an explosion in only one of two possible directions, wherein the pivotable gate is positioned based on an orientation of the diversionary device after the diversionary device is deployed; and a molded cap containing electronic circuitry attached to the closed first end.

2. The single use divisionary device of claim 1 wherein the pivotable gate has a first position that provides an open channel to a first exhaust port and a second position that provides an open channel to a second exhaust port.

3. The single use diversionary device of claim 2 wherein the pivotable gate is weighted such that the influence of gravity positions the pivotable gate to direct exhaust in an upward direction and opens the channel to the first exhaust port while simultaneously sealing the second exhaust port on the opposite side of the semi-hollow barrel.

4. A single-use diversionary device, comprising: a semi hollow barrel having a closed first end forming a pressure resisting bulkhead and a second open end that receives one or more powder cartridge assemblies; an upper cap connected to the hollow barrel at the first closed end; an electronic timing circuit protected by the cap and configured to generate a pre-defined timing delay, activate an electric primer and subsequently eject energetic powder materials from the device thereby creating an explosion in free space; the electronic timing circuit includes a timing section, a power source and a low power relay configured to capitalize on the fast blow nature of electric primers; an electronic circuit configured for use with conventional diversionary devices; and a pivotable gate mounted at the second open end of the barrel and configured to direct an explosion in only one of two possible directions, wherein the pivotable gate is positioned based on an orientation of the diversionary device after the diversionary device is deployed.

5. The diversionary device of claim 4 wherein a trigger switch and spring are disposed within the cap, wherein the spring is part of the electrical timing circuit.

6. A diversionary device, comprising: a semi hollow barrel having a closed first end forming a pressure resisting bulkhead and a second open end that receives one or more powder cartridge assemblies; the cartridge assembly consisting of multiple cartridges containing a mixture of energetic materials and a breakaway (frangible) hermetic seal; the multiple cartridges are encased in an elastomeric (rubber) coating configured to uniformly distribute internal pressures occurring during detonation; and a pivotable gate mounted at the second open end of the barrel and configured to direct the pressures during detonation in only one of two possible directions, wherein the pivotable gate is positioned based on an orientation of the diversionary device after the diversionary device is deployed.

7. The diversionary device of claim 6 wherein the cartridges have an internal metal sleeve.

8. The diversionary device of claim 6 wherein the multiple cartridges contain specific ratios of energetic materials which are chemically stable and exhibit properties below conventional flash powder thresholds.

9. The diversionary device of claim 6 wherein at least one of the multiple cartridges contains a fuel-rich mixture and at least one of the multiple cartridges contains an oxidizer rich mixture.

10. The diversionary device of claim 6 wherein the multiple cartridges are configured to burst open and complete the mixing of the energetic materials at the exact instant before detonation to flash powder levels.

11. The diversionary device of claim 6 wherein a flash does not occur until the breakaway hermetic seal bursts under pressure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present disclosure may be better understood with reference to the following figures. Corresponding reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the figures. Components in the figures are not necessary to scale. It will be appreciated that the drawings are provided for illustrative purposes and that the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. For clarity and in order to emphasize certain features, not all drawings depict all embodiments. The invention also encompasses embodiments that combine features illustrated in multiple different drawings; embodiments that omit, modify, or replace some of the features depicted and embodiments that include features not illustrated in the drawings. Therefore, it should be understood that there is no restrictive one-to-one correspondence between any given embodiment of the invention and any of the drawings provided.

(2) FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of an improved noise flash diversionary device highlighting the major components seen by the end user.

(3) FIG. 2 is a cut-away view of one embodiment of an improved noise flash device revealing the relationship of the frangible cartridge to the external case.

(4) FIG. 3 is a full longitudinal cross-section view of one embodiment of an improved noise flash device illustrating some of the internal components.

(5) FIG. 4 is a full transverse cross-section view of one embodiment of an improved noise flash device illustrating some of the internal components.

(6) FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 illustrate the three main components of the frangible cartridge assembly and an exploded view of the frangible cartridge.

(7) FIG. 7 provides the reader with an exploded view of the frangible cartridge assembly.

(8) FIG. 8 is an additional cross-section of the device providing a further understanding of the limited motion bi-directional blast ramp and optimized exhaust port.

(9) FIG. 9 is the schematic of the proposed electronic delay circuit.

(10) FIG. 10 is an electronic schematic of the fuse circuit with a boost capacitor.

(11) FIG. 11 depicts a cross section of a typical M201A1 fuse.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(12) Referring to the Figures, a diversionary device includes a barrel 1 fabricated from a lightweight material such as aluminum, engineered composite, carbon fiber or similar lightweight material. The barrel 1 is of any size and shape and in the example shown has a stadium or racetrack shape with a first open end and a closed second end. An impact resistant cap 2 is secured to the first open end of the barrel 1. The cap 2 is made of any material and as an example is formed from aluminum, polymer or lightweight materials.

(13) Located at the closed second or distal end of the barrel 1 and disposed within is a bi-directional blast ramp or gate 3 which pivots freely about a pin 5 having an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the barrel 1. The bi-directional gate 3 is positioned to direct energetic materials away from the device in order to form a volatile aerosol cloud of powder above the device. While the bi-directional gate 3 is constructed from any material, in one example the gate is constructed from high strength, lightweight materials such as aircraft aluminum in order to absorb the extreme overpressures generated by an explosion. The bi-directional gate 3 is configured so that its center of gravity is forward of the pivot point allowing gravitational forces to automatically swing the gate 3 into a correct position.

(14) A spring-loaded safety lever 4 is mounted to the cap 2 and is secured in place using a ring and pin assembly 6. Removal of the pin causes the lever 4 to pivot upward and separate completely from the device. Disposed within the barrel 1 is a frangible cartridge assembly 8. In the example shown a dual frangible cartridge array is shown, however, in other embodiments more than a dual cartridge array is used.

(15) An electric primer 10, also known as a squib, electric match, initiator, or the like, is positioned directly above the frangible cartridge assembly 8 and is electrically connected to an analog control circuitry 12. A battery 11 is connected to the analog control circuitry 12 to provide power to the control circuitry 12. In one example the primer 10 is soldered directly to a circuit board eliminating the need for a connector and securing both the control circuitry 12 and primer 10 in place. An air gap 13 is provided between the cartridge assembly 8 and the bi-directional gate 3.

(16) The cap 2 protects the analog control circuitry 12 which is disposed within the cap 2. A spring 14 is configured to become part of the control circuitry 12 once tension is released and the spring 14 falls into a resting position. In one example the spring is fabricated as a single unitary piece with both left-hand and right-hand wound sections joined together at the center. The connection between the two torsion springs 14 is formed to match exposed contacts on a trigger switch 15. This configuration simplifies the device by using the spring for two purposesone to provide stored energy to release the lever 4, and two to electrically connect the battery to the analog control circuitry 12.

(17) Each cartridge of the frangible cartridge assembly 8 has an energy absorbing coating and an internal metal sleeve 16. At one end is a break-away frangible seal 17 and at the opposite end is a hermetically sealed end cap 19. Disposed within the cartridge is a volume of pre-mixed energetic material 18. The energy absorbing coating on the frangible cartridges forms a watertight seal once the cartridges are positioned inside the barrel 1.

(18) The ring and pin assembly 6 includes a machined boss 20 that prevents the accidental removal of the pin. A slot 21 is formed in the cap 2 that requires the user to remove the pin and ring assembly 6 at a specific rotational angle. In all other angular positions the ring and pin assembly 6 remains locked in place and cannot be separated from the device. This configuration reduces the number of parts and replaces a wire confidence clip found in other devices.

(19) The bi-directional gate 3 has a first position 22 where the gate 3 is biased to the left or back of the device and a second position 23 where the gate 3 is biased to the right or front of the device. In both positions the bi-directional gate provides a channel 25 to an exhaust port 24. The size and cross-section of the exhaust port 24 in relation to the bi-directional gate 3 and the barrel 1 is configured to match the specific payload and chemistry of the energetic materials 18.

(20) The cartridges 8 are loosely held in place within the barrel 1 and are allowed to slide inside the barrel 1 when the primer 10 is ignited. When the channel 25 is pressurized the cartridges 8 are pushed inside the barrel 1 in unison, closing the air gap 13 and preventing further movement of the bi-directional blast gate 3. Thus, the cartridges 8 are configured to lock the bi-directional gate 3 in place preventing further movement and pinning the bi-directional gate 3 in a desired position during detonation of the device.

(21) The explosive event and simultaneous flash are directed at right angles in all normal situations, up and away from the device. Based on the configuration of the device the explosive event and flash always occurs 5 to 9 feet above the floor which dramatically increases the effectiveness of the device. The bi-directional gate 3 seals against the inside wall of the barrel 1 preventing damage to flammable surfaces under the device.

(22) The configuration of the barrel 1 and bi-directional gate also eliminates the need for reinforced steel bulkhead and heavy case bolts, which provides a significant reduction in both size and weight. Internal pressures generated by the primer are freely dissipated out of the unrestricted open end of the device much like escaping gases from a gun barrel. The open-ended concept allows for the use of lightweight materials and the reduction in the number of parts. Further, most conventional devices severely restrict the flow of energetic material out of the device resulting in very high internal pressures that necessitate the use of heavy materials of construction.

(23) In one example the electric primer 10 is securely mounted in a machined cavity formed in the upper section of the barrel 1 backed by an elastomer seal or O-ring which prevents the internal pressures from escaping from exhaust port 25 preventing damage to the cap 2 and control circuitry 12.

(24) The present invention discloses a low cost, single use device that mandates the creation of a simplified control circuit using the smallest number of components. The control circuit must perform two functions: 1) render the device inert (safe) whenever the safety lever 4 is installed, and 2) provide a means to delay the explosive event for 1 to 2 seconds after the safety lever 4 is released. In one example the control circuit consists of five componentsa capacitor, two resistors, and integrated timer chip and a solid-state relay. The required delay is achieved by the proper selection of the capacitor/resistor combination. In one example the target delay is 1.5 seconds but can be easily changed by the selection of the proper resistor/capacitor combination.

(25) To further minimize cost and the number of component parts, the torsion spring 14 provides the stored energy to mechanically release the safety lever 4 from the device and subsequently the electrical trigger board 15 of the electronic circuit 12. This approach eliminates the need for a hammer, spring and firing pin found in conventional devices. This approach ensures the device is rendered safe at all times since no power is available to the device unless the safety lever 4 is removed.

(26) Upon detonation of the primer 10 the following sequence of events occurs, sometimes referred to as the explosion train. As previously described the pressure generated by the electric primer 10 forces the frangible cartridge assemblies 8 forward directly into the bi-directional gate 3 securely locking the gate 3 in place. The frangible cartridges 8 then burst open, releasing the premixed energetic materials 18 into the exhaust port. The energetic materials 18 deflect off the bi-directional gate 3 forming an aerosol powder cloud in the free air space above the device. The pressurization of the frangible cartridges 8 and subsequent bursting of the frangible seals 17 results in a violent secondary mixing action creating a near perfect fuel air reaction. The improved combustion properties and unrestricted flow of the design generates optimum overpressure (sound) with little or no smoke. In fact, due to the inherent efficiency of the design of the device, only small amounts of energetic material are needed, in some cases less than the payload of other products. Due to its novel construction, the device operates much like the bursting of a high-pressure balloon resulting in the rapid expansion and mixing of its contents, hence generating little or no unburned materials, sparks or smoke.