Method for laser machining explosives and ordnance
Abstract
Method for laser machining explosives and related articles. A laser beam is directed at a surface portion of a mass of high explosive to melt and/or vaporize the surface portion while directing a flow of gas at the melted and/or vaporized surface portion. The gas flow sends the melted and/or vaporized explosive away from the charge of explosive that remains. The method also involves splitting the casing of a munition having an encased explosive. The method includes rotating a munition while directing a laser beam to a surface portion of the casing of an article of ordnance. While the beam melts and/or vaporizes the surface portion, a flow of gas directed at the melted and/or vaporized surface portion sends it away from the remaining portion of ordnance. After cutting through the casing, the beam then melts and/or vaporizes portions of the encased explosive and the gas stream sends the melted/vaporized explosive away from the ordnance. The beam is continued until it splits the article, after which the encased explosive, now accessible, can be removed safely for recycle or disposal.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1174308
- Patent Number(s):
- 6559413
- Application Number:
- 09/995,922
- Assignee:
- The Regents of the University of California (Los Alamos, NM)
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B23 - MACHINE TOOLS B23K - SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING
F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F42 - AMMUNITION F42B - EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 42 ENGINEERING
Citation Formats
Muenchausen, Ross E., Rivera, Thomas, and Sanchez, John A. Method for laser machining explosives and ordnance. United States: N. p., 2003.
Web.
Muenchausen, Ross E., Rivera, Thomas, & Sanchez, John A. Method for laser machining explosives and ordnance. United States.
Muenchausen, Ross E., Rivera, Thomas, and Sanchez, John A. Tue .
"Method for laser machining explosives and ordnance". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1174308.
@article{osti_1174308,
title = {Method for laser machining explosives and ordnance},
author = {Muenchausen, Ross E. and Rivera, Thomas and Sanchez, John A.},
abstractNote = {Method for laser machining explosives and related articles. A laser beam is directed at a surface portion of a mass of high explosive to melt and/or vaporize the surface portion while directing a flow of gas at the melted and/or vaporized surface portion. The gas flow sends the melted and/or vaporized explosive away from the charge of explosive that remains. The method also involves splitting the casing of a munition having an encased explosive. The method includes rotating a munition while directing a laser beam to a surface portion of the casing of an article of ordnance. While the beam melts and/or vaporizes the surface portion, a flow of gas directed at the melted and/or vaporized surface portion sends it away from the remaining portion of ordnance. After cutting through the casing, the beam then melts and/or vaporizes portions of the encased explosive and the gas stream sends the melted/vaporized explosive away from the ordnance. The beam is continued until it splits the article, after which the encased explosive, now accessible, can be removed safely for recycle or disposal.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue May 06 00:00:00 EDT 2003},
month = {Tue May 06 00:00:00 EDT 2003}
}