Jul 28, 2026

US12693102 - Deflagration device for underwater unexploded ordnance

An unexploded ordnance (UXO) mitigation device of the present invention includes an energy-focusing guide formed with deflagration chamber, and an upper housing connected to the energy-focusing guide. The upper housing is formed with an opening and a tapered void, so that the opening merges into the tapered void, and the tapered void merges into the deflagration chamber. An initiator is inserted into the opening and an energetic charge is placed into the tapered void in contact with the initiator. A snorkel can be attached to the upper housing to establish a transient chamber, which allows for complete detonation of the energetic charge. The complete detonation causes conversion of gas in the deflagration chamber to ionize into a plasma having a wave velocity sufficient for the plasma to deflagrate the UXO.

Assignee: The United States of America represented by the Secretary of the Navy
Inventors: John Short, Tim White, Robert Bruner, Christian Jewell, Patrick Van Dam, Daniel McCarthy, Gary Evans, Hugh Burrell, Christopher Wilhelm
Filing date: 2023-08-09

unexplodedordnancedeflagrationmilitarydeterrent

The patent describes a device designed to mitigate unexploded ordnance (UXO) underwater by utilizing a deflagration chamber and an energy-focusing guide to facilitate complete detonation. It features an upper housing with an opening and tapered void for an initiator and a snorkel to create a transient chamber for effective plasma generation.

Claim 1

1 . An unexploded ordnance (UXO) mitigation device, comprising: an energy-focusing guide; an upper housing being connected to said energy-focusing guide, wherein said upper housing is formed with an opening and a tapered void, and wherein said opening is merged into said tapered void; an initiator being inserted into said opening; and, a snorkel being attached to said upper housing. an energy-focusing guide; an upper housing being connected to said energy-focusing guide, wherein said upper housing is formed with an opening and a tapered void, and wherein said opening is merged into said tapered void; an initiator being inserted into said opening; and, a snorkel being attached to said upper housing.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12693102

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12693102