Wall breaching apparatus and method

Abstract

Wall breaching apparatus and methods utilizing shaped charges for penetration of walls of buildings and other structures for rescue, escape, or military operations.

1 . A kit for constructing a wall breaching structure, the kit comprising: 
 a. a plurality of linear shaped charges;    b. a plurality of block explosive charges; and    c. a plurality of connecting members for connecting any of the shaped charges and the block explosive charges to others of the shaped charges and the block explosive charges; and    wherein the shaped charges and the block explosives can be configured into a multiplicity of different arrangements and connected together to form a wall breaching structure.    
     
     
         2 . A wall breaching apparatus comprising: 
 a. a plurality of linear shaped charges;    b. a plurality of block explosive charges; and    c. a plurality of connecting members for connecting any of the shaped charges and the block explosive charges to others of the shaped charges and the block explosive charges; and    wherein the shaped charges and the block explosives can be configured into a multiplicity of different arrangements and connected together to form a wall breaching structure.    
     
     
         3 . A method of breaching a non-homogeneous reinforced aggregate structure, the method comprising: 
 a. placing the linear shaped charge against the non-homogeneous reinforced aggregate structure, the structure having a plurality of reinforcement members; and    b. exploding the linear shaped charge to generate a metal jet and a blast wave, and    wherein the metal jet cuts at least one of the cut reinforcement members at one location and the remainder at two locations and the blast wave creates an opening in the aggregate material, and    wherein the cutting of the reinforcement member and the creation of the opening occur substantially simultaneously.    
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the metal jet cuts at least about 10% to 75% of the cut reinforcement members at one location and the remainder at two locations.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein when double rebar is used the metal jet cuts at least two of the cut reinforcement members at one location and the remainder at two locations.  
     
     
         6 . A method breaching a non-homogeneous reinforced aggregate structure, the method comprising: 
 a. placing an explosive charge configured to define a portion of a perimeter of an opening to be formed against the non-homogeneous reinforced aggregate structure, the structure having a reinforcement member; and    b. exploding the explosive charge, and    wherein a blast created by the explosive charge creates an opening in the aggregate material, cuts the reinforcement member in one location, and bends the reinforcement member substantially at the portion of the perimeter of the opening in a direction of the blast, such that a person can travel through the opening thereby created.    
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the explosive charge cuts at least about 10% to 75% of the cut reinforcement members at one location and the remainder at two locations.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein when double rebar is used the explosive charge cuts at least two of the cut reinforcement members at one location and the remainder at two locations.  
     
     
         9 . An initiation mechanism for igniting a linear shaped charge comprising: 
 a. a linear shaped charge having a metal liner;    b. a plurality of detonators attached to the linear shaped charge; and    c. a mechanism for simultaneously igniting the plurality of detonators; and    wherein the simultaneous ignition of the plurality detonators creates a substantially planar detonation wave.    
     
     
         10 . A method of creating a substantially planar detonation wave, the method comprising: 
 a. providing a linear shaped charge having a metal liner;    b. attaching a plurality of detonators to the linear shaped charge; and    c. igniting the plurality of detonators with a mechanism for simultaneously igniting the plurality of detonators; and    d. wherein the simultaneous ignition of the plurality detonators thereby creates a substantially planar detonation wave.    
     
     
         11 . An initiation mechanism for igniting a linear shaped charge comprising: 
 a. a linear shaped charge having a metal liner;    b. a first detonator attached to the linear shaped charge;    c. a second detonator attached to the linear shaped charge;    d. an intermediate detonator attached to the linear shaped charge and disposed between the first detonator and the second detonator; and    e. a mechanism for simultaneously igniting the first, second, and intermediate detonators, and    wherein the simultaneous ignition of the plurality first, second, and intermediate detonators thereby creates a substantially planar detonation wave.