Shaped charge metal foam package

Abstract

An apparatus for storing and/or shipping explosive components, such as shaped charges, is generally described. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a shielding assembly. The shielding assembly may include a shielding panel having a body made of metal foam and an aperture formed within the body. In an embodiment, the body is sandwiched between an upper and a lower layer. The shielding panel is configured to receive a shaped charge. Thus, the apparatus is capable of at least preventing and/or limiting ballistic transfer in the event of detonation of a shaped charge.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for storing and shipping an explosive article, comprising:
 a shielding panel comprising:
 an upper layer; 
 a lower layer; 
 an inner layer positioned between the upper layer and the lower layer; and 
 an aperture extending through at least a portion of the inner layer, the aperture being configured for receiving a shaped charge, 
   wherein the inner layer is formed of a metal foam and contains a detonation of the shaped charge.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an upper edge of the shaped charge is below an upper surface of the upper layer of the shielding panel. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an upper edge of the shaped charge is above an upper surface of the upper layer of the shielding panel. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the upper layer and the lower layer comprises a sheet metal. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the metal foam comprises at least one of aluminum, steel and iron. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer comprises an aluminum metal foam, and the upper layer and the lower layer each comprise a steel sheet metal. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for storing and shipping an explosive article, comprising:
 a shielding panel comprising:
 a first layer; 
 a second layer positioned on an upper surface or a lower surface of the first layer; and 
 an aperture extending through the first layer, the aperture being configured for receiving a shaped charge, 
   wherein the first layer is formed of a metal foam and contains a detonation of the shaped charge.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein an upper edge of the shaped charge is below the upper surface of the first layer. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein an upper edge of the shaped charge is above the upper surface of the first layer. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the second layer comprises a sheet metal. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the metal foam comprises at least one of aluminum, steel and iron. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein
 the metal foam is a first metal foam,   the second layer comprises a second metal foam, and   the first metal foam is different from the second metal foam.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first metal foam is an aluminum metal foam and the second metal foam is a steel metal foam. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for storing and shipping an explosive article, comprising:
 a shielding panel comprising:
 a metal foam upper layer; 
 a metal foam lower layer; 
 a metal foam inner layer positioned between the metal foam upper layer and the metal foam lower layer; and 
 an aperture extending through at least a portion of the metal foam inner layer, the aperture being configured for receiving a shaped charge, 
   wherein at least one of the metal foam upper layer, the metal foam inner layer and the metal foam lower layer contains a detonation of the shaped charge.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein an upper edge of the shaped charge is below an upper surface of the metal foam upper layer of the shielding panel. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein an upper edge of the shaped charge is above an upper surface of the metal foam upper layer of the shielding panel. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the metal foam upper layer, the metal foam inner layer and the metal foam lower layer each comprise at least one of aluminum, steel and iron. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the metal foam inner layer comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the metal foam inner layer comprises steel. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein
 the metal foam upper layer comprises steel,   the metal foam inner layer comprises aluminum, and   the metal foam lower layer comprises steel.