Energy transmission device

Abstract

A low brisance energy transmission device comprising an elongated tube containing self-oxidizing material loosely contained therein is provided. The energy transmission device is able to transmit and propagate energy across bends, kinks, knots, crimps or cuts in the tubing.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An energy transmission device for transmitting an explosive signal from an initiator to a receptor comprising: (a) an elongated tube; and   (b) a self-oxidizing material loosely contained within said tube and extending substantially along the length of said tube for propagating an explosive signal through said tube.Iadd., said self-oxidizing material having a detonation rate of at least about 4,000 ft. per second when contained in said tube.Iaddend.. .[.2. The energy transmission device of claim 1 wherein said self-oxidizing material has a detonation rate of at   
     
     
        least 1,000 ft. per second..]. 3. The energy transmission device of claim 1 wherein said self-oxidizing material is in a filament form selected from 
     
     
        monofilaments and multifilaments. 4. The energy transmission device of claim 1 wherein said self-oxidizing material has a detonation rate of at least .Badd..[.1,000.]. .Baddend..Iadd.about 4,000 .Iaddend.ft. per second to about 6,000 ft. per second.Iadd., when contained in said tube.Iaddend.. 
     
     
        . The energy transmission device of claim 1 wherein said elongated tube is 
     
     
        flexible. 6. The energy transmission device of claim 1, .[.2,.]. 3, 4, or 5 wherein said self-oxidizing material comprises a continuous strand 
     
     
        extending throughout said tube. 7. The energy transmission device of claim 
     
     
        6 wherein said self-oxidizing material comprises nitrated cellulose. 8. The energy transmission device of claim 6 wherein said self-oxidizing material comprises a moisture insensitive plasticized explosive material. 
     
     
         . The energy transmission device of claim 1, .[.2,.]. 3, 4, or 5 wherein said self-oxidizing material comprises a loose mass of multifilaments 
     
     
        within said elongated tube. 10. The energy transmission device of claim 9 
     
     
        wherein said self-oxidizing material comprises nitrated cullulose. 11. The energy transmission device of claim 9 wherein said self-oxidizing material 
     
     
        comprises a moisture insensitive plasticized explosive material. 12. The energy transmission device of claim 9 wherein said mass is continuous 
     
     
        throughout the interior of said elongated tube. 13. The energy transmission device of claim 9 wherein said mass is discontinuous, but substantially uniformly deposited throughout the interior of said 
     
     
        elongated tube. 14. The energy transmission device as recited in claim 1, .[.2,.]. 3, 4 or 5 wherein said elongated tube is made from a flexible 
     
     
        nonelastomeric polymer material. 15. The energy transmission device of claim 14 wherein said polymer material is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, and 
     
     
        polybutylene. 16. The energy transmission device of claim 1, .[.2,.]. 3, 4, or 5 wherein the outer diameter of said elongated tube is from about 1/16 inch to about 1/4 inch and the inner diameter of said elongated tube 
     
     
        is from about 1/32 inch to about 3/32 inch. 17. An elongated tubular energy transmission device capable of propagating a detonation signal through a 180° bend therein comprising: (a) a flexible, elongated tube; and   (b) a continuous mass of self-oxidizing material loosely contained within said tube and extending along the entire length of said tube wherein said self-oxidizing material has a detonation rate of between about .Badd..[.1,000 ft..]. .Baddend..Iadd.4,000 .Iaddend.per second and 6,000 ft. per second .Iadd.when contained in said tube .Iaddend.and has structural integrity to permit bending of said elongated tube at least   
     
     
        180° without serving said self-oxidizing material. 18. The energy transmission device of claim 17 wherein said self-oxidizing material is in the form of a strand made from material selected from monofilaments and 
     
     
        multifilaments. 19. The energy transmission device of claim 17 wherein said self-oxidizing material is in the form of a continuous mass of 
     
     
        multifilaments. 20. The energy transmission device of claim 17, 18 or 19 
     
     
        wherein said self-oxidizing material comprises nitrated cellulose. 21. The energy transmission device of claim 17, 18 or 19 wherein said self-oxidizing material comprises a moisture insensitive plasticized 
     
     
        explosive. 22. The energy transmission device of claim 17, 18 or 19 
     
     
        wherein said elongated tube is made from a nonelastomeric polymer. 23. The energy transmission device of claim 22 wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, 
     
     
        polyvinylchloride, and polybutylene. 24. A method of detonating a high explosive in contact with a blasting cap comprising: connecting a tubular member between an initiation device means and said blasting cap, said tubular member comprising an elongated tube containing self-oxidizing material, said self-oxidizing material being in the form of a continuous mass loosely contained in said elongated tube and extending substantially along the length of said tube; and activating said initiator device to cause sequential oxidation of said self-oxidizing material, said blasting cap and said explosive, said oxidation of said self-oxidizing material resulting in a plasma front being transferred from said initiator device 
     
     
        to said blasting cap. 25. The method as recited in claim 24 wherein said self-oxidizing material has a detonation rate of at least .Badd..[.1,000.]..Baddend. .Iadd.about 4,000 .Iaddend.ft. per 
     
     
        second.Iadd., when contained in said tube.Iaddend.. 26. The method of claim 24 wherein said self-oxidizing material has a detonation rate of at least .Badd..[.1,000.]..Baddend. .Iadd.about 4,000 .Iaddend.ft. per second to about 6,000 ft. per second.Iadd., when contained in said tube.Iaddend.. 
     
     
        7. The energy transmission device of claim 14 wherein said polymer 
     
     
        material is nylon. 28. The energy transmission device of claim 14 wherein 
     
     
        said polymer material is an ionomer resin. 29. The energy transmission 
     
     
        device of claim 22 wherein said polymer material is nylon. 30. The energy transmission device of claim 22 wherein said polymer material is an ionomer resin.