Apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving beyond-penetration results

Abstract

The specification and drawing figures describe and show an apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving beyond-penetration results. The apparatus includes a liner. The liner includes at least one liner member formed of a penetrating material and one liner member formed of a reactive material, and may include at least one liner member formed of neither a penetrating nor reactive material. The liner member is positioned in a housing. The housing includes an explosive and means for detonating the explosive.

1 . An apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving beyond-penetration results, comprising:
 a shaped charge liner,
 wherein the shaped charge liner is formed of a penetrating material adapted to form a penetrating stream of penetrating material to penetrate the target following explosive collapse of the shaped charge liner, and 
 further wherein the shaped charge liner is further formed of a reactive material adapted to form a reactive stream of reactive material following explosive collapse of the shaped charge liner for achieving beyond-penetration results; 
   a housing adapted to contain the liner,
 wherein an opening is formed in one end of the housing through which the penetrating stream of the penetrating material and the reactive stream of the reactive material are discharged; 
   a cavity formed between the liner and the housing adapted to hold an explosive for the detonation of the apparatus; and   means for detonating the explosive to discharge at least the leading penetrating stream and the trailing reactive stream toward a target following explosive collapse of the shaped charge liner.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving beyond-penetration results as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the shaped charge liner further comprises a material other than a penetrating material and a reactive material. 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving beyond-penetration results as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the shaped charge liner is further adapted to eject toward the target one or more slugs of material from the shaped charge liner following explosive collapse of the shaped charge liner. 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving beyond-penetration results as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the means for detonating the explosive is an initiator system mountable in one end of the housing. 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus for penetrating a target and achieving beyond-penetration results as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising a standoff adapted to direct detonation and explosive collapse of the liner. 
   
   
       6 . A shaped charge, comprising:
 at least one liner member formed of at least one penetrating material for forming a leading penetrating stream of penetrating material following explosive collapse of the liner;   at least one liner member formed of at least one reactive material connected to the at least one liner member formed of at least one penetrating material for forming a trailing reactive stream of reactive material following explosive collapse of the liner;   a housing adapted to contain the at least one liner member formed of a penetrating material and the at least one liner member formed of a reactive material,
 wherein the housing further comprises a cavity adapted to hold an explosive for forming one or more streams composed of the penetrating material and reactive material; and 
   an initiator system mountable in the housing adapted to detonate the explosive.   
   
   
       7 . A shaped charge as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising at least one liner member formed of neither a penetrating material nor a reactive material connected to the at least one liner member formed of a penetrating material and the at least one liner member formed of a reactive material. 
   
   
       8 . A shaped charge as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one liner member formed of at least one penetrating material, the least one liner member formed of at least one reactive material, and the at least one liner member formed of neither a penetrating material nor a reactive material are collectively connected to form the liner of a shaped charge. 
   
   
       9 . A shaped charge as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the liner is formed monolithically. 
   
   
       10 . A shaped charge as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the liner is formed by explosive welding. 
   
   
       11 . A shaped charge as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the liner is formed by diffusion bonding. 
   
   
       12 . A shaped charge as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the liner is formed mechanically. 
   
   
       13 . A shaped charge as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the liner is formed by mean of connection selected from the group of means for selection consisting of adhesion, and/or friction welding, inertial welding, electron beam welding, chemical bonding. 
   
   
       14 . A shaped charge as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the liner is formed with a cross-section selected from the group of cross-sections consisting of cones, hemispheres, ellipses, trumpets, tulips, and biconical shapes. 
   
   
       15 . A shaped charge as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising a standoff mountable on the distal end of the housing adapted to direct detonation and explosive collapse of the liner. 
   
   
       16 - 20 . (canceled)