Ronald D Thomas

US Patent:

6644200, Nov 11, 2003

Filed:

Sep 19, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/666073

Inventors:

Farrell G. Badger - Mapleton UT
Brendan M. Welch - Farmington CT
Ronald D. Thomas - Woodland Hills UT
Lyman G. Bahr - Payson UT
Dean F. Richards - Pleasant Grove UT

Assignee:

The Ensign-Bickford Company - Simsbury CT

International Classification:

A62D 300

US Classification:

102288, 102289, 588203, 588204

Abstract:

Technology for in situ remediation of undetonated explosive material. An explosive apparatus contains an explosive material in close proximity with microorganisms. An explosive mixture capable of self remediation in the form of an explosive material is intermixed with microorganisms. The microorganisms are either mobile or temporarily deactivated by freeze drying until rehydrated and remobilized. The microorganisms are capable of metabolizing the explosive material. Examples of such microorganisms include Pseudomonas spp. , Escherichia spp. , Morganella spp. , Rhodococcus spp. , Comamonas spp. , and denitrifying microorganisms. A bioremediation apparatus that contains microorganisms and prevents contact between the microorganisms and explosive material is joined with an explosive apparatus that houses a charge of explosive material. A barrier is actuated by mechanical, electrical or chemical mechanisms to release the microorganisms into the explosive assembly to enable the microorganisms to begin metabolizing the explosive material, when the explosive apparatus is joined with the bioremediating apparatus. If the explosive material fails to detonate, the explosive is remediated by the action of the microorganisms.

US Patent:

6660112, Dec 9, 2003

Filed:

Sep 19, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/666020

Inventors:

Farrell G. Badger - Mapleton UT
Brendan M. Welch - Farmington CT
Ronald D. Thomas - Woodland Hills UT
Lyman G. Bahr - Payson UT
Dean F. Richards - Pleasant Grove UT

Assignee:

The Ensign-Bickford Company - Simsbury CT

International Classification:

A62D 300

US Classification:

1491088, 102293, 588202, 588203

Abstract:

Technology for in situ remediation of undetonated explosive material. An explosive apparatus contains an explosive material in close proximity with microorganisms. An explosive mixture capable of self remediation in the form of an explosive material is intermixed with microorganisms. The microorganisms are either mobile or temporarily deactivated by freeze drying until rehydrated and remobilized. The microorganisms are capable of metabolizing the explosive material. Examples of such microorganisms include Pseudomonas spp. , Escherichia spp. , Morganella spp. , Rhodococcus spp. , Comamonas spp. , and denitrifying microorganisms. A bioremediation apparatus that contains microorganisms and prevents contact between the microorganisms and explosive material is joined with an explosive apparatus that houses a charge of explosive material. A barrier is actuated by mechanical, electrical or chemical mechanisms to release the microorganisms into the explosive assembly to enable the microorganisms to begin metabolizing the explosive material, when the explosive apparatus is joined with the bioremediating apparatus. If the explosive material fails to detonate, the explosive is remediated by the action of the microorganisms.

US Patent:

6668725, Dec 30, 2003

Filed:

Dec 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/039137

Inventors:

Farrell G. Badger - Mapleton UT
Brendan M. Welch - Farmington CT
Ronald D. Thomas - Woodland Hills UT
Lyman G. Bahr - Payson UT
Dean F. Richards - Pleasant Grove UT

Assignee:

The Ensign-Brickford Company - Simsbury CT

International Classification:

F42B 3306

US Classification:

102289, 102290, 102293, 588203, 588204

Abstract:

Technology for in situ remediation of undetonated explosive material. An explosive apparatus contains an explosive material in close proximity with a carrier containing microorganisms. An explosive mixture capable of self remediation includes an explosive material that is intermixed with or lies proximate to the carrier. The microorganisms are either mobile or temporarily deactivated by freeze drying until rehydrated and remobilized. The microorganisms are capable of metabolizing the explosive material. Examples of such microorganisms include Pseudomonas spp. , Escherichia spp. , Morganella spp. , Rhodococcus spp. , Comamonas spp. , and denitrifying microorganisms. If the explosive material fails to detonate, the explosive is remediated by the action of the microorganisms. Remediation includes both disabling of the explosive material and detoxification of the resulting chemical compositions.

US Patent:

7077044, Jul 18, 2006

Filed:

Nov 3, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/700272

Inventors:

Farrell G. Badger - Mapleton UT, US
Brendan M. Welch - Farmington CT, US
Ronald D. Thomas - Woodland Hills UT, US
Lyman G. Bahr - Payson UT, US
Dean F. Richards - Pleasant Grove UT, US

Assignee:

Dyno Nobel Inc. - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

F42B 33/00

US Classification:

86 50, 149124, 4352625

Abstract:

Technology for in situ remediation of undetonated explosive device. An explosive device contains an explosive material in close proximity with microorganisms capable of metabolizing the explosive material that are either mobile or temporarily deactivated by freeze drying. Examples include spp. , spp. , spp. , spp. , spp. , and denitrifying microorganisms. A self-remediating explosive mixture includes an explosive material intermixed with microorganisms. Joined with an explosive device is a bioremediation apparatus that contains microorganisms and prevents contact between microorganisms and explosive material in the explosive device using a barrier that is actuated to release the microorganisms by mechanical, electrical, or chemical mechanisms. If the explosive device fails to detonate, remediation by microorganisms includes both disabling of the explosive material and detoxification of resulting chemical compositions.

US Patent:

7240618, Jul 10, 2007

Filed:

Dec 30, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/750484

Inventors:

Farrell G. Badger - Mapleton UT, US
Brendan M. Welch - Farmington CT, US
Ronald D. Thomas - Woodland Hills UT, US
Lyman G. Bahr - Payson UT, US
Dean F. Richards - Pleasant Grove UT, US

Assignee:

Dyno Nobel Inc. - Salt Lake City UT

International Classification:

F42B 39/14
F42B 99/00

US Classification:

102293, 588403, 149124, 4352625

Abstract:

Technology for in situ remediation of undetonated explosive material. An explosive apparatus contains an explosive material in close proximity with a carrier containing microorganisms and with nutrient for the microorganisms. An explosive mixture capable of self remediation includes an explosive material that is intermixed with or lies proximate to the carrier. The microorganisms are either mobile or temporarily deactivated by freeze drying until rehydrated and remobilized. The microorganisms are capable of metabolizing the explosive material. Examples of such microorganisms include spp. , spp. , spp. , spp. , spp. , and denitrifying microorganisms. If the explosive material fails to detonate, the explosive is remediated by the action of the microorganisms. Remediation includes both disabling of the explosive material and detoxification of the resulting chemical compositions.

US Patent:

57366691, Apr 7, 1998

Filed:

Jun 4, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/658142

Inventors:

Ronald D. Thomas - Woodland Hills UT
Lyman G. Bahr - Payson UT
Walter B. Dunning - Sonora CA
Dean F. Richards - Pleasant Grove UT

Assignee:

The Ensign-Bickford Company - Simsbury CT

International Classification:

F42C 302

US Classification:

102293

Abstract:

Technology for in situ remediation of undetonated explosive material. A bioremediating apparatus in the form of a storage chamber houses in moist condition type of microorganisms capable of metabolizing the explosive material. Examples of such microorganisms include Pseudomonas spp. , Escherichia coli, Morganella morganii, Rhodococcus spp. , Comamonas spp. , and denitrifying bacteria. The bioremediating apparatus is joined with an explosive apparatus that houses a charge of explosive material. A solution released into the storage chamber by opening a first valve hydrates the microorganisms. The explosive assembly has an actuation means for opening the first valve and a second valve that releases the microorganisms from the storage chamber to begin metabolizing the explosive material, when the explosive apparatus is joined with the bioremediating apparatus. If the explosive material fails to detonate, the explosive is remediated by the action of the microorganisms. Remediation includes both disabling of the explosive material and detoxification of the resulting chemical compositions.

US Patent:

44314680, Feb 14, 1984

Filed:

Feb 9, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/465241

Inventors:

Donald W. Edwards - Provo UT
Ronald D. Thomas - Arlington Heights IL

Assignee:

Angus Chemical Company - Northbrook IL

International Classification:

C06B 4502

US Classification:

149 21

Abstract:

A granulated blasting agent composition comprising ammonium nitrate, a nitroalkane having of from 2 to 3 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof, a density improver selected from the group consisting of wheat flour and bentonite and polyoxyethylene ether as a thickening agent for the nitroalkane in an amount sufficient to prevent migration of the nitroalkane from the ammonium nitrate.

US Patent:

56612567, Aug 26, 1997

Filed:

Jan 16, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/575244

Inventors:

Daniel P. Sutula - Farmington CT
Ronald M. Dufrane - North Granby CT
Daniel A. Toro - Waterbury CT
Lyman G. Bahr - Payson UT
Brendan M. Welch - Farmington CT
Ronald D. Thomas - Woodland Hills UT

Assignee:

The Ensign-Bickford Company - Simsburry CT

International Classification:

C06C 506

US Classification:

1022754

Abstract:

A slider (36) has a base fixture (40) and a shielding tube (42). The slider (36) is used to operably couple a detonator (44) to a detonating cord (62) that passes through a booster device (10), i. e. , to prevent the detonating cord (62) from directly initiating or fracturing the booster (10). The base fixture (40) includes input lead-retaining means for disposing the input lead (47) of a detonator (44) in signal transfer relation to the detonating cord (62). Optionally, the slider (36) has a detonator retainer (38) for carrying the detonator (44) on the slider (36). Preferably, the detonator retainer (38) is able to hold detonators of various lengths in proper position to initiate the booster device (10). By disposing the shielding tube (42) on the slider (36) a booster device (10) can be used with various detonating cords (62) and a slider (36) having a shielding tube (42) suitable for the chosen detonating cord (62) can be inserted into the booster device (10).