A permanent connector interconnects a hard-line coaxial cable to a connection housing. A contact is interconnected with and extends coaxially through a connector body. A collet one-piece with the contact receives a central conductor of the coaxial cable, while a sealing member and mandrel receive an outer conductor of the coaxial cable between them. A compression body positioned radially adjacent a portion of the connector body moves axially between first and second positions, wherein when the compression body is in its first position, the coaxial cable is removable from within the connector, and when the compression body is in its second position, the coaxial cable is not removable from within the connector. The compression body acts indirectly upon the sealing member so that an electrical connection is made between the sealing member and the outer conductor of the cable when the compression body is in its second position.

Apparatus for making permanent hardline connection

A RF catheter system includes a catheter with a proximal portion, a distal portion having a distal end and a lumen extending from the proximal portion to the distal portion. Inner and outer coaxially aligned conductors extend within the catheter and are coaxial with the lumen. A deflectable catheter guide is disposed within the catheter lumen and extends proximally within the catheter lumen and terminates distally of the distal end of the catheter to define a biological ablation pathway. A radio-frequency antenna is disposed at the distal portion of the catheter and is in electrical communication with the inner and outer coaxially aligned conductors. The radio-frequency antenna is adaptable to receive and transmit radio-frequency energy for ablating biological tissue along the ablation pathway.

Radio-frequency-based catheter system with improved deflection and steering mechanisms

A pulsed voltage surge resistant magnet wire (18) comprising a conductor (12), a continuous and concentric and flexible uniform coat of base material (14) superimposed on the conductor (12). The shield (16) has therein an effective amount of a particulate material. The shield (16) may be superimposed on the coat of base insulation material (14), and may have a continuous and concentric and flexible and uniform top coat of insulation material (20) superimposed thereon.

Pulsed voltage surge resistant magnet wire

A fiber optic cable includes an optical fiber, a strength layer surrounding the optical fiber, and an outer jacket surrounding the strength layer. The strength layer includes a matrix material in which is integrated a plurality of reinforcing fibers. A fiber optic cable includes an optical fiber, a strength layer, a first electrical conductor affixed to an outer surface of the strength layer, a second electrical conductor affixed to the outer surface of the strength layer, and an outer jacket. The strength layer includes a polymeric material in which is embedded a plurality of reinforcing fibers. A method of manufacturing a fiber optic cable includes mixing a base material in an extruder. A strength layer is formed about an optical fiber. The strength layer includes a polymeric film with embedded reinforcing fibers disposed in the film. The base material is extruded through an extrusion die to form an outer jacket.

Fiber optic cable

A method and apparatus for blasting of hard rock using a highly insensitive energetic material ignited with a moderately high energy electrical discharge causing the fracturing and break up of the hard rock is provided. The blasting apparatus (10) comprises a reusable blasting probe (14) including a high voltage electrode (44) and a ground return electrode (46) separated by an insulating tube (40). The two electrodes of the blasting probe (14) are in electrical contact with a continuous volume (70) of highly insensitive yet combustible material such as a metal powder and oxidizer mixture. The metal particles within the metal powder and oxidizer mixture form a plurality of fusible metal paths between the high voltage electrode (44) and the ground return when subjected to an electric current delivered from a large capacitor bank (16) coupled to the high voltage electrode (44). The plurality of fused metal paths act much like a fuse in that they provide a sufficiently high electrical resistance to allow coupling of the electrical energy from the capacitor bank (16) to the metal powder and oxidizer mixture causing an increased dissipation of heat which initiates an exothermic reaction of the metal powder and oxidizer mixture generating high pressure gases fracturing the surrounding rock.

Method and apparatus for blasting hard rock

Apparatus for providing a controlled increase in muzzle velocity of a projectile while reducing peak value of gas pressure inside a gun barrel. A cartridge includes an elongated body having a central bore divided into three chambers, with a fuel chamber separated from an oxidizer chamber and an elongated capillary chamber by a plurality of membranes. A fuse wire and a power supply vaporize a plasma base in the capillary chamber and provide a controlled jet to provide combustion between a second fuel in the fuel chamber and an oxidizer material in the oxidizer chamber. The power supply controls the fuel-oxidizer combustion rate to obtain a relatively steady pressure of long duration against the projectile which results in high projectile velocity with relatively low peak values of pressure in the gun barrel.

Combustion augmented plasma gun

The method and apparatus disclosed herein relates to harnessing plasma to ignite, pressurize and distribute plasma, plasma-ignited chemical fluid and fuel throughout a propellant mass. Particularly, the present invention enables the creation of a progressive burning surface whereby the propellant reaches maximum pressure controllably and losses pressure much more slowly thus creating high piezometric efficiency. More particularly, in gun-charge-projectile systems, by using radial perforations designed to provide a balanced plasma discharge through a capillary wall and by developing forward accelerating thrust components, induced by the plasma pressure on a plasma-ignited chemical fluid and fuel mixture, the propelling charge travels down the gun tube with the projectile thus exerting substantial uniform pressure throughout the tube length and yielding a high ballistic efficiency which results in the attainment of high muzzle velocities.

Plasma actuated ignition and distribution pump

A high energy coaxial cable is disclosed which is flexible to the extent of allowing a bend radius as short as 11 1/2 inches. The cable will conduct up to 500 kiloamperes and is reinforced to resist the high magnetic forces within the cable caused by the high current conducted. The cable is therefore useful in coupling high current between parts which experience relative movement such as a stationary power supply and a recoiling gun breech.

High energy flexible coaxial cable and connections

The apparatus and method disclosed herein relates to a precision capillary discharge switch to deliver a predetermined power across a gap at the ends of electrodes enclosed in a containment envelop with a fluid media therein. A method of calibration is used to assign specific operating and arc triggering voltages based on a given gap dimension, ionization properties of the fluid or gas media and pressure within the containment envelope. The ends of the electrodes at the calibrated gap include tip geometry designed to reliably transfer power across the gap when the desired operating voltage range is reached.

Precision capillary discharge switch

This disclosure relates to a method and device in which plasma arc is vectorally mobilized to ignite and create a moving burning propellant front such that high muzzle velocities are attained under low pressures. Primarily, electromagnetic forces are used to impart direction and velocity to an ionized conductive plasma arc mass in an electrothermal-chemical cartridge. The plasma arc mass is electromagnetically directed and accelerated through a combustion chamber and a gun tube thus imparting a traveling constant pressure and thrust behind a projectile to thereby yield very high muzzle velocities.

Charalampos D. Marinos

Papers

Combustion augmented plasma gun

Plasma actuated ignition and distribution pump

High energy flexible coaxial cable and connections

Precision capillary discharge switch

Vectored plasma arc device