Abstract: A pyrotechnic material comprising at least one fuel and an oxidizer of ceric ammonium nitrate or a mixture of ceric ammonium nitrate and one or more other oxidizers, and, optionally, sub-micron (i.e., having an average particle size of less than about 1 &mgr;m) fumed silica for use as a low-solids gas generating composition. When the oxidizer-fuel mixture is within about 4 percent of stoichiometric balance, the pyrotechnic material provides a low solids gas generant less than about 30 percent solids on combustion, and may be formed as pressed pellets, grains, or granules for use in automotive passive restraint systems.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 13, 1998
Date of Patent:
May 22, 2001
Assignee:
Talley Defense Systems, Inc.
Inventors:
Gregory D. Knowlton, Christopher P. Ludwig
Abstract: An electrically actuatable igniter (24) comprises a body (60), a pair of electrodes (40) and (42) associated with the body (60), a heating element (44) electrically connected between the electrodes (40) and (42), and an ignition droplet (46) covering and adhering to the heating element (44). The ignition droplet (46) comprises a particulate primary pyrotechnic material and a secondary pyrotechnic material. The secondary pyrotechnic material has a melting point below the autoignition temperature of the primary pyrotechnic material. The secondary pyrotechnic material is in the form of a continuous, solid matrix (112) containing and adhering together the particles (114) of the primary pyrotechnic material.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 13, 1999
Date of Patent:
May 15, 2001
Assignee:
TRW Inc.
Inventors:
Glenn R. Chatley, Jr., William P. Sampson
Abstract: A gas generating composition comprises an organic fuel and an ammonium nitrate oxidizer which is phase stabilized with an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt. The composition also comprises an ammonium salt coolant selected from the group consisting of an ammonium halide, ammonium sulfate, and ammonium sulfamate. A preferred coolant is ammonium chloride.
Abstract: A family of Class 1.3 propellant compositions comprising nitrocellulose, at least one of a selected group of plasticizing nitrate esters, a thermal stabilizer, carbon and an energetic solid, and a method of making the family of propellant compositions is provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 20, 1999
Date of Patent:
May 8, 2001
Assignee:
Altantic Research Corporation
Inventors:
Jamie B. Neidert, Robert S. Scheffee, Gary T. Bowman, James D. Martin
Abstract: The invention provides an extrudable gun propellant having a specific energy content of at least 1100 kJ/kg and typically over 1200 kJ/kg, but with reduced vulnerability to shaped charge attack compared to known colloidal propellants. This is achieved by using an energetic binder prepolymer and an energetic plasticiser with a reduced content of explosive filler. The composition comprises 65-85% by weight particulate explosive filler, 10-30% by weight of a mixture of a funtionally-terminated poly(nitratoalkyl-substituted)alkyl ether prepolymer and a cross-linking agent, and 1-12% by weight of energetic plasticiser.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 28, 1991
Date of Patent:
May 8, 2001
Assignee:
The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Brittanic Majesty's
Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland
Abstract: A gas-generating preparation suitable for being used in an air bag includes ammonium nitrate, a derivative of guanidine and one or more metal carbonates as a deflagration catalyst. By using one or more metal carbonates as a deflagration catalyst, higher burning rates and a lower burning temperature are achieved than if metal oxides such as copper(II) oxide are used as a deflagration catalyst.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 24, 1997
Date of Patent:
May 8, 2001
Assignee:
Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk
Onderzoek (TNO)
Abstract: A homoleptic polynitrogen ion and salts thereof are described as being highly exothermic in nature and thus give rise to compounds useful for propulsion and explosive applications, among others. Also described are processes for the macroscopic production of compounds containing homoleptic polynitrogen.
Abstract: A method is disclosed for the preparation of very small particle size, relatively pure 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB). Particles of TATB prepared according to the disclosed method are of submicron size and have a surface area in the range from about 3.8 to 27 square meters per gram.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 3, 1992
Date of Patent:
May 1, 2001
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the United
States Department of Energy.
Inventors:
Lester P. Rigdon, Gordon L. Moody, Raymond R. McGuire
Abstract: The present invention relates to a low temperature autoignition composition for safely initiating combustion of a main pyrotechnic charge in a gas generator or pyrotechnic device exposed to flame or a high temperature environment.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 21, 1999
Date of Patent:
April 24, 2001
Assignee:
Talley Defense Systems, Inc.
Inventors:
Gregory D. Knowlton, Christopher P. Ludwig
Abstract: A water slurry method of making high performance explosive compositions and ordnances using the explosive compositions as an explosive ingredient for high performance, low sensitivity explosive applications is disclosed. The method involves combining an aqueous dispersion including CL-20 with a lacquer including at least one non-energetic binder and at least one plasticizer, then agitating the slurry to form CL-20 granules. The CL-20 may be present in the explosive formulation in a concentration of from about 85 wt % to about 96 wt %. The formulation is preferably sufficiently pressable and/or extrudable to permit it to be formed into grains suitable for ordnance and similar applications, including use as grenades, land mines, missile warheads, and demolition explosives.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 6, 1998
Date of Patent:
April 17, 2001
Assignee:
Cordant Technologies Inc.
Inventors:
Kenneth E. Lee, Robert L. Hatch, Paul Braithwaite
Abstract: An ignition enhancer and gas heater composition for vehicle occupant restraint systems (commonly known as “airbags”) contains a non-azide fuel, an oxidizer and a metal. The ignition enhancer composition provides reliable and consistent ignition of a main propellant composition to produce a sufficient amount of gas to inflate an attached airbag within ten to eighty milliseconds or successfully heat the stored gas in a hybrid system. In a preferred embodiment, the enhancer composition contains 5-aminotetrazole, strontium nitrate, boron nitride, mica or clay and aluminum.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 18, 1997
Date of Patent:
April 10, 2001
Assignee:
Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
Inventors:
J B Canterberry, Samuel Steven Schlueter, John Herman Adams, Robert Keith Walsh
Abstract: High performance explosive compositions and ordnances using the explosive compositions as an explosive ingredient for high performance, low sensitivity explosive applications are disclosed. The explosive formulation includes CL-20 as an explosive ingredient, and a binder system including cellulose acetate butyrate as a non-energetic binder and bis-dinitropropyl acetal and bis-dinitropropyl formal as an energetic plasticizer. The CL-20 may be present in the explosive formulation in a concentration of from about 85 wt % to about 96 wt %. The formulation is preferably sufficiently pressable and/or extrudable to permit it to be formed into grains suitable for ordnance and similar applications, including use as grenades, land mines, missile warheads, and demolition explosives.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 6, 1998
Date of Patent:
April 10, 2001
Assignee:
Cordant Technologies Inc.
Inventors:
Kenneth E. Lee, Robert L. Hatch, Mark Mezger, Steve Nicolich
Abstract: Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane-containing compositions which comprise hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane, polynitropolyacetylhexaazaisowurtzitanes and one or more of oxaisowurtzitane compounds represented by the specified formulae. The explosive compositions which contain the hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane-containing compositions have improved handling safety by lowering their sensitivity without degrading combustibility and detonability.
Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a large scale, electrochemical production of anhydrous nitric acid and N2O5. The method includes oxidizing a solution of N2O4/aqueous-HNO3 at the anode, while reducing aqueous HNO3 at the cathode, in a flow electrolyzer constructed of special materials. N2O4 is produced at the cathode and may be separated and recycled as a feedstock for use in the anolyte. The process is controlled by regulating the electrolysis current until the desired products are obtained. The chemical compositions of the anolyte and catholyte are monitored by measurement of the solution density and the concentrations of N2O4.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 13, 1987
Date of Patent:
March 13, 2001
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Department
of Energy
Inventors:
Jackson E. Harrar, Roland Quong, Lester P. Rigdon, Raymond R. McGuire
Abstract: Water in oil emulsion explosive compositions comprises a discontinuous aqueous phase comprising at least one oxygen-supplying component, a continuous organic phase, an emulsifying amount of an emulsifier composition comprising:
the reaction product of an amine (C) characterized by the presence within its structure of at least one H—N group and an intermediate formed in the reaction of
(A) at least one olefinic compound containing at least one group of the formula
and
(B) at least one carboxylic reactant selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula
R3C(O)(R4)nC(O)OR5 (III)
wherein each of R3 and R5 is independently H or a hydrocarbyl group, R4 is a divalent hydrocarbylene group, and n is 0 or 1, and reactive sources thereof and optionally, from about 0.5 to about 2 moles, per mole of (B), of
(D) at least one aldehyde or ketone; and optionally a sensitizer.
Abstract: The instant invention relates to the use of certain selected neoalkoxy organo-titanates and organo-zirconates in energetic compositions to improve their processability, physical properties, and combustion properties. The organo-titanates and organo-zirconates of the instant invention, when added to the energetic systems' matrix in advance of the introduction of particulate or other solid energetic components, improve the dispersion of the latter while reducing the energy required to achieve formulation uniformity. This enhances the processability, the physical properties, the burn characteristics and the safety and handling characteristics of the formulated composites.
Abstract: Novel energetic compounds are provided comprising N,N'-azobis-nitroazoles or analogs thereof. The compounds are useful as igniter materials in a variety of energetic compositions, particularly gas-generating compositions for inflating automobile or aircraft occupant restraint devices. The compounds are also useful in solid rocket propellant compositions, and as primary explosives to be used as detonators, blasting caps, firearms, and the like. Methods for synthesizing the compounds and manufacturing energetic compositions therewith are provided as well.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 22, 1998
Date of Patent:
December 5, 2000
Assignee:
SRI International
Inventors:
Jeffrey C. Bottaro, Robert J. Schmitt, Paul E. Penwell
Abstract: Liquid melts of dicarboxylic acid have a tendency to undergo unwanted discoloration on prolonged storage. By means of a solution of the dicarboxylic acids in a lactam of an aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-aminocarboxylic acid, the discoloration can be avoided.
Abstract: A gas generating composition comprises an organic fuel and an oxidizer wherein a component of the composition comprises an alkaline earth metal or alkali metal ion. The composition also comprises an ammonium salt coolant selected from the group consisting of ammonium halide, ammonium sulfate, and ammonium sulfamate. A preferred coolant is ammonium chloride. The anion of the ammonium salt on combustion of the gas generating composition reacts with the alkaline earth metal or alkali metal ion to produce a high melting point salt. The amount of coolant is an effective amount to obtain a reaction product which is substantially free of alkaline earth metal or alkali metal oxide. In the combustion reaction, the ammonium salt coolant reacts endothermically with other components of the reaction mixture reducing the combustion temperature of the reaction mixture.
Abstract: Disclosed are compositions that are useful as microgas-generators, which can be used as propellants in airbags or seatbelt pretensioners. The compositions use a fuel which comprises an organic compound having a high ratio of the number of reactive carbon-oxygen groups to the total number of carbon atoms. The compositions also optionally use an oxidizer to supply oxygen to the fuel and/or a binding agent to form the fuel and optional oxidizer into particles. The compositions are useful as ignitors or squibbs, and can be used in industrial tools, seatbelt pretensioning systems, and airbags.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 20, 1999
Date of Patent:
October 24, 2000
Assignee:
Quantic Industries, Inc.
Inventors:
Kelly W. Lemons, Albert J. Baggett, Jr., William D. Fahey, Lawrence Weinman