Abstract: A prepolymer for use in preparing a binder for low vulnerability gun propellants. The condensation of an alkynediol and formaldehyde produces a prepolymer which is cured with a polyisocyanate. The resulting binder can be combined with 1,3,5,7-tetramethylenetetranitramine (HMX) or 1,3,5-trimethylenetrinitramine (RDX), and is readily extruded as multi-perforated propellant grains, the extruded material having a greatly reduced tendency to slumping, and an enhanced mass impetus value.

Abstract: A low cost infrared flare composition which uses a high molecular weight fluorinated resin, a low molecular weight fluorinated resin, a polymerizing solvent, and an initiator to form a binder which is combined with a reducing agent to yield a composition readily processable into various grain shapes and varying degrees of hardness thereby providing more consistent burning rates.

Abstract: The lanyard that is pulled by a parachute to ignite a flare is cut and a safety coupling inserted. One end of the lanyard is fastened to a small housing that holds a shear pin and a much heavier, acceleration-actuated pin. The other end of the lanyard forms a loop that encompasses both pins. If the lanyard is pulled at low accelerations, the shear pin is broken and the lanyard separates. At high accelerations, however, the acceleration-actuated pin is inserted into the lanyard loop, by force of the acceleration, and prevents separation of the lanyard.

Abstract: The novel compound 4-dimethylaminopyridinium chlorochromate has been found to be an effective oxidizing agent for converting alcohols to their respective aldehydes or ketones, especially for the selective conversion of allylic and benzylic alchols to their corresponding aldehydes and ketones.

Abstract: An inflator or gas generator is provided for inflating a protective cushion associated with a safety harness used in a vehicle including an aircraft. The generator is of a structure which provides a maximum quantity of inflating gases for a minimum size, weight, shape and general compactness of the generating unit.

Abstract: A hollow projectile, to be launched by rocket or fired from a cannon, has a central venturi tube that vents to the external environment near the forward end of the projectile. A pressurized liquid or a solid, combustible matrix that contains a gas or colloid producing material surrounds the venturi tube. This material is released through the venturi tube either by burning the matrix or by rupturing a diaphragm that retains the liquid. A timer, started by an accelerometer in response to the acceleration of the projectile when it is launched, fires an igniter or an explosive fuse to release the gaseous material. Spring loaded valve means, which normally closes the venturi tube, is forced open by gas pressure within the tube to permit discharge of gaseous material into the external environment. This valve means establishes a threshold pressure within the projectile that helps to ignite the matrix and to maintain combustion thereof, and to accelerate the gases being discharged from the projectile.

Abstract: An internally actuated spherical bearing having particular utility for vectoring the thrust produced by the propulsion system of a rocket propelled vehicle comprises, in single axis-rotation nozzle structures, a pair of elongated kidney loop seal actuators that are arranged in end-to-end relation with each actuator wrapped around approximately 180.degree. of the inner race in each semi-circle, the ends of each actuator being disposed at spaced positions proximate the pivotal axis of the inner race. For omni axial rotation nozzles the bearing includes a pair of such actuators to effect nozzle rotation on the pitch axis, and further includes a second pair of elongated kidney loop seal actuators to effect nozzle rotation on the yaw axis, each of the yaw actuators also being wrapped in end-to-end relation around approximately 180.degree. of the bearing in each semi-circle with the latter semi-circles being in a plane proximate to the plane containing the pitch axis semi-circles but angularly displaced 90.degree.

Abstract: Bonding of hydroxy terminated polybutadiene based propellant grains to rocket motor liners and of the liner to the motor case is greatly improved by incorporating an aziridine in a urethane cured hydroxy terminated polybutadiene based liner.

Abstract: Formulations comprising two or more reactants in which each reactant is blocked to render it unreactive at temperatures below 100.degree. C. are disclosed. These formulations have utility in the fields of one package insulating glass sealant compositions, high solids coatings, and reaction injection molding.

Abstract: An arming fuze for ordnance type munitions having but one movable part comprising a solvent desensitized liquid explosive contained in a ported (ventilated) cavity that is normally sealed by a sleeve. Upon movement of the sleeve and exposure of the liquid explosive within the cavity to the air, the liquid explosive loses a volatile solvent, the desenistizing agent, and becomes progressively more sensitive. A first embodiment is that of an inertia armed nose fuze for a projectile wherein the desensitized liquid explosive is enclosed in the cavity in a porous solid matrix. Upon rapid acceleration, as when the projectile is fired, the sleeve undergoes set-back thereby exposing the porous matrix to a violent slip stream of air and to a strong desiccating action. The liquid explosive rapidly loses solvent to the air, rapidly becoming more sensitive whereby it is impact sensitive by the time impact on the target occurs.

Abstract: A non-radiating cloth exit cone for a rocket nozzle includes a flared woven refractory cloth structure having the shape of the frustum of a cone with a refractory felt sewn to the exterior surface of the cloth structure for thermal insulation of the cloth structure and a sacrificial ablative material comprising tufts of refractory material incorporated in the interior surface of the cloth structure, the cloth structure providing the primary supporting structure for transmitting the rocket motor thrust forces to the rocket nozzle.

Abstract: 2,2'-bipyridinium chlorochromate has been found to be an effective oxidizing agent, particularly for the conversion of primary or secondary alcohols to their respective aldehydes or ketones.

Abstract: A barrier assembly for a safety and arming electro-explosive device of the type comprising a rotor containing detonators and rotatable between safe and arm positions includes a body of lead as an energy absorbing material in the safe position of the device. When the shock wave from a detonator hits the lead, the lead flows and attenuates the shock wave. Cycling after the device has been fired in the safe position is precluded by an undercut in the rotor into which the lead flows, thus preventing rotor rotation after firing.

Abstract: Choline base is prepared by the electrolysis of choline chloride in electrolytic cells having the anode and cathode separated by a cation exchange membrane. Color stabilization of choline base is effected through concentration control and/or the addition of a sulfite prior to electrolytic manufacture of the choline base.

Abstract: The material flow within an extrusion die body is adjusted by a metering device to alter the product perforation pattern of an extrusion product produced in the extrusion die without changes of or modifications to any of the various other parts of the extruder system being required. The extruder system is an apparatus which includes, in addition to a hydraulic cylinder powered press, a basic extrusion die, a die body, a set of perforation forming die pins and a ported cover or pin support plate.

Abstract: 1,2,4-Butanetriol is produced by hydroformylation of a solution of glycidol and reduction of the hydroformylation reaction products.

Abstract: Incorporation of various flame coolants, particularly ferrous oxalate, cupric oxalate and submicron size Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4 in N,N'-dihydroxyethane diamide containing gas generants results in cooler flame temperature and reduced HCN content. Use of downstream coolants further reduces evolved gas temperature and also further reduces HCN content. Devices incorporating these propellants are useful inflators for many devices such as helicopter flotation bags, cargo pallet soft-landing bags, aircraft escape slides, inflatable life rafts and similar items. They are particularly suitable when these items must be man-rated.

Abstract: An arming fuze for ordnance type munitions having but one movable part comprising a solvent desensitized liquid explosive contained in a ported (ventillated) cavity that is normally sealed by a sleeve. Upon movement of the sleeve and exposure of the liquid explosive within the cavity to the air, the liquid explosive loses a volatile solvent, the desensitizing agent, and becomes progressively more sensitive. A first embodiment is that of an inertia armed nose fuze for a projectile wherein the desensitized liquid explosive is enclosed in the cavity in a porous solid matrix. Upon rapid acceleration, as when the projectile is fired, the sleeve undergoes set-back thereby exposing the porous matrix to a violent slip stream of air and to a strong desiccating action. The liquid explosive rapidly loses solvent to the air, rapidly becoming more sensitive whereby it is impact sensitive by the time impact on the target occurs.

Abstract: Supported alkali metal borohydride reagents are prepared by contacting high surface area solid support material with a solution of alkali metal borohydride in an anhydrous aprotic solvent so as to form a coating and then removing the solvent to leave a residual coating that is predominantly composed of alkali metal borohydride on the surface of the support material. Supported reagents containing for example, greater than 10 wt. % of a thin alkali metal borohydride coating, based upon total weight coating and support material, are advantageously prepared by the procedure of the invention.

Abstract: Protein isolates are recovered from vegetable protein sources, such as for example sunflower meal, by extracting the meal with an alkali solution in the presence of an alkali metal borohydride, and then acid precipitating the resulting aqueous protein extract phase to produce a protein isolate. Typically, the alkali metal borohydride is employed in an amount of at least about 20 ppm, based on the combined weight of vegetable meal and alkali solution. Protein isolates produced by this process exhibit improved color, palatability and/or nutritional value, and comprise highly desirable additives for food products, animal foods, etc.