Abstract: The present invention is directed to an age-stabilized and/or strengthened ammonium nitrate propellant composition wherein the strengthening agent is selected from the group consisting of azodicarbonamide, dicyandiamide, oxamide and mixtures thereof and wherein the age-stabilizing agent is a molecular sieve having a pore size of 13 angstroms or less.

Abstract: A fire suppression system for a substantially enclosed area comprises: a plurality of solid propellant aerosol generators disposed about the enclosed area for exhausting a fire suppressant aerosol that is substantially void of an ozone depleting material into the enclosed area. Each aerosol generator including an ignition element for igniting the solid propellant thereof. Each ignition element of the aerosol generators being coupled to a fire control unit which is operative to ignite the solid propellant of at least one aerosol generator utilizing the ignition element thereof to exhaust fire suppressant aerosol into the enclosed area.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an age-stabilized and/or strengthened ammonium nitrate propellant composition wherein the strengthening agent is selected from the group consisting of azodicarbonamide, dicyandiamide, oxamide and mixtures thereof and wherein the age-stabilizing agent is a molecular sieve having a pore size of 13 angstroms or less.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an age-stabilized and/or strengthened ammonium nitrate propellant composition wherein the strengthening agent is selected from the group consisting of azodicarbonamide, dicyandiamide, oxamide and mixtures thereof and wherein the age-stabilizing agent is a molecular sieve having a pore size of 13 angstroms or less.

Abstract: A fire suppression system for a substantially enclosed area comprises: a plurality of solid propellant aerosol generators disposed about the enclosed area for exhausting a fire suppressant aerosol that is substantially void of an ozone depleting material into the enclosed area. Each aerosol generator including an ignition element for igniting the solid propellant thereof. Each ignition element of the aerosol generators being coupled to a fire control unit which is operative to ignite the solid propellant of at least one aerosol generator utilizing the ignition element thereof to exhaust fire suppressant aerosol into the enclosed area.

Abstract: A method and a device for producing a sufficient quantity of a fire suppressing gaseous product to substantially suppress a fire. The device has a first stage gas source containing a pyrotechnic gas generating material and a second stage gas source in fluid communication at a first location with an outlet of the first stage gas source and, at a second location, with an outlet for dispersing gas. The second stage gas source contains at least one liquified gas or supercritical carbon dioxide, where the first stage gas source is capable of providing a sufficient quantity of gas at a sufficiently high temperature to vaporize at least a portion of the liquified gas or supercritical carbon dioxide in the second stage gas source, thereby producing a fire suppressing gaseous output, which exits the device through the outlet for dispersing gas, in an amount sufficient to at least partially suppress a fire.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an age-stabilized and/or strengthened ammonium nitrate propellant composition wherein the strengthening agent is selected from the group consisting of azodicarbonamide, dicyandiamide, oxamide and mixtures thereof and wherein the age-stabilizing agent is a molecular sieve having a pore size of 13 angstroms or less.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an age-stabilized and/or strengthened ammonium nitrate propellant composition wherein the strengthening agent is selected from the group consisting of azodicarbonamide, dicyandiamide, oxamide and mixtures thereof and wherein the age-stabilizing agent is a molecular sieve having a pore size of 13 angstroms or less.

Abstract: The invention relates to flame suppression compositions including an inorganic halogen-containing component including bromine, iodine, or a mixture thereof, and an organic binder system having a heat of formation of less than about 200 cal/g, wherein the composition is solid at a temperature below 100.degree. C. and combusts at a temperature between about 160.degree. C. to 1200.degree. C. to produce a plurality of reaction products capable of suppressing a flame upon application thereto and wherein substantially all the halogen is converted to a solid form after suppressing the flame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inflator device that is adapted for producing a sufficient quantity of a gaseous product to substantially inflate an inflatable member. The inflator device has a first stage gas source in fluid communication with a second stage gas source, which, in turn, is in fluid communication with the inflatable member. The second stage gas source contains a liquified gas in an amount sufficient to inflate the inflatable member upon vaporization of the liquified gas, and the first stage gas source is capable of providing a sufficient quantity of gas at a sufficiently high temperature to the second stage gas source to vaporize substantially all of the liquified gas in the second stage gas source.

Abstract: A dimensionally stable case for supporting and controllably combusting propellant and/or gas-generant combustion gases is disclosed. The case is permeable to the combustion gases produced at temperatures above ambient temperature but below the auto-ignition temperature of the propellant and/or gas-generant supported therein. Further, the case is dimensionally stable without the use of metals, alloys or the like that yield shrapnel upon explosion in the barrel section of the case. Thus, an Insensitive Munitions case capable of passing cook-off tests is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to flame suppression compositions including an inorganic halogen-containing component including bromine, iodine, or a mixture thereof, and an organic binder system having a heat of formation of less than about 200 cal/g, wherein the composition is solid at a temperature below 100.degree. C. and combusts at a temperature between about 160.degree. C. to 1200.degree. C. to produce a plurality of reaction products capable of suppressing a flame upon application thereto and wherein substantially all the halogen is converted to a solid form after suppressing the flame.

Abstract: A motor for impelling a missile or projectile has a housing and a plurality of spaced walls defining progressive compartments in the housing. A nozzle in one of the compartments produces a thrust for the missile or projectile when pressurized gases flow through it. Igniters extending into the individual compartments ignite propellants in such compartments. The igniter in an individual one of the compartments is energized initially and the igniters progressively displaced from such individual compartment are thereafter energized sequentially. Each wall separating an individual pair of adjacent compartments has a normally closed valve. Each valve has a first orifice of relatively great area in the compartment closer to the nozzle and a second orifice of limited area in the compartment further from the nozzle. A membrane between the orifices prevents the valve from being opened by a pressure from the closer compartment until this pressure becomes relatively great (e.g. 6500 psi).

Abstract: A carbide coating for a surface intended to be subjected to stringencies of temperature and erosion, such as rocket nozzles, turbine blades, heat shields, and hypersonic structures, formed on a carbon substrate from a halide of hafnium, silicon, tantalum or zirconium, followed by deposition from a said halide and a hydrocarbon. The layer has a high melting point, can be made very thin, and resists cracking and spalling.

Abstract: A shroud to protect airborne stores from excessive temperatures generated by aerodynamic friction. The shroud includes a structural member which acts as a cover that comprises a matrix and a pyrotechnic. The autoignition temperature is above that of the temperatures which are generated. Upon ignition, the pyrotechnic mixture and the structural element disintegrated into gases or into particles which are so small as not to constitute a risk to nearby structure in flight.

Abstract: A void-sensing fuze whose initiation is deferred until after impact forces have terminated. A safety device safeties the fuze until after the ordnance has fired. Thereafter, upon impact the fuze is committed to fire, but fires only after impact forces have terminated.

Abstract: A curable energetic composition, comprising a hydroxyalkyl ester of acrylic or methacrylic acid, an organic polyol and lithium perchlorate, and optionally additional substances, is useful as a propellant.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic composition comprising a mixture of finely divided magnesium and silicon dioxide, both distributed throughout a binder selected from the members of the group consisting of polybutadienes and teflon. The composition is suitably insensitive, and yet readily ignitable, and does not require the use of solvents or of expensive spheroidal magnesium granules for its manufacture.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic composition produced by mixing and permitting to cure a mixture of aluminum, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, and water. Increased heat output and density and improved ignitability result, while exotherm during curing can substantially be eliminated.