Abstract: The apparatus includes an elastic layer for supporting a person. A plurality of rows of expandable and retractable tubes are embedded in the elastic layer. A source of compressed air and a control system are provided for sequentially injecting and releasing air into and from a first set of alternate tubes and then into and from a second set of alternate tubes for imparting continuous motion to the elastic layer.

Abstract: The apparatus includes an elastic layer for supporting a person. A plurality of rows of expandable and retractable tubes are embedded in the elastic layer. A source of compressed air and a control system are provided for sequentially injecting and releasing air into and from a first set of alternate tubes and then into and from a second set of alternate tubes for imparting continuous motion to the elastic layer.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for making black powder and black powder substitutes without requiring binder-effective amounts of a binder and lacquers.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a polymeric foam, wherein foam components are brought together under pressure and are passed through a permeable discharge head where the pressure is reduced. The permeable discharge head comprises a diffuser element having a structure such as to require division, divergence and convergence of flow paths in three dimensions within its axial thickness, considered in the direction of flow therethrough. The diffuser element comprises plural individual woven wire meshes sintered together to form a composite element. The invention also provides the diffuser element.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for producing polymeric foam, wherein reactive foam components and a low-boiling point frothing agent are brought together, sufficient pressure is applied to maintain the frothing agent in a liquid state and the mixture is passed through a permeable discharge head through which the mixture is discharged and wherein the pressure is reduced and froth is formed. The discharge head comprises one or more diffuser elements (80) having a structure such as to require division, divergence and convergence of flow paths in three dimensions within the axial thickness of the diffuser element, considered in the direction of flow therethrough. The diffuser element (80) is made of bonded, or sintered or sintered composite material, such as sintered wire.

Abstract: A method and device for continuously producing slabstock polyurethane foam wherein a polymerizable reaction mixture containing a blowing agent is applied onto a moving conveyor and allowed a free rise expansion and polymerization within a substantially closed space. The pressure in this space is maintained within a predetermined pressure range by continuously supplying gas to the space, in addition to the blowing gas produced by the reaction and by simultaneously exhausting gas from said space. In this way, pressure fluctuations are reduced in the space and further parameters such as the temperature can be controlled so as to enable production of a foam with constant properties.

Abstract: Energetic materials are continuously processed in a twin-screw extruder to provide safe, low-cost, high quality manufacturing of pyrotechnic compositions, gun propellants, and high explosives. The energetic materials are processed by first lacquering the binder and other soluble ingredients in a solvent. The lacquer solution is introduced into a twin-screw extruder. At least one solid reactive material ingredient, such as metal and/or oxidizer particles, is also introduced into the twin-screw extruder. The solid reactive material ingredient and the lacquer solution are mixed within the twin-screw extruder. After mixing, sufficient solvent is removed by heating or by vacuum to permit bulk granulation of the energetic material. Moist energetic material is then granulated using a remote continuous rotary granulator. The energetic material is dried to produce free-flowing granules which may be used as feedstock for further processing.

Abstract: A continuous extrusion process for manufacturing composite gun propellant is disclosed. The disclosed process is particularly suitable for preparing gun propellant formulations based upon a cellulose ester binder. In the process, the binder ingredients are dissolved in an organic solvent and then pumped directly into a twin-screw extruder. The other ingredients, except the oxidizer, may optionally be dissolved in the organic solvent prior to introduction into the twin-screw extruder. The oxidizer is dried, ground, and also fed dry to the twin-screw extruder. In the extruder, the materials are thoroughly mixed and the solvent is reduced to sufficient level for direct extrusion through the desired dies.

Abstract: A process for reducing the particle size of particulate crystalline energetic material such as HMX or RDX by slurrying the particulate energetic particles in an inert liquid wherein the liquid coats the surfaces of the particles and introducing the slurried energetic particles at a predetermined pressure into a Microfluidizer.RTM. high-pressure grinding chamber wherein high-pressure interparticle collision reduces the mean particle size of the energetic particles, thereby reducing the sensitivity of the energetic material.