Propellants and explosives with flouro-organic additives to improve energy release efficiency

Patent 6843868 Issued on January 18, 2005. Estimated Expiration Date:

October 23, 2023. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Inventors

Application

No. 10691220 filed on 10/23/2003

US Classes:

149/19.3, Resin contains fluorine, bromine or iodine149/22, CONTAINING FREE BORON OR BINARY COMPOUNDS OF BORON (EXCEPT WITH OXYGEN) OR BORANES149/19.2, Including organometallic or organo (silicon/boron) compound149/5, Component base contains an inorganic explosive or inorganic thermic constituent149/6, Coating contains organic compound427/561, Pretreatment of coating supply or source outside of primary deposition zone or off site264/3.4, Forming or treating particulate material102/291, Rocket propellent grain149/40, Plural oxygen yielding compounds149/19.4, Polyurethane428/213, Thickness (relative or absolute)149/19.92, Process149/19.1, Organic material contains polysaccharide resin or synthetic resin149/2STRUCTURE OR ARRANGEMENT OF COMPONENT OR PRODUCT

Examiners

Primary: Felton, Aileen

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Homer; Mark

International Classes

C06B 4510
C06B 4300

Abstract

A non-/low-toxic, non-hypergolic, propellant formulation generally comprising metal nanoparticles, such as boron, aluminum, or carbon, and one or more fluoro-polymers mixed in in particulate form. The present invention takes advantage of the increased surface area provided by nano-sized metallic particles to enhance the metal's combustion efficiency, or ignitability. The inclusion of fluoro-polymers also aids in increasing the combustion efficiency of the metallic nanoparticles due to the presence of halogenic oxidizers. The thermal degradation of a halogenated fluoro-polymer additive in the propellant combustion zone serves to release halogens, thereby improving the combustion of the metallic nanoparticles and increasing the propulsion system's energy output. The present invention's formulation is safe to store and handle, environmentally-friendly, and may be economically manufactured to provide for widespread, cost-effective use.