US3736876A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Catalyst generator
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1970-06-26
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Granted: 1973-06-05
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Expires: 1990-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A catalyst generator cartridge for weather modification having a spring loaded slider for moving a detonator into alignment with the ignition chain only when the pyrotechnic has been ejected from the cartridge case. If the pyrotechnic remains in the cartridge case after an ejection charge has been fired, the cartridge case prevents the slider from aligning the detonator with the ignition chain, thereby preventing the detonator from eroding through an ignition blocking device and igniting the pyrotechnic. But, if the pyrotechnic is ejected from the cartridge case, the spring is permitted to move the slider, thereby aligning the detonator with the ignition chain and allowing the pyrotechnic to be ignited. Delay compositions are included to allow the pyrotechnic to reach a predetermined distance before it is ignited.
Inventors
- 👤 S Little
- 👤 J Lyons
- 👤 R Noles
- 👤 P Amand
- 👤 D Hazelton
- 👤 D Johnson
- 👤 J Riester
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:51
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42C; F42C15/00; F42C15/18; F42C15/184; A; A01; A01G; A01G15/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A catalyst generator cartridge for cloud seeding comprising: a pyrotechnic; an ejector having a propellant for propelling said pyrotechnic into a cloud mass to be seeded and comprising a cartridge case from which said pyrotechnic is to be ejected when said propellant is ignited; and ignition safety means positioned between said ejector and said pyrotechnic for preventing the ignition of said pyrotechnic until after said pyrotechnic has been ejected from said cartridge case; wherein said pyrotechnic comprises; a grain assembly which, when ignited, produces nuclei, wherein said nuclei are ice-forming catalysts, an ignition composition, ignitable by said ignition safety, for igniting said grain assembly, an annular ignition spacer positioned between said ignition safety and said grain assembly, a charge spacer positioned adjacent said grain assembly, and a cylindrical charge case closed at one end and having a removable charge casE cover at the other end, and slideable within said cartridge case, for containing said ignition composition, said ignition spacer, said grain assembly, and said charge spacer; wherein the central portion of said closed end has a reduced thickness from that of the peripheral portion of said closed end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A catalyst generator cartridge for cloud seeding comprising: a pyrotechnic; an ejector having a propellant for propelling said pyrotechnic into a cloud mass to be seeded and comprising a cartridge case from which said pyrotechnic is to be ejected when said propellant is ignited; and ignition safety means positioned between said ejector and said pyrotechnic for preventing the ignition of said pyrotechnic until after said pyrotechnic has been ejected from said cartridge case; wherein said pyrotechnic comprises; a grain assembly which, when ignited, produces nuclei, wherein said nuclei are ice-forming catalysts, an ignition composition, ignitable by said ignition safety, for igniting said grain assembly, an annular ignition spacer positioned between said ignition safety and said grain assembly, a charge spacer positioned adjacent said grain assembly, and a cylindrical charge case closed at one end and having a removable charge casE cover at the other end, and slideable within said cartridge case, for containing said ignition composition, said ignition spacer, said grain assembly, and said charge spacer; wherein the central portion of said closed end has a reduced thickness from that of the peripheral portion of said closed end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
136 words
The cartridge of claim 1 wherein said ignition safety means comprises: a delay composition; a retaining ring; a spring moveable slider containing a detonator ignitable by said delay composition, wherein said detonator is positioned out of alignment with said central portion of said closed end so that said detonator will not ignite said ignition composition when said cartridge case contains said ignition safety means; a spring for moving said detonator into alignment with said central portion of said closed end after said ignition safety means is ejected from the cartridge case such that said detonator, when ignited, will erode through said central portion of said closed end and ignite said ignition composition; and a fuze housing slidable within said cartridge case for containing said retaining ring, said delay composition, said slider, said detonator and said spring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
122 words
The cartridge of claim 2 wherein said ejector further comprises: an electric primer for igniting said propellant; a paper disc positioned adjacent said propellant; a primer shield positioned adjacent said paper disc; an annular primer spacer positioned adjacent said primer shield; an annular obturator positioned between said primer spacer and said ignition safety means; such that said propellant when ignited by said electric primer, will burn through said paper disc, erode through said primer shield, flash through the hole in said primer spacer, said obturator, and said retaining ring, and ignite said delay composition; wherein said cartridge case contains said electric primer, said propellant, said paper disc, said primer shield, said primer spacer, said obturator, said ignition safety means and said pyrotechnic.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-04 | 1976-12-04 | 1977-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-04 | 1980-12-04 | 1981-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-04 | 1984-12-04 | 1985-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |