US3739574A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gas generator method and apparatus
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corp
•
Filing: 1969-12-03
•
Granted: 1973-06-19
•
Expires: 1989-12-03
Abstract
Abstract A gas generator method and apparatus comprising an enclosed pressure chamber having an exit port, a solid combustible material disposed in the chamber, a catalyst which can increase the decomposition rate of the combustible material which has been previously ignited, the catalyst being supported in the chamber adjacent to a surface of the combustible material. Means is provided for sensing the pressure in the chamber when the combustible material is decomposing and means is provided for moving the catalyst relative to the combustible material to maintain approximately constant chamber pressure during decomposition.
Inventors
- 👤 J Godfrey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:34
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02K; F02K9/00; F02K9/08; F02K9/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
23 words
The gas generator of claim 1 wherein: said combustible material, once ignited, is capable of maintaining decomposition in the absence of the catalyst.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
36 words
The gas generator of claim 2 wherein: said combustible material is capable of decomposing to produce in the presence of said catalyst at least one gas selected from the class consisting of N2, NO and NO2.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The gas generator of claim 3 wherein: said combustible material contains at least from 5 to 90 weight percent nitrogen and from 0 to 90 weight percent oxygen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The gas generator of claim 1 wherein: said combustible material is pressed solid particles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The gas generator of claim 1 wherein: said combustible material is a solid particulate matter dispersed in a suitable binder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The gas generator of claim 1 wherein: said combustible material is melt cast into solid form.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of generating gas upon demand comprising: providing an enclosed pressure chamber having an exit port, disposing a solid combustible material in said chamber, disposing a catalyst in said chamber adjacent to said combustible material, said catalyst being capable of increasing the decomposition rate of said combustible material, igniting said combustible material to cause a surface thereof to begin decomposing, sensing the chamber pressure during decomposition, and controlling the distance between the catalyst and the decomposing surface to maintain about constant pressure in said chamber during decomposition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising: moving said catalyst toward and away from said decomposing surface in proportion to changes in chamber pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising: moving said catalyst between a first and second position, the first position being on the decomposing surface, the second position being a distance away from the decomposing surface sufficient to have no effect on the decomposition rate, and controlling the time said catalyst is at each of said positions dependent upon changes in the amount of gas to be produced by said generator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3133410A
Cited
US3460348A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-18 | 1976-12-18 | 1977-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-18 | 1980-12-18 | 1981-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-18 | 1984-12-18 | 1985-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |