US3898798A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Subliming solids bipropellant fuel system power generator
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1972-10-26
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Granted: 1975-08-12
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Expires: 1992-10-26
Abstract
Abstract A generator using a bipropellant fuel system for producing usable power from solid reactants which are sublimed as required to produce vapors and the vapors are chemically reacted to release stored energy and convert same to useful work.
Inventors
- 👤 Laurence O Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 00:00
CPC Classifications
C; C06; C06D; C06D5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A subliming solids bipropellant fuel system power generator which comprises: at least two gas-tight chambers each having an outlet conduit; a single mass of solid fuel devoid of liquid contained within one of said chambers which fuel is adapted to sublime with the application of heat to provide a gaseous medium; a single mass of solid oxidizer devoid of liquid contained in another of said chambers which oxidizer is adapted to sublime with the application of heat to provide a gaseous medium which will upon ignition react exothermicly with said fuel vapors to produce a high temperature gas fluid under pressure; means for supplying heat to said fuel and said oxidizer; and, means connected to said outlet conduits for conversion of the high temperature gas pressure to useful work.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A subliming solids bipropellant fuel system power generator which comprises: at least two gas-tight chambers each having an outlet conduit; a single mass of solid fuel devoid of liquid contained within one of said chambers which fuel is adapted to sublime with the application of heat to provide a gaseous medium; a single mass of solid oxidizer devoid of liquid contained in another of said chambers which oxidizer is adapted to sublime with the application of heat to provide a gaseous medium which will upon ignition react exothermicly with said fuel vapors to produce a high temperature gas fluid under pressure; means for supplying heat to said fuel and said oxidizer; and, means connected to said outlet conduits for conversion of the high temperature gas pressure to useful work.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The fuel system of claim 1 wherein the fuel is selected from the group consisting of ammonium azide, hydrazine azide, hydrazine azide hydrazinate, and azidoamine and the oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen pentoxide, nitronium perchlorate, iodine pentafluoride and iodine heptafluoride.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fuel system of claim 1 wherein the fuel is ammonium azide and the oxidizer is nitrogen pentoxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
178 words
A subliming solids bipropellant fuel system power generator which comprises: at least two gas-tight chambers each having an outlet conduit; a single mass of solid fuel devoid of liquid contained in one of said chambers which fuel has a positive heat of formation and is adapted to sublime with the application of heat to provide a gaseous medium; a single mass of solid oxidizer devoid of liquid contained in another of said chambers which oxidizer is adapted to sublime with the application of heat to provide a gaseous medium which will react with said fuel vapors in the presence of a catalyst to produce a gas fluid under pressure; means for supplying heat to said fuel and said oxidizer; means connecting said outlet conduit means to form a common outlet means; catalyst means adapted to effect the catalytic ignition of the gaseous mediums on issuance and mixing thereof from said common outlet means to produce a high temperature working fluid; and, means connected to said common outlet means to convert the high temperature working fluid to useful work.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
178 words
A subliming solids bipropellant fuel system power generator which comprises: at least two gas-tight chambers each having an outlet conduit; a single mass of solid fuel devoid of liquid contained in one of said chambers which fuel has a positive heat of formation and is adapted to sublime with the application of heat to provide a gaseous medium; a single mass of solid oxidizer devoid of liquid contained in another of said chambers which oxidizer is adapted to sublime with the application of heat to provide a gaseous medium which will react with said fuel vapors in the presence of a catalyst to produce a gas fluid under pressure; means for supplying heat to said fuel and said oxidizer; means connecting said outlet conduit means to form a common outlet means; catalyst means adapted to effect the catalytic ignition of the gaseous mediums on issuance and mixing thereof from said common outlet means to produce a high temperature working fluid; and, means connected to said common outlet means to convert the high temperature working fluid to useful work.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The fuel system of claim 4 wherein the fuel is selected from the group consisting of ammonium azide, hydrazine azide, hydrazine azide hydrazinate, and azidoamine and the oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen pentoxide, nitronium perchlorate, iodine pentafluoride and iodine heptafluoride.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fuel system of claim 4 wherein the fuel is ammonium azide and the oxidizer is nitrogen pentoxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fuel system according to claim 4 wherein the means for supplying heat comprises an electric heater positioned within said gas chambers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fuel system of claim 4 wherein a catalyst is selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, iron, cobalt, nickel, rhenium, rhodium and platinum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The fuel system of claim 6 wherein the catalyst is ruthenium.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
196 words
The method of producing a high temperature working fluid from a solid fuel which comprises the steps of: providing a single mass of solid fuel devoid of liquid which has a positive heat of forMation and is adapted to sublime with the application of heat to provide a gaseous medium; enclosing said fuel within a gas-tight chamber having an outlet; applying heat to said fuel in an amount sufficient to produce a gaseous medium with a pressure adequate to force the gases to issue from the chamber; providing a single mass of solid oxidizer devoid of liquid adapted to sublime with the application of heat to provide a gaseous medium adapted to hypergollicly react with said fuel and having a relatively high vapor pressure; applying heat to said oxidizer in an amount sufficient to produce a gaseous medium with a vapor pressure adequate to force the gases to issue from the chamber; passing the issuing fuel and oxidizer gases through a catalytic zone containing a catalyst adapted to decompose the gases with the release of heat to produce a high temperature working fluid; and, expanding said working fluid through a work conversion means to produce work.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
196 words
The method of producing a high temperature working fluid from a solid fuel which comprises the steps of: providing a single mass of solid fuel devoid of liquid which has a positive heat of forMation and is adapted to sublime with the application of heat to provide a gaseous medium; enclosing said fuel within a gas-tight chamber having an outlet; applying heat to said fuel in an amount sufficient to produce a gaseous medium with a pressure adequate to force the gases to issue from the chamber; providing a single mass of solid oxidizer devoid of liquid adapted to sublime with the application of heat to provide a gaseous medium adapted to hypergollicly react with said fuel and having a relatively high vapor pressure; applying heat to said oxidizer in an amount sufficient to produce a gaseous medium with a vapor pressure adequate to force the gases to issue from the chamber; passing the issuing fuel and oxidizer gases through a catalytic zone containing a catalyst adapted to decompose the gases with the release of heat to produce a high temperature working fluid; and, expanding said working fluid through a work conversion means to produce work.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the fuel is selected from the group consisting of ammonium azide, hydrazine azide, hydrazine azide hydrazinate, and azidoamine, and the oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen pentoxide, nitronium perchlorate, iodine pentafluoride and iodine heptafluoride.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the fuel is ammonium azide and the oxidizer is nitrogen pentoxide.
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) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |