US3899129A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for generating ice nuclei smoke particles for weather modification
Assignee: United States Department of the Interior
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Filing: 1974-04-16
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Granted: 1975-08-12
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Expires: 1994-04-16
Abstract
Abstract Ice-nuclei smoke particles are produced through contact of an organic ice-nuclei compound with superheated steam under pressure, followed by internal adiabatic and isentropic expansion using a supersonic nozzle.
Inventors
- 👤 Norikiko Fukuta
- 👤 Young H Paik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:17
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G15/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
In an apparatus for generating ice-nuclei smoke particles comprising: means for generating superheated steam, an enclosed containing means holding therein an ice nuclei compound, a multi-opening fluid discharge means maintained within said containing means where multi-openings of said discharge means are disposed to direct fluid discharged therefrom at the surface of said compound, a conduit means connected to an outlet of said generating means and to an inlet of said discharge means whereby said conduit means carries therein said superheated steam from said generator to said discharge means wherefrom steam discharged at said compound surface evaporates compound into said steam, a converging-diverging nozzle means, a further conduit means having connections to an outlet of said containing means and to an inlet of said nozzle means and constituting a passage for steam laden with vapors of said compound leaving said containing means and entering said nozzle, wherein said vapor laden steam is quenched substantially by adiabatic and isentropic expansion at supersonic velocities.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
In an apparatus for generating ice-nuclei smoke particles comprising: means for generating superheated steam, an enclosed containing means holding therein an ice nuclei compound, a multi-opening fluid discharge means maintained within said containing means where multi-openings of said discharge means are disposed to direct fluid discharged therefrom at the surface of said compound, a conduit means connected to an outlet of said generating means and to an inlet of said discharge means whereby said conduit means carries therein said superheated steam from said generator to said discharge means wherefrom steam discharged at said compound surface evaporates compound into said steam, a converging-diverging nozzle means, a further conduit means having connections to an outlet of said containing means and to an inlet of said nozzle means and constituting a passage for steam laden with vapors of said compound leaving said containing means and entering said nozzle, wherein said vapor laden steam is quenched substantially by adiabatic and isentropic expansion at supersonic velocities.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
In the apparatus of claim 1 wherein said further conduit comprises a coil disposed for heating by a heat source whereby said vapor laden steam in passing therethrough is further heated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
In the apparatus of claim 1 wherein said nozzle means discharges said vapor laden steam at a speed greater than Mach 1.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
In the apparatus of claim 1 wherein said nozzle means has a speed of from about Mach 2.0 to about Mach 2.5 and a capacity of about 2 liters per second.
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 |