US4180424A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control of burning rate and burning rate exponent by particle size in gun propellants
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1977-07-11
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Granted: 1979-12-25
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Expires: 1997-07-11
Abstract
Abstract Composite gun propellants are prepared wherein the burning rate and burning rate exponent are controlled by proper choice of particle size. This invention permits the formulation of practical, high impetus, composite gun propellants, tailored specifically to yield the desired ballistic properties for a specific round.
Inventors
- 👤 Russell Reed, Jr.
- 👤 John A. Peterson
- 👤 Raymond M. Price
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:07
CPC Classifications
C; C06; C06B; C06B45/00; C06B25/00; C06B25/34; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S149/00; Y10S149/11; Y10S149/111
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for controlling the burning rate exponent of a gun propellent comprising a solid binder and an oxidizer consisting essentially of cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine and devoid of coolant and inorganic oxidizers, which comprises reducing the average mean particle diameter of at least the cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine to less than 60 microns sufficient to provide said propellant a burning rate exponent n, as defined by the equation R=ap n , between about 0.9 and 1.3 at a pressure between 10,000 and 50,000 psi.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for controlling the burning rate exponent of a gun propellent comprising a solid binder and an oxidizer consisting essentially of cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine and devoid of coolant and inorganic oxidizers, which comprises reducing the average mean particle diameter of at least the cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine to less than 60 microns sufficient to provide said propellant a burning rate exponent n, as defined by the equation R=ap n , between about 0.9 and 1.3 at a pressure between 10,000 and 50,000 psi.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the particle size of the cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine is reduced to between about 1 and 6 microns.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine comprises 60% to 95% by weight of the propellant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the binder is selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polysulfides, polyformaldehydes, polyepoxides and hydrocarbon polymers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the binder is a polyurethane binder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the reduction in particle size of at least the cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine is accomplished by fluid energy milling.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein the cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine is milled in the presence of about 0.5 to 3.0 weight percent of a polyethylene glycol anti-static agent having a mol. wt. of about 4000.
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) | 1982-12-24 | 1983-06-25 | 1983-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-12-24 | 1987-06-25 | 1987-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-12-24 | 1991-06-25 | 1991-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |