US4412419A — Fluid supply systems

Claim 1

Independent Claim 187 words

A fluid supply system comprising a chamber having a portion for containing a working fluid, a portion for containing a gas for pressurizing the working fluid, a movable partition separating the fluid portion from the gas portion of the chamber, an inlet for the gas and an outlet for the working fluid, a member operable to close the inlet and carrying solid propellant charge means, and ignition control means for the solid propellant charge means, characterized in that the solid propellant charge means comprise a plurality of individual charges, and in that the ignition control means is operable to ignite each charge as and when required to produce a pressurized gas which enters the gas portion of the chamber and moves the partition in the chamber to pressurize the working fluid and expel the same through the outlet, the ignition control means comprising pulse generating means, counter means responsive to the output of the pulse generating means, gate means responsive to the output of the counter means, and ignition circuits responsive to the respective outputs of the gate means, whereby the solid propellant charges are ignited serially.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 187 words

A fluid supply system comprising a chamber having a portion for containing a working fluid, a portion for containing a gas for pressurizing the working fluid, a movable partition separating the fluid portion from the gas portion of the chamber, an inlet for the gas and an outlet for the working fluid, a member operable to close the inlet and carrying solid propellant charge means, and ignition control means for the solid propellant charge means, characterized in that the solid propellant charge means comprise a plurality of individual charges, and in that the ignition control means is operable to ignite each charge as and when required to produce a pressurized gas which enters the gas portion of the chamber and moves the partition in the chamber to pressurize the working fluid and expel the same through the outlet, the ignition control means comprising pulse generating means, counter means responsive to the output of the pulse generating means, gate means responsive to the output of the counter means, and ignition circuits responsive to the respective outputs of the gate means, whereby the solid propellant charges are ignited serially.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 95 words

A system according to claim 1, characterized in that the ignition control means further comprises a pressure sensor operable to sense the pressure in the fluid or gas portion of the chamber and operate switch means if the sensed pressure is below a predetermined value, the switch means then initiating the remainder of the ignition control means, and in that the counter means remains energized but the pulse generating means does not when the switch means is deactuated so that serial ignition of the solid propellant charges is resumed immediately the switch means is reactuated.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 18 words

A system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pulse generating means comprises an oscillator.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 63 words

A system according to claim 3, characterized in that each solid propellant charge is in the form of a capsule removably attached to the member carrying the same and comprising a container in which are mounted a slug of solid propellant and an igniter for the propellant, a frangible member being provided to separate the charge from the gas portion of the chamber.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 48 words

A system according to claim 3, characterized in that each charge is embodied with the member carrying the same and comprises a slug of solid propellant and an igniter for the propellant, a frangible member being provided to separate the charge from the gas portion of the chamber.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 54 words

A system according to claim 3, characterized in that each charge comprises an annular slug of solid propellant and an igniter for the propellant, the slugs being stacked one next to another and separated by an apertured member and each slug being separated from the gas portion of the chamber by a frangible member.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 50 words

A system according to claim 6, characterized in that the apertures in the members separating the slugs of propellant are aligned with each other and with the bore formed by the stacked slugs to permit gas generated by an one charge to flow into the gas portion of the chamber.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 42 words

A system according to claim 4, characterized in that each frangible member comprises a heat reflective layer to reduce radiative heat transfer from the gas portion of the chamber to the unignited charges, and an insulative layer to reduce conductive heat transfer.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 42 words

A system according to claim 5, characterized in that each frangible member comprises a heat reflective layer to reduce radiative heat transfer from the gas portion of the chamber to the unignited charges, and an insulative layer to reduce conductive heat transfer.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 42 words

A system according to claim 7, characterized in that each frangible member comprises a heat reflective layer to reduce radiative heat transfer from the gas portion of the chamber to the unignited charges, and an insulative layer to reduce conductive heat transfer.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 20 words

A system according to claim 10, characterized in that the reflective layer is metallic and the insulative layer is ceramic.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 31 words

A system according to claim 11 characterized in that the outlet of the chamber is fitted with a release valve which is automatically opened on energization of the ignition control means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 128 words

A fluid supply system comprising a chamber having a portion for containing a working fluid, a portion for containing a gas for pressurising the working fluid, a movable partition separating the fluid portion from the gas portion of the chamber, an inlet for the gas and an outlet for the working fluid, the inlet being closable by a member carrying a plurality solid propellant charges, the system further comprising ignition control means for the solid propellant charges and being such that in operation a charge is ignited to produce a pressurised gas which enters the gas portion of the chamber and moves the partition in the chamber to pressurise the working fluid and expel the same through the chamber outlet, each charge being ignited as and when required.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 128 words

A fluid supply system comprising a chamber having a portion for containing a working fluid, a portion for containing a gas for pressurising the working fluid, a movable partition separating the fluid portion from the gas portion of the chamber, an inlet for the gas and an outlet for the working fluid, the inlet being closable by a member carrying a plurality solid propellant charges, the system further comprising ignition control means for the solid propellant charges and being such that in operation a charge is ignited to produce a pressurised gas which enters the gas portion of the chamber and moves the partition in the chamber to pressurise the working fluid and expel the same through the chamber outlet, each charge being ignited as and when required.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 34 words

A system according to claim 13 or 1, wherein the gas inlet occupies one end of the chamber and the member carrying the solid propellant charges is in the form of an end cap.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 63 words

A system according to claim 13 or 1, wherein each solid propellant charge is in the form of a capsule removably attached to the member carrying the same and comprising a container in which are mounted a slug of solid propellant and an igniter for the propellant, a frangible member being provided to separate the charge from the gas portion of the chamber.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 48 words

A system according to claim 13 or 1, wherein each charge is embodied with the member carrying the same and comprises a slug of solid propellant and an igniter for the propellant, a frangible member being provided to separate the charge from the gas portion of the chamber.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 13 words

A system according to claim 15, wherein each frangible member is a disc.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 54 words

A system according to claim 13 or 1, wherein each charge comprises an annular slug of solid propellant and an igniter for the propellant, the slugs being stacked one next to another and separated by an apertured member and each slug being separated from the gas portion of the chamber by a frangible member.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 27 words

A system according to claim 18, wherein each frangible member is in the form of a ring fitting within the bore of the associated slug of propellant.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 48 words

A system according to claim 18, wherein the apertures in the members separating the slugs of propellant are aligned with each other and with the bore formed by the stacked slugs to permit gas generated by any one charge to flow into the gas portion of the chamber.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 19 words

A system according to claim 18, wherein the apertured members are located by rings surrounding the slugs of propellant.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 40 words

A system according to claim 15, wherein each frangible member comprises a heat reflective layer to reduce radiative heat transfer from the gas portion of the chamber to the unignited charges, and an insulative layer to reduce conductive heat transfer.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 18 words

A system according to claim 22, wherein the reflective layer is metallic and the insulative layer is ceramic.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 54 words

A system according to claim 13, wherein the ignition control means comprise a pressure sensor operable to sense the pressure in the fluid or gas portion of the chamber and operate switch means if the sensed pressure is below a predetermined value, the switch means then initiating the remainder of the ignition control means.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 61 words

A system according to claim 24, wherein the ignition control means further comprises an oscillator rendered operative when the switch means is actuated, a counter responsive to the output of the oscillator, gate means responsive to the output of the counter and ignition circuits responsive to the respective outputs of the gate means, whereby the solid propellant charges are ignited serially.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 39 words

A system according to claim 25, wherein the counter remains energised but the oscillator does not when the switch means is deactuated so that serial ignition of the solid propellant charges is resumed immediately the switch means are re-actuated.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 17 words

A system according to claim 25, 26, 1 or 2, wherein each igniter circuit comprises an amplifier.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 22 words

A system according to claim 13 or 1, wherein the movable partition in the chamber comprises a bellows sealed to the chamber.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 18 words

A system according to claim 13 or 1 wherein the movable partition in the chamber comprises a piston.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1986-10-31	1987-05-02	1987-11-01	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1990-10-31	1991-05-02	1991-11-01	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1994-10-31	1995-05-02	1995-11-01	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Fluid supply systems

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