US4739708A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Holder for flames of pyrophore-containing fuels in high-speed air
Assignee: Department of National Defence
•
Filing: 1987-02-13
•
Granted: 1988-04-26
•
Expires: 2007-02-13
Abstract
Abstract A infrared flare is used as a military decoy for infrared heat seeking missiles. The flare burns a pyrophoric fuel to provide a good simulation of an aircraft spectral signature. To minimize blow-out under extreme wind and high altitude conditions, the flare has an oxygen injector arranged concentrically around the fuel ejector and a shroud sheltering an ignition space just downstream of the fuel ejector. The injected oxygen reacts with a small amount of the fuel to produce a pilot flame in the shroud.
Inventors
- 👤 John L. Halpin
- 👤 Kenneth D. Foster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 03:22
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B4/00; F42B4/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A flare comprising: (a) a supply of pyrophoric fuel; (b) means defining an ignition space for the fuel; said means comprising an annular housing; (c) a fuel ejector for ejecting a stream of the fuel into the ignition space; (d) a supply of oxygen; (e) oxygen injection means positioned upstream of said fuel ejector for injecting a flow of oxygen into said annular housing; and (f) a shroud, said shroud positioned downstream of said oxygen injection means including mans extending radially inwardly from said housing constricting and deflecting the flow of oxygen into the vicinity of the fuel ejector so as to cause spontaneous ignition of the fuel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A flare comprising: (a) a supply of pyrophoric fuel; (b) means defining an ignition space for the fuel; said means comprising an annular housing; (c) a fuel ejector for ejecting a stream of the fuel into the ignition space; (d) a supply of oxygen; (e) oxygen injection means positioned upstream of said fuel ejector for injecting a flow of oxygen into said annular housing; and (f) a shroud, said shroud positioned downstream of said oxygen injection means including mans extending radially inwardly from said housing constricting and deflecting the flow of oxygen into the vicinity of the fuel ejector so as to cause spontaneous ignition of the fuel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A flare according to claim 1, wherein the fuel ejector has a circular ejector orifice.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A flare according to claim 2, wherein the oxygen injector means comprise means providing an annular oxygen plenum around the fuel ejector and an annular oxygen orifice concentric with the fuel ejector orifice.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A flare according to claim 3, wherein the means extending radially inwardly comprises oxygen flow directing means for directing the oxygen flow radially inwardly from the annular oxygen orifice into the stream of fuel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A flare according to claim 1, wherein the annular housing is concentric with and surrounds the fuel ejector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A flare according to claim 5, wherein the oxygen injector orifice surrounds the ejector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A flare according to claim 6, wherein the shroud is a concentric extension of the housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4044683A
Cited
US3613583A
Cited
US3914093A
Cited
US3911823A
Cited
US4349612A
Cited
US4418623A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-04-26 | 1991-10-26 | 1992-04-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-04-26 | 1995-10-26 | 1996-04-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-04-26 | 1999-10-26 | 2000-04-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |