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US4881994A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Iron oxide catalyst propellant, and method for making same

Assignee: RTX Corp
•
Filing: 1987-04-30
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Granted: 1989-11-21
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Expires: 2007-04-30
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Abstract

Abstract A method of making a ferric oxide burning rate catalyst that results in a highly active, finely divided burning rate enhancing catalyst. An iron-containing compound that is capable of vaporization at a temperature below about 500° C. is vaporized. A mixture comprising the vaporized iron-containing compound is combusted with a gas that is capable of supporting combustion in an oxygen environment and does not condense below about 100° C. The ferric oxide burning rate catalyst made by this process is particulary adapted for use in a composite solid rocket propellant. This process provides an ultra pure, highly active, finely divided burning rate catalyst.

Inventors

  • 👤 Thomas P. Rudy
  • 👤 Forrest R. Goodson
  • 👤 Mark E. Dudley

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 03:30
CPC Classifications
C; C06; C06B; C06B23/00; C06B23/007; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S149/00; Y10S149/11

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 74 words
A method for making a ferric oxide burning rate enhancing catalyst particularly adapted for use in a rocket propellant comprising (a) vaporizing an iron-containing compound at a temperature below about 500° C.; and (b) combusting a mixture whereby ferric oxide particles are formed in suspension comprising (i) said vaporized iron-containing compound; and (ii) lower hydrocarbons, lower ethers or lower oxides of carbon; whereby the product is a highly active finely divided burning rate catalyst.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 74 words
A method for making a ferric oxide burning rate enhancing catalyst particularly adapted for use in a rocket propellant comprising (a) vaporizing an iron-containing compound at a temperature below about 500° C.; and (b) combusting a mixture whereby ferric oxide particles are formed in suspension comprising (i) said vaporized iron-containing compound; and (ii) lower hydrocarbons, lower ethers or lower oxides of carbon; whereby the product is a highly active finely divided burning rate catalyst.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said iron-containing compound has a melting point lower than its vaporization temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 41 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said iron-containing compound is iron carbonyl, ferrocene or a derivative thereof, a iron chelate of a diketone of low molecular weight, a iron halide or a complex ferro- or ferricyanide, or mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said iron-containing compound comprises iron pentacarbonyl.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 16 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said lower oxide of carbon is carbon monoxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 18 words
A ferric oxide burning rate catalyst made by the process of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 24 words
A composite solid rocket propellant comprising a ferric oxide burning rate catalyst made by the process of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3932242A Cited
US4023994A Cited
US3677839A Cited
US4003850A Cited
US4120709A Cited
US4424085A Cited
US4608239A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-11-20 1993-05-22 1993-11-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-11-20 1997-05-22 1997-11-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-11-20 2001-05-22 2001-11-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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