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US5010804A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Launching projectiles with hydrogen gas generated from titanium-water reactions
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1990-08-06
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Granted: 1991-04-30
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Expires: 2010-08-06
Abstract
Abstract A method of propelling a projectile from a device by applying a high power pulse of electrical current to a thin metal conductor wire causing the wire to explode and disperse hot spots of molten metal throughout a titanium fuel/powder/water mixture which reacts to generate hydrogen gas at high pressure in a chamber. The hydrogen gas is used to push the projectile from the device.
Inventors
- 👤 Woodrow W. Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:39
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41A; F41A1/00; F41F; F41F1/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of propelling a projectile from a device comprising: (1) applying a high power pulse of electrical current to a metal conductor causing the metal conductor to explode and thus disperse the metal into a mixture of water and a titanium fuel selected from the group consisting of (a) titanium powder and (b) a mixture of titanium powder and boron powder wherein the molar ratio of boron to titanium is from more than 0:1 up to about 3:1, and wherein the pieces of dispersed metal from the exploded conductor provide hot spots which initiate a chemical reaction between the titanium fuel and water to generate hydrogen at high pressure in a chamber; (2) continuing to supply the high powered pulse of electrical current to drive the reaction between the titanium fuel and water after the metal conductor has exploded and initiated the reaction; (3) allowing the hydrogen gas pressure in the chamber to build to a preselected level; and then (4) using the hydrogen gas to push a projectile from the device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of propelling a projectile from a device comprising: (1) applying a high power pulse of electrical current to a metal conductor causing the metal conductor to explode and thus disperse the metal into a mixture of water and a titanium fuel selected from the group consisting of (a) titanium powder and (b) a mixture of titanium powder and boron powder wherein the molar ratio of boron to titanium is from more than 0:1 up to about 3:1, and wherein the pieces of dispersed metal from the exploded conductor provide hot spots which initiate a chemical reaction between the titanium fuel and water to generate hydrogen at high pressure in a chamber; (2) continuing to supply the high powered pulse of electrical current to drive the reaction between the titanium fuel and water after the metal conductor has exploded and initiated the reaction; (3) allowing the hydrogen gas pressure in the chamber to build to a preselected level; and then (4) using the hydrogen gas to push a projectile from the device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the titanium metal fuel is titanium powder and the reaction occurs between titanium and water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the total energy of the electrical current applied is from 1.0 to 5.0 kilojoules per gram of titanium fuel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the total energy of the electrical current applied is from 1.8 to 2.2 kilojoules per gram of titanium fuel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the pulse of electrical current applied during steps (1) and (2) is from 10 to 1000 microseconds long.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the pulse of electrical current is from 20 to 600 microseconds long.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the pulse of electrical current is from 40 to 400 microseconds long.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the titanium fuel is a mixture of titanium powder and boron powder wherein the molar ratio of boron to titanium is from more than 0:1 up to about 3:1 and wherein reactions occur between the titanium and water and between the boron and water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the molar ratio of boron to titanium is from 1:1 to 2.5:1.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the molar ratio of boron to titanium is from 1.9:1 to 2.1:1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein from 50 to 1000 percent of the equivalent amount of water required to oxidize all the titanium and all the boron is used in the reaction mixture.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 11 wherein from 100 to 500 percent of the equivalent amount of water required to oxidize all the titanium and all the boron is used in the reaction mixture.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 12 wherein from 150 to 300 percent of the equivalent amount of water required to oxidize all the titanium and all the boron is used in the reaction mixture.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 1 wherein from about 10 to about 30 percent of the total electrical energy is used up in step (1) to explode the metal conductor and the remainder of the electrical energy is used up in step (2) to drive the chemical reaction between the titanium fuel and water.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 14 wherein from about 15 to about 25 percent of the total electrical energy is used up in step (1) to explode the metal conductor and the remainder of the electrical energy is used up in step (2) to drive the chemical reaction between the titanium fuel and water.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 15 wherein from 18 to 22 percent of the total electrical energy is used up in step (1) to explode the metal conductor and the remainder of the electrical energy is used up in step (2) to drive the chemical reaction between the titanium fuel and water.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the titanium fuel powder is uniformly distributed throughout the water in the titanium fuel powder/water mixture by means of an absorbent ceramic material that is electrically nonconductive and chemically inert.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the absorbent ceramic material is made of alumina.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the absorbent ceramic material is in the form of sponges.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the absorbent ceramic material is in the form of bundles of fine ceramic fibers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the absorbent ceramic material is in the form of bundles of fine alumina fibers.
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) | 1994-04-29 | 1994-10-29 | 1995-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-29 | 1998-10-29 | 1999-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-29 | 2002-10-29 | 2003-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |