US5056436A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solid pyrotechnic compositions for projectile base-bleed systems
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Tactical Systems Inc
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Filing: 1988-10-03
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Granted: 1991-10-15
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Expires: 2008-10-03
Abstract
Abstract The invention is directed to a solid, pyrotechnic composition as a base-bleed composition for reducing the base-drag of non-self-propelled projectiles. The composition comprises a oxygenated hydrocarbon component and an oxidizing agent component.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W. Greene
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:38
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B10/00; F42B10/32; F42B10/38; F42B10/40; C; C06; C06B; C06B29/00; C06B31/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for reducing the base-drag of a non-self-propelled projectile comprising the steps of: providing a non-self-propelled projectile having a cavity wherein and fluid communication between said cavity and the near wake zone at the base of said projectile; loading said cavity with a pyrotechnic composition that provides upon burning of said composition a low mass flow of gaseous combustion products in the near wake zone of said projectile, said low mass flow of combustion products being sufficient to increase the base pressure in the near wake zone and decrease the base-drag of said projectile, wherein said pyrotechnic composition comprises: (A) oxygenated hydrocarbon component selected from the group consisting essentially of dehydroacetic acid, sorbital, ascorbic acid, adipic acid, lactose, glucose, and mixtures of any of them, said oxygenated hydrocarbon component having a melting point above 90° C.; and (B) oxidizing agent component; and reacting said oxygenated hydrocarbon component with said oxidizing agent component during at least a portion of flight of said projectile.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for reducing the base-drag of a non-self-propelled projectile comprising the steps of: providing a non-self-propelled projectile having a cavity wherein and fluid communication between said cavity and the near wake zone at the base of said projectile; loading said cavity with a pyrotechnic composition that provides upon burning of said composition a low mass flow of gaseous combustion products in the near wake zone of said projectile, said low mass flow of combustion products being sufficient to increase the base pressure in the near wake zone and decrease the base-drag of said projectile, wherein said pyrotechnic composition comprises: (A) oxygenated hydrocarbon component selected from the group consisting essentially of dehydroacetic acid, sorbital, ascorbic acid, adipic acid, lactose, glucose, and mixtures of any of them, said oxygenated hydrocarbon component having a melting point above 90° C.; and (B) oxidizing agent component; and reacting said oxygenated hydrocarbon component with said oxidizing agent component during at least a portion of flight of said projectile.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method for reducing base-drag according to claim 1, wherein said composition comprises (A) and (B) in amounts sufficient to oxidize substantially all of the carbon atoms in said oxygenated hydrocarbon component to carbon dioxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method for reducing base-drag according to claim 1, wherein said oxygenated hydrocarbon component has a melting point above about 110° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method for reducing base-drag according to claim 3, wherein said oxygenated hydrocarbon component has a melting point above about 180° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method for reducing base-drag according to claim 1, wherein said oxidizing agent component is selected from the group consisting essentially of nitrates, nitrites, chlorates, chlorites and perchlorates, and mixtures of any of them.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method for reducing base-drag according to claim 5, wherein said oxidizing agent component is potassium perchlorate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method for reducing base-drag according to claim 1, wherein said low mass flow of gaseous combustion products is provided during a considerable portion of said non-self-propelled projectile flight time.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method for reducing base-drag according to claim 7, wherein said low mass flow of gaseous combustion products is provided during at least about 30% of said non-self-propelled projectile flight time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method for reducing base-drag according to claim 8, wherein said low mass flow of gaseous combustion products is provided for at least about 50% of said non-self-propelled projectile flight time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method for reducing base-drag according to claim 9, wherein said low mass flow of gaseous combustion products is provided for at least about 80% of said non-self-propelled projectile flight time.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-10-14 | 1995-04-15 | 1995-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-10-14 | 1999-04-15 | 1999-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-10-14 | 2003-04-15 | 2003-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |