Apparatus and Method for Using Tetrazine-Based Energetic Material

• US 20090301601A1
• Filed: 02/13/2007
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: David Battat, Emile Battat, Glenn Mackal, John H. Lucius, Jon R. Enerson
• Original Assignee: David Battat, Emile Battat, Glenn Mackal, John H. Lucius, Jon R. Enerson
• Inventors: Battat, Emile, Lucius, John H., Mackal, Glenn, Battat, David, Enerson, Jon R.
• Application Number:
  US12/279,005
• Publication Number:
  US 20090301601A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 141/38
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 43/00 Compositions characterised by explosive or thermic constituents not provided for in groups C06B25/00 - C06B41/00
• CPC Class Codes: C06D 5/04 by auto-decomposition of single substances
• CPC Class Codes: C06D 5/06 by reaction of two or more solids
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/129 Energy recovery, e.g. by cogeneration, H2recovery or pressure recovery turbines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/12 Improving ICE efficiencies

Abstract

The present invention comprises apparatus and methods employing a gas produced from a tetrazine-based energetic material such as that known as “BTATz” containing 3;6-BtS(1H-1,2,3,4-Tetrazol-5-ylamino)1-,2,4,5-tetrazine 3;6-BtS(1H-1,2,3,4-Tetrazol-5-ylamino)1-,2,4,5-tetrazine or salts thereof. The tetrazinebased energetic material is ignited through the use of a percussion cap, a piezoelectric crystal or a battery-supplied electric spark or by encapsulating it in a container that is then exposed to a burning flame. The gas produced upon ignition is employed a propellant such as to inflate life rafts, life vests, emergency evacuation slides, tires, air bags and other inflatable devices. The gas produced upon ignition is alternatively employed to power an engine and many other applications such as a fire suppressant.

Claims

1. An inflator employing a propellant produced from a BTATz material, comprising in combination:

a gas cartridge having an outlet for fluid connection to an inflatable article;

the gas cartridge including a reaction chamber that contains the BTATz material and controls the gas evolution rate as the BTATz material is ignited;

a cover fitted to the reaction chamber; and

a housing in which the reaction chamber is positioned including a dome providing a headspace volume for the nitrogen gas produced upon ignition of the BTATz material.

2. A BTATz air bag inflation device comprising in combination:

a vented housing in which is positioned an internal cavity filled with BTATz; and

an igniter positioned within the bottom of the cavity with its firing leads extending through the housing for connection to a firing mechanism.

3. A BTATz fire suppressant, comprising a container filled with BTATz that, upon ignition, produces fire-suppressing nitrogen gas.

4. A BTATz fire extinguisher, comprising in combination:

a gas cylinder containing BTATz and a pressurized gas; and

a hand-operated dispensing valve/nozzle that release the pressurize gas to dispense the BTATz.

5. A BTATz fire extinguisher, comprising in combination:

a container including a supply of BTATz; and

a valve including an igniter to ignite the BTATz whereupon expanding nitrogen gas produced from the burning BTATz pressurizes the container which is then used to suppress a fire.

6. A BTATz inflator, comprising in combination:

a housing;

a BTATz charge container including an amount of BTATz and a primer charge, the charge container being positioned within the housing;

an igniter extending into the primer charge to ignite the primer charge which in turn ignites the BTATz;

the housing including an exhaust port such that upon ignition of the BTATz a supply of nitrogen gas is produced that is exhausted from the housing into an article to be inflated.

7. A BTATz tire inflator, comprising in combination:

a housing;

a charge container containing BTATz, the container including a spark gap for creating a spark when voltage is applied to its leads, the charge container being positioned within the housing;

a piezoelectric mechanism including a push-button that when pressed, creates a spark of voltage by the piezoelectric that is supplied to the leads of the spark gap to ignite the BTATz whereupon the nitrogen gas produced therein is vented into housing; and

a valve positioned within the housing designed to open a conventional inflation valve of a standard automotive tire, whereupon the nitrogen gas in the housing is used to inflate the tire.

8. A BTATz inflator, comprising in combination:

a housing;

a charge container containing BTATz positioned within the housing, the charge container including a percussion cap to ignite the BTATz upon being stuck; and

a firing mechanism for striking the percussion cap upon the jerking of a lanyarded pull handle.

9. A BTATz alternative fuel engine, comprising a combustion chamber including an igniter to fire a charge of BTATz therein and produce pressurized nitrogen gas to drive an engine.