Propellant material

• US 5,149,384 A
• Filed: 03/05/1990
• Issued: 09/22/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Universal Propulsion Company Incorporated (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Universal Propulsion Company Incorporated (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Marion, Frank A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, Edward A.
• Application Number:
  US07/489,288
• Time in Patent Office: 932 Days
• Field of Search: 149/19.1, 149/19.6, 149/19.9, 149/20, 149/45, 149/75, 149/108.2
• US Class Current: 149/19.1
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 33/12 the material being two or more oxygen-yielding compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 43/00 Compositions characterised by explosive or thermic constituents not provided for in groups C06B25/00 - C06B41/00

Abstract

A solid propellant acts in a chamber to propel a member such as a rocket, the chamber being closed to the atmosphere. The propellant provides high density-impulses and, when combusted, produces end products which do not have any deleterious effects. The propellant includes a binder/reducing agent having hydrocarbyl linkages including --CH₂ -- and a lead compound oxidizer formed from an inorganic lead oxidizer salt. The oxidizer has dense characteristics and stable properties at ambient temperatures and through a range of temperatures above ambient. A second oxidizer made from a metallic salt (not including lead) such as potassium perchlorate may also be included in the propellant. Carbon, preferably in particulate form, may also be included in the mixture as an additional reducing agent. The different materials are included in the propellant in relative amounts by weight to reduce the lead salt in the oxidizer to lead oxide. The oxidizing material may be included in the propellant in the range of approximately eighty four percent (84%) to ninety one percent (91%) by weight, the hydrocarbon in the range of approximately eight percent (8%) to ten percent (10%) by weight and the carbon in the range of approximately zero percent (0%) to eight percent (8%) by weight. The lead compound oxidizer is reduced in the propellant to lead oxide. The carbon may be oxidized in the propellant to carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide.

Claims

1. A propellant, consisting of:

a binder/reducing agent having hydrocarbyl linkages including --CH₂ --,

a first oxidizing material formed from an inorganic lead oxidizer salt, and

a second oxidizing material containing oxygen and at least one element other than lead,

the first and second oxidizing materials and the binder/reducing agent being provided in relative percentages by weight, and being combustible at temperatures below the temperature of vaporized lead, to obtain a reduction of the first oxidizing material substantially only to lead oxide, (Pbo), and not lead, during the combustion of the propellant at temperatures below the temperature of vaporized lead.

3. The propellant set forth in claim 1, wherein

the total amount of the first and second oxidizing materials is approximately eighty-four percent (84%) to ninety-one percent (91%) by weight.

4. The propellant set forth in claim 1 wherein

the total amount of the binder/reducing agent is approximately eight percent (8%) to ten percent (10%) by weight.

6. The propellant set forth in claim 1 wherein

the first oxidizing material is selected from the group consisting of lead nitrate, lead peroxide and lead iodate.

7. The propellant set forth in claim 6 wherein

the second oxidizing material is selected from the group consisting of strontium nitrate, barium nitrate, cerium nitrate, rubidium nitrate, ammonium perchlorate, potassium periodate, potassium nitrate, urea nitrate and guanidine nitrate,

and the first and second oxidizing agent and the binder/reducing agent are provided in relative percentages in the propellant to obtain the production of at least one of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide during the combustion of the propellant.

8. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein

the first oxidizing material is lead nitrate and the second oxidizing material is potassium perchlorate.

31. The propellant set forth in claim 1 wherein

the first and second oxidizing materials and the reducing agent are provided in relative percentages by weight to obtain the production of at least one of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide during the combustion of the propellant.

43. A propellant as set forth in claim 1 wherein

the binder/reducing agent is in liquid form.

2. A propellant, consisting of:

a binder/reducing agent having hydrocarbyl linkages including --CH₂ --,

a first oxidizing material formed from an inorganic lead oxidizer salt,

a second oxidizing material containing oxygen and at least one element other than lead,

the first and second oxidizing materials and the binder/reducing agent being provided in relative percentages by weight, and being combustible at temperatures below the temperature of vaporized lead, to obtain a reduction of the first oxidizing material substantially only to lead oxide, (Pbo), and not lead, during the combustion of the propellant at temperatures below the temperature of vaporized lead,

and carbon as an additional reducing agent.

5. The propellant set forth in claim 2 wherein

the total amount of the first and second oxidizing materials is approximately 84%-91% by weight and the total amount of the binder/reducing agent is approximately eight percent (8%) to ten percent (10%) by weight and the total amount of the additional reducing agent is approximately zero percent (0%) to eight percent (8%) by weight.

44. A propellant as set forth in claim 2 wherein

the binder/reducing agent is in liquid form.

9. A propellant consisting of,

lead nitrate as an oxidizer,

potassium perchlorate as an oxidizer,

a binder/reducing agent having hydrocarbyl linkages including --CH₂ --,

the relative amounts of the lead nitrate, the potassium perchlorate and the binder/reducing agent being selected to obtain the combustion of such materials at temperatures below the temperature of vaporized lead and the reduction of the lead nitrate substantially only to lead oxide (Pbo), and not lead, during the combustion of the propellant at the temperatures below the temperature of vaporized lead.

10. The propellant set forth in claim 9 wherein

the lead nitrate, the potassium perchlorate and the binder/reducing agent are provided with relative proportions to produce combustion temperatures less than 1000°

F.

11. The propellant set forth in claim 9 wherein

the lead nitrate and the potassium perchlorate have a relative percentage by weight from approximately eighty-four percent (84%) to ninety-one percent (91%) by weight.

12. The propellant set forth in claim 9 wherein

the total amount of the binder/reducing agent is approximately eight percent (8%) to ten percent (10%) by weight.

32. The propellant set forth in claim 9 wherein

the lead nitrate, the potassium perchlorate and the binder/reducing agent are provided in relative percentages by weight to obtain the production of at least one of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide during the combustion of the propellant.

13. A propellant consisting of,

lead nitrate as an oxidizer,

a binder/reducing agent having hydrocarbyl linkages including --CH₂ --,

the relative amounts of the lead nitrate and the binder/reducing agent being selected to obtain the combustion of such materials at temperatures below the temperature of vaporized lead and the reduction of the lead nitrate substantially only to lead oxide (Pbo), and not lead, during the combustion of the propellant at the temperatures below the temperature of vaporized lead, and

carbon as an additional reducing agent.

14. The propellant set forth in claim 13 wherein

the total amount of the carbon constituting the additional reducing agent is in a range to approximately eight percent (8%) by weight.

15. A propellant consisting of,

a binder/reducing agent having hydrocarbyl linkages including --CH₂ --,

a lead compound oxidizer formed from inorganic lead oxidizer salts and having dense characteristics and stable properties at ambient temperatures and through a particular range of temperatures above ambient temperatures, and

a second oxidizer containing oxygen and an element other than lead,

the binder/reducing agent, the lead compound oxidizer and the second oxidizer being provided with relative percentages by weight, and being combustible at temperatures below the temperature of vaporized lead, to reduce the lead compound oxidizer substantially only to lead oxide (Pbo), and not lead, during the combustion of the propellant at the temperature below the temperature of vaporized lead.

16. The propellant set forth in claim 15 wherein

the second oxidizer is an inorganic salt.

17. The propellant set forth in claim 16 wherein

the total amount of the binder/reducing agent is approximately eight percent (8%) to ten percent (10%) by weight.

18. The propellant set forth in claim 16 wherein

the lead compound oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of lead nitrate, lead peroxide and lead iodate.

33. The propellant set forth in claim 15 wherein

the binder/reducing agent, the lead compound oxidizer and the second oxidizer are provided in relative percentages by weight to obtain the production of at least one of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide during the combustion of the propellant.

19. A propellant consisting of,

a binder/reducing agent having hydrocarbyl linkages including --CH₂ --,

a lead compound oxidizer formed from inorganic lead oxidizer salts and having dense characteristics and stable properties at ambient temperatures and through a particular range of temperatures above ambient temperatures, and

a second oxidizer containing oxygen and an element other than lead,

the binder/reducing agent, the lead compound oxidizer and the second oxidizer being provided with relative percentages by weight, and being combustible at temperatures below the temperature of vaporized lead, to reduce the lead compound oxidizer substantially only to lead oxide (Pbo), and not lead, during the combustion of the propellant at the temperatures below the temperature of vaporized lead,

the second oxidizer being an inorganic salt,

the lead compound oxidizer being selected from the group consisting of lead nitrate, lead peroxide and lead iodate, and

carbon being included as an additional reducing agent.

45. A propellant as set forth in claim 19 wherein

the binder/reducing agent is in liquid form.

20. A propellant, consisting of

a binder/reducing agent having hydrocarbyl linkages including --CH₂ --, and

a lead compound oxidizer formed from an inorganic lead oxidizer salt and having dense characteristics and stable properties at ambient temperatures and through a particular range of temperatures above ambient temperatures,

the binder/reducing agent and the lead compound oxidizer having relative percentages by weight in the combination, and being combustible at temperatures below the temperature of vaporized lead, to reduce the lad compound oxidizer substantially only to lead oxide (Pbo), and not lead, during the combustion of the propellant at the temperatures below the temperatures of vaporized lead.

21. The propellant set forth in claim 20 including

the total amount of the lead compound oxidizer being approximately eighty-three percent (83%) to ninety-one percent (91%) by weight.

23. The propellant set forth in claim 20 wherein

the inorganic lead oxidizer salt is selected from the group consisting of lead nitrate, lead peroxide and lead iodate.

34. The propellant set forth in claim 20 wherein

the binder/reducing agent and the lead compound oxidizer are provided in relative percentages by weight to obtain the production of at least one of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide during the combustion of the propellant.

46. A propellant as set forth in claim 20 wherein

the binder/reducing agent is in liquid form.

22. A propellant, consisting of

a binder/reducing agent having hydrocarbyl linkages including --CH₂ --, and

a lead compound oxidizer formed from an inorganic lead oxidizer salt and having sense characteristics and stable properties at ambient temperatures and through a particular range of temperatures above ambient temperatures,

the binder/reducing agent and the lead compound oxidizer having relative percentages by weight in the combination, and being combustible at temperatures below the temperature of vaporized lead, to reduce the lead compound oxidizer substantially only to lead oxide (Pbo), and not lead, during the combustion of the propellant at the temperatures below the temperatures of vaporized lead, and

carbon as an additional reducing agent.

24. The propellant set forth in claim 22 wherein

the total amount of the carbon constituting the additional reducing agent is in a range to approximately ten percent (10%) by weight.

25. The propellant set forth in claim 24 wherein the total amount of the binder/reducing agent is in the range of approximately eight percent (8%) to ten percent (10%) by weight.

26. The propellant set forth in claim 24 wherein

the lead compound oxidizer is lead nitrate.

47. A propellant as set forth in claim 22 wherein

the binder/reducing agent is in liquid form.

27. A propellant, consisting of

a binder/reducing agent having hydrocarbyl linkages including --CH₂ --, and

lead nitrate,

the binder/reducing agent and the lead nitrate having relative proportions by weight, and being combustible at temperatures below the temperature of vaporized led, to reduce the lad nitrate substantially only to lead oxide (Pbo), and not lead, during the combustion of the propellant at the temperature below the temperature of vaporized lead.

30. The propellant set forth in claim 27 wherein

the binder/reducing agent and the lad nitrate have relative proportions by weight to produce at least one of carbon monoxide nd carbon dioxide during the combustion of the propellant.

28. A propellant, consisting of

a binder/reducing agent having hydrocarbyl linkages including --CH₂ --, and

lead nitrate,

the binder/reducing agent and the lead nitrate having relative proportions by weight, and being combustible at temperatures below the temperature of vaporized lead, to reduce the lead nitrate substantially only to lead oxide (Pbo), and not lead, during the combustion of the propellant at the temperature below the temperature of vaporized lead, and

carbon as an additional reducing agent.

29. The propellant set forth in claim 28 wherein

the total amount of the lead nitrate is in a range of approximately eighty-four percent (84%) to ninety-one percent (91%) by weight, the total amount of the binder/reducing agent is in a range of approximately eight percent (8%) to ten percent (10%) by weight and the total amount of the carbon constituting the additional reducing agent is in a range to approximately ten percent (10%) by weight.

35. A propellant, consisting of

a binder/reducing agent having hydrocarbyl linkages including --CH₂ --, and

a compound formed from an inorganic lead oxidizer salt and serving as an oxidizing agent,

the binder/reducing agent and the compound formed from the inorganic lead oxidizer salt having relative proportions by weight, and being combustible at temperatures below the temperature of vaporized lead, to reduce the compound formed from the inorganic lead oxidizer salt substantially only to lead oxide (Pbo), and not lead, during the combustion of the propellant at the temperatures below the temperature of vaporized lead.

36. A propellant as set forth in claim 35 wherein

the total amount of the binder/reducing agent by moles is approximately two and one-half (21/2) times greater than the relative amount of the lead-oxygen compound by moles.

39. A propellant as set forth in claim 35 wherein

the lead-oxygen compound is lead nitrate.

48. A propellant as set forth in claim 35 wherein

the binder/reducing agent is in liquid form.

37. A propellant, consisting of

a binder/reducing agent having hydrocarbyl linkages including --CH₂ --, and

a compound formed from an inorganic lead oxidizer salt and serving as an oxidizing agent,

the binder/reducing agent and the compound formed from the inorganic lead oxidizer salt having relative proportions by weight, and being combustible at temperatures below the temperature of vaporized lead, to reduce the compound formed from the inorganic lead oxidizer salt substantially only to lead oxide (Pbo), and not lead, during the combustion of the propellant at the temperatures below the temperature of vaporized lead, and

carbon included as an additional reducing agent.

49. A propellant as set forth in claim 37 wherein

the binder/reducing agent is in liquid form.

38. A propellant, consisting of

a binder/reducing agent having hydrocarbyl linkages including --CH₂ --, and

a compound formed from an inorganic lead oxidizer salt and serving as an oxidizing agent,

the binder/reducing agent and the compound formed from the inorganic lead oxidizer salt having relative proportions by weight and being combustible at temperatures below the temperature of vaporized lead to reduce the inorganic lead oxidizer salt substantially only to lead oxide (Pbo), and not lead, during the combustion of the propellant at the temperatures below the temperature of vaporized lead,

the relative amount of the binder/reducing agent by moles being approximately two and one-half (21/2) times greater than the relative amount of the lead-oxygen compound by moles, and

carbon as an additional reducing agent in substantially the same relative amount as the binder/reducing agent by moles.

40. A propellant as set forth in claim 38 wherein

the oxidizing agent is lead nitrate.

41. A propellant, consisting of

a binder/reducing agent having hydrocarbyl linkages including --CH₂ --,

a compound formed from an inorganic lead oxidizer salt and serving as an oxidizing agent,

the binder/reducing agent and the compound formed from the inorganic lead oxidizer salt having relative proportions by weight, and being combustible at temperatures below the temperature of vaporized lead, to reduce the lad-oxygen compound substantially only to lead oxide (Pbo), and not lead, during the combustion of the propellant at the temperatures below the temperature of vaporized lead, and

and an additional oxidizer containing oxygen and a particular element other than lead.

42. A propellant, consisting of

a binder/reducing agent having hydrocarbyl linkages including --CH₂ --,

a compound formed from an inorganic lead oxidizer salt and serving as an oxidizing agent,

the binder/reducing agent and the compound formed from the inorganic lead oxidizer salt having relative proportions by weight, and being combustible at temperatures below the temperature of vaporized lead, to reduce the lead-oxygen compound substantially only to lead oxide (Pbo), and not lead, during the combustion of the propellant at the temperatures below the temperature of vaporized lead,

an additional oxidizer containing oxygen and a particular element other than lead, and

carbon as an additional reducing agent.