Non-lethal payloads

• US 8,172,966 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2006
• Issued: 05/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation), The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Incorporated (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Inventors: Blau, Reed J., Liu, Lisa S., Hansen, Ronald L., Ames, Richard G.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCDONOUGH, JAMES E
• Application Number:
  US11/369,908
• Publication Number:
  US 20110168305A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,254 Days
• Field of Search: 149/108.2, 149/109.6, 149/2, 149/22, 149/37, 149/40, 149/108.6, 149/109.2, 149/109.4
• US Class Current: 149/108.2
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 33/04 the material being an inorganic nitrogen-oxygen salt
• CPC Class Codes: C06C 15/00 Pyrophoric compositions; Flints chemical lighters C06C9/00; alloys in general C22C
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/36 for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/42 of illuminating type, e.g. carrying flares
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 4/04 Firecrackers
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 4/26 Flares; Torches mines for practice or training containing flares or illuminating charges F42B8/28; projectiles of illuminating type F42B12/42

Abstract

Non-lethal payloads may be customized for particular uses and desired visual and audible incapacitation based upon the selection of igniter/activators and illuminants used with the non-lethal payloads. Non-lethal payloads employing high flame temperature igniter/activators and illuminants of powder metals, powdered metals combined with oxidizers, and powdered metals combined with heat-activated chromophores may produce improved “flashes” and “bangs” for non-lethal payloads used with diversionary or other devices. Such devices and methods of producing illuminance and noise are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A non-lethal payload, comprising:

an igniter/activator comprising a mixture of boron potassium nitrate and magnesium strontium nitrate, the boron potassium nitrate comprising a mixture of from 21.7% to 25.7% boron and from 68.7% to 72.7% potassium nitrate, and the magnesium strontium nitrate comprising a mixture of magnesium and strontium nitrate; and

a powdered illuminant consisting of magnesium,

wherein the igniter/activator and the powdered illuminant are separate compositions in contact with, but separately positioned from, one another in the non-lethal payload and wherein the igniter/activator is configured to directly ignite the powdered illuminant.

2. The non-lethal payload of claim 1, wherein the igniter/activator and the powdered illuminant are present in a ratio of about 1 to 5, respectively.

3. The non-lethal payload of claim 1, wherein the igniter/activator comprises a mixture of boron potassium nitrate and magnesium strontium nitrate in a weight ratio of about 50 percent boron potassium nitrate and about 50 percent magnesium strontium nitrate.

7. The non-lethal payload of claim 1, wherein a layer of the igniter/activator overlies a layer of the powdered illuminant.

8. The non-lethal payload of claim 1, wherein the powdered illuminant surrounds the igniter/activator.

10. The non-lethal payload of claim 1, wherein the igniter/activator and the powdered illuminant are present in the non-lethal payload in a ratio of between about 1 to 20 and about 5 to 1.

11. The non-lethal payload of claim 1, wherein the igniter/activator further comprises a binder.

12. The non-lethal payload of claim 1, wherein the powdered illuminant consists of powdered magnesium.

13. The non-lethal payload of claim 1, wherein the igniter/activator comprises from about 5% to about 95% boron potassium nitrate and from about 5% to about 95% magnesium strontium nitrate.

14. The non-lethal payload of claim 1, wherein the igniter/activator and the powdered illuminant are present in the non-lethal payload in a powdered illuminant to igniter/activator ratio of 6.70.

4. A non-lethal payload, comprising:

an igniter/activator comprising boron, potassium nitrate, magnesium, and strontium nitrate; and

a powdered illuminant consisting of magnesium and an oxidizer,

wherein the igniter/activator and the powdered illuminant are separate compositions in contact with, but separately positioned from, one another in the non-lethal payload and wherein the igniter/activator is configured to directly ignite the powdered illuminant.

5. The non-lethal payload of claim 4, wherein the oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of sodium nitrate and strontium nitrate.

6. The non-lethal payload of claim 4, wherein the oxidizer comprises from about 1 percent by weight to about 40 percent by weight of the powdered illuminant.

9. A non-lethal payload, comprising:

an igniter/activator consisting of a binder and a mixture of boron, potassium nitrate, magnesium, and strontium nitrate; and

a powdered illuminant consisting of magnesium,

wherein the igniter/activator and the powdered illuminant are separate compositions in contact with, but separately positioned from, one another in the non-lethal payload and wherein the igniter/activator is configured to directly ignite the powdered illuminant.