USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Richard D Ford

Woodrow W Lee

Ihor M Vitkovitsky

A method for propelling a projectile by applying a high power pulse of elrical current to a metal fuel element (of Al, Al-Li, or Al-Mg) causing the element to explode dispersing molten metal fuel into water with which it reacts to rapidly generate hydrogen gas at high pressure; the hydrogen gas is used to push the projectile. After the peak current is reached, an inductive electrical energy source drives the electrical current into the molten metal fuel/water mixture thus driving the reaction to completion.

Method for launching projectiles with hydrogen gas

A method for propelling a projectile by applying a high power pulse of electrical current to a metal fuel element (of Al, Al--Li, or Al--Mg) causing the element to explode dispersing molten metal fuel into water with which it reacts to rapidly generate hydrogen gas at high pressure; the hydrogen gas is used to push the projectile. After the peak current is reached, an inductive electrical energy source drives the electrical current into the molten metal fuel/water mixture thus driving the reaction to completion.

A modular opening switch for high currents providing high current-carrying apacity, high voltage hold-off capability and very short opening time. The switch operates on the principle of an explosively generated pressure which ruptures and then drives paraffin radially through a cylindrical current conducting tube, so that the paraffin provides an electrically insulative barrier between the ruptured portions of the conducting tube. Alternate cutting and bending rings, between which insulating rings are placed, are disposed around the periphery of the conductor tube. The insulating rings are tapered at the periphery of the conductor tube to provide void spaces into which the paraffin is driven and firmly packed without voids or cracks which deteriorate the insulating property of the paraffin.

Growing community of inventors

Silver Spring, MD, United States of America

Richard D Ford