Fmc Corporation

Robert S Griffing

George S Chryssomallis

David W Sullivan

A propulsion device uses an electrically driven plasma injector to feed combustible fuel into a chamber prefilled with an oxidizer. A reaction between the two constituents augments the electrical power input to produce amplified pressure for the acceleration of projectiles.

Combustion augmented plasma pressure amplifier

A bipropellant gun in which an immiscible hydrocarbon fuel and oxidizer are combined in the gun's combustion chamber just prior to, or simultaneous with, ignition thereof. The oxidizer consists of hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of less than 73 percent by weight. In one embodiment, the oxidizer alone is bulk loaded into the combustion chamber and a powdered solid hydrocarbon fuel is dispersed into the oxidizer by the function of a pyrotechnic igniter. In another embodiment, the oxidizer and a liquid hydrocarbon are emulsified and the emulsion is bulk loaded into the combustion chamber with a pyrotechnic igniter subsequently initiating combustion. In each embodiment, the volume of the combustion chamber exceeds the volume of fuel and oxidizer and provides a void or headspace of compressible gas which limits the rate of pressure rise in the chamber.

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Andover, MN, United States of America

Robert S Griffing