The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 13, 1994
Filed:
Feb. 10, 1992
Jamie B Neidert, Huntsville, AL (US);
Robert E Askins, Huntsville, AL (US);
Thiokol Corporation, Ogden, UT (US);
Abstract
Propellant formulations are provided which include non-toxic burn rate modifiers. In order to produce a usable propellant formulation, it is necessary to control the burn rate of the propellant. Failure to adequately control the propellant burn rate often results in unacceptable performance of the propellant. For example, during the operation of a rocket motor, or similar device which contains a propellant, the propellant may produce operating pressures which are too high or too low for the intended purpose of the device. It has often been the practice to add lead to rocket motor propellants in order to modify the burn rate and to maintain the burn rate within acceptable parameters. Lead, however, is known to be toxic and a pollutant. Accordingly, it is desirable to replace the lead in the formulation. It has been found herein that bismuth trioxide is capable of modifying the burn rate of propellants without resorting to lead as a burn rate additive. Accordingly, the use of bismuth trioxide is taught as effective burn rate modifiers in propellants, in order provide non-toxic means for modifying the propellant burn rate.