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:
Jan. 18, 2005
Filed:
Oct. 23, 2003
Christopher J. Fawls, Charlotte Hall, MD (US);
Joel P. Fields, Charlotte Hall, MD (US);
Kerry L. Wagaman, Bryantown, MD (US);
Christopher J. Fawls, Charlotte Hall, MD (US);
Joel P. Fields, Charlotte Hall, MD (US);
Kerry L. Wagaman, Bryantown, MD (US);
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
A non-/low-toxic, non-hypergolic, propellant formulation generally comprising metal nanoparticles, such as boron, aluminum, or carbon, and one or more fluoro-polymers mixed in in particulate form. The present invention takes advantage of the increased surface area provided by nano-sized metallic particles to enhance the metal's combustion efficiency, or ignitability. The inclusion of fluoro-polymers also aids in increasing the combustion efficiency of the metallic nanoparticles due to the presence of halogenic oxidizers. The thermal degradation of a halogenated fluoro-polymer additive in the propellant combustion zone serves to release halogens, thereby improving the combustion of the metallic nanoparticles and increasing the propulsion system's energy output. The present invention's formulation is safe to store and handle, environmentally-friendly, and may be economically manufactured to provide for widespread, cost-effective use.