Ammunition and explosives – Pyrotechnics – Flare
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-21
2001-01-09
Nelson, Peter A. (Department: 3641)
Ammunition and explosives
Pyrotechnics
Flare
C102S275400, C102S275800, C149S045000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170399
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to extrudable igniter compositions, and extruded ignition sticks therefrom, in combination with flares or other solid propellant devices, such as rockets or the like.
2. Background Information
Igniter compositions ought to satisfy a number of design criteria. The igniter composition, when formed, should be sufficiently robust to remain in operable form prior to deployment of the device to be ignited, such as a flare or other device.
One of the commonly proposed igniter systems uses solid particles consisting of B/KNO
3
which, when ignited, initiate combustion of the specified gas generant composition.
Other recent efforts in the civilian market have focused on developing alternative cost-effective igniter compositions or igniter compositions which are more easily manufactured. These efforts have included proposals to use a hot-melt thermoplastic resin matrix together with a particular igniter composition, such as KNO
3
. This effort sought to marry a commercially available hot melt adhesive, such as one designed for so-called “glue-guns”, with a common alkali metal oxidizer. This effort to improve performance was less than satisfactory. Extrudability and igniter performance proved difficult to control, and the repeatable ballistic performance desired has not yet been demonstrated.
Accordingly, despite these and still other efforts, relevant objectives remain unattained. A simpler, more cost-effective igniter composition for flares and decoys or other devices remains desired. In particular, efforts are still on-going towards providing an igniter composition which avoids the need for hot melting so-called adhesives, and thus the consequent risks associated with processing a pyrotechnic material at an elevated temperature, but which is facile to manufacture and would be sufficiently robust.
It would, therefore, be a significant advance to provide igniter compositions capable of being used as an igniter which satisfactorily address these concerns in the industry.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention offers flares, solid propellant rockets, decoy devices and the like incorporating one or more of the herein disclosed igniter sticks.
The extrudable igniter is readily manufactured at low cost to obtain a physically robust product. The igniter can be manufactured without the use of a thermoplastic melt or hot-melt mixing equipment, and thus avoids the potential hazards associated with processing at such elevated temperatures. The extrudable igniter composition from which the igniter stick can be formed is suitably processed at ambient temperatures into robust products which have sufficiently relatively selectable ignition characteristics. The igniter stick can have other configurations, provided the configuration is consistent with the objectives herein disclosed. The extrudable igniter composition can be used to form a solid or hollow igniter “stick” capable of igniting a flare or propellant composition in a flare or other pyrotechnic device.
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Blau Reed J.
Lund Gary K.
Nielson Daniel B.
Cordant Technologies Inc.
Nelson Peter A.
Pillsbury Madison & Sutro LLP
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