Ammunition and explosives – Pyrotechnics – Flare
Reexamination Certificate
1980-08-25
2004-01-13
Miller, Edward A. (Department: 3641)
Ammunition and explosives
Pyrotechnics
Flare
C102S505000, C102S285000, C149S002000, C149S019300, C149S114000, C149S116000, C089S001110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06675716
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to decoy flares. More particularly, this invention relates to infrared decoy flares.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Since the introduction of compositions based on the magnesium-fluorocarbon in 1959, infrared (IR) decoy flares have utilized this energy source. In the next 20 years, the use of seekers which can use two-color discrimination, area versus point source discrimination or other flare discriminators is anticipated. These seekers cannot be decoyed with the currently used magnesium-Teflon composition despite its intensity.
Many attempts have been made in the past two decades to increase the intensity of IR decoys and to modify the spectral distribution of the radiation they emit. These attempts have not met with significant success. The reports on these attempts make it evident that the work has been based on schemes to modify or increase the mass flow rate, the energy of the chemical reaction or the emitting species. While a large increase in radiance can be achieved either by a modest temperature increase or by a proportional increase in the radiating area, another largely ignored method for increasing the intensity depends on increasing the efficiency with which the flare flame is utilized as a source of radiant energy. One way in which this can be done is by insuring that the optical thickness of the flame is optimum.
Another largely neglected concept is that intensity may be increased by increasing the area of the pyrotechnic flame. One exception to this neglect is the “Roman Candle” concept of expelling flaming gouts of fuel. When this is done, effectively the radiating area is increased and, thus, the radiant energy presented to a seeker is also increased. However, this concept has only been partially successful. The implementation of it has inherent problems which have made its ultimate application to high-speed aircraft, especially in afterburner, of dubious utility.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is based on what may conveniently be called a pyrotechnic pellet concept. The concept applies both of the aforementioned neglected concepts, i.e., increased radiating flare area and optimization of the optical thickness of the flare, and pyrotechnic pellets are no more restricted than conventional flares insofar as utilization by high-speed aircraft is concerned. Essentially, this invention involves the replacement of a large single grain of pyrotechnic material with a multiplicity of smaller pellets which will burn at different rates to allow tailoring of the intensity-time profile.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2775938 (1957-01-01), Wade
patent: 3765334 (1973-10-01), Rentz et al.
patent: 4060435 (1977-11-01), Schroeder
patent: 4276100 (1981-06-01), Colvin et al.
Kalmbaugh David
Miller Edward A.
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
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