Smoke generation apparatus and process using magnetic field
AssigneeGAF Corporation
InventorsMoshe Gershenson, Mark L. Moskowitz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention relates to an improved smoke generator. In particular it relates to a method and apparatus for producing dense smoke clouds for camouflage purposes utilizing a solid propellant.
Claims32
A method for generating smoke for use in military camouflage purposes which comprises injecting a feedstock through an atomizing nozzle into a substantially inert carrier gas stream, said inert carrier gas being the combustion product of a solid propellant fuel, passing the gas stream containing the automized feedstock into a reaction chamber, said reaction chamber being within a magnetic field having flux lines parallel to the flow of the gas stream, said gas stream remaining in the magnetic field for a time sufficient to cause growth of filaments of smoke particles, introducing the gas stream into an ejector wherein the gas stream is mixed with air and exits through a venturi type nozzle into the atmosphere.
A smoke generator comprising:
- (a) a solid fuel propellant canister;
- (b) an elongated reaction chamber having an electromagnet surrounding the reaction chamber, said electromagnet being spatially oriented and energized so as to produce a magnetic field having flux lines which are parallel to the axis of the reaction chamber, said reaction chamber having an open end and a closed end., said closed end having a head having mounted thereon at least one atomizing nozzle for introducing feedstock to the reaction chamber, at least one solid fuel combustion product introduction port, and at least one inert gas feed inlet, means for transferring fuel propellant combustion product to the introduction port, the flow of feedstock and combustion product in the reaction chamber being in an axial direction toward the reaction chamber outlet;
- (c) a feedstock storage container having pressurizing means for transferring feedstock to the reaction chamber, and a feedstock transfer line connecting the container to the atomizing nozzle;
- (d) an air blower;
- (e) an ejector means comprising an air inlet nozzle, a venturi type nozzle and a smoke outlet, said air inlet nozzle being fed with air from the air blower through an air transfer means, said air being directed in an axial direction through the venturi, the combustion chamber and ejector means being interconnected and spatially oriented to one another so that combustion product and feedstock exiting the reaction chamber is introduced into the ejector at an oblique angle to the axial flow of air through the ejector;
- (f) a cooling medium for reducing the temperature of the smoke;
- (g) a secondary air mover for accelerating and dispersing smoke generated into the atmosphere, said secondary air mover receiving air from the air blower through a connecting transfer line;
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- (h) an electrical energizing means for exciting the electromagnet and energizing the air blower.
A smoke generator comprising a solid propellant canister containing a solid propellant which when ignited produces a substantially inert gas, said canister having integral therewith a combustion chamber connected to an exhaust nozzle, means for introducing a smoke generating feedstock through an atomizing nozzle, into the exhaust nozzle, a cooling medium source connected to the combustion chamber for cooling the inert gas as it is introduced into the combustion chamber, means for generating a magnetic field with the exhaust nozzle, said magnetic field having flux lines parallel to the flow of the smoke generated passing through the nozzle, the combined strength of the magnetic field and exposure of the smoke to the field being effective to cause a controlled growth of smoke particles to form rod-like filaments without substantial agglomeration of the smoke particles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.