Back to results
US 4,989,465 AGranted
Apparatus and methods for producing motive power
AssigneeKidde-Graviner Limited
InventorMichael S. Russell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
For spinning up a gyroscope rotor, a motive power generating unit is used which contains a pyrotechnic gas-generating substance in the form of an azide composition. When electrically ignited, it produces a jet of filtered nitrogen gas which impacts on buckets in the periphery of the rotor and spins it up to speed. The gas generating unit can be used for generating motive power for other purposes.
Claims15
Motive power generating apparatus, comprising:
- a pyrotechnic gas-generating substance in the form of an azide composition comprising a mixture of at least one of the alkaline metal and alkaline earth metal azides combined with an oxidising agent,
- activating means for igniting the composition,
- filtering means for filtering the generated gas,
- means responsive to the filtered gas for producing a jet of the gas acting in a predetermined direction, and
- mechanically movable means positioned to react movably to the jet of gas and to acquire and retain kinetic energy therefrom.
2 more elements
A gyroscope rotor assembly comprising:
- a gyroscope rotor having its periphery formed with surface interruptions of predetermined form,
- means mounting the rotor for rotation,
- a container containing a pyrotechnic gas-generating azide composition comprising a mixture of at least one of the alkaline metal and alkaline earth metal azides combined with an oxidising agent,
- activating means for activating the gas generating composition to generate nitrogen gas,
- filtering means for filtering the generated gas, and
- gas jet directing means for directing a jet of the filtered gas in such direction onto the surface interruptions in the periphery of the rotor as to rotate the rotor.
3 more elements
A method of generating motive power, comprising the steps of:
- activating a pyrotechnic azide-containing gas-generating composition so as to generate nitrogen gas, said composition comprising a mixture of at least one of the alkaline metal and alkaline earth metal azides combined with an oxidising agent,
- filtering the gas,
- producing a jet of the generated gas, and
- directing the gas in such direction in relation to a mechanically movable member as to cause, directly or indirectly, movement in the said member.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.