US 5,531,845 AGranted

Methods of preparing gas generant formulations

AssigneeThiokol Corporation

InventorsDavid A. Flanigan, Vincent E. Mancini, Michael R. Harper

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Abstract

Novel methods for processing gas generant compositions to produce feed stock are disclosed. The methods of the present invention include utilizing a binding agent and other additives in a mixture of ingredients of gas generant compositions in sufficient quantities that the ingredients of the gas generating material will agglomerate to form granules as the ingredients are mixed. Processing methods, including roll coating, continuous mixing, static mixing, freeze drying, solvent extraction, emulsification, azeotropic distillation, spray drying, fluidized bed processing and particle grinding are also disclosed for use in preparing feed stock for final gas generant products. The methods of the present invention are particularly useful in processing gas generating materials having a non-azide based fuel.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A method for preparing gas generant feed stock, comprising the steps of:

obtaining a desired quantity of ingredients measured in predetermined ratios according to the composition of a gas generating material;
mixing together the ingredients of the gas generating material in a carrier solvent wherein at least one of the ingredients of the gas generating material becomes dissolved in the solvent;
freezing the carrier solvent;
applying sufficient quantities of heat while controlling the pressure to cause sublimation of the frozen solvent, thereby inducing the ingredients to fall out of solution;
including a binding agent in the mixture in sufficient quantities that the ingredients of the gas generating material will agglomerate to form non-curable, agglomerated granules as the ingredients are mixed;
and
compacting the agglomerated granules to form a predetermined shape.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/179,728Filed 10 Jan 1994
Granted: 2 Jul 1996
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

C06B 21/0091
Apparatus or methods for working-up explosives, e.g. forming, cutting, drying: elimination of undesirable or temporary components of an…
B01J 2/10
Processes or devices for granulating materials , e.g. fertilisers in general; Rendering particulate materials free flowing in general, e.g.…
B01J 2/16
Processes or devices for granulating materials , e.g. fertilisers in general; Rendering particulate materials free flowing in general, e.g.…
C06B 21/0066
Shaping the mixture: by granulation, e.g. flaking