Multi-ignition controllable solid-propellant gas generator

Abstract

Batch-mode and continuous-mode decomposition of nitrous oxide is used to provide multiple ignitions of a solid-propellant gas generator and subsequently control its output gas temperature and flow rate, respectively. To reignite the solid-propellant gas generator, a controlled mass of a reactive oxidizer, such as hot nitrous oxide decomposition products, is injected into the gas generator chamber.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator comprising: 
 A. a tank of reactive agent,    B. an on-off valve connected to said tank for controlling time periods during which said reactive agent may exit said tank,    C. a check valve connected to said on-off valve for preventing back flow such that said reactive agent may only flow from said tank through said check valve,    D. a reactor connected to said check valve for decomposition of said reactive agent,    E. an ignitor mounted into said reactor such that upon predetermined times said ignitor causes said reactive agent within said reactor to decompose into gas at a predetermined pressure and temperature,    F. a pressure relief check valve with a preset cracking pressure operably connected to said reactor such that when the pressure in said reactor exceeds the cracking pressure of said pressure relief check valve gas flows from said reactor through said pressure relief valve,    G. a gas generator connected to said pressure relief check valve such that gas vented from said pressure relief check valve enters into said gas generator,    H. solid propellant placed within said gas generator which generates predetermined thrust when said gas from said reactor flows into said gas generator through said pressure relief check valve,    I. an exhaust port operably connected to said gas generator for directing thrust in a predetermined direction, and    J. a dump valve operably connected to said exhaust port for quickly increasing the effective opening of said exhaust port such that a sudden decrease of the internal pressure of said gas generator adequate to extinguish said solid propellant.    
     
     
         2 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as described in    claim 1    wherein said reactive agent comprises nitrous oxide, N 2 O.  
     
     
         3 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as described in    claim 1    where said solid propellant comprises a composite of ammonium nitrate oxidizer and a hydrocarbon fuel.  
     
     
         4 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as described in    claim 2    where said solid propellant comprises a composite of ammonium nitrate oxidizer and a hydrocarbon fuel.  
     
     
         5 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as claimed in    claim 1    further comprising a pyrotechnic ignitor mounted within said solid propellant for initial ignition of said solid propellant.  
     
     
         6 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as claimed in    claim 2    further comprising a pyrotechnic ignitor mounted within said solid propellant for initial ignition of said solid propellant.  
     
     
         7 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as claimed in    claim 3    further comprising a pyrotechnic ignitor mounted within said solid propellant for initial ignition of said solid propellant.  
     
     
         8 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as claimed in    claim 4    further comprising a pyrotechnic ignitor mounted within said solid propellant for initial ignition of said solid propellant.  
     
     
         9 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as described in    claim 1    where said ignitor mounted into said reactor further comprises: 
 A. a reactor pressure vessel mounted in the wall of said reactor,  
 B. a pyrotechnic ignitor operably mounted into the inner wall of said reactor pressure vessel, and  
 C. fuel injection means connected to said reactor pressure vessel so that fuel is injected into said reactor pressure vessel.  
 
     
     
         10 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as described in    claim 2    where said ignitor mounted into said reactor further comprises: 
 A. a reactor pressure vessel mounted in the wall of said reactor,  
 B. a pyrotechnic ignitor operably mounted into the inner wall of said reactor pressure vessel, and  
 C. fuel injection means connected to said reactor pressure vessel so that fuel is injected into said reactor pressure vessel.  
 
     
     
         11 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as described in    claim 3    where said ignitor mounted into said reactor further comprises: 
 A. a reactor pressure vessel mounted in the wall of said reactor,  
 B. a pyrotechnic ignitor operably mounted into the inner wall of said reactor pressure vessel, and  
 C. fuel injection means connected to said reactor pressure vessel so that fuel is injected into said reactor pressure vessel.  
 
     
     
         12 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as described in    claim 4    where said ignitor mounted into said reactor further comprises: 
 A. a reactor pressure vessel mounted in the wall of said reactor,  
 B. a pyrotechnic ignitor operably mounted into the inner wall of said reactor pressure vessel, and  
 C. fuel injection means connected to said reactor pressure vessel so that fuel is injected into said reactor pressure vessel.  
 
     
     
         13 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as described in    claim 5    where said ignitor mounted into said reactor further comprises: 
 A. a reactor pressure vessel mounted in the wall of said reactor,  
 B. a pyrotechnic ignitor operably mounted into the inner wall of said reactor pressure vessel, and  
 C. fuel injection means connected to said reactor pressure vessel so that fuel is injected into said reactor pressure vessel.  
 
     
     
         14 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as described in    claim 6    where said ignitor mounted into said reactor further comprises: 
 A. a reactor pressure vessel mounted in the wall of said reactor,  
 B. a pyrotechnic ignitor operably mounted into the inner wall of said reactor pressure vessel, and  
 C. fuel injection means connected to said reactor pressure vessel so that fuel is injected into said reactor pressure vessel.  
 
     
     
         15 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as described in    claim 7    where said ignitor mounted into said reactor further comprises: 
 A. a reactor pressure vessel mounted in the wall of said reactor,  
 B. a pyrotechnic ignitor operably mounted into the inner wall of said reactor pressure vessel, and  
 C. fuel injection means connected to said reactor pressure vessel so that fuel is injected into said reactor pressure vessel.  
 
     
     
         16 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as described in    claim 8    where said ignitor mounted into said reactor further comprises: 
 A. a reactor pressure vessel mounted in the wall of said reactor,  
 B. a pyrotechnic ignitor operably mounted into the inner wall of said reactor pressure vessel, and  
 C. fuel injection means connected to said reactor pressure vessel so that fuel is injected into said reactor pressure vessel.  
 
     
     
         17 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator comprising: 
 A. a tank of reactive agent,    B. an on-off valve connected to said tank for controlling time periods during which said reactive agent may exit said tank,    C. a check valve connected to said on-off valve for preventing back flow such that said reactive agent may only flow from said tank through said check valve,    D. a pressure relief check valve with a preset cracking pressure operably connected to said check valve such that when the pressure from said check valve exceeds the cracking pressure of said pressure relief check valve gas flows through said reactor through said pressure relief valve,    E. a gas generator connected to said pressure relief check valve such that gas vented from said pressure relief check valve enters into said gas generator,    F. solid propellant placed within said gas generator which generates predetermined thrust when said gas from said reactor flows into said gas generator through said pressure relief valve,    G. an exhaust port operably connected to said gas generator for directing thrust in a predetermined direction, and    H. a dump valve operably connected to said exhaust port for quickly increasing the effective opening of said exhaust port such that a sudden decrease of the internal pressure of said gas generator adequate to extinguish said solid propellant.    
     
     
         18 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as described in    claim 17    further comprising a pump operably connected between said check valve and said pressure relief check valve to increase gas pressure to a predetermined level before passing through said pressure relief check valve.  
     
     
         19 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as described in    claim 17    wherein said reactive agent comprises nitrous oxide, N 2 O.  
     
     
         20 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as described in    claim 18    wherein said reactive agent comprises nitrous oxide, N 2 O.  
     
     
         21 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as described in    claim 17    where said solid propellant comprises a composite of ammonium nitrate oxidizer and a hydrocarbon fuel.  
     
     
         22 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as described in    claim 18    where said solid propellant comprises a composite of ammonium nitrate oxidizer and a hydrocarbon fuel.  
     
     
         23 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as described in    claim 19    where said solid propellant comprises a composite of ammonium nitrate oxidizer and a hydrocarbon fuel.  
     
     
         24 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as described in    claim 20    where said solid propellant comprises a composite of ammonium nitrate oxidizer and a hydrocarbon fuel.  
     
     
         25 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as claimed in    claim 17    further comprising a pyrotechnic ignitor mounted within said solid propellant for initial ignition of said solid propellant.  
     
     
         26 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as claimed in    claim 18    further comprising a pyrotechnic ignitor mounted within said solid propellant for initial ignition of said solid propellant.  
     
     
         27 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as claimed in    claim 19    further comprising a pyrotechnic ignitor mounted within said solid propellant for initial ignition of said solid propellant.  
     
     
         28 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as claimed in    claim 20    further comprising a pyrotechnic ignitor mounted within said solid propellant for initial ignition of said solid propellant.  
     
     
         29 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as claimed in    claim 21    further comprising a pyrotechnic ignitor mounted within said solid propellant for initial ignition of said solid propellant.  
     
     
         30 . A multi-ignition solid propellant gas generator as claimed in    claim 22    further comprising a pyrotechnic ignitor mounted within said solid propellant for initial ignition of said solid propellant.