Method for reducing violence of accidental explosions in solid fuel rocket motors and other energetic devices

Abstract

A method and system for reducing the violence of an accidental explosive reaction of an energetic material, the method comprising: (a) obtaining a solid energetic material configured for use within an energetic device, the energetic material comprising at least one void formed therein; and (b) filling at least a portion of the at least one void with an inert, incompressible material configured to mechanically stabilize the energetic material to prevent the void from collapsing and the surface area of the energetic material from increasing in the event of an insult tending to damage the energetic the material. In one exemplary embodiment, the inert, incompressible material is configured to temporarily modify the energetic device, meaning that the inert, incompressible material is configured to be removably inserted or otherwise applied to the energetic device.

1 . A method for reducing the violence of an accidental explosive reaction of an energetic material, said method comprising: 
 obtaining a solid energetic material configured for use within an energetic device, said energetic material comprising at least one void formed therein; and    supplying at least a portion of said at least one void with an inert, substantially incompressible material configured to mechanically stabilize said energetic material to prevent said void from collapsing and the surface area of said energetic material from increasing in the event of an insult tending to damage said energetic said material.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising removing said inert, incompressible material prior to an intended ignition of said energetic material.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising supporting said solid energetic material within an energetic device.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising configuring said void of said energetic material with at least one geometric configuration configured to enhance a burn rate of said energetic material upon ignition.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising supplying said at least one geometric configuration with an inert, incompressible material.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising inserting said inert, incompressible material into said void of said energetic material prior to transporting, storing, and otherwise handling said energetic material.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising supporting said inert, incompressible material within a container, wherein said container and said inert, incompressible material contained therein are configured to be removably inserted within said void.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising securing, temporarily, said inert, incompressible material in place within said void.  
   
   
       9 . A method for facilitating a reduction in violence of an accidental explosive reaction of an energetic material, said method comprising: 
 providing an inert, substantially incompressible material configured and intended for insertion into a void of an energetic material, said inert, incompressible material being configured to mechanically stabilize said energetic material to prevent said void from collapsing and the surface area of said energetic material from increasing in the event of an insult tending to damage said energetic material; and    facilitating the application of said inert, substantially incompressible material to said energetic material.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising supporting said inert, incompressible material within a container.  
   
   
       11 . An energetic material configured for use within an energetic device, said energetic material comprising: 
 a substantially solid body configuration having at least one void formed therein; and    an inert, substantially incompressible material removably disposed within at least a portion of said void, said inert, incompressible material being configured to mechanically stabilize said energetic material to prevent said void from collapsing and the surface area of said energetic material from increasing in the event of an insult tending to damage said energetic said material, said inert, incompressible material reducing the violence of an accidental explosive reaction of said energetic material.    
   
   
       12 . The energetic material of  claim 11 , further comprising a container configured to support said inert, incompressible material and to facilitate the insertion and removal of said inert, incompressible material within said void of said energetic material, said container comprising a barrier for said inert, incompressible material.  
   
   
       13 . The energetic material of  claim 12 , wherein said container comprises an inert material.  
   
   
       14 . The energetic material of  claim 12 , wherein said container is formed of material(s) having a low vapor pressure.  
   
   
       15 . The energetic material of  claim 12 , further comprising a sensor configured to detect and signal a breach in said container.  
   
   
       16 . The energetic material of  claim 11 , wherein said inert, incompressible material is selected from the group consisting of a solid material, a liquid material, and a semi-liquid or gel material.  
   
   
       17 . The energetic material of  claim 11 , wherein said energetic material is selected from the group consisting of a propellant, a pyrotechnic, and an explosive.  
   
   
       18 . The energetic material of  claim 11 , wherein said void further comprises at least one geometric configuration operable therewith configured to enhance a burn rate of said energetic material upon ignition.  
   
   
       19 . The energetic material of  claim 18 , wherein said inert, incompressible material is functional with said at least one geometric configuration to prevent said void from collapsing.  
   
   
       20 . The energetic material of  claim 11 , wherein said void comprises a central core formed in said solid body.  
   
   
       21 . The energetic material of  claim 11 , wherein said inert, incompressible material conforms to said void and any geometric configurations therein.  
   
   
       22 . An energetic device comprising: 
 a support structure;    a solid energetic material supported within said support structure and configured to ignite and bum to provide energy and power to said energetic device, said solid energetic material comprising at least one void formed therein; and    an inert, substantially incompressible material removably disposed within at least a portion of said void, said inert, incompressible material being configured to mechanically stabilize said energetic material to prevent said void from collapsing and the surface area of said energetic material from increasing in the event of an insult tending to damage said energetic said material.    
   
   
       23 . The energetic device of  claim 22 , wherein said energetic device comprises a solid fuel rocket motor.