Electrode ignition and control of electrically operated propellants
US10145337B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 29, 2016 |
| Grant date | Dec 4, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 11, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/26029
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Electrical ignition of electrically operated propellant in a gas generation system provides an ignition condition at an ignition surface between a pair of electrodes that satisfies three criteria of a current density J that exhibits a decreasing gradient along an axis normal to an ignition surface, is substantially constant across the ignition surface and exceeds an ignition threshold at the ignition surface. These criteria may be satisfied by one or more of an angled electrode configuration, a segmented electrode configuration or an additive to the electrically operated propellant that modifies its conductivity. These configurations improve burn rate control and consumption of the available propellant and are scalable to greater propellant mass to support larger gas generation systems.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.