Patent · US Expired

Precision fireworks display system having a decreased environmental impact

US5339741A · kind A · utility

43Cited by
51References
46Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 7, 1992
Grant dateAug 23, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 7, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF42C17/04
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A system and method for launching projectiles, such as fireworks projectiles, which explode in the air into a pyrotechnic display. The projectile includes a shell constructed from a binding agent and an explosive additive which explodes the shell into small particles. The explosive additive, which may be nitrocellulose, causes the exploded particles to be rapidly burned and consumed to form lightweight, inert flakes that fall harmlessly to the ground. The projectile is aimed and launched by a launcher using a compressed gas to rapidly expel the projectile from a launching tube. Once in the air at a predetermined location in the sky, an electronic fuse inside the projectile operates to detonate the projectile into its intended pyrotechnic display. The fuse is extremely accurate and enables detonation of the projectile at precise altitudes. An electronic control system controls launching and detonation of the projectiles in a precise and repeatable manner.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.