Electrically controlled solid propellant
An electrically controlled propellant comprising an ionomer oxidizer polymer binder, an oxidizer mix including at least one oxidizer salt and at least one eutectic material, and a mobile phase comprising at least one ionic liquid is disclosed. The PVAN polymer in the present invention may be of medium (>100,000) to high molecular weight (<1,000,000). The present invention also may include the controlled cross-linking of the polymer using epoxy resins, the use of moisture barrier coating, the addition of an energetic combustion additives such as Chromium III and polyethylene glycol polymer.
1 . A propellant composition, comprising:
an ionomeric binder of molecular weight greater than 100,000 but less than 1,000,000;
an oxidizer mix including at least one oxidizer salt and at least one eutectic material which maintains said oxidizer mix in liquid form; and
a mobile phase including at least one non-volatile organic solvent.
2 . The propellant composition according to claim 1 , wherein the molecular weight of said ionomeric binder is between 500,000 to 900,000.
3 . The propellant composition according to claim 2 , wherein said ionomeric binder comprises a polyalkylammonium binder.
4 . The propellant composition according to claim 3 , where said polyalkylammonium binder comprises polyvinylamine nitrate.
5 . A propellant composition, comprising:
an ionomeric binder;
an oxidizer mix including at least one oxidizer salt and at least one eutectic material which maintains said oxidizer mix in liquid form;
a mobile phase including at least one organic solvent; and
a crosslinking agent for crosslinking said ionomeric binder.
6 . The propellant composition according to claim 5 , wherein said cross linking agent comprises an epoxy resin.
7 . The propellant composition according to claim 6 , wherein said epoxy resin is selected from the group consisting of glycidylmethacrylate, 1,3-butadiene diepoxy, glycerol diglycidyl ether, vinylcyclohexene diepoxy, and 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether.
8 . A propellant composition, comprising:
an ionomeric binder;
an oxidizer mix including at least one oxidizer salt and at least one eutectic material which maintains said oxidizer mix in liquid form; and
a non-volatile ionic liquid that maintains its liquid phase over a wide temperature range.
9 . The propellant composition according to claim 8 , wherein said non-volatile ionic liquid comprises N,n-butylpyridinium nitrate.
10 . The propellant composition according to claim 9 , wherein said non-volatile ionic liquid comprises dimethyl formamide.
11 . The propellant composition according to claim 10 , additionally comprising an alkylamine oxidizer salt as part of said mobile phase.
12 . A propellant composition, comprising:
an ionomeric binder;
an oxidizer mix including at least one oxidizer salt and at least one eutectic material which maintains said oxidizer mix in liquid form;
a mobile phase including at least one organic solvent; and
a moisture barrier coating.
13 . The propellant composition according to claim 12 , wherein said moisture barrier coating comprises nitrocellulose.
14 . A propellant composition, comprising:
an ionomeric binder;
an oxidizer mix including at least one oxidizer salt and at least one eutectic material which maintains said oxidizer mix in liquid form;
a mobile phase including at least one organic solvent; and
a combustion modifier additive.
15 . The propellant composition according to claim 14 , wherein said combustion modifier additive comprises a 5-aminotetrazole complex of chromium (III).
16 . The propellant composition according to claim 15 , wherein said combustion modifier additive comprises a 5-aminotetrazole complex of iron (III).
17 . The propellant composition according to claim 16 , wherein said combustion modifier additive comprises a 5-aminotetrazole complex of copper (II).
18 . The propellant composition according to claim 15 , 16 , or 17 , additionally comprising an alkali earth chloride.
19 . A propellant composition, comprising:
an ionomeric binder;
an oxidizer mix including at least one oxidizer salt and at least one eutectic material which maintains said oxidizer mix in liquid form;
a mobile phase including at least one organic solvent; and
polyethylene glycol polymer.
20 . The propellant composition according to claim 19 , wherein said polyethylene glycol polymer has a low molecular weight.
21 . The propellant composition according to claim 1 , additionally comprising a a crosslinking agent for crosslinking said ionomeric binder.
22 . The propellant composition according to claim 21 , wherein said mobile phase including at least one non-volatile organic solvent is a non-volatile ionic liquid that maintains its liquid phase over a wide temperature range.
23 . The propellant composition according to claim 22 , additionally comprising a moisture barrier coating.
24 . The propellant composition according to claim 23 , additionally comprising a a combustion modifier additive.
25 . The propellant composition according to claim 24 , additionally comprising a polyethylene glycol polymer.
26 . A method for electrically igniting and controlling the burn rate of a propellant, comprising:
providing a propellant composition according to claim 1 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , or 25 ;
placing said propellant composition into a conductive container;
providing conductors in said conductive container such that at least a portion of each said conductors is in contact with said propellant composition; and
applying a voltage across said conductors.