Propellant and Explosives Production Method by Use of Resonant Acoustic Mix Process
A method to charge a container with an energetic mix is disclosed. This method includes the following steps: (a) adding a plurality of particulate energetic mix constituents and a binder to the container; and (b) mixing the plurality of energetic mix constituents utilizing a non-contact mixer to form a homogeneous mixture within the container, and curing the binder to solidify the homogeneous mixture and bind the homogeneous mixture to the container. The container may be a liner or pre-form intended for insertion into a device, or may form a portion of the device itself, such as an aft portion of a rocket motor or casing for an explosive device. Because the resonant mixer does not have a moving impeller or other component that contacts the energetic mix and the container is not reused, there is minimal decontamination required between each mix and the manufacturer may rapidly commence assembling the next device, rather than clean-up and recertification.
1 . A method to charge a container with an energetic mix, comprising the steps of:
adding a plurality of particulate energetic mix constituents and a binder to said container;
mixing said plurality of energetic mix constituents utilizing a non-contact mixer to form a homogeneous mixture within said container; and
curing said binder to solidify said homogeneous mixture and bind said homogeneous mixture to said container.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein said energetic mixture is selected to be effective to propel a projectile.
3 . The method of claim 2 wherein said container is selected to be a rocket motor.
4 . The method of claim 3 wherein said container is selected to be a liner for a rocket motor.
5 . The method of claim 2 wherein acoustic waves achieving resonance conditions are utilized for said mixing.
6 . The method of claim 5 wherein said step of curing said binder is at ambient temperature.
7 . The method or claim 6 wherein said binder is selected to include at least one member from the group consisting of functional prepolymers, plasticizers, stabilizers, cure catalysts, thermoplastic compositions and ballistic modifiers.
8 . The method of claim 7 wherein said propellant is selected to include at least one member selected from the group consisting of metal fuel powders, solid oxidizers in dispersions or emulsions, liquid oxidizers in dispersions or emulsions and tailored ingredients having aspect ratios or shapes effective for ballistic control of curable mixes.
9 . The method of claim 1 wherein said energetic mixture is selected to be effective as an explosive.
10 . The method of claim 9 wherein said container is selected to be a resin plus fiber composite.
11 . The method of claim 9 wherein said container is selected to be a liner for a propulsive device that is integrated with an artillery shell, mortar, grenade, reactive armor, or other battlefield item requiring energetic preparations.
12 . The method of claim 9 wherein acoustic waves achieving resonance conditions are tailored for use in said mixing step.
13 . The method of claim 12 wherein said step of curing said binder is at ambient temperature.
14 . The method or claim 13 wherein said binder ingredients respond to knitting cure behavior as a result of organic, inorganic, or organo-metallic additives facilitating polymer cure acceleration mechanisms.
15 . A method to produce an energetic mix, comprising the steps of:
adding a plurality of particulate energetic mix constituents and a binder to a container;
mixing said plurality of energetic mix constituents utilizing a non-contact mixer to form a homogeneous mixture within said container; and
removing said homogeneous mixture from said container.
16 . The method of claim 15 including the step of curing said binder to solidify said homogeneous mixture prior to said removing step.
17 . The method of claim 15 wherein acoustic waves achieving resonance conditions are utilized for said mixing.
18 . The method of claim 16 wherein said step of curing said binder is at ambient temperature.
19 . The method or claim 14 wherein said binder is selected to include at least one member from the group consisting of functional prepolymers, plasticizers, stabilizers, cure catalysts, thermoplastic compositions and ballistic modifiers.
20 . The method of claim 19 wherein said propellant is selected to include at least one member selected from the group consisting of metal fuel powders, solid oxidizers in dispersions or emulsions, liquid oxidizers in dispersions or emulsions and tailored ingredients having aspect ratios or shapes effective for ballistic control of curable mixes.