High performance electrically controlled solution solid propellant
The present invention is an electrically controlled propellant comprising a binder, an oxidizer, and a cross-linking agent. The boric acid (the cross-linking agent) has been found to function as a cross-linking agent for the high molecular binder used to make the propellant, thereby improving the composition's ability to withstand combustion without melting. The present invention also may include 5-aminotetrazole (5-ATZ) as a stability-enhancing additive. The binder of the present invention may include polyvinylalcohol (PVA) and/or the co-polymer of polyvinylalcohol/polyvinylamine nitrate (PVA/PVAN).
1. A method of controlling a propellant, the method comprising the steps of:
a. providing an electrically controlled propellant comprising:
i. a binder
ii. a hydroxylamine nitrate (HAN) based oxidizer;
iii. a dipyridyl complexing agent; and
b. cross-linking said binder with a boric acid cross-linking agent;
c. igniting said propellant by applying an electrical voltage; and
d. extinguishing said propellant by withdrawing said electrical voltage.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of increasing the decomposition temperature of said propellant through the use of a 5-aminotetrazole stabilizer.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said binder is a co-polymer of PVA/PVAN.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of increasing the decomposition temperature of said propellant through the use of a 5-aminotetrazole stabilizer.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein said copolymer primarily comprises PVA.
6. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of dissolving said boric acid cross-linking agent in said HAN based oxidizer.
7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of increasing the decomposition temperature of said propellant through the use of a 5-aminotetrazole stabilizer.