Segmented Pyrotechnic Ignition System for High Energy and Safe Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Boron potassium nitrate, while having attractive handling characteristics, exhibits relatively low energy and ignition rate as a pyrotechnic ignition material, and alternative materials with higher energy and ignition rates lack desired handling characteristics, making them unsuitable substitutes.

Innovation Solution

A wire-based ignition system with an outer jacket of palladium and ruthenium and an inner core of aluminum, coated with a fluorine-containing polymer, which reacts exothermically to generate heat and hot gases for rapid ignition, enhancing both energy release and handling characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If boron potassium nitrate is used as ignition material, then handling characteristics are improved, but energy release and ignition rate deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling characteristicsVSAvoidignition rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The ignition material is segmented into distinct functional layers: an inner core layer containing aluminum and boron for energy generation, and an outer jacket layer containing magnesium nitrate and barium nitrate for rapid ignition. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function while working together as an integrated system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite materials combining multiple chemical compounds in specific ratios and configurations. The core layer combines aluminum (50-70 wt%) with boron (30-50 wt%), while the outer jacket combines magnesium nitrate (60-80 wt%) with barium nitrate (20-40 wt%). These composite formulations achieve both high energy release and rapid ignition characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Power

If alternative ignition materials with higher energy and ignition rates are used, then energy release and ignition rate are improved, but handling characteristics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy releaseVSAvoidhandling characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the chemical composition parameters within specific ranges to achieve the desired balance. The core layer contains aluminum at 50-70 wt% and boron at 30-50 wt%, while the outer jacket contains magnesium nitrate at 60-80 wt% and barium nitrate at 20-40 wt%. These parameter specifications ensure both high performance and acceptable handling characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If single-material ignition composition is used, then material simplicity is improved, but performance balance between energy, ignition rate, and handling deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial composition complexityVSAvoidignition performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The ignition material is divided into two distinct layers with different compositions and functions. The inner core layer (aluminum and boron) provides sustained energy release, while the outer jacket layer (magnesium nitrate and barium nitrate) provides rapid ignition. This segmentation enables each layer to be optimized for its specific purpose.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs composite material structures with specific weight ratios and layer configurations. The core layer comprises aluminum (50-70 wt%) and boron (30-50 wt%), while the outer jacket comprises magnesium nitrate (60-80 wt%) and barium nitrate (20-40 wt%). This composite approach achieves superior ignition performance while maintaining manageable complexity through defined composition ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system achieves high energy release and rapid ignition while maintaining improved handling characteristics, effectively addressing the limitations of boron potassium nitrate and other high-energy ignition materials.

Implementation Method 1

the metallic elements react in an exothermic self-sustaining alloying reaction to generate heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExothermic reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 2

the fluorine in the fluorine-containing body 30 also reacts to augment thermal release beyond that of the metals alone. For example, the fluorine serves as an oxidant to react with the metallic elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation reaction: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP3292093B1Ignition system
Publication Date: 2020.07.22 AEROJET ROCKETDYNE INC
  • EP3292093B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3292093B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An ignition system includes a multi-metallic ignition body that has at least two metallic elements in contact with each other. The metallic elements define an ignition initiation temperature above which there is a self-sustaining alloying reaction. A fluorine-containing body is in contact with the multi-metallic ignition body. The metallic elements may include palladium or palladium-ruthenium and aluminum.