Research/Patents/US 5712442
US 5712442

METHOD FOR LAUNCHING PROJECTILES WITH HYDROGEN GAS

Assignee

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECREATARY OF THE NAVY

Filed

May 27, 1988

Granted

Jan 27, 1998

Location

POTOMAC MD US

Abstract

A method for propelling a projectile by applying a high power pulse of electrical current to a metal fuel element (of Al, Al-Li, or Al-Mg) causing the element to explode dispersing molten metal fuel into water with which it reacts to rapidly generate hydrogen gas at high pressure; the hydrogen gas is used to push the projectile. After the peak current is reached, an inductive electrical energy source drives the electrical current into the molten metal fuel/water mixture thus driving the reaction to completion.

Source: Google Patents

35 USC §181 Secrecy Order

Imposed

Jul 14, 1988

Rescinded

Sep 15, 1997

Duration

9 years, 2 months

Inventor

  • 1WOODROW W. LEE

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Back to patent indexSource: USPTO 35 USC §181 secrecy order records