Frank S Salazar

US Patent:

58790799, Mar 9, 1999

Filed:

Aug 20, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/917581

Inventors:

Carl W. Hohmann - Houston TX
Douglas W. Harrington - Houston TX
Maureen L. Dutton - Friendswood TX
Billy Charles Tipton - Houston TX
James W. Bacak - Houston TX
Frank Salazar - Texas City TX

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator, of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

B01F 1502

US Classification:

3661511

Abstract:

An automated propellant blending apparatus and method uses closely metered addition of countersolvent to a binder solution with propellant particles dispersed therein to precisely control binder precipitation and particle aggregation. A profile of binder precipitation versus countersolvent-solvent ratio is established empirically and used in a computer algorithm to establish countersolvent addition parameters near the cloud point for controlling the transition of properties of the binder during agglomeration and finishing of the propellant composition particles. The system is remotely operated by computer for safety, reliability and improved product properties, and also increases product output.

US Patent:

61325368, Oct 17, 2000

Filed:

Oct 7, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/173609

Inventors:

Carl W. Hohmann - Houston TX
Douglas W. Harrington - Houston TX
Maureen L. Dutton - Friendswood TX
Billy Charles Tipton - Houston TX
James W. Bacak - Houston TX
Frank Salazar - Texas City TX

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

C06B 2100

US Classification:

149 1992

Abstract:

An automated propellant blending apparatus and method uses closely metered addition of countersolvent to a binder solution with propellant particles dispersed therein to precisely control binder precipitation and particle aggregation. A profile of binder precipitation versus countersolvent-solvent ratio is established empirically and used in a computer algorithm to establish countersolvent addition parameters near the cloud point for controlling the transition of properties of the binder during agglomeration and finishing of the propellant composition particles. The system is remotely operated by computer for safety, reliability and improved product properties, and also increases product output.