USH489H - Chemical agent detecting projectile - Google Patents
Chemical agent detecting projectile Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- USH489H USH489H US06/936,681 US93668186A USH489H US H489 H USH489 H US H489H US 93668186 A US93668186 A US 93668186A US H489 H USH489 H US H489H
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- projectile
- atmosphere
- flame
- pyrotechnic charge
- toxic
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000013043 chemical agent Substances 0.000 title 1
- 239000003440 toxic substance Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- DHEQXMRUPNDRPG-UHFFFAOYSA-N strontium nitrate Chemical compound [Sr+2].[O-][N+]([O-])=O.[O-][N+]([O-])=O DHEQXMRUPNDRPG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Magnesium Chemical compound [Mg] FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- DWPDSISGRAWLLV-JHZYRPMRSA-L calcium;(1r,4ar,4br,10ar)-1,4a-dimethyl-7-propan-2-yl-2,3,4,4b,5,6,10,10a-octahydrophenanthrene-1-carboxylate Chemical compound [Ca+2].C([C@@H]12)CC(C(C)C)=CC1=CC[C@@H]1[C@]2(C)CCC[C@@]1(C)C([O-])=O.C([C@@H]12)CC(C(C)C)=CC1=CC[C@@H]1[C@]2(C)CCC[C@@]1(C)C([O-])=O DWPDSISGRAWLLV-JHZYRPMRSA-L 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 229910052749 magnesium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 239000011777 magnesium Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 231100000481 chemical toxicant Toxicity 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052736 halogen Inorganic materials 0.000 abstract description 5
- 150000002367 halogens Chemical class 0.000 abstract description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 abstract description 5
- 231100000167 toxic agent Toxicity 0.000 abstract description 5
- PBNSPNYJYOYWTA-UHFFFAOYSA-N adamsite Chemical compound C1=CC=C2[As](Cl)C3=CC=CC=C3NC2=C1 PBNSPNYJYOYWTA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000000700 radioactive tracer Substances 0.000 description 3
- 231100000331 toxic Toxicity 0.000 description 3
- 230000002588 toxic effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- ZAMOUSCENKQFHK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chlorine atom Chemical compound [Cl] ZAMOUSCENKQFHK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- QKSKPIVNLNLAAV-UHFFFAOYSA-N bis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide Chemical compound ClCCSCCCl QKSKPIVNLNLAAV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052801 chlorine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000000460 chlorine Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 2
- -1 mustard gas Chemical compound 0.000 description 2
- 238000005070 sampling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000003595 spectral effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- 244000174111 Brassica adpressa Species 0.000 description 1
- PXGOKWXKJXAPGV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fluorine Chemical compound FF PXGOKWXKJXAPGV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- YGYAWVDWMABLBF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phosgene Chemical compound ClC(Cl)=O YGYAWVDWMABLBF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- DYAHQFWOVKZOOW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sarin Chemical compound CC(C)OP(C)(F)=O DYAHQFWOVKZOOW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- GRXKLBBBQUKJJZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Soman Chemical compound CC(C)(C)C(C)OP(C)(F)=O GRXKLBBBQUKJJZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000011230 binding agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003745 diagnosis Methods 0.000 description 1
- OEBRKCOSUFCWJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N dichlorvos Chemical compound COP(=O)(OC)OC=C(Cl)Cl OEBRKCOSUFCWJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003344 environmental pollutant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052731 fluorine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011737 fluorine Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- GIKLTQKNOXNBNY-OWOJBTEDSA-N lewisite Chemical compound Cl\C=C\[As](Cl)Cl GIKLTQKNOXNBNY-OWOJBTEDSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229960001952 metrifonate Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 231100000252 nontoxic Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000003000 nontoxic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007800 oxidant agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001590 oxidative effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- IMACFCSSMIZSPP-UHFFFAOYSA-N phenacyl chloride Chemical compound ClCC(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1 IMACFCSSMIZSPP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 231100000719 pollutant Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 239000003491 tear gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- NFACJZMKEDPNKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N trichlorfon Chemical compound COP(=O)(OC)C(O)C(Cl)(Cl)Cl NFACJZMKEDPNKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
- F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
- F42B12/00—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material
- F42B12/02—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect
- F42B12/36—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information
- F42B12/38—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information of tracer type
Definitions
- This invention relates to a tracer projectile which permits long range detection of a toxic atmosphere.
- the projectile contains a pyrotechnic composition whose flame acts as a flame photometer when passing through an atmosphere in which there are certain chemicals detectable by the particular pyrotechnic composition in the projectile.
- the projectile can be propelled from any weapon which is capable of propelling a tracer bullet.
- the projectile is generally cylindrical and has an axial orifice through its center. When the projectile is travelling through the atmosphere, air goes through the orifice and contacts the flame of the pyrotechnic composition. If the atmosphere contains a material which produces a change in the flame of the pyrotechnic composition when such a material comes into contact with it, then the observer knows the atmosphere is not normal and is probably toxic.
- the preferred pyrotechnic composition of this invention normally burns with a specific flame color, pale pink, but when it comes into contact with air contaminated with a halogen containing toxic agent, the flame changes to a deeper red color.
- the FIGURE is a side sectional view of a typical projectile of this invention.
- a generally cylindrical bullet shaped projectile 1 has an axial orifice 2 completely therethrough from the nose 4 to the tail 8 at its central longitudinal axis.
- the orifice 2 has a very small diameter and need only be large enough to allow air to pass through as the projectile 1 is moving through the air.
- the outer jacket 3 of the projectile 1 is made of a metal which is capable of engaging the rifling in the barrel of a firearm used to propel it toward the atmospheric area to be analyzed.
- the jackets commonly used for tracer bullets are satisfactory for use in the projectile 1 of this invention.
- a typical pyrotechnic composition 6 of this invention and one preferred for detecting halogens according to this invention, comprises magnesium which acts as a fuel so the pyrotechnic composition burns, calcium resinate which acts as a binder for the fuel and strontium nitrate which is an oxidizer and provides the color of the flame by oxidizing(burning) the materials in the atmosphere.
- the relative weight proportions of the components of the pyrotechnic composition are about 10-30 weight percent magnesium, about 5-10 weight percent calcium resinate and about 60-80 weight percent strontium nitrate.
- the total amount of pyrotechnic composition 6 present in each projectile 1 can vary between 0.5 and 5 grams depending on the caliber of the projectile 1.
- the color of the flame 7 emitted therefrom remains unchanged.
- the color changes and becomes red if the toxic chemical contains, e.g. a halogen such as chlorine, e.g. mustard gas, phosgene, chlorophos, Vapon(2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethylphosphate) or Adamsite(10-chloro-5,10-dihydrophenarsazine) and the like.
- a halogen such as chlorine, e.g. mustard gas, phosgene, chlorophos, Vapon(2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethylphosphate) or Adamsite(10-chloro-5,10-dihydrophenarsazine) and the like.
- the toxic agent in the atmosphere contains another halogen, e.g. fluorine, such as Soman[Merck Index #8489 (9th Edition)] or Sarin[Merck Index #8127 (9th Edition)] the color of the flame becomes red.
- fluorine such as Soman[Merck Index #8489 (9th Edition)] or Sarin[Merck Index #8127 (9th Edition)
- the diagnosis of the color changes in the flame of the projectile of this invention is accomplished by use of a spectrophotometer.
- a spectrophotometer One can also use the naked eye and binoculars or a telescope, but at long distances, they might not be reliable.
- the projectile When practicing the invention, one propels the projectile and as it flies through the air, samples pass through its orifice and enter into the pyrotechnic reaction causing changes of the specific spectral lines of emission, enabling detection of and analysis of toxic materials present. For example, if the toxic agent contains chlorine, the spectral lines of emission are enhanced from 300-500 millimicrons to 600-680 millimicron.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analyzing Non-Biological Materials By The Use Of Chemical Means (AREA)
Abstract
A projectile capable of detecting toxic agents in the atmosphere at long ge, particularly halogen containing materials, containing therein a pyrotechnic composition comprising magnesium, calcium resinate and strontium nitrate. The projectile has an orifice therethrough along its longitudinal axis to enable the projectile to sample the atmosphere as it travels therethrough.
Description
The invention described herein may be manufactured, used and licensed by or for the Government for Governmental purposes without the payment to us of any royalties thereon.
In times of war and during certain emergencies caused by natural phenomenon or accidents, the atmosphere becomes polluted with toxic chemicals. In order to be able to react to the pollutants and ameliorate their effects, it is necessary to analyze the atmosphere to detect the presence of such chemicals and their probable nature. Many efforts to solve these problems have been attempted and many are successful technically, e.g. sampling particulate fallout by mass spectrometer or atmospheric sampling by gas chromographic techniques by placing the detectors in remote areas where power requirements are severe and retrieval difficult.
Thus there is no practical means now in use for detecting toxic chemicals in the atmosphere at long range.
This invention relates to a tracer projectile which permits long range detection of a toxic atmosphere. The projectile contains a pyrotechnic composition whose flame acts as a flame photometer when passing through an atmosphere in which there are certain chemicals detectable by the particular pyrotechnic composition in the projectile. The projectile can be propelled from any weapon which is capable of propelling a tracer bullet. The projectile is generally cylindrical and has an axial orifice through its center. When the projectile is travelling through the atmosphere, air goes through the orifice and contacts the flame of the pyrotechnic composition. If the atmosphere contains a material which produces a change in the flame of the pyrotechnic composition when such a material comes into contact with it, then the observer knows the atmosphere is not normal and is probably toxic. For example, the preferred pyrotechnic composition of this invention normally burns with a specific flame color, pale pink, but when it comes into contact with air contaminated with a halogen containing toxic agent, the flame changes to a deeper red color.
The FIGURE is a side sectional view of a typical projectile of this invention.
This invention can be best understood when described in its embodiment illustrated in the FIGURE wherein a generally cylindrical bullet shaped projectile 1 has an axial orifice 2 completely therethrough from the nose 4 to the tail 8 at its central longitudinal axis. The orifice 2 has a very small diameter and need only be large enough to allow air to pass through as the projectile 1 is moving through the air. The outer jacket 3 of the projectile 1 is made of a metal which is capable of engaging the rifling in the barrel of a firearm used to propel it toward the atmospheric area to be analyzed. The jackets commonly used for tracer bullets are satisfactory for use in the projectile 1 of this invention. Inside the nose 4 of the projectile 1 is a lead filler 5 to insure the proper weight distribution which will cause the projectile 1 to move in the air, nose 4 first. Behind the lead filler 5, toward the rear or tail 8 of the projectile 1, is a pyrotechnic composition 6 used to analyze the air by means of its flame upon combustion. A typical pyrotechnic composition 6 of this invention, and one preferred for detecting halogens according to this invention, comprises magnesium which acts as a fuel so the pyrotechnic composition burns, calcium resinate which acts as a binder for the fuel and strontium nitrate which is an oxidizer and provides the color of the flame by oxidizing(burning) the materials in the atmosphere. The relative weight proportions of the components of the pyrotechnic composition are about 10-30 weight percent magnesium, about 5-10 weight percent calcium resinate and about 60-80 weight percent strontium nitrate.
The total amount of pyrotechnic composition 6 present in each projectile 1 can vary between 0.5 and 5 grams depending on the caliber of the projectile 1.
If the atmosphere through which the projectile 1 is propelled is a nontoxic atmosphere, the color of the flame 7 emitted therefrom remains unchanged. However, if there is a toxic chemical in the atmosphere through which the projectile 1 travels, the color changes and becomes red if the toxic chemical contains, e.g. a halogen such as chlorine, e.g. mustard gas, phosgene, chlorophos, Vapon(2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethylphosphate) or Adamsite(10-chloro-5,10-dihydrophenarsazine) and the like.
If the toxic agent in the atmosphere contains another halogen, e.g. fluorine, such as Soman[Merck Index #8489 (9th Edition)] or Sarin[Merck Index #8127 (9th Edition)] the color of the flame becomes red.
Other toxic agents which can be detected by means of the projectile of this invention are tear gas, Lewisite, Adamsite and Yperite. These agents are observed because they cause the flame to become red.
The diagnosis of the color changes in the flame of the projectile of this invention is accomplished by use of a spectrophotometer. One can also use the naked eye and binoculars or a telescope, but at long distances, they might not be reliable.
When practicing the invention, one propels the projectile and as it flies through the air, samples pass through its orifice and enter into the pyrotechnic reaction causing changes of the specific spectral lines of emission, enabling detection of and analysis of toxic materials present. For example, if the toxic agent contains chlorine, the spectral lines of emission are enhanced from 300-500 millimicrons to 600-680 millimicron.
Claims (2)
1. A projectile for use in the detection of toxic chemicals while in flight through the atmosphere after expulsion from a weapon consisting essentially of:
a projectile body having a forward lead-filled nose portion and a rearward charge portion,
a pyrotechnic charge positioned in said rearward charge portion being ignitable upon expulsion from a weapon,
an axial opening passing longitudinally through said entire projectile body, said forward lead-filled nose, and said pyrotechnic charge portion,
whereby, said pyrotechnic charge upon ignition produces a flame which upon contact with the atmosphere containing a toxic chemical produces a color change after said atmosphere passes through said axial opening and contacts said flame.
2. The projectile of claim 1 wherein the pyrotechnic charge consists of magnesium, calcium resinate, and strontium nitrate.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US06/936,681 USH489H (en) | 1986-12-01 | 1986-12-01 | Chemical agent detecting projectile |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US06/936,681 USH489H (en) | 1986-12-01 | 1986-12-01 | Chemical agent detecting projectile |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| USH489H true USH489H (en) | 1988-07-05 |
Family
ID=25468957
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US06/936,681 Abandoned USH489H (en) | 1986-12-01 | 1986-12-01 | Chemical agent detecting projectile |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | USH489H (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4949641A (en) | 1990-03-05 | 1990-08-21 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army | Method of safely detoxifying mustard gases |
| US6105505A (en) * | 1998-06-17 | 2000-08-22 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Hard target incendiary projectile |
| US20060243154A1 (en) * | 2005-01-17 | 2006-11-02 | Giuliano Illesi | Manufacturing process of an inert ballistic element for training purposes and the inert ballistic element manufactured by said process |
| WO2016131158A2 (en) | 2015-02-18 | 2016-08-25 | Ruag Ammotec Ag | Tracer ammunition |
| US9964386B2 (en) * | 2014-07-09 | 2018-05-08 | Wilcox Industries Corp. | Projectile system with environmental hazard sensing |
-
1986
- 1986-12-01 US US06/936,681 patent/USH489H/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4949641A (en) | 1990-03-05 | 1990-08-21 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army | Method of safely detoxifying mustard gases |
| US6105505A (en) * | 1998-06-17 | 2000-08-22 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Hard target incendiary projectile |
| US20060243154A1 (en) * | 2005-01-17 | 2006-11-02 | Giuliano Illesi | Manufacturing process of an inert ballistic element for training purposes and the inert ballistic element manufactured by said process |
| US7418904B2 (en) * | 2005-01-17 | 2008-09-02 | I.M.Z. S.P.A. | Inert ballistic element and process of manufacture |
| US9964386B2 (en) * | 2014-07-09 | 2018-05-08 | Wilcox Industries Corp. | Projectile system with environmental hazard sensing |
| WO2016131158A2 (en) | 2015-02-18 | 2016-08-25 | Ruag Ammotec Ag | Tracer ammunition |
| WO2016131158A3 (en) * | 2015-02-18 | 2017-07-13 | Ruag Ammotec Ag | Tracer ammunition |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |