Patent Publication Number: US-9423225-B1

Title: Non-pyrotechnic, non-lethal compressed gas disseminator

Description:
GOVERNMENT INTEREST 
     The embodiments described herein may be manufactured, used, and/or licensed by or for the United States Government. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The embodiments herein generally relate to compressed gas dissemination devices, and more particularly to non-pyrotechnic compressed gas disseminators. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The conventional CS (teargas) grenade (M7A3), shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , relies on a burning pyrotechnic to disseminate 128 g of pelletized CS which results in approximately 45-50 grams of CS dispersed as an aerosol. Pyrotechnic disseminators can burn some of the CS, destroying its active properties, as well as posing a high risk of starting fires. The threat of fire limits the grenade&#39;s operational uses to outdoors scenarios under controlled conditions that reduce the risk of fires. Pyrotechnic devices operate over an extended period of time, with total functioning times typically measuring in tens of seconds to minutes. 
     Bursting type grenades can provide a near instantaneous disseminated cloud. The obsolete ABC-M25A2, shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , is an example of this type of grenade that uses an explosive detonator to expel the CSI fill (˜57 g). A bursting grenade has a reduced risk of fire hazard, but due to its method of operation can cause injury to personnel from flying grenade body shrapnel. 
     A number of commercial riot control disseminators are available. These devices typically rely on pyrotechnics, explosives, or propellants (gas) to disseminate the riot control agent, and most use pyrotechnic fuze/delay systems. The pyrotechnic devices generally employ double and triple walled configurations to contain the pyrotechnic flame internally and reduce the risk of starting fires. 
     Furthermore, there are a number of devices that use compressed gas to propel a projectile, although many of these devices are focused on the paintball industry. Some examples of conventional grenade type devices that use compressed gases in their operations are provided below, the complete disclosures of which, in their entireties, are herein incorporated by reference. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,650 issued to Brunn et al. for a “Launchable Flameless Expulsion Grenade” uses CO 2  to entrain powders in the gas flow, though this device uses pyrotechnics in its fuzing. U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,503 issued to Woodall et al. for a “Reusable Gas-Powered Hand Grenade” is non-pyrotechnic grenade and uses compressed gas to launch small projectiles. U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,134 issued to Pinkney for a “Flameless Expulsion Grenade” uses compressed gas to entrain powder for dissemination, but uses a pyrotechnic fuze. U.S. Pat. No. 3,188,954 issued to Roach et al. for a “Gas Ejection Bomb for Dispersing Solid Particulates” provides an air delivered, fin stabilized bomb that uses compressed gas to entrain powder for dissemination. U.S. Pat. No. 3,402,665 issued to Tarpley, Jr. et al. for a “Non-Pyrotechnic Disseminator” relies on a pyrotechnic fuze. U.S. Pat. No. 4,690,061 issued to Armer, Jr. et al. for a “Landmine for Use in Simulated War Games” employs compressed gas to spray a liquid/slurry marking material. “Paintball Grenade” U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,521 issued to Greeno for a “War Game Marking Grenade” launches a plurality of paintballs propelled by compressed gas. U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,913 issued to Walton for a “Rupture Disk Gas Launcher” is for a compressed gas gun type device for launching larger projectiles. 
     While the conventional solutions were suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they generally do not provide a suitable solution for non-pyrotechnic and non-lethal uses, and accordingly there remains a need for a new non-pyrotechnic, non-lethal compressed gas disseminator. 
     SUMMARY 
     In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a non-pyrotechnic disseminator comprising a body portion; a cover on the body portion; a first compartment adjacent to the cover, wherein the first compartment is configured to hold disseminating materials; a chamber adjacent to the first compartment; a disk within the chamber and adjacent to the first compartment; a flow control device adjacent to the chamber; a second compartment adjacent to the flow control device, wherein the second compartment comprises a pin; an actuating mechanism operatively connected to the pin; a third compartment adjacent to the second compartment, wherein the third compartment is configured to hold compressed gas; and a seal separating the chamber from the third compartment. Actuation of the actuating mechanism causes the pin to break the seal causing release of the compressed gas into the second compartment and through the flow control device in a predetermined delayed timing, and causing the compressed gas to burst the disk thereby pushing the disseminating materials out of the body portion by rupturing the cover. The non-pyrotechnic disseminator may further comprise a piston in the first compartment. The piston may comprise holes. The first compartment may further comprise at least one stop configured to retain the piston within the first compartment. The disseminating materials may exit the body portion as an aerosol. The disseminating materials may comprise any of a powder, slurry, and liquid. The non-pyrotechnic disseminator may further comprise a self-righting mechanism operatively connected to the body portion. The compressed gas may comprise carbon dioxide. 
     Another embodiment provides a grenade comprising a body portion; a plurality of compartments, configured in the body portion, wherein the plurality of compartments are positioned to separately hold disseminating materials and compressed gas; a plurality of components, in the body portion; and an actuating mechanism operatively connected to one of the plurality of components, wherein actuation of the actuating mechanism causes the plurality of components to controllably release the compressed gas through the body portion thereby pushing the disseminating materials out of the body portion. The grenade may further comprise a cover on the body portion, wherein the plurality of compartments comprises a first compartment adjacent to the cover, wherein the first compartment is configured to hold the disseminating materials; a chamber adjacent to the first compartment; a second compartment comprising a pin; and a third compartment adjacent to the second compartment, wherein the third compartment is configured to hold the compressed gas. The plurality of components includes a disk within the chamber and adjacent to the first compartment; a flow control device adjacent to the chamber and the second compartment; and a seal separating the second and third compartments. Actuation of the actuating mechanism causes the pin to break the seal causing release of the compressed gas into the second compartment and through the flow control device in a predetermined delayed timing, and causing the compressed gas to burst the disk thereby pushing the disseminating materials out of the body portion by rupturing the cover. The grenade may further comprise a piston in the first compartment. The piston may comprise holes. The first compartment may further comprise at least one stop configured to retain the piston within the first compartment. The disseminating materials may exit the body portion as an aerosol, and the disseminating materials may comprise any of a powder, slurry, and liquid. The grenade may further comprise a self-righting mechanism operatively connected to the body portion. The compressed gas may comprise carbon dioxide. 
     These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a perspective view of a conventional M7A3 CS hand grenade; 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a sectional view of the M7A3 CS hand grenade of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a perspective view of a conventional ABC-M25A2 grenade; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a sectional view of the ABC-M25A2 grenade of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a perspective view a compressed gas disseminator according to an embodiment herein; 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates a sectional view the compressed gas disseminator of  FIG. 3A  according to an embodiment herein; 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates a sectional view the compressed gas disseminator of  FIG. 3A  upon actuation according to an embodiment herein; and 
         FIG. 3D  illustrates a sectional view the compressed gas disseminator of  FIG. 3A  upon actuation according to another embodiment herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein. 
     The embodiments herein provide a non-pyrotechnic hand grenade size device for the dissemination of powders or other disseminating materials, such as non-lethal riot control agents. The device is applicable to many riot control situations, and is particularly advantageous for use within confined spaces, such as buildings, where the risk of starting a fire is greatest. Being completely non-pyrotechnic allows the device to be classified as non-munitions which significantly reduces handling and storage requirements. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIGS. 3A through 3D , where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments. 
     A non-pyrotechnic powder disseminator for dispersing non-lethal riot control material rapidly is desirable both from a military and law enforcement perspective. As provided in  FIGS. 3A through 3C , the embodiments herein achieve this by providing a non-pyrotechnic disseminator  10  comprising a body portion  12 ; a cover  15  on the body portion; a first compartment  20  adjacent to the cover  15 , wherein the first compartment  20  is configured to hold disseminating materials  80 ; a chamber  35  adjacent to the first compartment  20 ; a disk  30  within the chamber  35  and adjacent to the first compartment  20 ; a flow control device  40  adjacent to the chamber  35 ; a second compartment  65  adjacent to the flow control device  40 , wherein the second compartment  65  comprises a pin  45 ; an actuating mechanism  50  operatively connected to the pin  45 ; a third compartment  75  adjacent to the second compartment  65 , wherein the third compartment  75  is configured to hold compressed gas  85 ; and a seal  70  separating the chamber  35  from the third compartment  75 . Actuation of the actuating mechanism  50  causes the pin  45  to break the seal  70  causing release of the compressed gas  85  into the second compartment  65  and through the flow control device  40  in a predetermined delayed timing, and causing the compressed gas  85  to burst the disk  30  thereby pushing the disseminating materials  80  out of the body portion  12  by rupturing the cover  15 . 
     The embodiments herein utilize a high pressure compressed gas  85 , such as 12 g of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), to push non-lethal fluidized CS powder  80  out of one end of a cylindrical shaped grenade body  12 . The compressed gas  85  is initially contained within the third compartment (e.g., compressed gas compartment)  75  located at the bottom of the grenade body  12 . The actuating mechanism  50  comprises a pull ring  52  connected to a safety pin  55 , which retains a spring  60  actuated to a stab pin  45 . When an operator (not shown) pulls the ring  52  to remove the safety pin  55 , the stab pin  45  is released and punctures the seal  70  on the third compartment  75 . Then, the high pressure gas pushes back the stab pin  45  and escapes into the second compartment (e.g., delay compartment)  65 . The flow control device  40 , which may include a properly configured orifice, meters the compressed gas flow into the burst disk chamber  35  providing a three to five second time delay. The pressure in the burst disk chamber  35  increases during the delay time until the burst pressure is reached and the disk  30  ruptures. The piston  25  helps expel all of the powder  80  if the burst disk  30  is considerably smaller in diameter than the grenade body  12 . However, if a larger diameter burst disk  30  is used, it may be possible to omit the piston  25  altogether, as described below. In one example embodiment, the disk  30  is 0.75 inches in diameter; although other configurations are possible in accordance with the embodiments herein. A larger diameter burst disk  30 ; for example, having the same inner diameter as the body  12 , may improve dissemination, though a small diameter burst disk  30  may provide better burst control. The size of the burst disk  30  may also depend on whether a piston  25  is used or not. If a piston  25  is used, a smaller diameter burst disk  30  could be used, but if a piston  25  is not used, then a larger burst disk  30  may be required for efficient dissemination of the powder  80 . The burst disk  30  also serves as a seal to keep the powder  80  above the burst chamber  35 . The high pressure gas  85  then pushes against a piston  25  that separates the first compartment (e.g., payload compartment)  20  and the burst disk chamber  35 . The piston  25  is within the first compartment  20 . 
     In one example embodiment, the piston  25  is configured to be two inches in diameter; although other configurations are possible in accordance with the embodiments herein. If a piston  25  is used, the diameter of the piston  25  is preferably substantially equal to the inner diameter of the grenade body  12  for proper dissemination of the powder  80 . The piston  25  forces the powder payload  80  against the cover  15  across the top of the grenade body  12  rupturing the cover  15  for an almost instantaneous release of the powder  80 . Holes  27  in the piston  25  allow the compressed gas  85  to escape assisting with dissemination by deagglomerating and breaking up the powder  80 . The first compartment  20  may include at least one stop  22  at the top of the grenade body  12  to capture and retain the piston  25  within the first compartment  20 , and restrain the piston  25  from becoming a projectile and possibly injuring innocent bystanders and non-combatants. Alternatively, the piston  25  can be constructed of a low-density material such as foam, and the stops  22  would not be required. 
     The non-pyrotechnic powder disseminator  10  eliminates the risk of fire as well as the risk of personnel being burned by a hot grenade body. The disseminator  10  could safely be used in confined spaces and within combustible environments. Furthermore, the disseminator  10  produces an almost instantaneous aerosol cloud  90 , similar to that produced by a pyrotechnic/explosive device without the associated injury from shrapnel and ejected parts. Full pyrotechnic devices or devices with small amounts of pyrotechnics in the fuze and delay assemblies require special care for handling and storage. However, a completely non-pyrotechnic disseminator  10 , as provided by the embodiments herein, eliminates many of the hazards associated with current inventoried and commercial pyrotechnic and explosive riot control grenades and has fewer restrictions on storage and handling. 
     In addition, alternative embodiments may also include any material that is suitable for use in the construction of the non-pyrotechnic disseminator  10 , and the type of disseminating materials being disseminated could include slurries and liquids in addition to or alternative to the powder  80  described above. Further embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 3D , can include using a self-righting mechanism  98  operatively connected to the grenade body portion  12 , such as spring actuated legs or a “roly poly” apparatus to increase the dissemination efficiency of the embodiments herein, by orienting the disseminator  10  so that the powder  80  (or slurry or liquid) will be disseminated into the air as opposed to parallel to the ground. 
     The disseminator  10  provided by the embodiments herein uses high pressure compressed gas  85  to rupture a disk  30  to instantaneously disseminate bulk powder  80  from the disseminator  10 , with the turbulent flow of escaping high pressure gas  85  assisting with deagglomeration and particle breakup. The non-pyrotechnic powder disseminator  10  increases safety by eliminating fire and shrapnel hazards and reducing handling and storage restrictions. 
     The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.