US1708186A - Tracer composition - Google Patents

Description

Patented Apr. 9, 1929, I

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

STERNER ST. 1. MEEK, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

TRACER COMPOSITION.

No Drawing. Application filed May 21, 1924. Serial No. 714,919.

' (GRANTED UNDER THE ACT OF MARCH 3, 1883, AS AMENDED APRIL 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757.)

The invention described herein may be As an inert substance: 50 manufactured and used by or for the Gov- Parts. l-ernment for governmental purposes with- Strontium nitrate 5O out'the payment to me of any royalty there- Sodium nitrate 60 5 on. v .Magnesiunr 40 The subject of this invention is a combus- Calcium resinate 40 tible composition or mixture burning with Yttrium oxide 1O greater'or less rapidity, as maybe desired, Zirconium oxide 8 and possessing the desirable quality of lul0 minosity, brilliance or visability in burning; The following are typical examples of the mixture being especially adapted for combustible mixtures of the elements: use as a tracer mixture in projectiles, though also useful in many other organiza- Zirconium 60 to 90 parts tions, such as port fires, rockets, signal fires, Yttrium 40 to 10 art 15 and any burning composition in which the Yttrium salts 60 to 90 parts.

above mentioned qualities are desirable. Zirconium 40 to 10 parts.

It has been found that the addition of certain rare earth elements to combustible ma- While the above mixtures are typical, they terials will greatly increase luminosity, brilare cited only by way of example and are in- 2 liance and visibility thereof when combustended in no way to limit the proportions tion takes place. These same elements, or of the various ingredients to those set forth, 7 proper salts thereof, when themselves comas the proportions in which zirconium and bustible may be used either alone or in comyttrium will be used depend largely upon bination'with other elements for the purpose the other ingredients mixed therewith and 25 above outlined. the use to which the mixture is intended to While any rare earth elements possessing be put. the characteristics, when heated, of giving What is claimed is: ofi an unusually large proportion of its 1. A tracer composition for projectiles in energy in the form of light waves, are c'luding an oxygen containing compound of 30 adapted to produce the above outlined dean alkali earth metal, salts of a rare earth sired results; the preferred element for this 7. metal, a fuel and a binder.

purpose are zirconium and yttrium. 2. A tracer composition for projectiles in- These elements may be d ith i cluding an oxygen containing compound of the form of nitrate or other oxygen caran alkali earth metal, a sulphocyanate of a 35 rier; in the form of a fuel, as sulpho-cyarare earth metal, an oxidizing agent and a nate; or in the form of inert substances bindermerely for increasing the brilliance, as an 3. A tracer composition for projectiles inoxide or chloride. eluding as elements salts of yttrium and zir- The following tracer mixtures are typical coniump 40 examples f difi t o i ti n of th 4. A tracer composition for projectiles inelements: including magnesium 10 parts, barium per- As an oxygen carrier: oxide 10 parts, salts of yttrium and zirconium 20 parts, calcium resinate 5 parts and Magn s m 10 lead sulpho-cyanate 5 parts. 45 Yttrium nitrate 15 Zirconium nitrate 5 STERNER ST. P, MEEK, Calcium resinate 5 Lead sulpho-cyanate ..i 5

Barium peroxide 10