Pyrotechnic heater provides a one-shot heat source capable of creating a predetermined temperature around sealed packages. It is composed of a blend of an active chemical element and another compound which reacts exothermically when ignited and produces fixed quantities of heat

Haller, H. C.

Lalli, V. R.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

March 1968
.
	 Brief 68-10062 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
L-.---------.-	 - 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U.S. space program, 
to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public at 15 cents each 
from the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Pyrotechnic Device Provides One-Shot Heat Source 
INITIATOR SECTION
	
HEATER SECTION 
Lacquered Seal 
End Cap	 Aluminum Tube 
Initiator 
:'	 /	
ioaIA\ Sauereisen	 Blended	 Opt 
Seal	 Chemicals	 For Chemicals 
.
	
	 Aluminum 
Container
Blended Chemicals	 Aluminum Tube 
Swaged Seal 
Fine Threads	 End Plug 
Pyrotechnic 
Stainless Steel
	
Blend 
Container 
Stainless Steel'_Aluminum 
Condenser N.	 Container 
Radiator Fin 
The problem: 
To provide a lightweight, efficient, and dependable 
one-shot heat source capable of creating a prede-
termined temperature around sealed packages. 
The solution: 
A pyrotechnic heater, composed of a blend of an 
active chemical element (boron, zirconium, or mag-
nesium) and another compound (molybdenum tri-
oxide, barium chromate, or cupric oxide), which 
reacts exothermically when ignited and produces 
fixed quantities of heat. Positive ignition is electri-
cally initiated. 
How it's done: 
The pyrotechnic heater consists of two main sec-
tions, the initiator section and the heater section. The 
initiator section is composed of an aluminum tube
fitted with a Sauereisen seal at one end and a lac-
quered seal at the other. This section contains blended 
chemicals capable of ignition by an electrical firing 
network. The lacquered seal end is fitted with an 
internally threaded aluminum container which fits 
over the firing end of the heater section. 
The heater section is also an aluminum tube, con-
taining a preselected blend of pyrotechnics capable of 
producing the desired temperature rise time, heating 
temperature, and burning time. The end which mates 
with the initiator section has a swaged seal and a 
narrow threaded neck to fit into the container of the 
initiator. The other end is fitted with an end plug 
which will not melt or burn at the heater's operating 
temperature. 
In operation, an electrical impulse ignites the 
chemical blend of the initiator section. When the flame 
(continued overleal) 
..
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front reaches the lacquered seal and the thin alumi-
num container at the screw thread of the next section, 
the seal melts and the heater section is ignited. The 
pyrotechnic blend burns until the flame front reaches 
the end plug. Several heater sections may be joined 
to provide for the parameters of burn time and 
heat required. Physical configuration requirements 
can be met by bends or angles in any section. 
Notes: 
I. Pyrotechnic heaters are capable of providing 850 
to 900 BTU's per pound, while storage-battery-
driven heaters can produce only 70 to 120 BTU's per 
pound. Temperatures of 600 0 ±150F are attainable 
with a barium pyrotechnic blend.
2. Inquiries concerning this innovation may be di-
rected to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
Lewis Research Center 
21000 Brookpark Road 
Cleveland, Ohio 44135 
Reference: B68-10062 
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
Source: Vincent R. Lalli and Henry C. Haller 
of TRW Equipment Laboratories 
under contract to 
Lewis Research Center 
(LEW-10131) 
Brief 68-10062	
Category 03


Pyrotechnic device provides one-shot heat source

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