초록 ▼

An apparatus 10 that extrudes, conveys and cuts a propellant strand into precise lengths independent of strand velocity is disclosed. Cutting of the strand is accomplished by a cutter 18 having a blade mounted on a shaft which in one revolution cuts the strand. The shaft is activated after passage o

An apparatus 10 that extrudes, conveys and cuts a propellant strand into precise lengths independent of strand velocity is disclosed. Cutting of the strand is accomplished by a cutter 18 having a blade mounted on a shaft which in one revolution cuts the strand. The shaft is activated after passage of the strand end past a pair of downstream optic sensors; compensation is made for cutter delay and strand velocity by having cutting activation take place in the same amount of time as it takes the strand end to pass both sensors less cutter delay.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for automated manufacture of stick propellant, said stick propellant having precise selected lengths that are substantially equal each other and constant, said method comprising: (a) shaping a mass of propellant into a continuous strand of said propellant by pushing said mass through a die;

A method for automated manufacture of stick propellant, said stick propellant having precise selected lengths that are substantially equal each other and constant, said method comprising: (a) shaping a mass of propellant into a continuous strand of said propellant by pushing said mass through a die; (b) pneumatically conveying said strand received from said die past (i) a cutter adapted to cut crosswise through said strand penpendicular to the direction said strand travels, said cutter completing the cutting through said strand upon expiration of a predetermined cutter delay period that commences on cutter activation, (ii) a first sensor that is downstream from said cutter and (iii) a second sensor that is downstream from said first sensor by a distance that is greater than the distance said strand travels during said cutter delay period and to (iv) a stick transporter that is downstream from said cutter and transports a freshly cut stick of propellant resulting from cutting by said cutter away from that portion of said strand that follows said freshly cut stick; (c) as said strand is passed by said first and second sensors, (A) counting and storing the count of a first amount of equally spaced time pulses, said first amount being defined as the amount of said equally spaced time pulses between (i) the time when a forward end of said strand is sensed by said first sensor and (ii) the time when said forward end is first sensed by said second sensor, then (B) signaling for said cutter activation at the end of a second amount of said equally spaced time pulses, said second amount being defined as the amount of said equally spaced time pulses between (i) the time when said first amount ends and (ii) the time when a third amount of said equally spaced time pulses ends where said third amount is defined as the number of said equally spaced time pulses in said first amount less the number of said equally spaced time pulses in said cutter delay period.