Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.

Olin Corporation

Primex Technologies, Inc.

Rockcor, Inc.

Rocket Research Company

Olin Aerospace Company

Donald R Poole

Gary F Holland

Michael A Wilson

Lyle D Galbraith

Robert M Mitchell

Patrick C Kwong

Nicholas A Wolf

Eckart W Schmidt

Kimberly A Wilson

James E Mars

Charles Wang

A low temperature autoigniting composition for use in a mobile occupant restraint system comprising, a low temperature melting oxidizer and a fuel, wherein the low temperature autoigniting composition autoignites in the temperature range of about 130.degree. C. to about 175.degree. C. In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises a low temperature melting oxidizer, a fuel, and a catalyst, wherein the composition autoignites in the temperature range of about 130.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. Preferably, the oxidizer comprises about 20 to about 70 percent by weight of the composition, the fuel comprises about 10 to about 50 percent by weight of the composition, and the catalyst comprises about 2 to about 50 percent by weight of the composition. The autoignition propellants of the invention are designed to function at low temperatures and before heat damage to an airbag deployment mechanism can occur, for example, during a fire.

Low temperature autoigniting propellant composition

Gas generant compositions without highly toxic azides are provided which, upon combustion, are converted into gaseous products with only small amounts of solid combustion products thereby minimizing the gas filtration problem. Gas generants having ammonium nitrate safely phase stabilized by mixture with wet triaminoguanidine are provided. A process for safely preparing the gas generants is also provided. These compositions are especially suitable for inflating automotive and aircraft occupant restraint bags.

Low-residue azide-free gas generant composition

There is provided a gas generating composition consisting essentially of a mixture of nitroguanidine, phase stabilized ammonium nitrate and an elastomeric binder. When the ammonium nitrate is phase stabilized with from about 7% to about 20%, by weight, of a potassium salt, the mixture is structurally and volumetrically stable over typical automotive operating temperatures and has a melting temperature in excess of 100.degree. C. The mixture generates large volumes of nitrogen and carbon dioxide when ignited with minimal generation of solids or toxic gases and is particularly useful as an inflating medium for automobile airbags.

Thermally stable gas generating composition

There is disclosed an apparatus for suppressing a fire. The apparatus includes a gas generator containing as a propellant, a mixture of a fuel, strontium nitrate as an oxidizer, and magnesium carbonate. When the propellant is ignited, a nitrogen rich effluent is generated that is effective to suppress the fire. By providing the propellant with at least 35%, by weight, of magnesium carbonate, the generation of effluent by-products that are corrosive to aluminum is inhibited.

Apparatus for suppressing a fire

There is provided an apparatus for suppressing a fire. The apparatus includes a gas generator charged with a combustive propellant. Upon ignition, the combustive propellant generates a copious volume of gas. The gas is directed by a first conduit to a chamber containing a packed powder that is effective to suppress a fire. A second conduit directs the gas driven packed powder to the fire. In one embodiment, the fire suppressing packed powder is magnesium carbonate.

Apparatus and method for suppressing a fire

There is provided a gas generating composition consisting essentially of a mixture of nitroguanidine and phase stabilized ammonium nitrate. When the ammonium nitrate is phase stabilized with from about 7% to about 20%, by weight, of a potassium salt, the mixture is structurally and volumetrically stable over typical automotive operating temperatures and has a melting temperature in excess of 100.degree. C. The mixture generates large volumes of nitrogen and carbon dioxide when ignited with minimal generation of solids or toxic gases and is particularly useful as an inflating medium for automobile airbags.

Gas generant compositions without highly toxic azides are provided which, upon combustion, are converted into gaseous products with only small amounts of solid combustion products thereby minimizing the gas filtration problem. A process for safely preparing gas generants which utilize the nitrogen containing fuel TAGN in the composition are provided. These compositions are especially suitable for inflating automotive and aircraft occupant restraint bags. The present invention advantageously and safely combines TAGN with phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) to achieve production of a high volume of non-toxic gas with only small amounts of solid combustion products.

Process for preparing azide-free gas generant composition

There is disclosed an a flame suppressing composition and an apparatus for suppressing a fire. The composition contains a propellant and an effective amount of magnesium carbonate. One apparatus directs the effluent of a propellant at a mixture of ice and water to generate superheated steam. Preferably, the effluent is a mixture of hot gases and solid particulate directed by a nozzle to impinge upon the mixture of ice and water.

Fire suppressing apparatus for generating steam from a water-ice mixture

An apparatus for suppressing a fire comprises a gas generator containing a propellant and a fire suppressant as a mixture of compacted powders. The average diameter of a fire suppressant particle is larger than the average diameter of a propellant particle and the larger fire suppressant particles form discrete cooling sites that do not dramatically reduce the propellant burn rate.

Composition and process for inflating an automobile or aircraft occupant safety restraint bag which reduces the toxicity of the gases produced by gas generants. A relatively low energy nitrogen containing fuel is combined with a burn rate accelerator, such as an alkali metal salt, to form an azide-free gas generant composition which lowers the combustion temperature of the gas generants while also maintaining a rapid burn rate, thereby reducing toxicity of the resultant gases.

Azide-free gas generant compositions and processes

Autoigniting compositions containing a hydrazine salt of 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazole-5-one for the gas generator of a vehicle occupant restraint system result in rapid autoignition at temperatures from approximately 150.degree. C. (302.degree. F.) to 220.degree. C. (428.degree. F.) thereby allowing the gas generator to operate at lower temperatures to facilitate use of an aluminum canister. The autoignition compositions of the present invention are relatively insensitive to shock or impact, are safe to manufacture and handle, and are advantageously classified as Class B materials.

Ignition compositions for inflator gas generators

A gas generant composition devoid of azides which yields solid combustion products which are easily filtered rendering the gases useful for inflating automobile occupant restraint bags and further providing a reduction in the amount of toxic oxides of nitrogen in the produced gases.

Composition for controlling oxides of nitrogen

An autoigniting composition for the gas generator of a vehicle occupant restraint system that is thermally stable at temperatures up to 110.degree. C., will not autoignite at 150.degree. C., but when heated to approximately 177.degree. C. will undergo rapid autoignition.

Ignition composition for inflator gas generators

A gas generant composition devoid of azides which yields solid combustion products which are easily filtered rendering the gases useful for inflating automobile occupant restraint bags.

Azide-free gas generant composition with easily filterable combustion

Composition and process for inflating an automobile or aircraft safety crash bag comprising igniting at elevated pressure a pyrotechnic material comprising at least one tetrazole or triazole compound containing hydrogen in the molecule, at least one oxygen containing oxidizer compound, and at least one metal oxide to generate a gas which is admixed with air by means of an aspirating venturi and thereafter utilized to inflate the crash bag.

Growing community of inventors

Woodinville, WA, United States of America

Donald R Poole