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Ernest H Wood

James C Wood

An anhydrous 5-aminotetrazole or &ldquo;5-AT&rdquo; based gas generating composition for use in passive restraint devices, such as air bags and a method of preparing the same that is devoid of metal oxides. The gas generating composition includes 5-AT with a blend of oxidizers such as potassium perchlorate and potassium nitrate. This gas generating composition is devoid of metal oxides, such as copper oxide or iron oxide, which form an insoluble slag when ignited. After ignition, the combustion products of the gas generating composition can be filtered with a filter assembly that includes a ceramic blanket. The ceramic blanket preferably includes an aluminum oxide and a silicon oxide.

Metal oxide-free 5-aminotetrazole-based gas generating composition

An ammonium nitrate and paraffinic material based gas generating composition is provided. The gas generating composition includes ammonium nitrate as a oxidizer, mixed with a paraffinic material as a fuel. Examples of paraffinic material include paraffin wax, and broadly includes polyolefins. Polyolefins include polyethylene, polypropylene and polybutylene. Additionally, as alternatives, the gas generating composition of the present invention can also include a small quantity of magnesium stearate, potassium perchlorate or alternatively, RDX. The ammonium nitrate oxidizer, the paraffinic material fuel and the additional alternative components are combined and mixed in a predetermined stoichiometric ratio. The gas generating composition is devoid of metal oxides and produces virtually no particulate and slag upon ignition. It also produces an acceptable, low level of undesirable trace effluents such as carbon monoxide, and nitric oxide, both of which are inherently present in nonazide gas generating compositions. The gas generating composition is environmentally friendly after the deployment of the gas generant and abrasive damage to the tooling used in the manufacture of the gas generating composition is minimized.

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Fultonville, NY, United States of America

Ernest H Wood