Atlantic Research Corporation

Aerojet-general Corporation

Altantic Research Corporation

James D Martin

Brian K Wheatley

Robert D Lynch

Robert S Scheffee

Jamie B Neidert

Norman H Lundstrom

Irving E Figge, Sr

Edna M Williams

James R Sides

Robert E Black, Iii

Robert S Scheffe

R Stephen Scheffee

Gary T Bowman

Nondetonable, or low detonation sensitivity, substantially nontoxic liquid monopropellants are provided. The liquid propellants are formed from aqueous solutions of solid oxidizers in liquid oxidizers and water soluble liquid fuels and formulated to have a freezing point less than &#x2212;10&#xb0; C. Liquid oxidizers may be inorganic or organic aqueous solutions, with hydrogen peroxide being preferred. Preferred solid oxidizers are water soluble nitrates including ammonium dinitramide, aminoguanidine dinitrate, ammonium nitrate, hydroxylamine nitrate, hydrazine nitrate, guanidine nitrate and aminoguanidine nitrate. Preferred liquid fuels are water soluble alcohols, amines and amine nitrates, hydroxyethyl hydrazine, hydroxyethylhydrazine nitrate, cyanoguanidine, guanidines, aminoguanidines, triaminoguanidines, and their nitrate salts, ethanolamine dinitrate, ethylenediamine dinitrate, polyvinyl nitrate, and aziridine.

Premixed liquid monopropellant solutions and mixtures

Liquid monopropellants for passive vehicle restraint systems (e.g., air bags) include an aqueous solution of a water-soluble oxidizer and a water-soluble organic fuel miscible with the oxidizer. The oxidizer is most preferably ammonium nitrate, hydrogen peroxide or nitric acid, while the fuel is a lower alcohol such as methanol, ethanol, propanol or glycerol. The liquid monopropellants will advantageously have an oxidation ratio (O ) of greater than about 0.90.

Liquid monopropellants for passive vehicle occupant restraint systems

An improved thermally stable, storage stable gas generating composition characterized by both an increased burning rate and a decreased pressure exponent for producing a clean, nontoxic, substantially ash- and solids-free gas for inflating inflatable structures such as vehicle airbags is provided. Optimum combustion efficiencies and operating pressures are achieved in the improved gas generating composition by adding an effective amount of a copper or copper compound catalyst to a gas generating composition that is preferably a eutectic mixture or solid solution of ammonium nitrate, at least one highly oxygenated fuel, potassium or cesium perchlorate or nitrate and an optional binder.

Gas generating composition

Solid gas generant compositions produce low particulates (e.g., condensed ash) when ignited. The solid gas generant compositions most preferably include a nitramine, at least one oxidizer selected from nitrates of strontium or cerium, in admixture with or without potassium perchlorate, and a binder. Graphite may optionally be employed. The gas generant compositions are usefully employed in inflatable vehicle occupant passive restraint systems (e.g., air bag systems).

Low ash gas generant and ignition compositions for vehicle occupant passive restraint systems

Fire suppressant compositions which are substantially free of ammonium nitrate and which comprise potassium nitrate in an amount sufficient to generate at least about 10 wt. % potassium carbonate when combusted. Most preferably, a guanidine salt, such as guanidine nitrate, is used in combination with the potassium nitrate. The compositions employed in the present invention have low pressure exponents, high burning rates and low flame temperatures.

Fire suppressant compositions

A family of Class 1.3 propellant compositions comprising nitrocellulose, at least one of a selected group of plasticizing nitrate esters, a thermal stabilizer, carbon and an energetic solid, and a method of making the family of propellant compositions is provided.

Double base propellant containing 5-aminotetrazole

A fire suppressant composition is provided which exhibits a low pressure and low flame temperature. The composition comprises ammonium nitrate and a guanidine salt or derivative which produces greater than 3 moles of inert gas per 100 grams of composition and alkali metal or alkaline earth salts for flame suppression. The composition may also include iron or iron oxide.

Fire suppressant

A gas-generating composition for inflating inflation devices such as air bags, life rafts, slide chutes, and the like which comprises an oxidizer component, cellulose acetate and plasticizer. The cellulose acetate and plasticizer provides a binder system which does not produce hazardous compounds upon combustion. Molded articles can be formed by injection molding or extruding the composition.

Extrudable gas-generating compositions

Particulate-free non-toxic gases are generated in a hybrid generator device by conducting the ignition of the propellant with an effective oxidizer, using a mixture of a molecular oxygen-containing gas and argon by varying the ratio of said gas to argon to provide only non-toxic reaction products in the exhaust gas.

Use of mixed gases in hybrid air bag inflators

An improved rocket motor and a method for its manufacture are characterized by the provision of a thermoplastic elastomer binder in the outer casing, the insulation layer, and the propellant. When the motor is heated to the melting point of the binder, the bondlines between the propellant and insulation and between the insulation and casing are simultaneously fused to form a unitary motor structure.

Growing community of inventors

Manassas, VA, United States of America

James D Martin