Abstract: An auto ignition composition is provided that contains a sugar and/or carboxylic acid such as DL-tartaric acid as a first fuel; a binder; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal chlorate such as potassium chlorate as a first oxidizer. Alkali metal perchlorates such as potassium perchlorate may also be included as a second oxidizer. The composition(s) is typically contained within a gas generating system such as an airbag inflator or seat belt assembly, or more broadly within a vehicle occupant protection system. The compositions may also be applied to the insides of military armament.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a vehicle component is presented, wherein the vehicle component has at least one dimensional length, the method containing the steps of: providing an elongated perforated inflator substantially coextensive with said at least one dimensional length; fixing said elongated perforated inflator within said vehicle component along said at least one dimensional length, such that said inflator functions as a structural member of said vehicle component; providing a propellant bed substantially coextensive with said elongated perforated inflator; and providing an airbag in fluid communication with said inflator and substantially coextensive therewith, said airbag stored within said vehicle component.

Abstract: A gas generating system devoid of a booster chamber. The inflator includes a composition having a metal chlorate as a first oxidizer, a primary fuel selected from carboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, and mixtures thereof, and a second oxidizer not having perchlorate character. The metal chlorate is provided at about 10-20 wt %, the primary fuel is provided at about 15-45 wt %, and the second oxidizer is provided at about 30-50 wt % stated by weight of the total composition.

Abstract: Selective non-catalytic reducing (SNCR) compounds, independent of the gas generant composition, reduce the toxicity of effluent gases produced by combustion of nonazide gas generating compositions used to inflate vehicle occupant restraint systems. It is believed that reaction of the NH2 radical (formed from the SNCR compound) with NO in the combustion gas forms N2 thereby decreasing the concentration of toxic nitrogen oxides therein. Heterogeneous placement of the reducing compound proximate to the gas generant bed within a gas generator ensures intimate contact with the combustion gases, and yet still provides a noninvasive method of toxic gas reduction.

Abstract: The present invention provides an airbelt inflator (10) designed primarily for supplying and directing gas from the combustion of gas generant materials into a vehicle airbelt. Inflator (10) includes a substantially cylindrical inflator body (12), having a first end (11) and a second end (13). A unique booster cup (22) is positioned within inflator body (12), and is preferably press fit with initiator body (15), suspending cup (22) within inflator body (12). Cup (22) facilitates consistent burn of the main propellant, imparting repeatable bag performance. A cylindrical mesh filter (38) is positioned in inflator body (12). A nozzle (36) is preferably positioned adjacent a disc (30). A variety of different nozzles giving inflator (10) varying gas output characteristics can be utilized with inflator (10), for example thrusting inflators or thrust-neutral inflators, depending on the operating requirements of the airbelt system.

Abstract: The present invention includes a gas generator 10 that incorporates a gas generating composition 12 and a scavenging additive 16 in heterogeneous but vapor/gaseous communication with the gas generating composition 12. The scavenging additive retains moisture/contaminants typically evolving over time at relatively higher temperatures. The present invention further includes a gas generating system 180 incorporating the gas generator 10.

Abstract: An inflator for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system. The inflator includes a pressure vessel having an opening formed therein. A quantity of relatively unreactive pressurized gas is stored in the pressure vessel. A quantity of a gas generant composition is positioned in an interior of the pressure vessel and in fluid communication with the pressurized gas. An igniter is positioned proximate the gas generant for initiating combustion of the gas generant. A rupturable, fluid-tight seal is positioned to seal the opening in the pressure vessel for maintaining the pressurized gas within the pressure vessel prior to activation of the igniter. Activation of the igniter results in combustion of the gas generant. Pressure from the combustion gases, in combination with the pressure of the gases stored under pressure in vessel, cause the burst disk to rupture, providing an inflation gas to an associated vehicle airbag, for example.

Abstract: A multi-chamber gas generating system (10) has a housing (12) with openings (24) formed in a wall thereof. A gas-tight internal divider (42) separates the housing into two chambers (80, 80?). A first gas generating sub-assembly (100) incorporating a baffle system is positioned in the first chamber (100). The sub-assembly (100) includes a first tubular member (44) and a second tubular member (52) positioned within the first member. The first and second members have openings (49, 54) formed therein to enable fluid communication between a combustion chamber of the sub-assembly and the housing openings (24). The first sub-assembly openings (49, 54) are axially displaced from the housing openings (24) such that combustion products flow in opposing first and second axial directions between the first sub-assembly combustion chamber and the housing openings. A second sub-assembly (100?) of substantially identical construction is positioned in the housing second chamber (80?).

Abstract: A gas generating system (10) includes a tubular outer housing (12) having a longitudinal axis (L) and one or more apertures (12d) formed therealong to enable fluid communication between an interior of the outer housing and an exterior of the outer housing. A tubular inner housing (70) is positioned within the interior of the outer housing (12). The inner housing (70) includes one or more apertures (70d) formed therealong to enable fluid communication between an interior of the inner housing and an exterior of the inner housing. A first tubular baffle (80) is provided for cooling and regulating a flow of gas produced by the gas generating system (10). The first baffle (80) has a plurality of corrugations (80c) formed therealong and is positioned between the inner housing (70) and the outer housing (12) to define a gas flow channel (82) extending between the first baffle (80) and the inner housing (70).

Abstract: A solid propellant gas generator contains a bed of agglomerated or beaded hydrated gelatin. The gelatin/water bed is oriented such that at least substantially filtered combustion products are humidified by the water vapor as the filtered combustion products pass over the bed. Relative thereto, a method of improving the release and inflation of an airbag of a vehicle occupant protection system is also described. Humidification of at least substantially filtered combustion products results in a reduced pressure requirement to open and inflate a stored airbag in fluid communication with the gas generator.

Abstract: High nitrogen nonazide gas compositions, useful in inflating passenger restraint gas inflator bags, contain a high energy substituted tetrazole or bitetrazole that forms a naturally occurring hydrate and phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) as a primary oxidizer. The combination results in gas generants that are relatively more stable and less explosive, have improved ignitability and burn rates, and generate more gas and less solids at lower operating pressures than known gas generant compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an airbelt inflator (10) designed primarily for supplying and directing gas from the combustion of gas generant materials into a vehicle airbelt. Inflator (10) includes a substantially cylindrical inflator body (12), having a first end (11) and a second end (13). A unique booster cup (22) is positioned within inflator body (12), and is preferably press fit with initiator body (15), suspending cup (22) within inflator body (12). Cup (22) facilitates consistent burn of the main propellant, imparting repeatable bag performance. A cylindrical mesh filter (38) is positioned in inflator body (12). A nozzle (36) is preferably positioned adjacent a disc (30). A variety of different nozzles giving inflator (10) varying gas output characteristics can be utilized with inflator (10), for example thrusting inflators or thrust-neutral inflators, depending on the operating requirements of the airbelt system.

Abstract: An inflator 10 of a vehicle occupant protection system contains an elongated housing 12 having a plurality of gas exit orifices 14 spaced along the length thereof. An ignition body 30 and propellant 16 are provided in lengths substantially equivalent to the length of the housing 12 wherein the ignition body 30 is placed in physical contact with the propellant body 16 for all or most of their respective lengths. Once the ignition body 30 is ignited upon a crash event, resultant uniform ignition and combustion across the length of the propellant 16 results in uniform gas generation and uniform inflation of an airbag 26, wherein the airbag 26 is at least substantially coextensive with and in fluid communication with the housing 12. Preferred mixtures of propellant 16 contain silicone, a perchlorate oxidizer, and a coolant.

Abstract: A solid propellant gas generator contains a bed of agglomerated or beaded hydrated gelatin. The gelatin/water bed is oriented such that at least substantially filtered combustion products are humidified by the water vapor as the filtered combustion products pass over the bed. Relative thereto, a method of improving the release and inflation of an airbag of a vehicle occupant protection system is also described. Humidification of at least substantially filtered combustion products results in a reduced pressure requirement to open and inflate a stored airbag in fluid communication with the gas generator.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inflator 10 for an inflatable restraint system in an automobile. The inflator includes an elongate inflator body 11 having a plurality of inflation apertures 40 and defining a first combustion chamber 25 wherein a first propellant charge 28 is positioned. A partitioning assembly 26 is nested within the inflator body 11, and positioned proximate the second end 17. The partitioning assembly 26 defines a second combustion chamber 35 wherein a second propellant charge 38 is positioned. First and second initiators 12 and 9 are provided, and are selectively operable to ignite the propellant charges 28 and 38 respectively, thereby supplying an inflation gas via the first chamber 25 to an inflatable restraint cushion.

Abstract: A solid propellant gas generator contains a bed of agglomerated or beaded hydrated gelatin. The gelatin/water bed is oriented such that at least substantially filtered combustion products are humidified by the water vapor as the filtered combustion products pass over the bed. Relative thereto, a method of improving the release and inflation of an airbag of a vehicle occupant protection system is also described. Humidification of at least substantially filtered combustion products results in a reduced pressure requirement to open and inflate a stored airbag in fluid communication with the gas generator.

Abstract: High nitrogen nonazide gas compositions, useful in inflating passenger restraint gas inflator bags, contain a high energy substituted tetrazole or bitetrazole that forms a naturally occurring hydrate and phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) as a primary oxidizer. The combination results in gas generants that are relatively more stable and less explosive, have improved ignitability and burn rates, and generate more gas and less solids at lower operating pressures than known gas generant compositions.

Abstract: Known gas generant compositions, absent elastomeric binders, are coated with silicone thereby providing a composition that exhibits enhanced moisture protection, ballistic performance, combustion properties, and gas production.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inflator 10 for an inflatable restraint system in an automobile. The inflator includes an elongate inflator body 11 having a plurality of inflation apertures 40 and defining a first combustion chamber 25 wherein a first propellant charge 28 is positioned. A partitioning assembly 26 is nested within the inflator body 11, and positioned proximate the second end 17. The partitioning assembly 26 defines a second combustion chamber 35 wherein a second propellant charge 38 is positioned. First and second initiators 12 and 9 are provided, and are selectively operable to ignite the propellant charges 28 and 38 respectively, thereby supplying an inflation gas via the first chamber 25 to an inflatable restraint cushion.

Abstract: Preferred gas generant compositions incorporate a combination of 5-aminotetrazole nitrate and an oxidizer. The oxidizer may be selected from a group including nonmetal and metal nitrates, nitrites, chlorates, chlorites, perchlorates, and oxides. 5-aminotetrazole nitrate is characterized as an oxygen-rich fuel and is therefore considered to be a self-deflagrating fuel. To tailor the oxygen balance in certain applications, however, the use of an oxidizer is preferred. Methods of formulating the compositions are also described. These compositions are especially suitable for inflating air bags and actuating seatbelt pretensioners in passenger-restraint devices.