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.

Abstract: An airbag module (10) contains a gas generating inflator (18) containing a plurality of apertures (24) in radially spaced relation to an external annular filter (40) constrained by a retainer (42). The plurality of apertures (24) are each radially aligned with the filter (40). Gases produced from inflator (18) are thus cooled and dispersed with a minimum pressure drop, thereby providing a pressure sufficient to inflate an airbag (16).

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: Thermally stable gas generant compositions incorporate a combination of nitroguanidine, one or more nonazide high-nitrogen fuels, and phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate or a similar nonmetallic oxidizer that, upon combustion, result in a greater yield of gaseous products per mass unit of gas generant, a reduced yield of solid combustion products, and acceptable burn rates, thermal stability, and ballistic properties. These compositions are especially suitable for inflating air bags in passenger-restraint devices.

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. These compositions are especially suitable for inflating air bags and actuating seatbelt pretensioners in passenger-restraint devices.

Abstract: High nitrogen nonazide gas compositions, useful in inflating passenger restraint gas inflator bags, comprise a nonmetal salt of triazole or tetrazole fuel, phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) as a primary oxidizer, a metallic second oxidizer, and an inert component such as clay or mica. The combination of these constituents results in gas generants that are relatively more stable and less explosive, have improved ignitability and satisfactory burn rates, have sustained combustion throughout the various combustion pressures at the inflator level, and generate more gas and less solids than known gas generant compositions.

Abstract: Thermally stable gas generant compositions incorporate a combination of one or more primary nonazide high-nitrogen fuels selected from a group including tetrazoles, bitetrazoles, and triazoles, and salts thereof; and one or more secondary nonazide high nitrogen fuels selected from azodicarbonamide and hydrazodicarbonamide. The primary and secondary fuels are combined with phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate that when combusted, results in a greater yield of gaseous products per mass unit of gas generant, a reduced yield of solid combustion products, lower combustion temperatures, and acceptable burn rates, thermal stability, and ballistic properties. These compositions are especially suitable for inflating air bags in passenger-restraint devices.

Abstract: High nitrogen nonazide gas compositions, useful in inflating passenger restraint gas inflator bags, comprise an amine salt of triazole or tetrazole fuel, and phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) as an oxidizer. The combination of the amine azole salt and phase stabilized ammonium nitrate 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 than known gas generant compositions.

Abstract: Multicomponent pyrotechnic gas generating compositions are provided which comprise a single or multiple nonazide fuel. The single and multiple fuels are selected from guanidine, azole, and other high nitrogen aliphatic, aromatic, and/or heterocyclic compounds. The fuels are blended with single and multiple oxidizers. Other materials are added to the compositions for processing, aiding ignition, enhancing ballistics, reducing particulates, and scavenging undesirable gaseous decomposition products. A significant amount of nontoxic gas is formed at acceptable flame temperatures when these compositions are combusted, which allow their use in automotive air bag safety systems.

Abstract: A filter for an air bag inflator comprises juxtaposed layers of pierced sheet metal, wire cloth of a first relatively low mesh, ceramic filter media and wire cloth of relatively larger mesh in a radially outwardly extending array.

Abstract: A gas generator (10) utilizes at least three segregated propellant container/combustion chambers (22, 32 and 34), each having a plurality of nonazide propellant grains (20, 36 and 38) therein, and an igniter (16) for igniting only the propellant grains (20) located within the first combustion chamber (22). The nonazide propellant produces enough heat energy to subsequently ignite the segregated propellant grains (36 and 38) by forced convection and/or heat conduction. The output inflation profile can be tailored to optimally cover a range of 10 to 90 percentile vehicle occupants.

Abstract: Fabric coatings and methods reduce the toxicity of effluent gases produced by combustion of nonazide gas generating compositions used to inflate vehicle occupant restraint systems. Passing the effluent gases into a coating comprising an alkaline material reduces the concentration of toxic oxides of nitrogen therein. Further, passing the effluent gases into a coating comprising an oxidation catalyst reduces the concentration of carbon monoxide therein.

Abstract: Nonazide gas generating compositions are formed from a nonazide fuel, an oxidizer, a slag former, and a built-in catalyst comprising an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, or transition metal salt of tetrazoles, bitetrazoles, and triazoles, or a transition metal oxide. The built-in catalyst promotes the conversion of nitrogen oxides (NO.sub.x) and carbon monoxide to nitrogen gas (N.sub.2) and carbon dioxide, respectively. The gas generants are therefore nontoxic and useful for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint system.

Abstract: Autoigniting compositions and processes for a gas generator of a vehicle occupant restraint system result in rapid autoignition at relatively low temperatures from approximately 135.degree. C. to 210.degree. C., 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 safely manufactured by wet blending, remain effective following long-term high temperature ageing, and produce an energy output that is suitable for use with gas generating compositions.