Abstract: A method of making a gas generant formulation which contains a transition metal diammine dinitrate is provided wherein a transition metal nitrate is reacted with an ammonia source to form an aqueous slurry containing a corresponding reaction mixture. A spray dryable precursor to the gas generant formulation is formed including at least a gas generating fuel and a sufficient quantity of water to render the precursor spray dryable. The precursor is subsequently spray dried to form a gas generant powder. The method may also include a relatively mild heat treatment of the dried material, either as a part of the spray drying or subsequent to such spray drying.

Abstract: An igniter composition for a gas generant and related methods of gas generation are provided in which the igniter composition desirably avoids or is not prone to being ignited by thermal means at ambient pressure conditions.

Abstract: Basic copper nitrate-containing gas generant compositions and associated methods are provided for producing or resulting in increased burn rates via the inclusion of an effective amount of one or more metal (e.g., Al, Ti, Zn, Mg and/or Zr) oxide additives.

Abstract: Gas generant compositions, such as may be suited for use in inflating automotive inflatable restraint airbag cushions, are provided. Such gas generant compositions generally contain a mixture of guanidine nitrate, ammonium nitrate, and a transition metal ammine nitrate, such as copper diammine dinitrate and preferably also contain one or more ballistic additives.

Abstract: Gas generant compositions and methods of processing are provided which produce or result in a relatively high burning rate and low burning rate pressure exponent, while also desirably providing a high gas output, as compared to normal or typical gas generant formulations such as used in association with vehicle occupant restraint airbag cushions.

Abstract: An ignition enhanced gas generant grain and method of making an ignition enhanced gas generant involving the application of a dry blend igniter composition to a gas generant particle having a wet adhesive surface.

Abstract: Igniter compositions and methods of processing are provided which produce or result in relatively little particulate material, as compared to typical igniter compositions used in association with vehicle occupant restraint airbag cushions.

Abstract: Gas generant compositions and methods of processing are provided which produce or result in a relatively high burning rate and low burning rate pressure exponent, while also desirably providing a high gas output, as compared to normal or typical gas generant formulations such as used in association with vehicle occupant restraint airbag cushions.

Abstract: An ignition enhanced gas generant material and method of making the same utilizing a solvent effective to partially solubilize at least one component of each of a selected ignition composition and, upon application to the gas generant material, at least one component of an associated gas generant material.

Abstract: Chemical coolant formulations for treating the hot gas formed by an airbag inflator and corresponding methods of inflating an airbag cushion are provided. The chemical coolant formulations include a first ingredient which, when contacted by the hot gas, endothermically decomposes to form a cooling gas and a solid slag component and a second ingredient which, when contacted by the hot gas, forms a liquid slag component. The solid and liquid slag components cooperate to form a unified slag mass.

Abstract: A stringed instrument such as a hollow body guitar has a neck portion that extends under the tail of the fretboard. The body of the instrument has a pair of recesses which mate with respective tail and heel surfaces on the neck portion. Spacers are placed in the recesses in order to adjust the spacing and angle of the neck portion relative to the instrument's body. If the neck and body are connected to each other by bolts, then any misalignment between the neck and body can be cured by removing the bolts, replacing the spacers with spacers of a different thickness and/or wedge shape, and replacing the bolts. Additional structural components can be added to the neck and inside the body of the instrument in order to further enhance its structural integrity.

Abstract: An improved heat generating thermite composition suitable for use in an inflator of a motor vehicle airbag restraint system comprises a hard consolidated pellet, grain or wafer shaped formulation of a powdered metal fuel, a powdered metal oxide oxidizer, a binder and a supplemental oxidizing agent.

Abstract: Multiple bridgewires are distributed through the length of the elongated tubular igniter of an automotive vehicle passenger side inflator. Upon receipt of an electrical stimulus the bridgewires ignite sensitive booster charges which ignite ignition powder within the igniter tube at the multiple distributed bridgewire locations. The use of this system eliminates the need for high velocity pyrotechnics in the ignition system to ignite the inflator gas generant within acceptable time constraints when the tubular igniter is ignited from one end by an initiator, and replaces the squib initiator.

Abstract: A gas generant charge comprises a heterogeneous mixture of between about 80 and about 95 wt % of a first gas generant composition 1) and between about 5 and about 20 wt % of a second gas generant composition 2), based on the total weight of 1) plus 2). The first gas generant composition 1) comprises between about 20 and about 40 wt % fuel A) and between about 20 and about 60 wt % oxidizer B). Between about 50 and about 85 wt % of the fuel A) is a triazole or tetrazole compound A.sup.1), and between about 15 and about 50 wt % of the fuel is, a water-soluble fuel A.sup.2). At least about 20 wt % of the oxidizer B), up to 100%, a transition metal oxide B.sup.1); balance of the oxidizer is selected from the group B.sup.2) consisting of alkali and/or alkaline earth metal nitrates, chlorates or perchlorates.

Abstract: An improved heat generating thermite composition suitable for use in an inflator of a motor vehicle airbag restraint system comprises a hard consolidated pellet, grain or wafer shaped formulation of a powdered metal fuel, a powdered metal oxide oxidizer, a binder and a supplemental oxidizing agent.

Abstract: Gas generant compositions utilize cupric nitrate complexes of nitrogen-containing compounds as fuels in conjunction with an oxidizer.

Abstract: A gas generant composition contains no hydrogen, using as the major fuel component cupric and/or zinc bitetrazole and as a major oxidizer component CuO and/or Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3. A minor fuel component may be a salt of dicyanamide which reduces processing sensitivity of the composition. A minor oxidizer component may be a nitrate, chlorate, or perchlorate salt.

Abstract: Igniters for use in airbag inflators are disclosed. The igniters are fabricated of consumable materials which produce essentially no solid by-products. The igniters, or parts thereof, can be formed by molding or extrusion processes. The invention also provides a consumable auto-ignition cap as part of one of the embodiments of the igniter assembly.

Abstract: An inflation system for automotive airbags which comprises a pyrogenic solid grain with igniter strips provided in grooves on its external surface. Upon ignition, the solid grain burns from its external surface inwardly while allowing the generated gas to pass freely from its external surface. Preferably both the pyrogenic solid grain and the igniter strips are extrusions, providing a simplified, less expensive manufacture.

Abstract: A gas generant composition comprises between about 30 and about 85 wt. % of A) fuel, and between about 15 and about 70 wt % of B) oxidizer based on total weight of A) plus B). At least about 60 wt %, up to 100 wt % of the fuel A) comprises an nitrate salt of a polyamine of the general formula selected from the group consisting of: ##STR1## wherein in formulae (I)-(III) the Zs are the same or different and are selected from H and NH.sub.2,(IV) C.sub.2 -C.sub.3 -alkyl diamine, and mixtures thereof. At least about 60 wt %, up to 100 wt % of the oxidizer B) comprises basic copper(II) nitrate, i.e. Cu(NO.sub.3).sub.2.3Cu(OH).sub.2 and/or cobalt(III)triammine trinitrate, i.e., Co(NH.sub.3).sub.3.(NO.sub.3).sub.3.