Patents by Inventor William P. Sampson

William P. Sampson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Process for preparing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate
    Publication number: 20020098143
    Abstract: A process for preparing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate comprises the following steps. A solution of ammonium nitrate (12), a phase stabilizer (26), and an inert liquid (20) is prepared. The solution is atomized to form a stream of droplets. The droplets (54) are freeze dried to form phase stabilized ammonium nitrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Sampson, Peter J. Astrauskas
  • Igniter having a hot melt ignition droplet
    Patent number: 6230624
    Abstract: An electrically actuatable igniter (24) comprises a body (60), a pair of electrodes (40) and (42) associated with the body (60), a heating element (44) electrically connected between the electrodes (40) and (42), and an ignition droplet (46) covering and adhering to the heating element (44). The ignition droplet (46) comprises a particulate primary pyrotechnic material and a secondary pyrotechnic material. The secondary pyrotechnic material has a melting point below the autoignition temperature of the primary pyrotechnic material. The secondary pyrotechnic material is in the form of a continuous, solid matrix (112) containing and adhering together the particles (114) of the primary pyrotechnic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn R. Chatley, Jr., William P. Sampson
  • Vehicle occupant restraint with auto ignition material
    Patent number: 5556132
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an inflator housing (12) and gas generating material (90) within the housing (12). The apparatus has an initiator (20) for igniting the gas generating material (90). The initiator (20) has a heat conductive member (180). The heat conductive member (180) contains an auto ignition material (190). The auto ignition material (190) ignites at a temperature lower than the ignition temperature of the gas generating material (90). The heat conductive member (180) has a surface (184) external to the housing (12). The external surface (184) senses a high temperature such as one created by a fire. This temperature is transmitted to the auto ignition material (90), igniting the auto ignition material. The auto ignition material (190), when ignited, starts an ignition train which ignites the gas generating material (90).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: William P. Sampson
  • Gas generator for vehicle occupant restraint
    Patent number: 5324075
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint assembly comprises a vehicle occupant restraint (20), a housing (14), gas generating material (16) within the housing, an igniter (18) for the gas generating material, and gas flow means (22) for directing gas from the housing to the vehicle occupant restraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: William P. Sampson