Abstract: Disclosed is a composition and method for the inflation of passive restraint systems, i.e., crash bags. The method, which uses the gases produced by the ignition of certain alkali metal azides in combination with certain metal halides for inflation of the bag, provides a non-toxic gas for inflation. Use of sufficient metal halide to provide halogen in an amount at least stoichiometric with the alkali metal prevents the formation of free alkali metal, the latter considered to be toxic and to present an unsuitable material in passive restraint systems.

Abstract: A method for increasing the flow of earth strata contained fluid, such as natural gas and oil, to a well shaft from surrounding rock formations by explosive fracturing said rock formations with the substantial elimination of the formation of water in the resulting rock fractures and rock formation adjacent to the fractures.

Abstract: A solid laser oxidizer source suitable for use in a HF or DF chemical laser.

Abstract: An automatically inflating lifesaving buoy device having a gas generating device in which the gas generating composition is ignited by an electric ignition device powered by a water-activated electric cell or battery. The gas then generated is cooled as it flows into an inflatable bag to form the lifesaving buoy.

Abstract: A solid propellant gas generator consisting of 45-65 weight percent calcium oxide, 25-45 weight percent calcium azide, and 8-11 weight percent calcium nitrate which produces pure nitrogen gas at temperatures above 2200.degree. K in the complete absence of other gaseous products and metallic vapors.

Abstract: A relatively low temperature nitrogen gas generating composition is disclosed which consists essentially of (a) from about 10 to about 50 percent by weight of an oxidizer selected from the oxides of iron, nickel and cobalt, said oxidizer having a primary particle size in the range from about 0.1 micron to about 7 microns in diameter; and, (b) at least 50 percent by weight of an alkali metal azide. Optionally, less than about 10 percent by weight of an alkali metal perchlorate may be included as a booster. The nitrogen gas generating composition provides the nitrogen gas at a low enough temperature but at a sufficiently high speed, without generating a large quantity of finely divided solid residue particles. A major portion of the combustion residue is a coherent porous solid sinter or fused mass of residue particles which autogenously provides both self-filtration of ejected particles and sorption of any molten combustion product.

Abstract: A gas-generating agent for inflating air bags comprises finely divided particles of a co-precipitation compound made by the following steps: (1) uniformly mixing in water to form an aqueous solution a composition comprising (a) one or a mixture of two or more alkali metal azides and/or alkaline earth metal azides and (b) an aqueous solution of a composition comprising one or a mixture of two or more nitrates or perchlorates of alkali metals or alkaline earth metals; or mixing (a) and (b) plus (c) finely divided particles of silicon dioxide; or mixing (a), (b) and (c) plus (d) fine glass powder; (2) mixing the resulting solution or suspension with a water-soluble organic solvent; and (3) separating and drying the co-precipitation compound thus obtained. The gas-generating agent will not produce toxic compounds such as sodium metal and sodium peroxide which might injure the car driver and passengers. Further, when low softening glass is added, the maximum temperature of combustion will be lowered.

Abstract: A priming explosive is produced by mixing an aqueous solution of a finely divided explosive substance such as in colloidal form with a plastic polymeric carrier and a plasticizer whereby the explosive substance is rendered mechanically workable and has little sensitivity to mechanical shock and electrical impulses. The resulting plastic product is then molded by conventional molding techniques into sheets or films and used as a primer, optionally, by itself without any metal parts. The molded product may be applied to a main explosive mass as a coating or as a strip or it can be formed as a condensor of alternating conductive and insulative layers which is detonated by electrical impulse.

Abstract: Primary explosives, e.g. lead azide, dispersed in a liquid medium, e.g. enol, are filtered, washed and dried in a novel centrifuge, wherein the rotatable extractor basket has an open bottom, which is closed by peripheral attachment to the large open end of an invertible funnel. The small open end of the funnel is attached to an axial shaft, which can be raised and lowered, whereby said small open end can be held upright to retain the contents in said basket and lowered to invert the funnel to discharge the dried free-flowing explosive particles by gravity through said small open end.

Abstract: A gas generating composition containing nickel oxide or iron oxide and an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal azide, preferably fabricated in the form of tablets or granules. Upon ignition the composition generates nitrogen gas. The gas generating reaction takes place at a relatively low temperature and the solid products of the reaction form a sinter that is readily retained by a filter. The composition is useful for inflating the bags of automobile passive restraint systems.

Abstract: Cooled gas generating solid propellant, includes sodium azide or lithium de as a nitrogen gas source, a fluorocarbon binder material, a combustion catalyst, and alkaline metal acid salt coolant.

Abstract: 1. A solid rocket propellant composition which consists essentially of from about:1. 30-60 weight per cent of a double base propellant2. 5-30 weight per cent of a finely divided metal fuel3. 5-30 weight per cent of an inorganic oxidizer4. 10-30 weight per cent of triaminoguanidinium azide.

Abstract: This invention involves the incorporation of a relatively small quantity of irconium or other pyrophoric material in the high explosive composition of a munition, which provides incendiary, terrain illumination, spotting, and enhanced antipersonnel properties to the munition with little or no diminution of its explosive and fragmentation power.

Abstract: A flame-explosion couple is disclosed which upon ignition burns for a period of time in a relatively stable manner and thereafter explodes to produce fragments which continue to burn for a further period of time. The composition may comprise from 40 to 89 percent by weight of a volatile liquid fuel, from 10 to 50 percent by weight of a secondary explosive or strong metal salt oxidizer and from 0.5 to 5 percent by weight of an explosive primer. It is usually desirable to incorporate a gellant in the composition to give it a jellylike consistency of a desired viscosity. The composition may optionally contain combustible metal powders and combustible polymers.

Abstract: A propellant composition for the generation of nontoxic propellant gases suitable for the inflation of air cushion protective devices for passengers in motor vehicles comprises mixtures of (a) at least one stable metal azide, (b) at least one oxidant metal compound, and (c) silicon dioxide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pyrotechnic composition and a method for the inflation of passive restraint systems, i.e., crash bags. The method utilizes gases produced by the ignition and burning of a pyrotechnic composition containing an alkali metal azide, a metal halide and an inorganic perchlorate.

Abstract: A solid composition capable of self-sustained combustion to produce gaseous nitrogen and nonvolatile solids as its combustion products comprises a mixture of a first metal azide and the oxide or salt of a second metal which second metal is below the first metal in the electrochemical series and which is capable of being substituted by the first metal in the oxide or salt. Many combinations of various components may be used, but some care is required to select only those combinations in which the solid products are nonvolatile at the temperatures encountered during the combustion. A representative system employes iron oxide and sodium azide according to the following reactions:Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 +6NaN.sub.3 .fwdarw.2Fe+3Na.sub.2 O+9N.sub.2 .uparw.Another embodiment of the invention generates mixtures of nitrogen and other gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and/or water particularly suitable for use in lasers.