Alkali Metal Or Alkaline Earth Metal Nitrate Salt Patents (Class 149/61)
  • Patent number: 6964716
    Abstract: Provided is a gas generating composition having a low combustion temperature and having a low produced amount of toxic carbon monoxide, ammonia and nitrogen oxides at the time of combustion. The gas generating composition includes the following components (a), (b) and (c) and optionally the component (d) and/or the component (e): (a) an organic compound as fuel; (b) an oxygen-containing oxidizing agent; (c) aluminum hydroxide; (d) a binder; and (e) an additive selected from metal oxides and metal carbide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jianzhou Wu
  • Patent number: 6949236
    Abstract: Addition of an aminosulfonate product to an inorganic nitrogen-containing salt provides a composition of matter with improved properties. In particular, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid and its derivatives can be added to ammonium nitrate to provide improved prills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: Kastrui Lal, Alvin E. Haas, Ricardo M. Collins, Jeffrey M. Carey
  • Patent number: 6918976
    Abstract: A gas generating composition which contains a nitrogenous organic compound as a fuel component and generates, at a high gasification rate, a clean gas harmless to the human body. The composition of the present invention comprises a nitrogenous organic compound as a fuel component and ammonium perchlorate and the nitrate of an alkaline metal or alkaline earth metal as oxidizing agents, wherein where a quantity of nitrate required solely for forming an oxide of alkaline metal or alkaline earth metal that can stoichiometrically neutralize hydrogen chloride generated from ammonium perchlorate is taken as 1, a quantity of nitrate of said alkaline metal or alkaline earth metal exceeds 0.9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki-Kaisha
    Inventors: Eishi Sato, Dairi Kubo, Kenjiro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6860951
    Abstract: A low-solids gas generating composition, which is a mixture of a fuel selected for the group consisting of cellulose, cellulose acetate, hexamine, and mixtures thereof, and an oxidizer selected from the group consisting of ceric ammonium nitrate, lithium nitrate, lithium perchlorate, sodium perchlorate, phase stabilized ammonium nitrate, a combination of ammonium nitrate with potassium nitrate, potassium perchlorate, or mixtures thereof, such that the combination is a solid solution, a mixture of ammonium perchlorate and at least one alkali metal salt, and mixtures thereof. The combination of ammonium nitrate with other salts in solid solution is intended to phase stabilize the ammonium nitrate. The oxidizer-fuel mixture is within about 4 percent of stoichiometric balance. Useful alkali metal salts include lithium carbonate, lithium nitrate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Talley Defense Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory D. Knowlton, Christopher P. Ludwig, Daniel V. Haun
  • Patent number: 6846373
    Abstract: A gas-generating composition having superior gasification rate, appropriate combustion rate, and suppressed carbon monoxide generation. The gas-generating composition includes ammonium nitrate, metal oxyacid salt, ammonium perchlorate, and combusting component. A basic combustion residue derived from the metal oxyacid salt is neutralized by hydrogen chloride derived from the ammonium perchlorate, thereby substantially neutralizing combustion residue of the gas-generating composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: NOF Corporation
    Inventors: Shinsuke Takayama, Kazuya Serizawa, Katsuhiko Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6824626
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a solvent-free gas-generating pyrotechnic composition, and a method for continuously manufacturing the composition in a twin-screw mixer-extruder, the composition including a binder, a nitrogenous organic compound, an oxidizing filler, and optionally at least one additive; the oxidizing filler including an ammonium perchlorate and a chlorine scavenger; the binder including at least one polymer, having a molecular mass greater than 200,000 and selected from a polyester polymer and an acrylic ester, and wherein the binder uncliding at least one liquid constituent selected from a polyester resin and a plasticizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: SNPE
    Inventors: Dimitri Charrette, Georges Chounet
  • Publication number: 20040231770
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas-generating substance which consists of nitrous oxide and/or nitrogen monoxide and one or more combustibles which are solid at room temperature and normal pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Ulrich Bley, Uwe Brede, Rainer Hagel, Klaus Redecker
  • Publication number: 20040216820
    Abstract: Pyrotechnic compositions which include about 45 to about 90 weight percent of a fuel material of cobalt III nitrate complex with ammonia or water ligands, and about 10 to about 55 weight percent of a combination of a combination of a burn rate catalyst of copper bis ethylenediamine dinitrate and an oxidizer of basic copper nitrate are provided to result in relatively high gas outputs and burn rates. The compositions desirably include the cobalt III nitrate complex in a greater relative amount than either the copper complex of ethylenediamine dinitrate or the basic copper nitrate; the copper complex of ethylenediamine dinitrate is present in a relative amount of at least about 2 weight percent and the basic copper nitrate is present in a relative amount of at least 1.5 times the relative amount of the copper complex of ethylenediamine dinitrate. Also provided are corresponding or associated gas generating devices and inflatable vehicle occupant safety restraint systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Ivan V. Mendenhall, Robert D. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6780209
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a composition comprising a partially dehydrated product made by: (I) reacting (A) a hydrocarbyl substituted succinic acid or anhydride with (B) a polyol, a polyamine, a hydroxyamine, or a mixture of two or more thereof, to form a first intermediate product comprising: an ester, partial ester or mixture thereof when (B) is a polyol; an amide, imide, salt, amide/salt, partial amide or mixture of two or more thereof when (B) is a polyamine; or an ester, partial ester, amide, partial amide, amide/salt, imide, ester/salt, salt or a mixture of two or more thereof when (B) is a hydroxyamine, a mixture of a polyol and a polyamine, a mixture of a polyol and a hydroxyamine, a mixture of a polyamine and a hydroxyamine, or a mixture of a polyol, a polyamine and a hydroxyamine; the hydrocarbyl substituent of said acid or anhydride having an average of about 8 to about 200 carbon atoms; and (II) heating said first intermediate product at an effective temperature to form a second interme
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: Brian B. Filippini, Richard M. Lange, Bryan A. Grisso, Bryn Hird
  • Publication number: 20040154713
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lead-free, non-toxic priming composition, comprising: 20-40 wt % of a dinitrobenzofuroxan salt; 2-10 wt % of a sensitizer; 0-30 wt % of an oxidizer; and 45-70 wt % of an abrasive, wherein all weight percents are based on the total weight of said composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: George C. Mei, James W. Pickett
  • Publication number: 20040144457
    Abstract: Sulfur free propellant compositions for use as a blackpowder substitute in firearms, munitions, and pyrotechnics to form combustion byproducts that are water soluble and are free of corrosive sulfur compounds. Formulations include an ignition aid of a gluconic acid salt or an alkali metal nitrobenzoate salt or a mixture of the two salts in combination with various known oxidizing and reducing agents and with various known propellant additives. The oxidizing and reducing agents may be selected from the group consisting of carbon, lactose, potassium nitrate, potassium perchlorate, sodium benzoate, and mixtures thereof. The propellant additives may be selected from the group consisting of binders, burning rate modifiers, flow agents, colorants, coating agents, moisture retardants and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: HODGDON POWDER COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: G. Dean Barrett, John A. Conkling
  • Publication number: 20040016482
    Abstract: A fuel composition is disclosed that comprises insoluble caramel color bodies produced by the thermal degradation of carbohydrates. The fuel composition may be prepared using a carbohydrate such as a sugar and using an acid catalyst, such as using oxalic acid or citric acid. The fuel composition may be prepared by dissolving the carbohydrate in water to form a solution, and heating the solution over time so that a portion of the carbohydrate is converted to an insoluble polymer. The solution is preferably heated until at least approximately 40% by weight of the carbohydrate is converted to an insoluble polymer and is more preferably heated until it least approximately 50% by weight of the carbohydrate is converted to an insoluble polymer. An explosive composition may be prepared by combining an oxidizer with caramel color bodies. The caramel color bodies are preferably non-hygroscopic, have a neutral pH, and have a high molecular weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Warren O Fey
  • Patent number: 6669753
    Abstract: A method for desensitizing explosives illicitly manufactured from commercial fertilizers, preferably ammonium nitrate. Ammonium nitrate prills are impregnated with microballoons which carry a desensitizing agent, preferably water. The microballoons are sufficiently small that they can be incorporated into the prills where they are not easily separated. Should the modified ammonium nitrate be used as a starting material for the manufacture of ANFO, the resulting ANFO exhibits a diminished explosive potential. The microballoons release their contents in response to a prompt shock wave which passes through the ANFO. The released water quenches the explosive reactions in AN/fuel compositions and curtails the explosive performance of the ANFO. Further, the microballoons are a benign additive having no adverse impact on the fertilizer itself, the plant material or the environment if it is instead used for its intended purpose as a fertilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: George P. Chambers, William H. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6666476
    Abstract: Inflator device assemblies containing an expandable fluid effective to provide a gaseous inflation medium also advantageously employ or incorporate a pyrotechnic material such as to augment or enhance at least one fill characteristic of the gaseous inflation medium. The pyrotechnic material is provided on a selected non-gas generant surface within the inflator device. Suitable pyrotechnic compositions may include a binder additive effective to adhere the pyrotechnic composition to a surface within the inflator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl K. Rink, David J. Green, Robert D. Taylor, Ivan V. Mendenhall, William B. Richardson
  • Patent number: 6652682
    Abstract: The present invention is a propellant composition comprising from about 2 percent to about 46 percent, by weight, boron particles having a diameter of less than about 500 nanometers. Liquid or gel embodiments of the invention may also include adding the boron particles to a liquid fuel in order to form a liquid fuel system. Examples of such liquid fuels include ethyl ammonium nitrate (EAN), triethyl amine nitrate (TEAN), Cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine (HMX), trinitrotoluene (TNT), jet fuel formula (JP-10), kerosene, RJ-4, or other hydrocarbon based fuels. These liquid fuel systems can be part of bipropellants wherein the liquid fuel system is stored separately from an oxidizing agent and the two are mixed during operation. Examples of oxidizing agents may include nitrogen tetroxide, oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl ammonium perchlorate (HAP), hydoxyl ammonium nitrate (HAN), ammonium perchlorate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium dinitramide (ADN), or a combination of said chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Christopher J. Fawls, Joel P. Fields, Timothy J. Dunn, Douglas Elstrodt, Michael L. Hudson, Kerry L. Wagaman, Kenneth Kuo
  • Patent number: 6651565
    Abstract: A method capable of decreasing the amount of NOx generated by the combustion of a gas generating agent for an air bag. A method for reducing NOx generated by the combustion of a gas generating agent of an air bag by a reducing material placed inside an inflator and decreasing its amount. NH2 radical, or the like, is generated by the decomposition of the reducing material. The radical is allowed to react with NOx and a part of NOx is changed to the N2 gas. Thus, the amount of NOx is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yo Yamato, Masayuki Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6627014
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device comprises a container (12) for storing a supply of gas. A gas (26) is stored in the container (12) at an elevated pressure. The gas comprises an oxygen rich oxidizer gas. A gas generating material (84) is stored in the container (12) and is exposed to the oxidizer gas at the elevated pressure. The gas generating material (84) comprises a cellulose based binder blended with an anti-oxidant material. An igniter (52) is provided for igniting the gas generating material (84).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Harold R. Blomquist
  • Patent number: 6620267
    Abstract: A non-toxic primer composition for use in ammunition is provided with a hygroscopic oxidizer which is protected from absorption of water vapor by a water-barrier coating. A preferred oxidizer is potassium nitrate and a preferred coating is nitrocellulose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: SNC Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Louise Guindon, Daniel Lepage, Jean-Pierre Drolet
  • Patent number: 6617064
    Abstract: The present invention features methods for preparing stabilized &agr;-AlH3 and &agr;′-AlH3, compositions containing these alane polymorphs, e.g., energetic compositions such as rocket propellants, and methods for using the novel polymorphs as chemical reducing agents, polymerization catalysts, and as a hydrogen source in fuel cells and batteries. The method produces stabilized alane by treating &agr;-AlH3 with an acidic solution that optionally contains a stabilizing agent such as an electron donor, an electron acceptor, or a compound which coordinates the Al3+ ion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: Mark A. Petrie, Jeffrey C. Bottaro, Robert J. Schmitt, Paul E. Penwell, David C. Bomberger
  • Patent number: 6605233
    Abstract: A low-solids gas generating composition and a method of producing a gas. The gas is produced by combusting a mixture of a fuel selected from the group consisting of guanidine nitrate, nitroguanidine, cellulose, cellulose acetate, hexamine, 5 amino-tetrazole, 5 nitro-uracil, guanidine salt of 5 nitro-uracil, and mixtures thereof, an oxidizer selected from the group consisting of ceric ammonium nitrate, strontium nitrate, basic copper nitrate, a mixture of ammonium perchlorate and at least one alkali metal salt, and mixtures thereof, and a cupric oxalate hemi-hydrate coolant. The oxidizer-fuel mixture is within about 4 percent of stoichiometric balance, and the low-solids gas generating composition produces no more than about 0.082 cubic centimeters of solids per gram of gas generating composition on combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Talley Defense Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory D. Knowlton, Christopher P. Ludwig
  • Publication number: 20030121441
    Abstract: A clean burning premeasured compressed charge for use in black powder firearms as well as cartridges. The premeasured compressed charge is manufactured to have a substantially desired shape which facilitates improved flame propagation by the leading end wall and along the exposed sidewall surfaces of the compressed charge to result in a more complete and rapid burning of the compressed charge both from the leading end wall toward the trailing end wall and also radially inwardly from each one of the four sidewalls toward a center of the premeasured compressed charge. The premeasured compressed charge has a leading end portion and a trailing end portion and the leading end portion is either the same size or a smaller dimension than the trailing end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Griesbach, Brett Neal Epstein
  • Publication number: 20030097953
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gas generating composition being stable and having a heating starting temperature of 170 to 220° C., which is of a low-temperature ignition type. The gas generating composition comprises ammonium perchlorate, a chlorine scavenger, and microcrystalline carbon powder. The chlorine scavenger is sodium nitrate or aluminum/magnesium mixed powder, and the microcrystalline carbon powder is activated carbon or charcoal. The gas generating composition preferably comprises 40 to 58% by weight of ammonium perchlorate, 30 to 41% by weight of the chlorine scavenger, and 1 to 30% by weight of the microcrystalline carbon powder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Kazuya Serizawa, Katsuhiko Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6562087
    Abstract: An automatically ignitable enhancer agent composition comprising: (a) 5-aminotetrazole, (b) a metal powder, (c) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate and strontium nitrate, and (d) molybdenum trioxide, and having a heating value of 4500 J/g or more. Further, the above composition which has an ability to generate gases in an amount of 0.5 mol to 2.0 mol per 100 g of the composition is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki-Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryoi Kodama, Kenjiro Ikeda, Yasushi Matsumura, Eishi Sato, Dairi Kubo
  • Patent number: 6544363
    Abstract: A non-toxic heavy-metal-free priming mix and a method of forming same, designed especially for industrial shotshells and other shotshells having abnormally heavy charges of propellant in an effort to qualify for heavy duty assignments such as the need to break up cement which has set up within a cement kiln and impedes the operation of the kiln. The mix is characterized by the inclusion of a secondary highly shock-sensitive explosive, PETN, in unusually large amounts such as 13-17% by weight of the mix as well as equally large amounts of powdered aluminum, as a fuel. This combination, supported by potassium nitrate and ferric oxide as primary and secondary oxidizers, respectively, proves to be highly effective. Each of the components, namely DDNP, PETN, tetracene, glass, powdered aluminum, potassium nitrate, ferric oxide, and gum tragacanth is non-toxic and heavy-metal-free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Federal Cartridge Company
    Inventor: Jack A. Erickson
  • Patent number: 6527297
    Abstract: Inflator device assemblies wherein an igniter composition used to ignite an associated gas generant material is provided on a selected surface, such as on a damper pad, within the inflator device. Suitable igniter compositions may include a silicone resin additive effective to adhere the igniter composition to a surface within the inflator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Parkinson, Steven B. Kenney, Gregg Hess, Steve Hammer, Ivan V. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 6517647
    Abstract: A gas generating composition having an improved thermal stability of a fuel is obtained. A gas generating compostion comprising a gas generating agent containing a non-sodium azide compound fuel and an oxidizing agent, and an adsorbent. Since substances accelerating decomposition of a fuel, such as radicals generating by decomposition of the fuel are adsorbed and kept on the adsorbent, further decomposition of the fuel is inhabited, so that the thermal stability is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yo Yamato
  • Patent number: 6497774
    Abstract: A gas-generant-molded-article for air bags which is prepared by molding a gas generant composition into a cylindrical form containing an opening hole, wherein the relationship between the linear burning velocity r (mm/second) of said gas generant composition under a pressure of 70 kgf/cm2 and a thickness W (mm) of said molded article falls within a range represented by 0.005≦W/(2·r)≦0.3, with the linear burning velocity preferably falling within a range of from 1 to 12.5 mm/second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yo Yamato, Norimasa Hirata, Takeshi Takahori, Takushi Yokoyama, Naoki Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20020179209
    Abstract: The subject of the present invention is lead- and barium-free propellant charges with primary explosives mixed with oxygen-supplying substances, characterized in that the primary explosives are selected from alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal salts of dinitrobenzofuroxanes and the oxygen-supplying substances are chosen from metal peroxides, nitrates of ammonium, guanidine, aminoguanidine, triaminoguanidine, dicyanodiamidine, and the elements sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, cerium, and/or multivalent metal oxides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Rainer Hagel, Klaus Redecker
  • Patent number: 6487974
    Abstract: An ignition enhancer and gas heater composition for vehicle occupant restraint systems (commonly known as “airbags”) contains a non-azide fuel, an oxidizer and a metal. The ignition enhancer composition provides reliable and consistent ignition of a main propellant composition to produce a sufficient amount of gas to inflate an attached airbag within ten to eighty milliseconds or successfully heat the stored gas in a hybrid system. In a preferred embodiment, the enhancer composition contains 5-aminotetrazole, strontium nitrate, boron nitride, mica or clay and aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: J B Canterberry, Samuel Steven Schlueter, John Herman Adams, Robert Keith Walsh
  • Patent number: 6478904
    Abstract: An emulsifier comprising at least one ester of a polyhydric composition and a mono-or poly-basic organic acid, the polyhydric composition preferably comprising a sorbitol and/or sorbitan derivative and the acid PIBSA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Sasol Chemical Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul Nicolaas Venter, Francois Kruger
  • Patent number: 6478903
    Abstract: A non-toxic primer mix including both bismuth sulfide and potassium nitrate as the pyrotechnic portion of the primer is disclosed. In a further embodiment, a non-toxic primer mix comprising zinc sulfide and aluminum nitrate as the pyrotechnic portion of the primer mix is disposed. Bismuth and zinc sulfide act as fuels for the oxidizers of potassium and aluminum nitrate in providing an ignition flame for the primer. The non-toxic primer mix further contains a lead-free explosive material, and additionally can include added fuels, sensitizers, explosives and binders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: RA Brands, LLC
    Inventors: Henry J. John, Jr., Carolyn Yeager, Don Pile, Tim Webb
  • Patent number: 6468369
    Abstract: There is provided a gas generating composition for an air bag which improves combustion behavior and enhances handling safety, generates a large amount of generating gas on combustion, reduces amount generated of mist, and can downsize and reduce weight of a gas generator itself. The gas generating composition for an air bag comprises (a) a guanidine derivative compound, (b) a phase stabilized ammonium nitrate and (c) a silicon compound acting as a pressure exponent controller or a detonation suppressing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Xingxi Zhou
  • Patent number: 6416599
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generating agent for an air bag including a fuel component of nitrogenous organic compound and an oxidizing agent as its major components, to which at least one metal nitride or metal carbide that is allowed to react with a metallic component contained in the fuel component or the oxidizing agent to form slag is added, thus providing the effects of: solving the slag collecting problem which stands in the way of commercially practicing the nitrogenous organic compound base fuels; promoting the size reduction of the gas generator through the full use of high rate of gasification of the nitrogenous organic compound base fuels; and providing a gas generating agent molded member which is strong and stable with age by improving heat resistant properties and formability of the nitrogenous organic compound base fuels which are poor compared with the metallic compound azide of an inorganic matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignees: Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki-Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventors: Eiichiro Yoshikawa, Ryo Minoguchi, Akihiko Kuroiwa, Takeshi Kanda, Kenjiro Ikeda, Makoto Iwasaki, Akihiko Tanaka, Eishi Sato, Dairi Kubo, Kaoru Masuda, Moriyoshi Kanamaru
  • Publication number: 20020053377
    Abstract: Disclosed are propellants such as may be used in solid rocket motors. In one preferred embodiment, the propellant comprises one high energy propellant composition comprising a homogeneous mixture of fuel and oxidizer having a predetermined fuel/oxidizer ratio, wherein individual fuel particles are generally uniformly distributed throughout a matrix of oxidizer, and a low energy propellant comprising a fuel and oxidizer. The amounts of the two propellants are present in amounts which achieve a preselected burn rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: JOE A. MARTIN, LARRY H. WELCH
  • Patent number: 6368431
    Abstract: An apparatus (2) for inflating an air bag (4) including a container (12) and a combustible material (20) disposed in the container. The combustible material (20) comprises a binder selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate butyrate and cellulose acetate propionate. The binder has a melting point in the range of about 230° C. to about 260° C. An igniter (32) ignites the combustible material (20) to generate combustion products. A conduit directs the combustion products towards the air bag (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Mangum, David C. Ouart
  • Patent number: 6328830
    Abstract: An anhydrous 5-aminotetrazole or “5-AT” based gas generating composition for use in passive restraint devices, such as air bags and a method of preparing the same that is devoid of metal oxides. The gas generating composition includes 5-AT with a blend of oxidizers such as potassium perchlorate and potassium nitrate. This gas generating composition is devoid of metal oxides, such as copper oxide or iron oxide, which form an insoluble slag when ignited. After ignition, the combustion products of the gas generating composition can be filtered with a filter assembly that includes a ceramic blanket. The ceramic blanket preferably includes an aluminum oxide and a silicon oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventors: James C. Wood, Ernest H. Wood
  • Patent number: 6315847
    Abstract: This substantially water-free method for preparing high density igniter granules involves uniformly coating fuel and oxidizer particulates dispersed in a non-solvent with a thermoplastic elastomer solution to produce coated igniter granules exhibiting substantially uniform size and shape distributions. The coated igniter granules are especially useful for waterless extrusion into igniters for automobile gas generating inflation devices, solid propellant rocket motors, and thrust decoys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Cordant Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Lee, Gary K. Lund, Daniel W. Doll
  • Patent number: 6312537
    Abstract: A low-smoke producing pyrotechnic composition including a high-nitrogen content, low-carbon content energetic material, an oxidant and a colorant is disclosed together with the use of selected metal salts of a high-nitrogen content, low-carbon content energetic material as the colorant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Michael A. Hiskey, David E. Chavez, Darren L. Naud
  • Patent number: 6302978
    Abstract: An oxidizer coated with inorganic particles is provided. A method for reducing the mechanical energy sensitivity of an oxidizer is also provided, which comprises coating the oxidizer with inorganic particles. Further, a combustible composition comprising the oxidizer coated with inorganic particles and a fuel as well as a gas generator comprising the oxidizer coated with inorganic particles and a fuel is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Chugai Seiyaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Takita
  • Publication number: 20010001970
    Abstract: The subject of the present invention is lead- and barium-free propellant charges with primary explosives mixed with oxygen-supplying substances, characterized in that the primary explosives are selected from alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal salts of dinitrobenzofuroxanes and the oxygen-supplying substances are chosen from metal peroxides, nitrates of ammonium, guanidine, aminoguanidine, triaminoguanidine, dicyanodiamidine, and the elements sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, cerium, and/or multivalent metal oxides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Publication date: May 31, 2001
    Inventors: Rainer Hagel, Klaus Redecker
  • Patent number: 6235132
    Abstract: A pyrotechnic material comprising at least one fuel and an oxidizer of ceric ammonium nitrate or a mixture of ceric ammonium nitrate and one or more other oxidizers, and, optionally, sub-micron (i.e., having an average particle size of less than about 1 &mgr;m) fumed silica for use as a low-solids gas generating composition. When the oxidizer-fuel mixture is within about 4 percent of stoichiometric balance, the pyrotechnic material provides a low solids gas generant less than about 30 percent solids on combustion, and may be formed as pressed pellets, grains, or granules for use in automotive passive restraint systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Talley Defense Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory D. Knowlton, Christopher P. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 6231702
    Abstract: A gas generating composition comprises an organic fuel and an ammonium nitrate oxidizer which is phase stabilized with an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt. The composition also comprises an ammonium salt coolant selected from the group consisting of an ammonium halide, ammonium sulfate, and ammonium sulfamate. A preferred coolant is ammonium chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Harold R. Blomquist
  • Patent number: 6214140
    Abstract: As has been established, the use of energetic materials, generated by manufacturer's excess and/or demilitarization projects, as ingredients in commercial blasting explosives is a feasible and environmentally acceptable method of handling them. Ammonium picrate is used as an explosive charge in the manufacturing of conventional ammunition rounds, such as large caliber navy guns. The present invention is directed to the use of recovered ammonium picrate in commercial blasting agent compositions, that include watergel slurries, ANFO, HANFO-blends and emulsion based blasting agents. These new blasting agents exhibit favorable cost for performance characteristics and have found a use for recovered ammonium picrate, which would heretofore have been incinerated or otherwise disposed of at significant cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Universal Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Oldrich Machacek, Gary R. Eck
  • Patent number: 6214138
    Abstract: An ignition enhancer and gas heater composition for vehicle occupant restraint systems (commonly known as “airbags”) contains a non-azide fuel, an oxidizer and a metal. The ignition enhancer composition provides reliable and consistent ignition of a main propellant composition to produce a sufficient amount of gas to inflate an attached airbag within ten to eighty milliseconds or successfully heat the stored gas in a hybrid system. In a preferred embodiment, the enhancer composition contains 5-aminotetrazole, strontium nitrate, boron nitride, mica or clay and aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: J B Canterberry, Samuel Steven Schlueter, John Herman Adams, Robert Keith Walsh
  • Patent number: 6200398
    Abstract: Water in oil emulsion explosive compositions comprises a discontinuous aqueous phase comprising at least one oxygen-supplying component, a continuous organic phase, an emulsifying amount of an emulsifier composition comprising: the reaction product of an amine (C) characterized by the presence within its structure of at least one H—N group and an intermediate formed in the reaction of (A) at least one olefinic compound containing at least one group of the formula  and (B) at least one carboxylic reactant selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula R3C(O)(R4)nC(O)OR5  (III)  wherein each of R3 and R5 is independently H or a hydrocarbyl group, R4 is a divalent hydrocarbylene group, and n is 0 or 1, and reactive sources thereof and optionally, from about 0.5 to about 2 moles, per mole of (B), of (D) at least one aldehyde or ketone; and optionally a sensitizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventor: James H. Bush
  • Patent number: 6190475
    Abstract: Compositions are provided which, when burned, produce significant levels of infrared radiation, but only limited levels of visible radiation. The basic components of the compositions include a binder, an oxidizer, and a fuel, where the binder also acts the fuel. Preferred oxidizers include those compounds which produce large quantities of infrared radiation when the flare composition is burned. Such oxidizers include potassium nitrate, cesium nitrate, rubidium nitrate, and combinations of these compounds. Selection of the binder is important in order to provide the composition with the desirable characteristics identified above. The binder of the present invention does not produce significant soot. At the same time, the binder serves to form a composition which is processible, avoids chunking, and is compatible with the oxidizers used. It has been found that polymer binders which include relatively short carbon chains (1-6 continuous carbon atoms) are preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Cordant Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel B. Nielson
  • Patent number: 6190474
    Abstract: A gas generating composition having a low combustion temperature and a low heat of combustion at the time of burning and therefore enabling downsizing of gas generators themselves, which comprises as the essential components nitroguanidine and an oxidizing agent comprising (a) nitrates or nitrites of alkali metals or alkaline earth metals, (b) oxides or multiple oxides of metals selected from among copper, cobalt, iron, manganese, nickel, zinc, molybdenum and bismuth, or a mixture of the components (a) and (b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yo Yamato
  • Patent number: 6177028
    Abstract: A spontaneous firing explosive composition for use in a gas generator for an airbag containing a fuel, an oxidizer, a combustion modifier, and a binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignees: Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki-Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventors: Takeshi Kanda, Nobuaki Yokote, Takashi Saso, Koji Tanaka, Akihiko Kuroiwa, Yuji Ito, Ayumu Kimura
  • Patent number: 6165296
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AS
    Inventors: Ivan V. Mendenhall, Robert D. Taylor, David W. Parkinson, Gregory B. Hess
  • Patent number: 6165293
    Abstract: A thixotropic oxidizer gel comprising inhibited red fuming nitric acid (IA) as the carrier with lithium nitrate (LiNO.sub.3) suspended therein and gelled with a gellant agent of SiO.sub.2 having a mean particle size of 0.015 microns has the rheological properties which can be tailored to match those of MICOM GEL, a fuel gel.A thixotropic gelled fuel (MICOM GEL) has been of particular interest because of its increased safety, reduced sloshing, ease of pumping at zero gravity and ability to suspend high concentrations of high-energy ingredients. However, a gelled oxidizer has been desired for use with the gelled fuel to constitute a thixotropic gelled propellant system. The combination of a gelled fuel (MICOM GEL) and a gelled oxidizer is now a reality after the development of the thixotropic oxidizer gel disclosed above. Of major significance is the matching of the rheologial properties of the two gels so that an oxidizer/fuel (O/F) ratio shift does not occur with a temperature change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Barry D. Allan