Abstract: A gas generator is provided, the gas generator having a propellant cushion that prevents movement of propellant wafers, tablets, or grains by providing a bias thereagainst. Furthermore, the cushion may be formed from a polyurethane-based foam material and if desired, a known oxidizer combined within the foam. Channels inherent within the polyurethane-based foam enhance the combustion of the main gas generant. Alternatively, the substituted polyurethane polymer combined with an oxidizer may be formed as a monolithic grain that provides autoignition and gas generant function in lieu of a primary gas generant or in lieu of an igniter composition, for example.

Abstract: A gas generator contains an anti-vibration, auto-igniting pad. The pad is formed from a mixture of a known auto-igniting composition mixed with an elastomeric polymer, and then cured, thereby forming a polymer—auto-igniting composition matrix. The pad is placed in thermodynamic communication with a housing on the gas generator, thereby enhancing the safety of the gas generator while yet providing a multi-functional pad. The pad is formulated to reduce vibrations when biased against an associated gas generant, while augmenting the amount of gas produced upon gas generator activation, while yet providing an auto-igniting material that is ignited during a high heat event.

Abstract: A gas generator includes a supply of stored gas containing carbon dioxide, and a magnesium supply or source, such as magnesium mesh, that is readily ignitable in the presence of carbon dioxide in the presence of heat.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic device contains a housing having a first end and a second end. A structural component or piston is contained within the housing. A polymer is infused into and/or about the structural component thereby accommodating the immediate ignition of the same by a known initiator/igniter in a known manner, the initiator also contained within the housing.

Abstract: A gas generator contains an anti-vibration, auto-igniting pad. The pad is formed from a mixture of a known auto-igniting composition mixed with an elastomeric polymer, and then cured, thereby forming a polymer—auto-igniting composition matrix. The pad is placed in thermodynamic communication with a housing on the gas generator, thereby enhancing the safety of the gas generator while yet providing a multi-functional pad. The pad is formulated to reduce vibrations when biased against an associated gas generant, while augmenting the amount of gas produced upon gas generator activation, while yet providing an auto-igniting material that is ignited during a high heat event.

Abstract: A gas generator contains an anti-vibration, auto-igniting pad. The pad is formed from a mixture of a known auto-igniting composition mixed with an elastomeric polymer, and then cured, thereby forming a polymer-auto-igniting composition matrix. The pad is placed in thermodynamic communication with a housing on the gas generator, thereby enhancing the safety of the gas generator while yet providing a multi-functional pad. The pad is formulated to reduce vibrations when biased against an associated gas generant, while augmenting the amount of gas produced upon gas generator activation, while yet providing an auto-igniting material that is ignited during a high heat event.

Abstract: A gas generator is provided, the gas generator having a propellant cushion that prevents movement of propellant tablets or grains by providing a bias thereagainst. Furthermore, the cushion is formed from an auto-igniting material thereby functioning not only as a cushion, but also as an enhanced auto-ignition charge.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic device contains a housing having a first end and a second end. A structural component or piston is contained within the housing. A polymer is infused into and/or about the structural component thereby accommodating the immediate ignition of the same by a known initiator/igniter in a known manner, the initiator also contained within the housing.

Abstract: An auto ignition composition is provided that contains a sugar and/or carboxylic acid such as DL-tartaric acid as a first fuel; a binder; and an alkali or alkaline earth metal chlorate such as potassium chlorate as a first oxidizer. Alkali metal perchlorates such as potassium perchlorate may also be included as a second oxidizer. The composition(s) is typically contained within a gas generating system such as an airbag inflator or seat belt assembly, or more broadly within a vehicle occupant protection system. The compositions may also be applied to the insides of military armament.

Abstract: A gas generator contains an anti-vibration, auto-igniting pad. The pad is formed from a mixture of a known auto-igniting composition mixed with an elastomeric polymer, and then cured, thereby forming a polymer-auto-igniting composition matrix. The pad is placed in thermodynamic communication with a housing on the gas generator, thereby enhancing the safety of the gas generator while yet providing a multi-functional pad. The pad is formulated to reduce vibrations when biased against an associated gas generant, while augmenting the amount of gas produced upon gas generator activation, while yet providing an auto-igniting material that is ignited during a high heat event.

Abstract: A gas generator is provided, the gas generator having a propellant cushion that prevents movement of propellant tablets or grains by providing a bias thereagainst. Furthermore, the cushion is formed from a desiccating material thereby removing moisture and inhibiting moisture uptake by the propellant during manufacture of the gas generator. The elastomeric cushion is also able to manage the presence of chlorine-containing products during periods of inactivation of the gas generator. Accordingly, variables such as fractured propellant and/or moisture retained within the propellant are mitigated or eliminated, thereby enhancing repeatability of inflator performance.

Abstract: A gas generating system (24) is provided including a gas generant container (34) and an initiator (28). A gas generant composition (32) is placed within the container (34) in ignitable communication with the igniter (28). A molecular sieve (33) is positioned within the housing 17 combined within the gas generant composition (32), or external of the gas generant (32) but in reactive proximity or vapor communication therewith. A seatbelt device (150) and a vehicle occupant restraint system (180) incorporating a gas generating system as described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: A gas generator containing perforate internal chambers, each chamber in vapor communication with at least one other chamber in the gas generator, is provided. When granulated compositions are utilized in one or more of the chambers, permeable materials such as cheesecloth, neoprene, Tyvek™, metal or non-metallic screen, and other suitable fluid permeable materials, may be provided to physically seal the perforations of the various chambers, thereby separating the granulated composition(s) contained therein. In this way, off-gas products formed naturally over time may be effectively managed to ensure expected performance criteria of the associated inflator.

Abstract: The reaction product of a nitro aromatic and a metal hydroxyl nitrate is presented. Gas generating compositions containing the reaction product are also presented. Gas generators and vehicle occupant protection systems containing the reaction product are also presented.

Abstract: A nitrogen-free gas generator 10 includes an autoignition composition that contains an alkali metal chlorate such as potassium chlorate as an oxidizer, a carboxylic acid such as DL tartaric acid as a fuel, and a desiccant in operable communication therewith. Gas generating systems 180 such as vehicle occupant protection systems 180, containing the gas generator 10, are also provided.

Abstract: A gas generator 10 includes an autoignition composition that contains an alkali metal chlorate such as potassium chlorate as an oxidizer, a carboxylic acid such as DL-tartaric acid as a fuel, and a desiccant in operable communication therewith. Gas generating systems 180 such as vehicle occupant protection systems 180, containing the gas generator 10, are also provided.

Abstract: An inflator containing a housing having a first end and a second end is provided. An igniter is fixed within the first end of the housing for ignition of gas generant charges within the housing. A discrete fuel charge and a discrete oxidizer charge ignitably communicates with the igniter. The fuel charge and the oxidizer charge may be axially aligned and are substantially simultaneously combusted upon actuation of the inflator.

Abstract: A novel gas generant is formed by integrating an additive or compound selected from polymeric compounds, long-chain hydrocarbons, long-chain fluorocarbons, and paraffinic compounds in or about the gas generant. A gas generating composition is formed in a typical manner, and the additive may be either homogeneously mixed within the gas generating composition, or, it may simply be coated over the gas generant.

Abstract: An inflator 10 is provided whereby the interstitial cavities found within the inflator 10 are packed with one or more decomposition additives 26 that decompose in the presence of heat. As such, the decomposition additives 26 fluidly and/or conductively communicate with the hot gases generated upon activation of the inflator 10. As the decomposition additive 26 decomposes, heat may be mitigated while resultant gaseous decomposition products are liberated.

Abstract: A gas generator 10 includes an auto-ignition/booster composition 212 that contains a metal chlorate such as potassium chlorate as an oxidizer, a carboxylic acid such as DL-tartaric acid as a primary fuel, a secondary oxidizer such as strontium nitrate, and if desired, a secondary fuel such as 5-aminotetrazole. The auto-ignition/booster composition 212 and a separate provision of ammonium nitrate or phase stabilized ammonium nitrate 228 are provided within a single combustion/decomposition chamber 222 for the production of gas, upon actuation of the gas generator 10. Vehicle occupant protection systems 180, containing the gas generator 10, are also provided.