Abstract: A solid propellant fire extinguisher or a hybrid fire extinguisher is incorporated into a vehicle fire suppression system. The system is activated according to at least one condition selected from the group consisting of acceleration, deceleration, speed, time, temperature, fuel, fuel level, fire, smoke, light transmittance and optical signature.

Abstract: A gas generator (24; 140) may be used in an inflatable member system (20) which includes an inflatable member (22) expandable from a stowed condition to a deployed condition. The generator may include a flexible container (30; 150) within the inflatable member, a gas generant (28; 148), initially located within the flexible container, and an initiator (34). A propagating member (60; 142) may be located within the container to permit the initiator to initiate the generant upon triggering of the initiator to inflate the inflatable member from stowed to deployed conditions. A sustainer (44; 152; 156) may be provided to sustain the gas generation and may be positioned within a generator housing upstream of the propagating member or at or adjacent the downstream end of the propagating member.

Abstract: A solid propellant fire extinguisher or a hybrid fire extinguisher is incorporated into a vehicle fire suppression system. The system is activated according to at least one condition selected from the group consisting of acceleration, deceleration, speed, time, temperature, fuel, fuel level, fire, smoke, light transmittance and optical signature.

Abstract: An apparatus for fire suppression may include a flexible container, a gas generant or other suppressant, initially located within the flexible container, and an initiator. A propagating member may be located within the container to permit the initiator to initiate the generant or expel the other suppressant upon triggering of the initiator to extinguish the fire. A sustainer may be provided to sustain the suppression and may be positioned within a generator housing upstream of the propagating member or at or adjacent the downstream end of the propagating member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fire suppression composition, comprising a propellant comprising a fuel and an oxidizer, said propellant capable of generating inert gas; and a fire suppression additive selected from the group consisting of iron-containing compounds, non-halide potassium salts, and combinations thereof. Useful iron-containing compounds include ferric oxide, ferric carbonate, ferric oxalate, and iron cyanide dyes. Useful potassium salts include potassium acetate, potassium acetylacetonate, potassium bicarbonate, and potassium carbonate. The invention is also directed to a fire suppression apparatus that utilizes the above fire suppression composition.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a chemically active fire suppression composition, comprising a propellant comprising a fuel and an oxidizer, the propellant capable of generating inert gas; and an environmentally innocuous chemical fire suppressant capable of generating fire suppressive reactive species. The combination of physically acting fire suppression agents and chemically acting, environmentally innocuous fire suppression agents results in a highly effective, environmentally innocuous fire extinguishing composition that has low ozone depletion potential (ODP), low global warming potential (GWP), and high suppression efficiency.

Abstract: A low temperature autoigniting composition for use in a mobile occupant restraint system comprising, a low temperature melting oxidizer and a fuel, wherein the low temperature autoigniting composition autoignites in the temperature range of about 130.degree. C. to about 175.degree. C. In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises a low temperature melting oxidizer, a fuel, and a catalyst, wherein the composition autoignites in the temperature range of about 130.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. Preferably, the oxidizer comprises about 20 to about 70 percent by weight of the composition, the fuel comprises about 10 to about 50 percent by weight of the composition, and the catalyst comprises about 2 to about 50 percent by weight of the composition. The autoignition propellants of the invention are designed to function at low temperatures and before heat damage to an airbag deployment mechanism can occur, for example, during a fire.

Abstract: There is provided a gas generating composition consisting essentially of a mixture of nitroguanidine, phase stabilized ammonium nitrate and an elastomeric binder. When the ammonium nitrate is phase stabilized with from about 7% to about 20%, by weight, of a potassium salt, the mixture is structurally and volumetrically stable over typical automotive operating temperatures and has a melting temperature in excess of 100.degree. C. The mixture generates large volumes of nitrogen and carbon dioxide when ignited with minimal generation of solids or toxic gases and is particularly useful as an inflating medium for automobile airbags.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for suppressing a fire. The apparatus includes a gas generator containing as a propellant, a mixture of a fuel, strontium nitrate as an oxidizer, and magnesium carbonate. When the propellant is ignited, a nitrogen rich effluent is generated that is effective to suppress the fire. By providing the propellant with at least 35%, by weight, of magnesium carbonate, the generation of effluent by-products that are corrosive to aluminum is inhibited.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for suppressing a fire. The apparatus includes a gas generator charged with a combustive propellant. Upon ignition, the combustive propellant generates a copious volume of gas. The gas is directed by a first conduit to a chamber containing a packed powder that is effective to suppress a fire. A second conduit directs the gas driven packed powder to the fire. In one embodiment, the fire suppressing packed powder is magnesium carbonate.

Abstract: There is provided a gas generating composition consisting essentially of a mixture of nitroguanidine and phase stabilized ammonium nitrate. When the ammonium nitrate is phase stabilized with from about 7% to about 20%, by weight, of a potassium salt, the mixture is structurally and volumetrically stable over typical automotive operating temperatures and has a melting temperature in excess of 100.degree. C. The mixture generates large volumes of nitrogen and carbon dioxide when ignited with minimal generation of solids or toxic gases and is particularly useful as an inflating medium for automobile airbags.

Abstract: There is disclosed an a flame suppressing composition and an apparatus for suppressing a fire. The composition contains a propellant and an effective amount of magnesium carbonate. One apparatus directs the effluent of a propellant at a mixture of ice and water to generate superheated steam. Preferably, the effluent is a mixture of hot gases and solid particulate directed by a nozzle to impinge upon the mixture of ice and water.

Abstract: An apparatus for suppressing a fire comprises a gas generator containing a propellant and a fire suppressant as a mixture of compacted powders. The average diameter of a fire suppressant particle is larger than the average diameter of a propellant particle and the larger fire suppressant particles form discrete cooling sites that do not dramatically reduce the propellant burn rate.