Abstract: An inflatable metal bladder mounted to a motorized vehicle. The bladder is inflatable from a first condition to a second condition. The bladder has at least a first metal sheet having a thickness of from about 0.004 in to about 0.030 in. When actuated, a gas generator generates a gaseous stream having a temperature of from about 600.degree. C. to about 2000.degree. C. A sensor detects an impact of the vehicle with an external object. The sensor is coupled to the gas generator so as to actuate the gas generator responsive to detection of the impact. A conduit couples the gas generator and bladder to direct the gaseous stream to the bladder and thereby inflate the bladder from the first condition to the second condition. In the second condition, the inflatable member engages a vehicle occupant to place such occupant in a preferred position to avoid injury caused by the impact.

Abstract: There is disclosed a metallic bladder that is inflated by a gaseous stream generated by a gas generator. The inflatable metallic bladder is useful as a side impact air bag for motorized vehicles. The heat dissipating capability of the metallic bladder permits the use of energetic chemical compositions that generate a high temperature gas and very rapidly inflate the metallic bladder. The heat conducted by the gas is dissipated by the metallic bladder avoiding harm to occupants.

Abstract: There is disclosed a metallic bladder that is inflated by a gaseous stream generated by a gas generator. The inflatable metallic bladder is useful as a side impact air bag for motorized vehicles. The heat dissipating capability of the metallic bladder permits the use of energetic chemical compositions that generate a high temperature gas and very rapidly inflate the metallic bladder. The heat conducted by the gas is dissipated by the metallic bladder avoiding harm to occupants.

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 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 in communication with a vaporizable liquid by means of a first conduit. When activated, the gas generator generates an elevated temperature burst of a first gas containing carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and/or water vapor. This first gas vaporizes substantially all of the vaporizable liquid, generating a second gas having flame suppressing capabilities. The second gas is directed at the fire to suppress and extinguish it.

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.

Abstract: A submunition dispensing system is disclosed which includes inflatable bladders expandable from collapsed to inflated conditions in response to fluid pressure. The bladders are mounted in cavities of a carrier frame underlying subpacks of submunitions. The bladders lie adjacent to the support and central structures of the frame defining the cavities. Each bladder can be configured to have either an unpleated or a pleated configuration in the collapsed condition. The bladder can also be configured for expansion to an overall constant diameter outer shape or to a generally conical outer shape in the inflated condition. Expansion to the conical shape imparts a velocity gradient to the subpack. The dispensing system also includes retaining assemblies for releasably retaining the subpacks in the cavities against the collapsed bladders and a gas generator disposed in a passage of the central structure of the carrier frame.

Abstract: A submunition dispensing system is disclosed which includes inflatable bladders expandable from collapsed to inflated conditions in response to fluid pressure. The bladders are mounted in cavities of a carrier frame underlying subpacks of submunitions. The bladders lie adjacent to the support and central structures of the frame defining the cavities. Each bladder can be configured to have either an unpleated or a pleated configuration in the collapsed condition. The bladder can also be configured for expansion to an overall constant diameter outer shape or to a generally conical outer shape in the inflated condition. Expansion to the conical shape imparts a velocity gradient to the subpack. The dispensing system also includes retaining assemblies for releasably retaining the subpacks in the cavities against the collapsed bladders and a gas generator disposed in a passage of the central structure of the carrier frame.

Abstract: A propellant augmented, gas dispensing device is charged with a pressurized gas during assembly by inserting the gas in its solid form into the pressure chamber and thereafter sealing the pressure chamber. The gas is chosen so that it is in its gaseous state at normal ambient conditions. In another aspect, an improved pressure relief assembly includes a burst disc affixed to a flow passage between the pressurized gas chamber and the propellant chamber for normally preventing flow through the passage. In its preferred form, the burst disc carries an annular score line. A support member is provided on the propellant side of the burst disc and is placed in supporting contact with the burst disc adjacent the score line. The support member has a central opening communicating with the passageway to the propellant chamber. The score line is located outwardly from the central opening.

Abstract: A propellant augmented, gas dispensing device of the type that includes a propellant chamber coupled to a pressure vessel containing a pressurized gas and exhaust passage from the propellant chamber incorporates an additional depressurization vessel coupled in fluid communication with the exhaust passage from the propellant chamber. The depressurization vessel has a restricted exhaust passage. The exhaust passage from the propellant chamber is constructed to allow a relating high flow rate from the propellant chamber into the depressurization chamber, permitting rapid depressurization of the propellant chamber to assure propellant extinguishment. At the same time, the restricted exhaust passage from the depressurization vessel permits controlled metering of the outflow of pressurized gas from the dispensing device.

Abstract: An inflatable buoy assembly includes a flotation receptacle (12), a propellant breech (14), and an equipment container (16). These three components are designed for telescoping engagement and packaging in a single housing (78). When deployed, the breech is suspended below the flotation receptacle. The equipment container, in turn, is suspended below the propellant breech. As propellant gases escape from the breech, they rise through the water in which the assembly is submersed and are captured in a cavity (26) at the bottom of the flotation receptacle. The gases then pass through apertures in the bottom of the receptacle and are captured within the gas bag (24) forming part of the flotation receptacle.

Abstract: The applicator includes two elongated conveyor rollers arranged in parallel alignment and inclined from a sealant application station toward a tire unloading station. The rollers simultaneously rotate a series of tires in the same direction about a common axis in side-by-side engagement with one end tire adjacent the sealant application station and the other end tire adjacent the unloading station. A kicker assembly unloads the latter end tire, whereupon the rollers advance the remaining tires toward the unloading station while maintaining coaxial rotation thereof. A fresh tire then may be positioned at the application station and the application and advancement steps repeated. The applicator further includes a sealant applicator for effecting airless spray application of sealant to a tire, together with a control system for controlling the position of the spray applicator and causing sealant to be purged a predetermined time after no sealant application is made.

Abstract: The applicator includes two elongated conveyor rollers arranged in parallel alignment and inclined from a sealant application station toward a tire unloading station. The rollers simultaneously rotate a series of tires in the same direction about a common axis in side-by-side engagement with one end tire adjacent the sealant application station and the other end tire adjacent the unloading station. A kicker assembly unloads the latter end tire, whereupon the rollers advance the remaining tires toward the unloading station while maintaining coaxial rotation thereof. A fresh tire then may be positioned at the application station and the application and advancement steps repeated. The applicator further includes a sealant applicator for effecting airless spray application of sealant to a tire, together with a control system for controlling the position of the spray applicator and causing sealant to be purged a predetermined time after no sealant application is made.

Abstract: The cleaner includes an elevator for moving a tire vertically toward a stationary cleaning head which is made up of spreader rollers for spreading the tire beads a sufficient distance to admit a powered cleaning brush, along with cleaning fluid application and removal apparatus, into the tire interior during such tire movement. The elevator further supports and rotates the tire with respect to the brush during cleaning while the spreader rollers, together with additional fixed guide rollers, maintain the tire vertical and in alignment with the brush. The elevator lifts each tire from a horizontal conveyor which alternately discharges a cleaned tire and receives a fresh one. During cleaning, the brush is movable transversely along an arcuate path within the tire interior at selected contact pressure and is driven alternately in opposite directions. The cleaner is suited for usage in a system for producing self-healing tires.

Abstract: The applicator includes two elongated conveyor rollers arranged in parallel alignment and inclined from a sealant application station toward a tire unloading station. The rollers simultaneously rotate a series of tires in the same direction about a common axis in side-by-side engagement with one end tire adjacent the sealant application station and the other end tire adjacent the unloading station. A kicker assembly unloads the latter end tire, whereupon the rollers advance the remaining tires toward the unloading station while maintaining coaxial rotation thereof. A fresh tire then may be positioned at the application station and the application and advancement steps repeated. The applicator further includes a sealant applicator for effecting airless spray application of sealant to a tire, together with a control system for controlling the position of the spray applicator and causing sealant to be purged a predetermined time after no sealant application is made.