Abstract: A gas generating material (140) for use in a vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises about 5% to about 20% by weight of the gas generating material, of a binder, 0 to about 50%, by weight of the gas generating material, of an energetic fuel, and an amount of oxidizer effective to oxygen balance the gas generating material. More than 50% by weight of the oxidizer is basic copper nitrate. The binder comprises at least about 20% by volume of the gas generating material.

Abstract: A gas generating material (140) for use in a vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises about 5% to about 20% by weight of the gas generating material, of a binder, 0 to about 50%, by weight of the gas generating material, of an energetic fuel, and an amount of oxidizer effective to oxygen balance the gas generating material. More than 50% by weight of the oxidizer is basic copper nitrate. The binder comprises at least about 20% by volume of the gas generating material.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (16) and a inflator (12) for providing inflation fluid to inflate the vehicle occupant protection device (16). A non-azide gas generating material is in the inflator (12). The non-azide gas generating material when combusted produces inflation fluid which comprises carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). A catalyst system which contacts the inflation fluid is also in the inflator. The catalyst system is reactive with the carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the inflation fluid. The catalyst system comprises a zeolite and a catalytic material. The catalytic material is supported by the zeolite.

Abstract: A gas generating material (16) comprises an oxidizer, a fuel, and a binder composition. The binder composition includes a polystyrene based thermoplastic block copolymer and a thermoplastic modifier. The thermoplastic modifier is miscible with the polystyrene based thermoplastic block copolymer and has a glass transition temperature greater than about 170° C.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (16) and a inflator (12) for providing inflation fluid to inflate the vehicle occupant protection device (16). A non-azide gas generating material is in the inflator (12). The non-azide gas generating material when combusted produces inflation fluid which comprises carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). A catalyst system which contacts the inflation fluid is also in the inflator. The catalyst system is reactive with the carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the inflation fluid. The catalyst system comprises a zeolite and a catalytic material. The catalytic material is supported by the zeolite.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (16) and a inflator (12) for providing inflation fluid to inflate the vehicle occupant protection device (16). A non-azide gas generating material is in the inflator (12). The non-azide gas generating material when combusted produces inflation fluid, which comprises carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). A catalyst system, which contacts the inflation fluid, is also in the inflator. The catalyst system is reactive with the carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the inflation fluid. The catalyst system comprises a zeolite and a catalytic material. The catalytic material is supported by the zeolite.

Abstract: A gas generating material (16) comprises an oxidizer, a fuel, and a binder composition. The binder composition includes a polystyrene based thermoplastic block copolymer and a thermoplastic modifier. The thermoplastic modifier is miscible with the polystyrene based thermoplastic block copolymer and has a glass transition temperature greater than about 170° C.

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).

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).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an air bag includes a container (12) having a chamber (16) for holding an inert gas and an oxidizer gas under pressure. A body (20) of a combustible material is disposed in the container (12). The body (20) of combustible material comprises a non-metallic nitrogen containing compound, a thermoplastic polymer, and an oxidizer material. The oxidizer material is selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal nitrate, alkali-earth metal nitrate, ammonium perchlorate, alkali metal perchlorate, alkali-earth metal perchlorate, organo-ammonium nitrate, or ammonium dinitramide. An igniter (32) ignites the body (20) of combustible material to generate combustion products that mix with, and heat, the inert gas and the oxidizer gas. The body (20) of combustible material undergoes further combustion upon exposure to the oxidizer gas to yield an inflation fluid comprising the combustion products, the inert gas, and any unreacted oxidizer gas.