Abstract: A method of characterizing the structure of a void sensitized liquid energetic material, which method comprises defining the material in terms distribution function, the distribution function representing the fraction of liquid energetic material that occurs at a given point within the void sensitized liquid energetic material.

Abstract: A method of characterising the structure of a void sensitized liquid energetic material, which method comprises defining the material in terms distribution function, the distribution function representing the fraction of liquid energetic material that occurs at a given point within the void sensitized liquid energetic material.

Abstract: A detonator device and assembly for the initiating a plurality of signal transmission lines with a pressure impulse. The detonator device comprising a detonator casing having a signal receiving end and a firing end. The firing end of the detonator device being substantially shaped to conform with the pressure impulse initiation therein. The firing end having a contact wall of substantially uniform thickness for contacting a plurality of signal transmission lines in a compatible connector element and transmitting a pressure impulse thereto.

Abstract: A detonator device and assembly for the initiating a plurality of signal transmission lines with a pressure impulse. The detonator device comprising a detonator casing having a signal receiving end and a firing end. The firing end of the detonator device being substantially shaped to conform with the pressure impulse initiation therein. The firing end having a contact wall of substantially uniform thickness for contacting a plurality of signal transmission lines in a compatible connector element and transmitting a pressure impulse thereto.

Abstract: The invention provides pyrotechnic sheet material comprising a substrate of porous, vapour-permeable oxidizing polymeric film, for example a halogenopolymeric film, having a layer of oxidizable material for example magnesium, on at least part of its surface, the substrate and the oxidizable material being conjointly capable of reacting together on ignition. Advantageously at least part of the oxidizing material is accommodated within the polymer pores.The pyrotechnic sheet material burns faster than material comprising solid polymeric film.

Abstract: Precipitation of fine azide core particles with in-situ coating with suspended tiny oxide particles, followed by concentration of the dilute suspension of these bodies to form a slurry with residual dissolved azide in the liquor, and finally converting the slurry in to solid aggregates of the pyrotechnic bodies by e.g. prilling whereby liquid phase evaporation releases dissolved azide causing the pyrotechnic bodies to be adhered together in to larger aggregates.

Abstract: A hybrid inflator for a gas bag safety restraint system for use in a motorized vehicle comprises a compressed supply of stored gas heated by means of a gasless pyrotechnic material in sheet form. The sheeted pyrotechnic material may advantageously be located within the compressed gas storage vessel in a thin container or in direct contact with the gas. The invention also includes a heating element for a hybrid inflator. The preferred pyrotechnic material comprises a substrate of an oxidizing polymeric material for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), coated with an oxidizable material, for example magnesium, which is capable of reacting exothermally with the oxidizing polymeric material. The pyrotechnic sheet produces solid products in very fine particle form which gives improved energy transfer to the stored gas. The invention facilities simple, cheaper constructions of hybrid inflators.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety restraint gas generator is provided in which the ignition system for the propellant comprises a pyrotechnic layer (22), e.g. a reactive film, preferably comprising a substrate of oxidizing polymeric film such as polytetrafluoro-ethylene (PTFE) having at least a portion of its surface covered with a layer of oxidizable material, for example magnesium, which may be vapour-deposited on the surface. The propellant is preferably a propellant train (12, 14, 16, 18) which comprises a plurality of adjacent propellant grains such as toroidal discs which surround the pyrotechnic layer or are completeley encased thereby. The gas generator is simpler and more economical to manufacture, and has improved safety during use.