Abstract: A gas generator for instantaneously supplying a gas to an inflatable bag such as a gas bag for protection of a car passenger from injuries in a collision, of the type comprising a solid gas-generating composition confined in a reaction chamber defined in a housing having a perforated wall. The reaction chamber is bounded by a wire screen which is spaced from the perforated wall, and another wire screen is arranged along the inside of the perforated wall. Adequately sized granules of SiC are packed in a space bounded by the two wire screens to efficiently absorb heat and remove solid matter from the generated gas without offering an unduly great resistance to the gas flow. Best cooling and filtering effects can be gained by the use of .alpha.-SiC granules of a sharp-edged particle shape.

Abstract: An igniter is disclosed having a heat generator responsive to an ignition signal for igniting powder. comprises a first connector insulatingly supporting a first pair of electrical conductions having their one ends connected across the heat generator, filter means provided in circuit with one of the first electrical conductors for prohibiting passage of any high frequency signal other than the ignition signal, resilient means electrically connecting the first electrical conductors, the resilient means resiliently contacting at least one of the first electrical conductors, a second connector insulatingly supporting a second pair of electrical conductors having their one ends connected across an ignition signal source, and a second connector adapted to engage the first connector so as to bring the second electrical conductors into electrical connection with the respective first electrical conductors and to take the resilient means out of contact with the first electrical conductor.

Abstract: A device comprising a perforated housing containing therein pellets of a chemical composition which undergoes self-sustaining combustion with generation of a combustion gas and an initiator attached to the housing to ignite the pellets. To prevent breaking of the pellets resulting from their movements in the housing, a hollow and resilient retainer member is placed in the housing such that the initiator is exposed to the interior of the retainer and that the pellets are spaced from the initiator by the retainer and held under a compressive force by the resiliency of the retainer. The retainer has openings which allow a gas to pass therethrough but do not allow the pellets to pass therethrough. A helical spring and a perforated bellows are examples of the retainer.

Abstract: In the preparation of a gaseous fuel mixture mainly of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbon fuel in the presence of oxygen and water by either the partial combustion process or the catalytic decomposition, the product of catalytic decomposition of an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide is utilized as the oxygen and water sources. When a relatively dilute hydrogen peroxide solution is used, the resulting liquid phase water may be separated from the decomposition product and introduced into either the subsequent reaction system or the produced fuel mixture.

Abstract: A gas generator including a combustible composition is covered with a guard member, which is adapted in shape to the gas generator and has slits, notches or folds arranged such that the member is locally extended outwards upon actuation of the gas generator to prevent contact of the bag with the heated gas generator.

Abstract: A lean air-fuel mixture and hydrogen gas are introduced into the combustion chamber so that high concentrations of hydrogen form about the spark plug and combustion chamber walls.

Abstract: A gas generator including a combustible composition is covered with a guard member, which is adapted in shape to the gas generator and has slits, notches or folds aranged such that the member is locally extended outwards upon actuation of the gas generator to prevent contact of the bag with the heated gas generator.

Abstract: An oxidizer other than air is decomposed, ignited in combination with a fuel, and fed into a combustion chamber to promote combustion of a main air-fuel mixture, the oxidizer or oxidizing agent does not contain nitrogen, and combustion of the mixture in the combustion chamber produces low levels of nitrogen oxides and other pollutants.

Abstract: A free hydrogen containing gas is produced from a fuel by a self-operating or -perpetuating expander in which a working member compresses a base mixture of fuel, oxygen or air and water during the compression stroke thereof. The base mixture is heated, after being compressed, by a flame resulting from combustion of a combustible mixture in a combustion chamber to convert the fuel into the gas, and the gas expands to perform work on the working member which accumulates power for the compression stroke of the working member.

Abstract: Decomposed hydrogen peroxide is fed into an engine intake passageway in addition to fuel and air to provide a combustible mixture containing a low concentration of nitrogen.

Abstract: To a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen or air having the stoichiometric oxygen-to-hydrogen ratio, a diluent gas such as carbon dioxide or argon is added before the mixture is fed to the combustor when the burning rate of the mixture is excessively high. The diluent in the combustion gas can be reused after separation of water.

Abstract: The system fundamentarily consists of a means to prepare a substantially gaseous mixture of a fuel, e.g., hydrocarbons, oxygen and water, a heated catalyst chamber and a reciprocating compressor. The compressor is arranged and valve-controlled such that the fuel mixture is pressurized before the feeding into the catalyst chamber and the heated and pressurized H.sub.2 -containing mixture is drawn into and expanded in the working chamber of the compressor before the feeding into an engine. The means to prepare the starting fuel mixture may include a sub-system for producing oxygen and water from hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A solid material such as an inorganic carbonate, a salt of a strong inorganic acid and a weak base, or a weak inorganic acid cools gas passing therethrough generated from an azide of an alkali or alkaline earth metal. Toxic, molten particles resulting from decomposition of the azide are trapped and reduced to harmless salts by the solid material.

Abstract: A rotating wheel made of oxygen absorbing material absorbs oxygen from air passing therethrough from an air inlet to a residual gas outlet. Fuel passing through the wheel from a fuel inlet to an oxidized gas outlet is oxidized by the absorbed oxygen.