Gas generating system with autoignition device

Abstract

A gas generating system (10) includes an autoignition device (300) for initiating combustion of a combustible material (14, 38). The device comprises a cartridge including a container (302), a first material (314) stored in the container (302), and a second material (316) stored in the container (302). The second material (316) is separated from the first material (314). The first material (314) and the second material (316) combine to form a hypergolic mixture upon contact with each other. Upon exposure of the gas generating system (10) to an elevated temperature, a portion of the container (302) separating the first and second materials (314, 316) is breached, enabling the materials to combine to form the hypergolic mixture. The resulting hypergolic ignition ignites one or more combustible materials (14, 38) positioned within the gas generating system housing (11). Also provided is a structure for the autoignition device, and methods for activating the device.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.