Gas generating material
AssigneeTRW Automotive Products, Inc.
InventorBrian K. Hamilton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Structure for generating nitrogen gas for inflating an air bag vehicle occupant restraint comprises a grain made of an azide based material which generates gas upon combustion. The grain is made of a gas generating material which includes 61-68% by weight of sodium azide, 0-5% by weight of sodium nitrate, 0-5% by weight of bentonite, 23-28% by weight of iron oxide, 1-2% by weight of fumed silica, and from about 2 to about 6% by weight of graphite fibers having a diameter of 3-15 microns and an average length of 40 to 125 thousandths of an inch.
Claims7
A structure for generating gas, said structure comprising:
- a grain made of an azide based material which generates gas and forms a sinter upon combustion;
- said gas generating material including from about 2 to about 6% by weight of graphite fibers,
- said graphite fibers having a diameter of 3-15 microns and an average length of 40 to 125 thousandths of an inch to reinforce the sinter which remains after combustion of the gas generating material.
A structure for generating gas, said structure comprising:
- a grain which generates gas and forms a sinter upon combustion;
- said grain being made of an alkali metal azide based material and having 2-6% fibers therein which have a melting temperature above the combustion temperature of the grain and a thermal conductivity above about 200 watts per meter per degree kelvin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.