Nitrogen gas generator
AssigneeMorton International, Inc.
InventorsJohn E. Allard, Linda M. Rink
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Particles of glass or silica type material are added to pellets of gas generating material as the gas generating material is being loaded into the combustion chamber of a gas generator or inflator. When the inflator is fired, the liquids and gases produced by the resulting rapid combustion process are cooled and condensed by the particles of glass or silica type material to a solid inside the combustion chamber near the exit ports or outlet holes thereof. This dramatically reduces the amount of combustible particle residue or particulates that leave the inflator.
Claims10
A mixture for generating nitrogen gas consisting essentially of the following ingredients:
- a. an alkali metal azide;
- b. an oxidizing compound in proportion sufficient to react substantially completely with said azide with the liberation of nitrogen therefrom, with said azide and oxidizing compound being fabricated in the form of pellets each of which individually has a geometric configuration such that when aggregated in a mass there is contained between the pellets a free volume made up of the spaces therebetween;
- and
- c. discrete particles of silica containing material which are substantially smaller than said pellets, said particles being disposed amongst said pellets and substantially filling the free volume therebetween.
An inflator for inflating an inflatable cushion of a vehicle occupant restraint system in response to a vehicle collision signal comprising:
- housing means defining at least one discharge port for directing a gaseous flow from said housing means,
- gas generating means disposed within said housing means and including a mixture comprised of the following ingredients:
- a. an alkali metal azide,
- b. an oxidizing compound in proportion sufficient to react substantially completely with said azide with the liberation of nitrogen therefrom, with said azide and said oxidizing compound being fabricated in the form of pellets each of which individually has a geometric configuration such that when aggregated in a mass there is contained between the pellets a free volume made up of the spaces therebetween, and
- c. discrete particles of silica containing material which are substantially smaller than said pellets, said particles being disposed amongst said pellets and substantially filling the free volume therebetween, and
- means operable to thermally initiate said gas generating means in response to the collision signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.