US 8,986,404 B2 · Gas generator with starter mechanism and catalyst shield

Abstract

The present application is directed to gas generators comprising a fuel mixture and a catalyst. The catalyst is contained in a self-regulated reactor or buoy, and selectively opens and closes to produce a gas in accordance with the demand for gas. This fuel mixture is generally a solution formed by dissolving a solid fuel component in a liquid fuel component. The mixing preferably occurs before the first use, and more preferably occurs immediately prior to the first use. The inventive gas generators preferably further comprises a starting mechanism that isolates the solid fuel from the liquid fuel or vice versa before the first use. In one embodiment, the starting mechanism further comprises a catalyst shield mechanism that isolates the catalyst in the reactor or buoy from the liquid and/or the solid fuel prior to the first use.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A gas-generating apparatus comprising:

a first compartment containing a first fuel and a second compartment containing a second fuel, wherein the first and second fuel are mixed to form a fuel mixture, said fuel mixture reacts to produce a gas in the presence of a catalyst;
and
wherein the first compartment comprises a cover connected to an actuator located on the outside of the gas-generating apparatus, wherein the actuator is selectively actuatable to mix the first and second fuels,
wherein a hollow shaft connects the actuator to a reactor within the gas-generator and is in fluid communication with a reference pressure and with an expandable member of the reactor, expandable member within the reactor, wherein the reactor houses the catalyst;
wherein the cover is connected to the actuator by the shaft;
and wherein when the actuator is actuated the cover moves away from the first compartment to open the first compartment.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Gas generator with starter mechanism and catalyst shield

Life of this patent

Gas generator with starter mechanism and catalyst shield

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19