Catalytic filter for an inflator

Details Catalytic filter for an inflator Catalytic filter for an inflator

2001-07-30

2003-06-24

English, Peter C. (Department: 3616)

Land vehicles

Wheeled

Attachment

C422S180000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06581963

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an apparatus for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in the event of a vehicle collision, and particularly relates to an inflator for providing inflation fluid for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An inflator which provides inflation fluid to inflate an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device is known. In certain inflators the inflation fluid is generated by ignition of a gas generating material in the inflator.
Some gas generating materials are azide based while other gas generating materials are non-azide based. Non-azide based gas generating materials typically supply a higher yield of gas (moles of gas per gram of gas generant) than azide based gas generating materials.
However, non-azide based gas generating materials can produce inflation fluids with temperatures above 700° C. and with high levels of carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NO
x
). It is desirable to reduce the levels of carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NO
x
) to lower the concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NO
x
) in the inflation fluid produced by non-azide based gas generating materials before the inflation fluid flows into the air bag.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an apparatus for helping to protect a vehicle occupant and includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and an inflator for providing inflation fluid to inflate the vehicle occupant protection device. A non-azide gas generating material is in the inflator. The non-azide gas generating material when combusted produces inflation fluid that comprises carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NO
x
). A catalyst system which contacts the inflation fluid is also in the inflator. The catalyst system is reactive with the carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NO
x
) in the inflation fluid. The catalyst system comprises a zeolite and a catalytic material. The catalytic material is supported by the zeolite.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3797854 (1974-03-01), Poole et al.
patent: 5100171 (1992-03-01), Faigle et al.
patent: 5204068 (1993-04-01), O'Loughlin et al.
patent: 5275433 (1994-01-01), Klober et al.
patent: 5401566 (1995-03-01), Magee et al.
patent: 5741468 (1998-04-01), Saito et al.
patent: 5795553 (1998-08-01), Lott et al.
patent: 5806886 (1998-09-01), Ittel et al.
patent: 6251200 (2001-06-01), Dunne
patent: 2-52037 (1990-02-01), None
patent: 9-39707 (1997-02-01), None
A publication entitled “Getting Auto Exhausts to Pristine,”Chemical&Engineering News, vol. 77, No. 04, Jan. 25, 1999.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Catalytic filter for an inflator does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Catalytic filter for an inflator, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Catalytic filter for an inflator will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3110381