Smokeless gas generating material

Details Smokeless gas generating material Smokeless gas generating material

1999-07-26

2001-05-29

Carone, Michael J. (Department: 3641)

Explosive and thermic compositions or charges

Containing nitrogen oxide or acid thereof

C149S001000, C149S019910, C149S019400, C149S019500, C280S736000, C280S737000, C280S741000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06238500

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an apparatus comprising an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and a gas generating material for producing inflation gas for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, such as an air bag, is inflated by inflation gas provided by an inflator. The inflator contains a gas generating material. The inflator further includes an igniter. The igniter is actuated to ignite the gas generating material when the vehicle experiences a collision for which inflation of the air bag is desired. As the gas generating material burns, it generates a volume of inflation gas. The inflation gas is directed into the air bag to inflate the air bag. When the air bag is inflated, it expands into the vehicle occupant compartment and helps to protect the vehicle occupant.
It is known to use, in a gas generating material, a nitrous oxide (N
2
O) oxidizer and a volatile liquid fuel such as a hydrocarbon or an alcohol. At the storage and operating pressures conventionally used for such gas generating material, nitrous oxide is in a gaseous state and the fuel is in a liquid state. An inflator using such gas generating material requires a containment system for the gas generating material which is leak-proof for the life of the inflator. In addition, since the fuel is a liquid, the surface or reaction area presented by the fuel for reaction with the nitrous oxide gas can vary substantially from one moment to the next and/or be irregular, resulting in variable and unpredictable burn rates.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, an inflator for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device comprises a pressurized container, a gas generating material stored under pressure in the container, and an igniter for igniting the gas generating material in the container. The gas generating material comprises an oxidizer and a fuel. At least a major portion of the oxidizer is nitrous oxide in a liquid-gas state. At least a major portion of the fuel is polyvinyl alcohol in a porous, molded solid state. A portion of the liquid nitrous oxide is absorbed into the pores of the molded polyvinyl alcohol. The gas generating material upon combustion produces a combustion product consisting essentially of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water.
The porous, molded solid state of the polyvinyl alcohol presents a defined surface or reaction area for reaction of the polyvinyl alcohol with the liquid nitrous oxide. The defined surface or reaction area is reproducible to provide repeatable and predictable burn rates.


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