Explosive and thermic compositions or charges – Structure or arrangement of component or product – Solid particles dispersed in solid solution or matrix
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-31
2001-05-08
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3641)
Explosive and thermic compositions or charges
Structure or arrangement of component or product
Solid particles dispersed in solid solution or matrix
C149S045000, C149S046000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06228193
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a vehicle occupant protection device, and particularly to a gas generating material which is useful in the protection device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
An inflator for inflating a vehicle occupant protection device, such as an air bag, contains a body of ignitable gas generating material. The inflator further includes an igniter. The igniter is actuated so as to ignite the body of gas generating material when the vehicle experiences a condition, such as a sudden deceleration, which is indicative of a collision for which inflation of the air bag is desired. As the body of gas generating material burns, it generates a volume of inflation gas. The inflation gas is directed into the vehicle 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.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,973 discloses a vehicle occupant restraint apparatus which comprises a liquid gas generating composition. The composition comprises 60% hydroxyl ammonium nitrate (HAN) as an oxidizer, 20% triethanol ammonium nitrate (TEAN) as a fuel, and 20% water. The HAN and TEAN are water soluble.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,057 discloses a liquid monopropellant suitable for underwater and surface propulsion of ordnance vehicles. The composition comprises a solution or emulsion of hydroxyl ammonium nitrate (HAN), a water soluble or water dispersible fuel, and water. A number of fuels are listed such as alcohols, glycols, and amines. The amount of water is about 5% to 100% of the combined weight of fuel and oxidant, and functions as a desensitizing agent for the HAN and serves to provide cooling to control the flame temperature of the combustion reaction.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,451,277 discloses a method for preparing solid energetic compositions using liquid oxidizers. Hydroxyl ammonium nitrate (HAN) is listed as a suitable liquid oxidizer. Solid fuel particles such as a metal fuel are coated with a polyvinyl alcohol coating. The polymer-coated particles are dried and then combined with the liquid oxidizer forming a dispersion. The dispersion is cast into a mold. The liquid oxidizer is absorbed by the polymer coating causing aggregation of the dispersion into a rubbery solid mass.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,684,269 discloses a liquid gas generating composition suitable for automotive restraint systems. The composition comprises HAN and a nitrate salt of an amine such as an amino tetrazole.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention resides in a vehicle occupant protection device which comprises a body of gas generating material. The body of gas generating material comprises a solid solution of (i) a water soluble liquid oxidizer, (ii) a hydrophilic polymeric gelling agent, wherein said gelling agent comprises carbon atoms in an effective amount to function as a fuel with said liquid oxidizer, and (iii) water.
The water reduces the temperature of the gas which is produced and also increases the volume of gas, making the gas generating material of the present invention suitable for a vehicle occupant protection device.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the liquid oxidizer is hydroxyl ammonium nitrate and the hydrophilic polymeric gelling agent is polyvinyl alcohol.
Preferably, the body of gas generating material comprises about 50% to about 90% hydroxyl ammonium nitrate (dry weight), about 5% to about 25% polyvinyl alcohol and about 5-25% water based on the weight of said body of gas generating material.
A preferred polyvinyl alcohol is one having an average molecular weight in the range of about 13,000 to 186,000.
Preferably, the ratio of polyvinyl alcohol to hydroxyl ammonium nitrate is that ratio which is effective for combustion of carbon in the polyvinyl alcohol to carbon dioxide.
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Report “Environmentally Aware Rocket Propellants—Solid Rocket Propellants for Future Applications, i.e., Designer Propellants”, Art Katzakian, Solid Rocket Technical Committee Lecture Series, Jan. 10-12, 1994.
Baker Aileen J.
Jordan Charles T.
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Inc.
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