초록 ▼

An apparatus (10) for inflating an air bag includes a container (12) having a chamber (16) for holding an inert gas and an oxidizer gas under pressure. A body (20) of a combustible material is disposed in the container (12). The body (20) of combustible material comprises a non-metallic nitrogen con

An apparatus (10) for inflating an air bag includes a container (12) having a chamber (16) for holding an inert gas and an oxidizer gas under pressure. A body (20) of a combustible material is disposed in the container (12). The body (20) of combustible material comprises a non-metallic nitrogen containing compound, a thermoplastic polymer, and an oxidizer material. The oxidizer material is selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal nitrate, alkali-earth metal nitrate, ammonium perchlorate, alkali metal perchlorate, alkali-earth metal perchlorate, organo-ammonium nitrate, or ammonium dinitramide. An igniter (32) ignites the body (20) of combustible material to generate combustion products that mix with, and heat, the inert gas and the oxidizer gas. The body (20) of combustible material undergoes further combustion upon exposure to the oxidizer gas to yield an inflation fluid comprising the combustion products, the inert gas, and any unreacted oxidizer gas. A conduit directs the inflation fluid flow from the container (12) into an air bag. The apparatus produces unexpectedly low levels of CO, NO, NO.sub.2, HCN and HCOH in the inflation fluid.

대표청구항 ▼

[ Having described the invention, the following is claimed:] [1.] An apparatus for use in inflating a vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:1) a first container for storing a supply of gas;2) a gas stored in said first container, said gas comprising an inert gas and oxygen;3)

[ Having described the invention, the following is claimed:] [1.] An apparatus for use in inflating a vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:1) a first container for storing a supply of gas;2) a gas stored in said first container, said gas comprising an inert gas and oxygen;3) a second container;4) a combustible material in said second container, said combustible material consisting essentially of:(a) about 36% to about 76% by weight, based on the weight of said combustible material, excluding inert components, of a non-metallic nitrogen containing compound selected from the group consisting of nitroguanidine, triaminoguanidine nitrate, ethylene dinitramine, ethylenediamine dinitrate, 1,3,3-trinitroazetidine, cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine, cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine, trinitrotoluene, 2,4,6-trinitrophenylmethylnitramine, pentaerythritol tetranitrate and mixtures thereof;(b) about 8% to about 22% by weight, based on the weight of said combustible material, excluding inert components, of a binder selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate, polyester elastomer, polyether elastomer, polyurethane, and copolymers thereof; and(c) about 10% to about 40% by weight, based on the weight of said combustible material, excluding inert components, of an oxidizer material selected from the group consisting of ammonium perchlorate, potassium perchlorate, potassium nitrate, and combinations thereof;5) igniter means for igniting said combustible material, said combustible material when ignited generating an initial combustion product;6) means for directing said initial combustion product directly from said second container into said first container, said initial combustion product further combusting in the presence of said oxygen and generating a final non-toxic combustion product including heat for heating said inert gas; and7) a conduit for directing said heated inert gas and said final non-toxic combustion product to the vehicle occupant protection device; combined weights of oxygen from said stored gas and oxygen from said oxidizer material being effective to produce a final non-toxic combustion product essentially free of carbon monoxide.