Non-azide gas generant formulation, method, and apparatus

• US 5,197,758 A
• Filed: 10/09/1991
• Issued: 03/30/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Morton International Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Shaw, Graham C. III, Stevens, Mikel R., Lund, Gary K., Edwards, W. Wayne
• Primary Examiner(s): Lechert, Jr., Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US07/774,755
• Time in Patent Office: 538 Days
• Field of Search: 149/61, 280/741
• US Class Current: 280/741
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 43/00 Compositions characterised by explosive or thermic constituents not provided for in groups C06B25/00 - C06B41/00
• CPC Class Codes: C06D 5/06 by reaction of two or more solids

Abstract

Gas generating compositions or propellants are provided which comprise a non-azide fuel which is a transition metal complex of an aminoarazole. Preferred transition metal complexes are zinc and copper complexes of 5-aminotetrazole and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, with the zinc complexes most preferred. The propellant compositions also include a conventional oxidizer, such as potassium nitrate or strontium nitrate. These compositions are useful for generating a nitrogen-containing gas for a variety of applications, especially for inflating air bags in automotive restraint systems, as well as other inflatable devices.

Claims

1. A solid composition for generating a nitrogen-containing gas including a non-azide fuel and an oxidizer therefor, wherein said non-azide fuel comprises a transition metal complex of an aminoarazole.

2. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said aminoarazole is selected from the group consisting of a transition metal complex of 5-aminotetrazole and a transition metal complex of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole.

3. A composition according to claim 2 wherein said transition metal is selected from the group consisting of zinc and copper.

4. A composition according to claim 3 wherein said transitional metal complex is a zinc complex of 5-aminotetrazole.

5. A composition according to claim 3 wherein said transitional metal complex is a zinc complex of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole.

6. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of KNO₃, Sr(NO₃)₂ and mixtures thereof.

7. A composition according to claim 4 wherein the oxidizer is Sr(NO₃)₂.

8. A composition according to claim 5 wherein the oxidizer is Sr(NO₃)₂.

9. A method of generating a nitrogen-containing gas comprising igniting a solid composition including a non-azide fuel and an oxidizer therefor, wherein the fuel comprises a transition metal complex of an aminoarazole.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the aminoarazole is selected from the group consisting of a transition metal complex of 5-aminotetrazole and a transition metal complex of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein said transition metal complex is a zinc complex of 5-aminotetrazole.

12. A method according to claim 10 wherein said transition metal complex is a zinc complex of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole.

13. A method according to claim 11 wherein the oxidizer is Sr(NO₃)₂.

14. A method according to claim 12 wherein the oxidizer is Sr(NO₃)₂.

15. A method according to claim 9 further comprising using the gas produced to inflate an air bag.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the aminoarazole is selected from the group consisting of a transition metal complex of 5-aminotetrazole and a transition metal of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole.

17. A method according to claim 16 wherein said transition metal complex is a zinc complex of 5-aminotetrazole.

18. A method according to claim 16 wherein said transition metal complex is a zinc complex of 3-amino-1,2,4-trizaole.

19. A method according to claim 16 wherein the oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of KNO₃, Sr(NO₃)₂ and mixtures thereof.

20. An automotive air bag inflator comprising a metal housing having a gas outlet, a solid gas generating composition including a non-azide fuel and an oxidizer therefor disposed within said housing, an igniter disposed within said housing adjacent to said composition, and a gas filtering system disposed between said composition and said outlet, wherein said fuel comprises a transition metal complex of an aminoarazole.