Method of assembling a hybrid inflator and related propellants

• US 5,675,102 A
• Filed: 01/11/1996
• Issued: 10/07/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: OEA Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hamilton, Brian K., Baglini, James L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Peter A.
• Application Number:
  US08/584,461
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 86/20.1, 102/288, 102/289, 102/290, 102/530, 280/741, 280/742
• US Class Current: 86/20.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/272 with means for increasing the pressure of the gas just before or during liberation, e.g. hybrid inflators
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 25/34 the compound being a nitrated acyclic, alicyclic or heterocyclic amine
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 45/10 the organic component containing a resin
• CPC Class Codes: C06D 5/00 Generation of pressure gas, e.g. for blasting cartridges, starting cartridges, rockets explosive compositions containing an oxidizer, fuels for rocket engines intended for reaction with an oxidant other than air C06B
• CPC Class Codes: C06D 5/06 by reaction of two or more solids
• CPC Class Codes: C06D 5/10 by reaction of solids with liquids

Abstract

A hybrid inflator for an automotive inflatable safety system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a mixture of an inert gas (e.g., argon) and oxygen are contained within the inflator housing and a hybrid propellant (i.e., ballistic properties similar to double-base and long-term stability similar to LOVA) is included in the gas generator.

Claims

1. A method for assembling a hybrid inflator for an automotive inflatable safety system, said hybrid inflator comprising an inflator housing and a gas generator, said method comprising the steps of:

positioning a solid propellant inside said gas generator, said propellant comprising a secondary explosive and a binder system, wherein said solid propellant has a burn rate ranging from about 0.1 inches per second (0.25 cm/sec) to about 1 inch per second (5.0 cm/sec) at 4,000 psi (27.6 MPa), a combustion temperature ranging from about 2,000°

K. to about 3,800°

K., and has long-term thermal stability;

positioning said gas generator inside said inflator housing;

interconnecting said gas generator and said inflator housing;

introducing a pressurized medium into at least said inflator housing, comprising the steps of;

introducing a first gas into said inflator housing, said first gas consisting essentially of an inert gas;

introducing a second gas into said inflator housing which is different from said first gas, said second gas consisting essentially of oxygen, wherein said pressurized medium consists essentially of a mixture of said first and second gases; and

sealing said inflator housing to substantially retain said pressurized medium within said inflator housing.

2. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said first gas is argon and said second gas is oxygen, said introducing a first gas step comprises, on a molar basis, introducing about 70% to about 90% of said pressurized medium with said argon, and said introducing a second gas step comprises, on a molar basis, introducing about 10% to about 30% of said pressurized medium with said oxygen.

3. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said introducing first and second gas steps are performed separately.

4. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said introducing first and second gas steps are performed substantially simultaneously.

5. A method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

mixing a predetermined quantity of said first and second gases before said introducing first and second gas steps, said introducing first and second gas steps thereby being performed simultaneously.

6. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said positioning said gas generator step comprising disposing said gas generator concentrically relative to said inflator housing.