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Method of safely initiating combustion of a gas generant composition using an autoignition composition

  • US 5,739,460 A
  • Filed: 01/30/1997
  • Issued: 04/14/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of safely initiating combustion of a gas generator or pyrotechnic composition in a gas generator or pyrotechnic device having a housing when the gas generator or pyrotechnic device is exposed to flame or a high temperature environment, the method comprising:

  • forming an autoignition composition having an autoignition temperature by mixing an oxidizer composition and a powdered molybdenum metal fuel, wherein the oxidizer composition comprises at least one of an alkali metal nitrate, an alkaline earth metal nitrate, a complex salt nitrate, a dried, hydrated metal nitrate, silver nitrate, an alkali metal chlorate, an alkali metal perchlorate, an alkaline earth metal chlorate, an alkaline earth metal perchlorate, ammonium perchlorate, sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite, silver nitrite, a solid organic nitrate, a solid organic nitrite, or a solid organic amine or a mixture or comelt thereof, wherein the metal fuel is present in an amount at least sufficient to provide a substantially stoichiometric mixture of metal fuel and oxidizer, such that the autoignition composition has an autoignition temperature of no more than about 232°

    C.; and

    placing the autoignition composition in thermal contact with the gas generator or pyrotechnic composition within the gas generator or pyrotechnic device, such that the autoignition composition autoignites at an autoignition temperature of no more than about 232°

    C., and initiates combustion of the gas generator or pyrotechnic composition when the gas generator or pyrotechnic device is exposed to flame or a high temperature environment.

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