Metal hydrazine complexes used as gas generants
First Claim
1. A method of inflating an inflatable air bag or balloon comprisinggenerating substantially non-toxic gas by combusting an at least essentially azide-free gas generating formulation containing at least one metal complex having a transition metal cation or alkaline earth metal cation and at least one neutral ligand comprised of hydrazine, and sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the metal cation, wherein when the gas generating formulation combusts, a substantially non-toxic mixture of gases containing nitrogen gas and water vapor is produced;
- andinflating said air bag or balloon using said gases.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Gas generating compositions and methods for their use are provided. Metal complexes are used as gas generating compositions. These complexes are comprised of a metal cation template, a neutral ligand containing hydrogen and nitrogen, and sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the complex. The complexes are formulated such that when the complex combusts, nitrogen gas and water vapor is produced. Specific examples of such complexes include metal nitrite ammine, metal nitrate ammine, and metal perchlorate ammine complexes, as well as hydrazine complexes. A binder and co-oxidizer can be combined with the metal complexes to improve crush strength of the gas generating compositions and to permit efficient combustion of the binder. Such gas generating compositions are adaptable for use in gas generating devices such as automobile air bags.
44 Citations
51 Claims
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1. A method of inflating an inflatable air bag or balloon comprising
generating substantially non-toxic gas by combusting an at least essentially azide-free gas generating formulation containing at least one metal complex having a transition metal cation or alkaline earth metal cation and at least one neutral ligand comprised of hydrazine, and sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the metal cation, wherein when the gas generating formulation combusts, a substantially non-toxic mixture of gases containing nitrogen gas and water vapor is produced; - and
inflating said air bag or balloon using said gases. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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Specification