Metal complexes for use as gas generants
First Claim
1. A gas generating composition comprising:
- a complex of a metal cation, at least one neutral ligand containing hydrogen and nitrogen, and sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the metal cation such that when the complex combusts, a mixture of gases containing nitrogen gas and water vapor is produced; and
at least one cool burning organic nitrogen-containing compound.
16 Assignments
0 Petitions
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, sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the complex, and at least one cool burning organic nitrogen-containing compound. 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.
-
Citations
49 Claims
-
1. A gas generating composition comprising:
-
a complex of a metal cation, at least one neutral ligand containing hydrogen and nitrogen, and sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the metal cation such that when the complex combusts, a mixture of gases containing nitrogen gas and water vapor is produced; and at least one cool burning organic nitrogen-containing compound. - 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, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
-
-
40. A gas generating device comprising:
a gas generating composition comprising; a complex of a transition metal cation or alkaline earth metal cation and a neutral ligand containing hydrogen and nitrogen, such that when the complex combusts, a mixture of gases containing nitrogen gas and water vapor is produced; sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the metal cation; and at least one cool burning organic nitrogen-containing compound; and an ignitor for initiating the combustion of the composition. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42)
-
43. An automobile air bag system comprising:
-
a collapsed, inflatable air bag; a gas-generating device connected to the air bag for inflating the air bag, the gas-generating device containing a gas-generating composition comprising; a complex of a transition metal cation or alkaline earth metal cation and a neutral ligand containing hydrogen and nitrogen, such that when the complex combusts, a mixture of gases containing nitrogen gas and water vapor is produced; sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the metal cation; and and at least one cool burning organic nitrogen-containing compound; and an ignitor to ignite the gas-generating composition.
-
-
44. A vehicle containing a supplemental restraint system having an air bag system comprising:
-
a collapsed, inflatable air bag; a gas-generating device connected to the air bag for inflating the air bag, the gas-generating device containing a gas-generating composition comprising; a complex of a transition metal cation or alkaline earth metal cation and a neutral ligand containing hydrogen and nitrogen, such that when the complex combusts, a mixture of gases containing nitrogen gas and water vapor is produced; sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the metal cation; and at least one cool burning organic nitrogen-containing compound; and an ignitor for igniting the gas-generating composition.
-
Specification