Stable initiator compositions and igniters

• US 7,402,777 B2
• Filed: 05/20/2004
• Issued: 07/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alexza Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Grupo Ferrer Internacional SA)
• Original Assignee: Alexza Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Grupo Ferrer Internacional SA)
• Inventors: Ron, Hale L., Tom, Curtis, Solas, Dennis W., Pettit, Hilary N., Lei, Mingzu, Song, Soonho
• Primary Examiner(s): Campbell; Thor S.
• Application Number:
  US10/851,018
• Publication Number:
  US 20050258159A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,524 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 219/270
• CPC Class Codes: F23Q 3/006 Details sparking-plugs H01T13/00

Abstract

High sparking initiator compositions with a controlled amount of power are disclosed. The initiator compositions comprise a metal containing oxidizing agent, at least one metal reducing agent, and a non-explosive binder. Low voltage igniters that provide bidirectional plumes upon ignition are also disclosed. These igniters have a electrically resistive element positioned across a hole in a support which directs the plume. These igniters and compositions are useful in the actuation of solid fuel heating unit, in particular, sealed heating units.

Claims

1. An initiator composition comprising a mixture including

a. a metal containing oxidizing agent

b. a metal reducing agent, and

c. a non-explosive binder,

wherein said mixture is characterized by release of a total amount of energy of 0.25 J to 8.5 J upon actuation and a deflagration time of 5 to 30 milliseconds at a composition thickness of 20 to 100 microns.

2. The initiator composition of claim 1, wherein said mixture is characterized by a deflagration time of 5 to 20 milliseconds at a composition thickness of 40 to 100 microns.

3. The initiator composition of claim 1, wherein said mixture is characterized by a deflagration time of 5 to 10 milliseconds at a composition thickness of 40 to 80 microns.

4. The initiator composition of claim 1, wherein said metal reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, zirconium and boron.

5. The initiator composition of claim 1, wherein said metal containing oxidizing agent is selected from at least one of the following:

a chlorate of an alkali, a chlorate of an alkali earth metal, a perchlorate of an alkali metal, a perchlorate of an alkali earth metal, and an oxide of a metal.

6. The initiator composition of claim 5, wherein the said metal containing oxidizing agent is selected from at least one of the following:

molybdenum trioxide, copper oxide, tungsten trioxide, potassium chlorate, and potassium perchlorate.

7. The initiator composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises at least two metal reducing agents.

8. The initiator composition of claim 7, wherein at least one of the at least two metal reducing agents is boron.

9. The initiator composition of claim 8, wherein said composition comprises about 7–

10% by weight of boron, based on total composition dry weight.

10. The initiator composition of claim 1, wherein both the metal reducing agent and the metal-containing oxidizing agent comprise powders.

11. The initiator composition of claim 10, wherein at least one of the metal reducing agent and the metal-containing agent comprise a powder of nanoparticle size.

12. The initiator composition of claim 10, wherein both the metal reducing agent and the metal-containing oxidizing agent comprise powders of nanoparticle size.

13. The initiator composition of claim 1, wherein said composition comprises about 25–

75% by weight of said oxidizing agent, based on total composition dry weight.

14. The initiator composition of claim 1, wherein said composition comprises about 25–

75% by weight of said reducing agent, based on total composition dry weight.

15. The initiator composition of claim 1, wherein said composition comprises less than about 15% by weight of said binder, based on total composition dry weight.

16. The initiator composition of claim 1, wherein said composition comprises less than about 5% by weight of said binder, based on total composition dry weight.

17. The initiator composition of claim 15, wherein the binder is inert.

18. The initiator composition of claim 17, wherein the binder is selected from the group consisting of fluoro-carbon rubber and synthetic layered silicate.

19. The initiator composition of claim 1, wherein said initiator composition is for use with electrical resistance actuation.

20. The initiator composition of claim 1, wherein said initiator composition is for use with percussion actuation.

21. The initiator composition of claim 1, wherein said initiator composition is for use with optical actuation.

22. The initiator composition of claim 21, wherein said optical actuation is provided by a flashbulb.

23. The initiator composition of claim 1, wherein the metal containing oxidizing agent comprises molybdenum trioxide, the metal reducing agent comprises aluminum and boron, and the non-explosive binder comprises fluoro-carbon rubber.

24. An initiator composition comprising about 26–

27% by weight of aluminum, about 51–

52% by weight of molybdemun trioxide, about 7–

8% by weight of boron, and about 14–

15% by weight of fluoro-carbon rubber, based on total composition dry weight.