Generant grain assembly formed of multiple symmetric pieces
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A segmented gas generant grain assembly comprising:
- a plurality of gas generant segments arranged circumferentially to define a segmented body of the gas generant grain assembly, wherein each gas generant segment has a shape that is symmetric with respect to at least one axis defined by the segment and comprises at least one void having a first dimension, wherein the segmented body has a central aperture having a diameter greater than the first dimension;
wherein the segmented body of the gas generate grain has a rate of breakage less than or equal to about 50%.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Pressed and segmented gas generant grain assemblies formed from a plurality of symmetric gas generant pieces or segments are disclosed. The symmetric pieces or segments are arranged circumferentially to define a substantially round, segmented body. In certain variations, the symmetric segments are substantially free of polymeric binder and have a high density. The segmented pressed grain assemblies are more robust and less expensive to manufacture, while still exhibiting desired combustion performance. Methods of making such segmented gas generant grain assemblies are also provided.
152 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A segmented gas generant grain assembly comprising:
-
a plurality of gas generant segments arranged circumferentially to define a segmented body of the gas generant grain assembly, wherein each gas generant segment has a shape that is symmetric with respect to at least one axis defined by the segment and comprises at least one void having a first dimension, wherein the segmented body has a central aperture having a diameter greater than the first dimension; wherein the segmented body of the gas generate grain has a rate of breakage less than or equal to about 50%. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method of making a segmented gas generant grain assembly, the segmented gas generant grain assembly including a plurality of gas generant segments arranged circumferentially to define a segmented body of the gas generant grain assembly, wherein each gas generant segment has a shape that is symetric with respect to at least one axis defined by the segment and comprises at least one void having a first dimension, wherein the segmented body has a central aperture having a diameter greater than the first dimension, the method comprising:
-
conveying the plurality of gas generant segments to a round receptacle; sequentially introducing the gas generant segments into the round receptacle, wherein each symmetric segment self-orients to be arranged circumferentially within the round receptacle to form a segmented gas generant grain assembly having a substantially round body; and removing the segmented gas generant grain assembly from the round receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A segmented gas generant grain assembly comprising:
-
a plurality of gas generant segments arranged circumferentially to define a segmented body of the gas generant grain assembly, wherein each gas generant segment has a shape that is symmetric with respect to at least one axis defined by the segment; wherein the segmented body of the gas generant grain has a rate of breakage less than or equal to about 50%.
-
Specification