Method and composition for generating nitrogen gas
First Claim
1. A solid composition for generating nitrogen gas substantially free of noxious and toxic impurities .Iadd.for inflating an air cushion in a vehicle passenger restraint system and capable of substantially fully inflating such cushion in the elapsed time between the occurrence of a primary collision of the vehicle with another object and secondary collisions occurring as a result thereof.Iaddend., comprising essentially a mixture of alkali metal azide and at least a stoichiometric amount of a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of iron, titanium and copper oxides and mixtures thereof, said metal oxide being capable of reacting exothermically with the alkali metal azide and wherein the metal of the oxide is lower in the electromotive series than the alkali metal of the azide and is a metal other than .[.the.]. .Iadd.an .Iaddend.alkali .Iadd.metal. .Iaddend.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A gas generating composition is disclosed wherein the combustible reactants are an alkali metal azide and a metal oxide which upon thermal initiation react to produce alkali metal oxide, metal and pure nitrogen gas which can be used to inflate an impact protection air cushion of an automotive restraint system.
18 Citations
13 Claims
- 1. A solid composition for generating nitrogen gas substantially free of noxious and toxic impurities .Iadd.for inflating an air cushion in a vehicle passenger restraint system and capable of substantially fully inflating such cushion in the elapsed time between the occurrence of a primary collision of the vehicle with another object and secondary collisions occurring as a result thereof.Iaddend., comprising essentially a mixture of alkali metal azide and at least a stoichiometric amount of a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of iron, titanium and copper oxides and mixtures thereof, said metal oxide being capable of reacting exothermically with the alkali metal azide and wherein the metal of the oxide is lower in the electromotive series than the alkali metal of the azide and is a metal other than .[.the.]. .Iadd.an .Iaddend.alkali .Iadd.metal. .Iaddend.
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6. A method for rapidly generating pure nitrogen gas .Iadd.to inflate an air cushion in a vehicle passenger restraint system whereby such cushion is substantially fully inflated between the occurrence of a primary collision of the vehicle with another object and secondary collisions occurring as a result thereof where such restraint system includes a gas generation apparatus having such air cushion attached to it, .Iaddend.comprising:
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a. .[.providing.]. .Iadd.placing in such gas generating apparatus .Iaddend.a homogeneous mixture comprising essentially solid granular alkali metal azide and at least a stoichiometric amount of a metal oxide in solid granular form selected from the group consisting of iron, titanium, and copper oxides and mixtures thereof, said metal oxide being capable of reacting exothermically with the alkali metal azide, the metal of the oxide being lower in the electromotive series than the alkali metal of the azide and the metal of the oxide being other than an alkali metal; and b. raising the temperature of the mixture sufficiently to ignite it. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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12. cushion within said elapsed time. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20. A method for rapidly generating pure nitrogen gas to inflate an air cushion in a vehicle passenger restraint system whereby such cushion is substantially fully inflated between the occurrence of a primary collision of the vehicle with another object and secondary collisions occurring as a result thereof and where such restraint system includes a gas generation apparatus having such air cushion attached to it, comprising:
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a. placing in such gas generating apparatus a homogeneous mixture consisting essentially of solid granular alkali metal azide and at least a stoichiometric amount of a metal oxide in solid granular from as an oxidizer, said metal oxide being selected from the group consisting of iron, titanium, and copper oxide and mixtures thereof, said metal oxide being capable of reacting exothermically with the alkali metal azide and having sufficient available oxygen to substantially fully oxidize the alkali metal of the azide, the metal of the oxide being lower in the electromotive series than the alkali metal of the azide, the metal of the oxide being other than an alkali metal, and said mixture being selected to react substantially fully within the elapsed time between the occurrence of a primary collision and secondary collisions occurring as a result thereof, and to generate sufficient nitrogen gas to inflate such air cushion within said elapsed time; and b. raising the temperature of the mixture sufficiently to ignite it. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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Specification