US4369079A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Solid non-azide nitrogen gas generant compositions
Assignee: Autoliv ASP Inc
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Filing: 1980-12-31
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Granted: 1983-01-18
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Expires: 2000-12-31
Abstract
Abstract A solid non-azide, non-toxic, substantially moisture-free nitrogen gas generating composition intended for use in the deployment of inflatable safety crash bags for driver and passenger protection in vehicles consists essentially of a metal salt of a non-hydrogen containing tetrazole compound selected from the group consisting of alkali metal salts and alkaline earth metal salts and an oxidizer containing nitrogen and a member selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal and an alkaline earth metal, the tetrazole being an azobitetrazole, and examples of the oxidizer being sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite and potassium nitrate.
Inventors
- 👤 Graham C. Shaw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:22
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01B; C01B21/00; C01B21/02; C06; C06D; C06D5/00; C06D5/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A solid pellet for generating non-toxic, substantially moisture-free nitrogen gas consisting essentially of a metal salt of a non-hydrogen containing tetrazole compound selected from the group consisting of alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts and admixtures thereof and an oxidizer containing nitrogen and a member selected from the group consisting of alkali metal nitrates, alkali metal nitrites, and admixtures thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A solid pellet for generating non-toxic, substantially moisture-free nitrogen gas consisting essentially of a metal salt of a non-hydrogen containing tetrazole compound selected from the group consisting of alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts and admixtures thereof and an oxidizer containing nitrogen and a member selected from the group consisting of alkali metal nitrates, alkali metal nitrites, and admixtures thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
The pellet of claim 1 wherein said tetrazole is azobitetrazole.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The pellet of claim 1 wherein said oxidizer is an alkali metal nitrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The pellet of claim 3 wherein said oxidizer is an alkali nitrite.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The pellet of claim 3 wherein said oxidizer is sodium nitrate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The pellet of claim 4 wherein said oxidizer is sodium nitrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The pellet of claim 3 wherein said oxidizer is potassium nitrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The pellet of claim 1 wherein said tetrazole compound is present in an amount from about 35 to about 60 weight percent and said oxidizer is present in an amount from 40 to about 65 weight percent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
104 words
In a method for inflating air bag comprising igniting a pellet of pyrotechnic material to generate a gas, filtering and cooling the generated gas, and using the filtered and cooled gas to inflate the air bag, the improvement comprising, the step of using a solid pellet for generating non-toxic, substantially moisture-free, nitrogen gas consisting essentially of a metal salt of a non-hydrogen containing tetrazole compound selected from the group consisting of alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts and admixtures thereof and an oxidizer containing nitrogen and a member selected from the group consisting of alkali metal nitrates, alkali metal nitrites, and admixtures thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
104 words
In a method for inflating air bag comprising igniting a pellet of pyrotechnic material to generate a gas, filtering and cooling the generated gas, and using the filtered and cooled gas to inflate the air bag, the improvement comprising, the step of using a solid pellet for generating non-toxic, substantially moisture-free, nitrogen gas consisting essentially of a metal salt of a non-hydrogen containing tetrazole compound selected from the group consisting of alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts and admixtures thereof and an oxidizer containing nitrogen and a member selected from the group consisting of alkali metal nitrates, alkali metal nitrites, and admixtures thereof.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for the generation of a substantially moisture-free, non-toxic nitrogen gas which comprises: a. compounding a gas generant composition consisting essentially of a non-hydrogen containing metal salt of a tetrazole compound selected from the group consisting of alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts and admixtures thereof and an oxidizer containing nitrogen and a member selected from the group consisting of alkali metal nitrates, alkali metal nitrites, and admixtures thereof; b. pelletizing said composition; c. igniting said pelletized composition to produce a substantially moisture-free, non-toxic nitrogen gas.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for the generation of a substantially moisture-free, non-toxic nitrogen gas which comprises: a. compounding a gas generant composition consisting essentially of a non-hydrogen containing metal salt of a tetrazole compound selected from the group consisting of alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts and admixtures thereof and an oxidizer containing nitrogen and a member selected from the group consisting of alkali metal nitrates, alkali metal nitrites, and admixtures thereof; b. pelletizing said composition; c. igniting said pelletized composition to produce a substantially moisture-free, non-toxic nitrogen gas.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 10 whereby said non-toxic nitrogen gas contains carbon monoxide in non-toxic amounts.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 10 whereby said non-toxic nitrogen gas contains carbon monoxide in amounts less than about 1000 ppm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 10 whereby said tetrazole compound is present in an amount from about 35 to about 60 weight percent and said oxidizer is present in an amount from about 40 to 65 weight percent.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3928964A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-01-17 | 1986-07-19 | 1987-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-17 | 1990-07-19 | 1991-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-17 | 1994-07-19 | 1995-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |