Crash bag propellant compositions for generating high quality nitrogen gas

Claim 3

The method of claim 1, wherein the metal complex is represented by the formula M.sub.(a).sup.ll M.sub.(b).sup.lll O.sub.(c) in which M ll is defined as copper or iron; M lll is defined as chromium or molybdenum; (c) has a value within the range of about 4-12; and the ratio of (b)/(a) does not exceed 2.

Claim 4

The method of claim 2, wherein the azide component of the propellant composition is sodium azide or potassium azide and the metal complex is represented by the formula. Cu.sub.4.41 Cr.sub.0.77 O.sub.5.00.

Claim 5

The method of claim 2, wherein the azide component of the propellant composition is sodium azide or potassium azide and the metal complex is represented by the formula Cu.sub.2.20 Cr.sub.2.85 O.sub.7.00.

Claim 6

The method of claim 2, wherein the azide component is sodium azide or potassium azide and the metal complex is represented by the formula Cu.sub.2.93 Cr.sub.2.85 O.sub.7.00.

Claim 7

The method of claim 2, wherein the azide component of the propellant composition is sodium azide or potassium azide and the metal complex is represented by the formula Cu Mo O.sub.4.00.

Claim 8

The method of claim 1, wherein the azide component of the propellant composition is sodium azide or potassium azide and the metal complex is represented by the formula Fe WO.sub.4.00.

Claim 9

The method of claim 2, wherein the azide component of the propellant composition is sodium azide or potassium azide; and the metal complex is represented by the formula Fe.sub.2 Mo.sub.3 O.sub.12.00.

Claim 10

A gas-generating propellant composition comprising, in combination, (a) an alkali or alkaline earth metal azide component, and (b) an active amount of an oxidizer complex of the formula M.sub.(a) M.sub.(b).sup.l X.sub.(c) wherein M is defined as copper or iron; M l is defined as chromium, molybdenum or tungsten; X is defined as an electronegative element selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur, and chlorine; (a) has a value within the range of about 1-5; (b) has a value within the range of about 0.7-3.0; and (c) has a value within the range of about 4-12.

Claim 11

A gas-generating propellant composition comprising, in combination, (a) an alkali or alkaline earth metal azide component, and (b) an active amount of an oxidizer complex of the formula M.sub.(a) M.sub.(b).sup.l X.sub.(c) wherein M is defined as copper or iron; M l is defined as chromium, molybdenum or tungsten; X is defined as an electronegative element selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur, and chlorine; (a) has a value within the range of about 1-5; (b) has a value within the range of about 0.7-3.0; and (c) has a value within the range of about 4-12.

Claim 12

A nitrogen gas-generating propellant composition of claim 9, wherein the azide component is an alkali or alkaline earth metal azide component; and the oxidizer complex has the formula: M.sub.(a).sup.ll M.sub.(b).sup.lll O.sub.(c) in which M ll is defined as copper or iron; M lll is defined as chromium or molybdenum; (c) has a value within the range of about 4-12; and the ratio of (b)/(a) does not exceed 2.

Claim 13

The nitrogen gas-generating propellant of claim 11, wherein the azide component is sodium azide or potassium azide; and the oxidizer complex has the formula Cu.sub.4.41 Cr.sub.0.77 O.sub.5.00.

Claim 14

The nitrogen gas-generating propellant composition of claim 10, wherein the azide component is sodium azide or potassium azide and the oxidizer complex has the formula Cu.sub.2.20 Cr.sub.2.85 O.sub.7.00.

Claim 15

The nitrogen gas-generating propellant composition of claim 10, wherein the azide component is sodium or potassium azide, and the oxidizer complex has the formula Cu.sub.2.93 Cr.sub.2.85 O.sub.7.00.

Claim 16

The nitrogen gas-generating propellant composition of claim 10, wherein the azide component is sodium or potassium azide, and the oxidizer complex has the formula Cu Mo O.sub.4.00.

Claim 17

The nitrogen gas-generating propellant composition of claim 9, wherein the azide component is sodium or potassium azide, and the oxidizer complex has the formula Fe WO.sub.4.00.

Claim 18

The nitrogen gas-generating propellant composition of claim 10, wherein the azide component is sodium or potassium azide, and the oxidizer complex has the formula Fe.sub.2 Mo.sub.3 O.sub.12.00.

Claim 19

The propellant composition of claim 9 containing at least one of a binder and a lubricant.

Claim 20

The propellant composition of claim 10 containing at least one of a binder and a lubricant.

Claim 21

The propellant composition of claim 11 containing at least one of a binder and a lubricant.

Claim 22

The propellant composition of claim 12 containing at least one of a binder and a lubricant.

Claim 23

The propellant composition of claim 13 containing at least one of a binder and a lubricant.

Claim 24

The propellant composition of claim 14 containing at least one of a binder and a lubricant.

Claim 25

The propellant composition of claim 15 containing at least one of a binder and a lubricant.

Claim 26

The propellant composition of claim 16 containing at least one of a binder and a lubricant.

Claim 27

A safety crash bag device comprising, in combination, an inflatable bag of desired shape receivably connected to a gas-generating means charged with an active amount of gas-generating propellant composition as defined in claim 9, and in proximity to means for ignition arranged in potential firing attitude with respect to said gas-generating propellant; and impact detecting means functionally connected to said detonating means for firing of said detonating means upon exposure to an impact of predetermined severity; wherein an impacting force on said impact detecting means effects a firing sequence through said means for ignition of said gas-generating propellant, essentially producing inert nitrogen gas in said gas-generating means, and passing said gas to said inflatable bag to create a shock-absorbing barrier.

Claim 28

A safety crash bag device comprising, in combination, an inflatable bag of desired shape receivably connected to a gas-generating means charged with an active amount of gas-generating propellant composition as defined in claim 10, and in proximity to means for ignition arranged in potential firing attitude with respect to said gas-generating propellant; and impact-detecting means functionally connected to said detonating means for firing of said detonating means upon exposure to an impact of predetermined severity; wherein an impacting force on said impact-detecting means effects a firing sequence through said means for ignition of said gas-generating propellant, essentially producing inert nitrogen gas in said gas-generating means, and passing said gas to said inflatable bag to create a shock-absorbing barrier.

Claim 29

A safety crash bag device comprising, in combination, an inflatable bag of desired shape receivably connected to a gas-generating means charged with an active amount of gas-generating propellant composition as defined in claim 11, and in proximity to means for ignition arranged in potential firing attitude with respect to said gas-generating propellant; and impact-detecting means functionally connected to said detonating means for firing of said detonating means upon exposure to an impact of predetermined severity; wherein an impacting force on said impact-detecting means effects a firing sequence through said means for ignition of said gas-generating propellant, essentially producing inert nitrogen gas in said gas-generating means, and passing said gas to said inflatable bag to create a shock-absorbing barrier.

Claim 30

A safety crash bag device comprising, in combination, an inflatable bag of desired shape receivably connected to a gas-generating means charged with an active amount of gas-generating propellant composition as defined in claim 12, and in proximity to means for ignition arranged in potential firing attitude with respect to said gas-generating propellant; and impact-detecting means functionally connected to said detonating means for firing of said detonating means upon exposure to an impact of predetermined severity; wherein an impacting force on said impact-detecting means effects a firing sequence through said means for ignition of said gas-generating propellant, essentially producing inert nitrogen gas in said gas-generating means, and passing said gas to said inflatable bag to create a shock-absorbing barrier.

Claim 31

A safety crash bag device comprising, in combination, an inflatable bag of desired shape receivably connected to a gas-generating means charged with an active amount of gas-generating propellant composition as defined in claim 13, and in proximity to means for ignition arranged in potential firing attitude with respect to said gas-generating propellant; and impact-detecting means functionally connected to said detonating means for firing of said detonating means upon exposure to an impact of predetermined severity; wherein an impacting force on said impact-detecting means effects a firing sequence through said means for ignition of said gas-generating propellant, essentially producing inert nitrogen gas in said gas generating means, and passing said gas to said inflatable bag to create a shock-absorbing barrier.

Claim 32

A safety crash bag device comprising, in combination, an inflatable bag of desired shape receivably connected to a gas-generating means charged with an active amount of gas-generating propellant composition as defined in claim 14, and in proximity to means for ignition arranged in potential firing attitude with respect to said gas-generating propellant; and impact-detecting means functionally connected to said detonating means for firing of said detonating means upon exposure to an impact of predetermined severity; wherein an impacting force on said impact-detecting means effects a firing sequence through said means for ignition of said gas-generating propellant, essentially producing inert nitrogen gas in said gas generating means, and passing said gas to said inflatable bag to create a shock-absorbing barrier.

Claim 33

A safety crash bag device comprising, in combination, an inflatable bag of desired shape receivably connected to a gas-generating means charged with an active amount of gas-generating propellant composition as defined in claim 15, and in proximity to means for ignition arranged in potential firing attitude with respect to said gas-generating propellant; and impact-detecting means functionally connected to said detonating means for firing of said detonating means upon exposure to an impact of predetermined severity; wherein an impacting force on said impact-detecting means effects a firing sequence through said means for ignition of said gas-generating propellant, essentially producing inert nitrogen gas in said gas generating means, and passing said gas to said inflatable bag to create a shock-absorbing barrier.

Claim 34

A safety crash bag device comprising, in combination, an inflatable bag of desired shape receivably connected to a gas-generating means charged with an active amount of gas-generating propellant composition as defined in claim 16, and in proximity to means for ignition arranged in potential firing attitude with respect to said gas-generating propellant; and impact-detecting means functionally connected to said detonating means for firing of said detonating means upon exposure to an impact of predetermined severity; wherein an impacting force on said impact-detecting means effects a firing sequence through said means for ignition of said gas-generating propellant, essentially producing inert nitrogen gas in said gas generating means, and passing said gas to said inflatable bag to create a shock-absorbing barrier.