US5401340A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Borohydride fuels in gas generant compositions
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems LLC
•
Filing: 1994-01-10
•
Granted: 1995-03-28
•
Expires: 2014-01-10
Abstract
Abstract A sodium-azide-free gas-generating composition includes an oxidizable borohydride fuel and an oxidizing agent containing oxygen and a metal. The fuel and the oxidizing agent are selected such that water vapor is produced upon reaction between the borohydride fuel and the oxidizing agent. Suitable oxidizing agents contain a metal and oxygen and are selected from a metal oxide, a metal oxide hydrate, a metal oxide hydroxide, a metal hydrous oxide, a metal hydroxide, or mixtures thereof. The fuel and oxidizing agent are selected such that water vapor is the major gaseous combustion product.
Inventors
- 👤 Dan W. Doll
- 👤 II Ingvar A. Wallace
- 👤 Gary K. Lund
- 👤 Jerald C. Hinshaw
- 👤 Reed J. Blau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:22
CPC Classifications
C; C06; C06B; C06B33/00; C06B43/00; C06D; C06D5/00; C06D5/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A solid gas-generating composition comprising an oxidizable borohydride fuel and an oxidizing agent, wherein said oxidizing agent comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, a metal oxide hydrate, a metal oxide hydroxide, a metal hydrous oxide, a metal hydroxide, or mixtures thereof, and wherein water vapor is the major gaseous reaction product generated by reaction between said oxidizable borohydride fuel and said oxidizing agent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
A solid gas-generating composition comprising an oxidizable borohydride fuel and an oxidizing agent, wherein said oxidizing agent comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, a metal oxide hydrate, a metal oxide hydroxide, a metal hydrous oxide, a metal hydroxide, or mixtures thereof, and wherein water vapor is the major gaseous reaction product generated by reaction between said oxidizable borohydride fuel and said oxidizing agent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A solid gas-generating composition according to claim 1, comprising from about 5 wt. % to about 40 wt. % borohydride fuel and from about 95 wt. % to about 60 wt. % oxidizing agent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
A solid gas-generating composition according to claim 1, wherein the oxidizable borohydride fuel is selected from salts or complexes of BH 4 - , B 3 H 8 - , B 8 H 8 2- , B 9 H 15 , B 10 H 14 , B 10 H 10 2- , B 11 H 14 - , B 12 H 12 2- , and mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A solid gas-generating composition according to claim 1, wherein the oxidizable borohydride fuel is based on BH 4 - .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
A solid gas-generating composition according to claim 4, wherein the oxidizable borohydride fuel is selected from LiBH 4 , NaBH 4 , KBH 4 , RbBH 4 , CsBH 4 , Mg(BH 4 ) 2 , Ca(BH 4 ) 2 , Ba(BH 4 ) 2 , Al(BH 4 ) 3 , Zn(BH 4 ) 3 , transition metal complexes of BH 4 - , and mixtures thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A solid gas-generating composition according to claim 1, wherein the oxidizable borohydride fuel and the oxidizer are in the form of a finely divided powder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A solid gas-generating composition according to claim 6, wherein the particle size range of the powder is from about 0,001 μ to about 400 μ.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A solid gas-generating composition according to claim 1, wherein the oxidizing agent is a metal oxide selected from CuO, Co 2 O 3 , Co 3 O 4 , Bi 2 O 3 , Fe 2 O 3 , CoFe 2 O 4 , and mixtures thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A solid gas-generating composition according to claim 1, wherein the oxidizing agent is a metal hydroxide selected from Fe(OH) 3 , Co(OH) 3 , Co(OH) 2 , Ni(OH) 2 , Cu(OH) 2 , Zn(OH) 2 , and mixtures thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A solid gas-generating composition according to claim 1, wherein the oxidizing agent is a hydrated metal oxide selected from Fe 2 O 3 .xH 2 O, SnO 2 .xH 2 O, MoO 3 .H 2 O, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A solid gas-generating composition according to claim 1, wherein the oxidizing agent is a metal oxide hydroxide selected from MnO(OH), MnO(OH) 2 , FeO(OH), MnO(OH) 3 , and mixtures thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
127 words
An automobile air bag system comprising: a collapsed, inflatable air bag; a gas-generating device connected to the air bag for inflating said air bag, said gas-generating device containing a gas-generating composition comprising an oxidizable borohydride fuel and an oxidizing agent, wherein said oxidizing agent comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, a metal oxide hydrate, a metal oxide hydroxide, a metal hydrous oxide, a metal hydroxide, or mixtures thereof, and wherein water vapor is the major gaseous product generated by said solid gas-generating composition; wherein said oxidizing agent is present in an amount from about 0.5 to about 3 times the stoichiometric amount of oxidizing agent necessary to completely oxidize the borohydride present; and means for igniting said gas-generating composition.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
127 words
An automobile air bag system comprising: a collapsed, inflatable air bag; a gas-generating device connected to the air bag for inflating said air bag, said gas-generating device containing a gas-generating composition comprising an oxidizable borohydride fuel and an oxidizing agent, wherein said oxidizing agent comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, a metal oxide hydrate, a metal oxide hydroxide, a metal hydrous oxide, a metal hydroxide, or mixtures thereof, and wherein water vapor is the major gaseous product generated by said solid gas-generating composition; wherein said oxidizing agent is present in an amount from about 0.5 to about 3 times the stoichiometric amount of oxidizing agent necessary to completely oxidize the borohydride present; and means for igniting said gas-generating composition.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
An automobile air bag system according to claim 12, wherein said gas-generating composition comprises from about 5 wt. % to about 40 wt. % oxidizable borohydride fuel and from about 95 wt. % to about 60 wt. % oxidizing agent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
64 words
An automobile air bag system according to claim 12, wherein the oxidizable borohydride fuel is selected from BH 4 - , B 3 H 8 - , B 8 H 8 2- , B 9 H 15 , B 10 H 14 , B 10 H 10 2- , B 11 H 14 - , B 12 H 12 2- , and mixtures thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
An automobile air bag system according to claim 12, wherein the oxidizable borohydride fuel is based on BH 4 - .
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
68 words
An automobile air bag system according to claim 15, wherein the oxidizable borohydride fuel is selected from LiBH 4 , NaBH 4 , KBH 4 , RbBH 4 , CsBH 4 , Mg(BH 4 ) 2 , Ca(BH 4 ) 2 , Ba(BH 4 ) 2 , Al(BH 4 ) 3 , Zn(BH 4 ) 3 , transition metal complexes of BH 4 - , and mixtures thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
An automobile air bag system according to claim 12, wherein the oxidizing agent is a metal oxide selected from CuO, Co 2 O 3 , Co 3 O 4 , Bi 2 O 3 , Fe 2 O 3 , CoFe 2 O 4 , and mixtures thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
An automobile air bag system according to claim 12, wherein the oxidizing agent is a metal hydroxide selected from Fe(OH) 3 , Co(OH) 3 , Co(OH) 2 , Ni(OH) 2 , Cu(OH) 2 , Zn(OH) 2 , and mixtures thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
An automobile air bag system according to claim 12, wherein the oxidizing agent is a hydrated metal oxide selected from Fe 2 O 3 . xH 2 O, SnO 2 .xH 2 O, MoO 3 H 2 O, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
An automobile air bag system according to claim 12, wherein the oxidizing agent is a metal oxide hydroxide selected from MnO(OH), MnO(OH) 2 , FeO(OH), MnO(OH) 3 , and mixtures thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
203 words
An automobile air bag system having a hybrid gas-generating system comprising: a collapsed, inflatable air bag; a pressure tank having a rupturable opening, said pressure tank containing an inert gas; a gas-generating device for producing hot combustion gases and capable of rupturing the rupturable opening, said gas-generating device being configured in relation to the pressure tank such that hot combustion gases are mixed with and heat the inert gas and wherein said gas-generating device and the pressure tank are connected to the inflatable air bag such that the combustion gases and inert gas are capable of inflating the air bag, said gas-generating device containing a gas-generating composition comprising an oxidizable borohydride fuel and an oxidizing agent, wherein said oxidizing agent comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, a metal oxide hydrate, a metal oxide hydroxide, a metal hydrous oxide, a metal hydroxide, or mixtures thereof, and wherein water vapor is the major gaseous product generated by said solid gas-generating composition; wherein said oxidizing agent is present in an amount from about 0.5 to about 3 times the stoichiometric amount of oxidizing agent necessary to completely oxidize the borohydride present; and means for igniting the gas-generating composition.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
203 words
An automobile air bag system having a hybrid gas-generating system comprising: a collapsed, inflatable air bag; a pressure tank having a rupturable opening, said pressure tank containing an inert gas; a gas-generating device for producing hot combustion gases and capable of rupturing the rupturable opening, said gas-generating device being configured in relation to the pressure tank such that hot combustion gases are mixed with and heat the inert gas and wherein said gas-generating device and the pressure tank are connected to the inflatable air bag such that the combustion gases and inert gas are capable of inflating the air bag, said gas-generating device containing a gas-generating composition comprising an oxidizable borohydride fuel and an oxidizing agent, wherein said oxidizing agent comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, a metal oxide hydrate, a metal oxide hydroxide, a metal hydrous oxide, a metal hydroxide, or mixtures thereof, and wherein water vapor is the major gaseous product generated by said solid gas-generating composition; wherein said oxidizing agent is present in an amount from about 0.5 to about 3 times the stoichiometric amount of oxidizing agent necessary to completely oxidize the borohydride present; and means for igniting the gas-generating composition.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
An automobile air bag system according to claim 21, wherein said inert gas is argon or helium.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
An automobile air bag system according to claim 21, wherein said gas-generating composition comprises from about 5% to about 40% borohydride fuel and from about 95% to about 60% oxidizing agent.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
64 words
An automobile air bag system according to claim 21, wherein the oxidizable borohydride fuel is selected from BH 4 - , B 3 H 8 - , B 8 H 8 2- , B 9 H 15 , B 10 H 14 , B 10 H 10 2- , B 11 H 14 - , B 12 H 12 2- , and mixtures thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
An automobile air bag system according to claim 21, wherein the oxidizable borohydride fuel is based on BH 4 - .
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
68 words
An automobile air bag system according to claim 25, wherein the oxidizable borohydride fuel is selected from LiBH 4 , NaBH 4 , KBH 4 , RbBH 4 , CsBH 4 , Mg(BH 4 ) 2 , Ca(BH 4 ) 2 , Ba(BH 4 ) 2 , Al(BH 4 ) 3 , Zn(BH 4 ) 3 , transition metal complexes of BH 4 - , and mixtures thereof.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
48 words
An automobile air bag system according to claim 21, wherein the oxidizing agent is a metal oxide selected from CuO, Co 2 O 3 , Co 3 O 4 , Bi 2 O 3 , Fe 2 O 3 , CoFe 2 O 4 , and mixtures thereof.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
40 words
An automobile air bag system according to claim 21, wherein the oxidizing agent is a metal hydroxide selected from Fe(OH) 3 , Co(OH) 3 , Co(OH) 2 , Ni(OH) 2 , Cu(OH) 2 , Zn(OH) 2 , and mixtures thereof.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
40 words
An automobile air bag system according to claim 21, wherein the oxidizing agent is a hydrated metal oxide selected from Fe 2 O 3 .xH 2 O, SnO 2 .xH 2 O, MoO 3 .H 2 O, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
An automobile air bag system according to claim 21, wherein the oxidizing agent is a metal oxide hydroxide selected from MnO(OH) 2 , MnO(OH) 2 , FeO(OH), MnO(OH) 3 , and mixtures thereof.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
134 words
A vehicle containing a supplemental restraint system having an air bag system comprising: a collapsed, inflatable air bag, a gas-generating device connected to said air bag for inflating said air bag, said gas-generating device containing a gas-generating composition comprising an oxidizable borohydride fuel and an oxidizing agent, wherein said oxidizing agent comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, a metal oxide hydrate, a metal oxide hydroxide, a metal hydrous oxide, a metal hydroxide, or mixtures thereof, and wherein water vapor is the major gaseous product generated by said solid gas-generating composition; wherein said oxidizing agent is present in an amount from about 0.5 to about 3 times the stoichiometric amount of oxidizing agent necessary to completely oxidize the borohydride present; and means for igniting said gas-generating composition.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
134 words
A vehicle containing a supplemental restraint system having an air bag system comprising: a collapsed, inflatable air bag, a gas-generating device connected to said air bag for inflating said air bag, said gas-generating device containing a gas-generating composition comprising an oxidizable borohydride fuel and an oxidizing agent, wherein said oxidizing agent comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, a metal oxide hydrate, a metal oxide hydroxide, a metal hydrous oxide, a metal hydroxide, or mixtures thereof, and wherein water vapor is the major gaseous product generated by said solid gas-generating composition; wherein said oxidizing agent is present in an amount from about 0.5 to about 3 times the stoichiometric amount of oxidizing agent necessary to completely oxidize the borohydride present; and means for igniting said gas-generating composition.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
96 words
A vehicle as defined in claim 31, further comprising a pressure tank having a rupturable opening, said pressure tank containing an inert gas; wherein the gas-generating device produces hot combustion gases capable of rupturing the rupturable opening, and wherein the gas-generating device is configured in relation to the pressure tank such that hot combustion gases are mixed with and heat the inert gas and wherein the gas-generating device and the pressure tank are connected to the inflatable air bag such that the mixture of combustion gases and inert gas are capable of inflating the air bag.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-03-27 | 1998-09-26 | 1999-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-03-27 | 2002-09-26 | 2003-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-03-27 | 2006-09-26 | 2007-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |