US5545272A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermally stable gas generating composition
Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory Inc
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Filing: 1995-08-21
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Granted: 1996-08-13
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Expires: 2015-08-21
Abstract
Abstract There is provided a gas generating composition consisting essentially of a mixture of nitroguanidine and phase stabilized ammonium nitrate. When the ammonium nitrate is phase stabilized with from about 7% to about 20%, by weight, of a potassium salt, the mixture is structurally and volumetrically stable over typical automotive operating temperatures and has a melting temperature in excess of 100 DEG C. The mixture generates large volumes of nitrogen and carbon dioxide when ignited with minimal generation of solids or toxic gases and is particularly useful as an inflating medium for automobile airbags.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald R. Poole
- 👤 Gary F. Holland
- 👤 Nicholas A. Wolf
- 👤 Michael A. Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:15
CPC Classifications
C; C06; C06D; C06D5/00; C06D5/06; C06B; C06B31/00; C06B31/28; C06B31/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
48 words
A gas generating composition consisting essentially of: from about 35% to about 55% by weight nitroguanidine; and from about 45% to about 65% by weight phase stabilized ammonium nitrate, said gas generating composition having a melting point in excess of 100° C. and capable of deflagration when ignited.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
48 words
A gas generating composition consisting essentially of: from about 35% to about 55% by weight nitroguanidine; and from about 45% to about 65% by weight phase stabilized ammonium nitrate, said gas generating composition having a melting point in excess of 100° C. and capable of deflagration when ignited.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The gas generating composition of claim 1 wherein said phase stabilized ammonium nitrate is a mixture of ammonium nitrate and a stabilizing agent, said stabilizing agent present in an amount effective to minimize the volume and structural change associated with the phase change observed at approximately 32° C. in pure ammonium nitrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The gas generating composition of claim 2 wherein said stabilizing agent represents from about 5% to about 25%, by weight, of said phase stabilized ammonium nitrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The gas generating composition of claim 3 wherein said stabilizing agent is a potassium containing salt selected from the group consisting of potassium nitrate, potassium perchlorate, potassium dichromate, potassium oxalate and mixtures thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The gas generating composition of claim 4 wherein the ratio of phase stabilized ammonium nitrate to nitroguanidine is effective to produce a gas having a maximum of 4%, by volume oxygen on ignition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The gas generating composition of claim 4 wherein the ratio of phase stabilized ammonium nitrate to nitroguanidine is effective to produce a gas having a maximum of 3%, by volume hydrogen on ignition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The gas generating composition of claim 6 wherein the ratio of nitroguanidine to phase stabilized ammonium nitrate, by weight, from about 1:1 to about 1:2.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The gas generating composition of claim 7 wherein the ratio nitroguanidine to KN-PSAN is, by weight, from about 1:1.1 to about 1:1.5.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The gas generating composition of claim 7 consisting essentially of from about 40% to about 46% nitroguanidine and from about 54% to about 60% phase stabilized ammonium nitrate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The gas generating composition of claim 9 wherein said stabilizing agent is potassium perchlorate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The gas generating composition of claim 10 consisting essentially of, by weight, from about 43% to about 44% nitroguanidine and from about 56% to about 57% phase stabilized ammonium nitrate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The gas generating composition of claim 9 wherein said stabilizing agent is potassium nitrate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The gas generating composition of claim 12 consisting essentially of, by weight, from about 41% to about 43% nitroguanidine and from about 57% to about 59% phase stabilized ammonium nitrate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The gas generating composition of claim 7 wherein said nitroguanidine and said phase stabilized ammonium nitrate are a mixture of powders compacted into a pellet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-08-13 | 2000-02-12 | 2000-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-08-13 | 2004-02-12 | 2004-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-08-13 | 2008-02-12 | 2008-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |