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US5592812A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Metal complexes for use as gas generants

Assignee: Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems LLC
•
Filing: 1996-02-09
•
Granted: 1997-01-14
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Expires: 2016-02-09
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Abstract

Abstract Gas generating compositions and methods for their use are provided. Metal complexes are used as gas generating compositions. These complexes are comprised of a cationic metal template, sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the complex, and a neutral ligand containing hydrogen and nitrogen. The complexes are formulated such that when the complex combusts nitrogen gas and water vapor is produced. Specific examples of such complexes include metal nitrite ammine, metal nitrate ammine, and metal perchlorate ammine complexes, as well as hydrazine complexes. Such complexes are adaptable for use in gas generating devices such as automobile air bags.

Inventors

  • 👤 Jerald C. Hinshaw
  • 👤 Daniel W. Doll
  • 👤 Reed J. Blau
  • 👤 Gary K. Lund

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-06 08:40
CPC Classifications
C; C06; C06B; C06B43/00; C06B29/00; C06B31/00; C06B41/00; C06D; C06D5/00; C06D5/06

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim 87 words
A method for inflating an inflatable air bag which comprises the steps of: generating substantially non-toxic gas consisting essentially of nitrogen gas and water vapor by combusting an at least essentially azide-free composition adapted for generating gas for use in inflating an air bag which comprises a metal ammine complex having a metal cation of a transition metal or an alkaline earth metal, sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the complex, and a neutral ligand comprising ammonia; and inflating said air bag using said gas.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 87 words
A method for inflating an inflatable air bag which comprises the steps of: generating substantially non-toxic gas consisting essentially of nitrogen gas and water vapor by combusting an at least essentially azide-free composition adapted for generating gas for use in inflating an air bag which comprises a metal ammine complex having a metal cation of a transition metal or an alkaline earth metal, sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the complex, and a neutral ligand comprising ammonia; and inflating said air bag using said gas.
Claim 3
Independent Claim 82 words
A method for inflating an inflatable air bag or balloon which comprises the steps of generating substantially non-toxic gas comprised of nitrogen gas and water vapor by combusting a gas generant composition which consists essentially of at least one metal ammine complex which contains a metal cation of a transition metal or an alkaline earth metal, sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the complex, and a neutral ligand comprising ammonia; and inflating said air bag or balloon using said gas.
Claim 4
Independent Claim 82 words
A method for inflating an inflatable air bag or balloon which comprises the steps of generating substantially non-toxic gas comprised of nitrogen gas and water vapor by combusting a gas generant composition which consists essentially of at least one metal ammine complex which contains a metal cation of a transition metal or an alkaline earth metal, sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the complex, and a neutral ligand comprising ammonia; and inflating said air bag or balloon using said gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 119 words
An at least essentially azide-free method for deploying an inflatable air bag from a supplemental safety restraint system which contains said air bag and a gas generating device, which contains an least essentially azide-free gas generant composition, for generating gas which can be used for inflating said air bag, said method comprising the steps of: generating substantially non-toxic gas consisting essentially of nitrogen gas and water vapor by combusting an at least essentially azide-free gas generant composition comprising a metal ammine complex which comprises a metal cation of a transition metal or alkaline earth metal, sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the complex, and a neutral ligand comprising ammonia; and inflating said air bag using said gas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 119 words
An at least essentially azide-free method for deploying an inflatable air bag from a supplemental safety restraint system which contains said air bag and a gas generating device, which contains an least essentially azide-free gas generant composition, for generating gas which can be used for inflating said air bag, said method comprising the steps of: generating substantially non-toxic gas consisting essentially of nitrogen gas and water vapor by combusting an at least essentially azide-free gas generant composition comprising a metal ammine complex which comprises a metal cation of a transition metal or alkaline earth metal, sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the complex, and a neutral ligand comprising ammonia; and inflating said air bag using said gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 29 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said method further comprises combining said generated gas with an inert gas and inflating said air bag with said combination of gases.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 16 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said air bag is inflated with said generated gas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 35 words
A method according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein said metal ammine complex is at least one member selected from the group consisting of metal ammine nitrites, metal ammine nitrates and metal ammine perchlorates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 14 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said complex is a metal ammine nitrite.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 14 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said complex is a metal ammine nitrate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 14 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said complex is a metal ammine perchlorate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 39 words
A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said metal cation is a cation of a metal is selected from the group consisting of magnesium, manganese, nickel, vanadium, copper, chromium, zinc, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, palladium, and platinum.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 32 words
A method according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 8, wherein said metal cation is of a metal selected from the group consisting of manganese, magnesium, cobalt and zinc.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 21 words
A method according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 8, wherein said metal cation is a cobalt cation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 62 words
A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said metal ammine complex is at least one member selected from the group consisting of metal ammine nitrates, metal ammine nitrites, and metal ammine perchlorates, and said metal cation is of a metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, manganese, nickel, vanadium, copper, chromium, zinc, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, palladium, and platinum.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 68 words
A method according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein said metal ammine complex comprises at least one complex represented by a formula selected from the group consisting of [Co(NH 3 ) 4 (NO 2 ) 2 ](NO 2 ), Co(NH 3 ) 2 (NO 3 ) 3 , Co(NH 3 ) 4 Co(NO 2 ) 6 , and Co(NH 3 ) 3 (NO 2 ) 3 .
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 23 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein the combustion of the complex is stoichiometric to a metal or metal oxide, nitrogen, and water.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 20 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said method further comprises initiating the combustion of the metal complex using heat.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 27 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said oxidizing anion is substantially free of carbon and said gas is substantially free of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 41 words
A method according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the combustion is capable of producing an excess of fuel, and wherein an effective amount of additional oxidizing agent is provided to effect complete and efficient combustion during said generating step.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 75 words
A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the combustion is capable of producing an excess of fuel, and wherein said gas generant composition includes an effective amount of additional oxidizing agent to effect complete and efficient combustion during said generating step, and said oxidizing agent is other than said metal ammine complex and is at least one member selected from the group consisting of nitrates, nitrites, chlorates, perchlorates, peroxides, and metal oxides.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 15 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said anion is coordinated with said transition metal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 47 words
A method according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the combustion is capable of producing an excess of oxidizing species during the combustion, and wherein said gas generant composition includes an effective amount of additional fuel to effect complete and efficient combustion during said generating step.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 125 words
An at least essentially azide-free method for deploying an inflatable air bag from a supplemental safety restraint system in a vehicle wherein said system includes a gas generating device, which contains an least essentially azide-free gas generant composition, for generating gas useful for inflating said air bag, said method comprising the steps of: generating a substantially non-toxic gas consisting essentially of nitrogen gas and water vapor by igniting and combusting said gas generant composition, said gas generant composition consisting essentially of at least one metal ammine complex which comprises a metal cation of a transition metal or alkaline earth metal, sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the complex, and a neutral ligand comprising ammonia; and inflating said inflatable air bag using said gas.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 125 words
An at least essentially azide-free method for deploying an inflatable air bag from a supplemental safety restraint system in a vehicle wherein said system includes a gas generating device, which contains an least essentially azide-free gas generant composition, for generating gas useful for inflating said air bag, said method comprising the steps of: generating a substantially non-toxic gas consisting essentially of nitrogen gas and water vapor by igniting and combusting said gas generant composition, said gas generant composition consisting essentially of at least one metal ammine complex which comprises a metal cation of a transition metal or alkaline earth metal, sufficient oxidizing anion to balance the charge of the complex, and a neutral ligand comprising ammonia; and inflating said inflatable air bag using said gas.

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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) 2000-01-14 2000-07-15 2001-01-14 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2004-01-14 2004-07-15 2005-01-14 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2008-01-14 2008-07-15 2009-01-14 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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