EP0921967A1 - Utilisation de melanges de gaz dans des gonfleurs hybrides de coussins gonflables de securite - Google Patents

Utilisation de melanges de gaz dans des gonfleurs hybrides de coussins gonflables de securite

Info

Publication number
EP0921967A1
EP0921967A1 EP96929766A EP96929766A EP0921967A1 EP 0921967 A1 EP0921967 A1 EP 0921967A1 EP 96929766 A EP96929766 A EP 96929766A EP 96929766 A EP96929766 A EP 96929766A EP 0921967 A1 EP0921967 A1 EP 0921967A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
binder
gas
argon
improvement
propellant composition
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP96929766A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0921967A4 (fr
Inventor
James R. Sides
James D. Martin
Robert S. Scheffee
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Atlantic Research Corp
Original Assignee
Atlantic Research Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Atlantic Research Corp filed Critical Atlantic Research Corp
Priority claimed from PCT/US1996/013826 external-priority patent/WO1998008716A1/fr
Publication of EP0921967A1 publication Critical patent/EP0921967A1/fr
Publication of EP0921967A4 publication Critical patent/EP0921967A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to a method of generating non-toxic gases without particulates and to an improvement in a hybrid inflator for producing said non-toxic gases and, especially for use in generating the gases for a vehicle occupant restraint .
  • inflators for inflating an air bag employed in an inflatable restraint system.
  • types of inflators are one that utilizes a quantity of stored compressed gas which is selectively released to inflate the air bag.
  • a related type generates a gas source from a combustible gas- generating material which, upon ignition, provides a quantity of gas sufficient to inflate the air bag.
  • the air bag inflating gas is provided by the combination of a stored compressed gas and the combustion products of the gas generating material .
  • the latter type is known as a hybrid inflator.
  • hybrid inflators have been subject to certain disadvantages.
  • the burning of the propellant and the initiation materials in such inflators resulted in the production of undesired particulate matter.
  • the employment of particulate-containing inflator emissions to inflate an air bag might result in the particulates being passed into the vehicle and inhaled by the occupants thereof.
  • air or other gas and solid gas generating material are stored in a container. If there is a high rate of vehicle deceleration, indicative of a collision, the gas in the container is released to inflate a vehicle occupant restraint, i.e., an air bag, which restrains and protects the occupant of the vehicle from serious injury. Upon the occurrence of a high rate vehicle deceleration, such as occurs in a vehicle collision, the gas generating material is ignited. As said gas generating material burns, it forms hot expanded gases or vapors which heat and mix with the stored gas, and the heated mixture of gases rushes into the air bag.
  • a vehicle occupant restraint i.e., an air bag
  • the present invention involves the use of mixtures of oxygen or air with argon, or the like, to permit one to control the oxidation level of the total propellant .
  • Fuel rich solid propellant formulations may be varied and the amounts of oxygen to argon also varied so that the exhaust products of said fuel rich formulation give non- toxic products, exemplified by carbon dioxide, water vapor and nitrogen.
  • Hybrid inflators have generally used a solid propellant to heat argon gas to inflate an air bag.
  • One of the problems with hybrids has been the amount of particulates from the KC10 4 oxidizer used in the propellant. Particulates can be eliminated through the use of propellant compounds such as 5-aminotetrazole (5- AT) , aminoguanidine nitrate (AGN) or mixtures thereof.
  • propellant compounds such as 5-aminotetrazole (5- AT) , aminoguanidine nitrate (AGN) or mixtures thereof.
  • ammonium nitrate may be substituted for the KC10 4 .
  • U.S. Patent 5,348,3444 discloses the provision of an inert gas, preferably nitrogen or argon (column 3) or a mixture thereof, with a fuel gas which is preferably hydrogen and/or methane, but may be any other flammable gas.
  • the oxidizer gas is preferably oxygen.
  • the containing means is a single container for holding the inert gas, the fuel gas and the oxidizer gas as a mixture of gases .
  • a first container holds the fuel gas, a second confines an excess of the oxidizer gas and the containing means defines a combustion chamber in which the fuel gas and oxidizer gas are received and in which the mixture of gases is ignited.
  • the rate of inflation of and the pressure in the inflatable device can be controlled by selecting the amount of fuel gas and oxidizer gas to yield a desired burning rate which in turn fixes the predetermined volumetric rate of flow of warm gas into the inflatable device. Additionally, the rate of inflation can be controlled by flow control orifices or the like through which the gas flows into the inflatable device. It is apparent that the reference does not evince an appreciation for the criticality of the argon's presence and, thus, describes a device and method materially different from those concerned with the invention herein. In U.S.
  • the inventor describes an embodiment wherein the confinement is inflated under the influence of a high velocity source of fluid, said fluid being a gas generator of the solid-propellant rocket motor type.
  • the gas generator provides a high velocity stream of hot gas which cooperates with a nozzle to draw the large volume of air into confinement .
  • the hot gas is cooled by the large volume of air so that the container is not heated to excessive temperatures.
  • Smokeless propellants generate only gaseous combustion products such as C0 2 , H 2 0, N 2 , and noble gases (e.g., Ar) . Thus, they are limited to the chemical elements C, H, O, N, and noble gases (He, Ar)
  • Alkali metal fuels e.g., NaN 3
  • oxidizers e.g., KC10 4
  • alkaline earth oxidizers e.g., Sr (N0 3 ) 2 j generate particulates (e.g., Na 2 0, KC1, and SrO) .
  • Sr (N0 3 ) 2 j generate particulates (e.g., Na 2 0, KC1, and SrO) .
  • Gun propellants based on nitrocellulose are excellent smokeless propellants but cannot be used in air bags because of the storage temperature requirement .
  • Smokeless propellants containing nitramines such as RDX and HMX, can withstand high temperature storage and, thus, meet this requirement to be a candidate of or an air bag propellant for use with selective oxygen/argon formulations
  • Smokeless propellants containing ammonium nitrate can withstand high temperature storage but not temperature cycling through 50 °C. They are precluded because the lower storage temperature is -40°C
  • the invention of interest relates to an improvement in inflator technology and provides clean odorless gas without particulates or toxic species for inflating devices such as air bags and the like.
  • a conventional inflator mechanism is depicted in the figure of the drawing.
  • the inflator structure is evident from the labeled diagram.
  • the initiator 1 ignites in response to a sensor (not shown) that senses rapid deceleration indicative of a collision.
  • the initiator gives off hot gas that ignites the ignition charge 2. which causes the main generant charge 8. to combust, generating the inflation gas mixture 3.
  • the seal disc 6. ruptures permitting the gas mixture to exit the manifold 4. through the outlet ports 5. and inflate an air bag.
  • the generant container 9. holds the main generant charge 8. All the charges and the inflation gas mixture are enclosed in the pressure tank 7.
  • Example 1-3 disclose certain aspects of the inventors' method.
  • Example 4 lacks some of the data provided with the other examples, the example is included in this disclosure to permit a comparison to be made between the presence of toxic products obtained when argon, instead of air, is the hybrid gas in the reactor.
  • composition AGN/polycarbonate binder
  • composition 84.8%/wt HMX with 15.2% HTPB (Arcadene ® ) as binder
  • composition HTPB/Nitramine
  • a compound such as isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) may be included as a curing agent for the hydroxy-terminated butadiene binder.
  • IPDI isophorone diisocyanate
  • composition HMX or RDX (nitramine) /HTPB
  • Toxicity Exhaust products include ttooxxiic amounts of No x , N0 2 and NH 3
  • the instant method of generating non-toxic gases without particulates comprises conducting the ignition of the propellant in the presence of an ammonium nitrate oxidizer and using a suitable propellant, e.g., aminoguanidine nitrate or a nitramine, such as RDX and/or HMX 1 .
  • a suitable propellant e.g., aminoguanidine nitrate or a nitramine, such as RDX and/or HMX 1 .
  • the non-toxic reaction products in the exhaust gas include carbon dioxide, H 2 0, N 2 and mixtures thereof.
  • 1 RDX is 1, 3 , 5-trinitro-l, 3, 5-triazacyclohexane or cyclotrimethylenenitramine;
  • HMX is 1, 3 , 5, 7-tetranitro-l, 3, 5, 7-tetraazacyclooctane or cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine oxidation level of the total propellant so that it falls into a desired range.
  • a binder with the described propellant. While a polycarbonate binder may be used with the aminoguanidine nitrate (AGN) propellant in the form of a pressed pellet charge, a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) binder is likewise very effective. The binder will comprise about 5% by weight of the propellant.
  • the ignition of the propellant takes place in the presence of controlled ratios of argon to oxygen. For example, 21 parts by volume of oxygen are employed with 79 parts by volume of argon. However, depending upon all other conditions, 15 to 30 parts by volume of oxygen might be used with complementary volumes of argon.
  • a smokeless propellant such as 95% aminoguanidine nitrate and 5% of a polycarbonate binder in a pressed pellet charge
  • a particularly preferred formulation involves about 95% by weight aminoguanidine nitrate with about 5% by weight polyvinyl alcohol used with 20% oxygen and 80% argon.
  • the method of the present invention is well suited for inflating automotive vehicle air bags, used as occupant restraints when a vehicle decelerates rapidly, such as in a collision.

Landscapes

  • Air Bags (AREA)

Abstract

Des gaz non toxiques exempts de substances particulaires sont produits dans un générateur hybride par allumage de l'agent propulsif et d'un comburant efficace au moyen d'un mélange de gaz moléculaire oxygéné et d'argon, en modifiant le rapport du gaz à l'argon pour obtenir uniquement des produits de réaction non toxiques dans le gaz d'échappement. Le procédé de l'invention comprend un initiateur (1) qui s'enflamme en réponse à un capteur et libère un gaz chaud, lequel allume une charge d'amorce (2), ce qui provoque la combustion de la principale charge génératrice (8) et la production du mélange de gaz de gonflage (3). Lorsque la montée de la pression dans le mélange de gaz a atteint un certain point, le disque d'étanchéité (6) se rompt, laissant le mélange de gaz sortir du collecteur (4) par les orifices de décharge (5) et gonfler un coussin gonflable de sécurité. Le récipient (9) de la charge génératrice retient la principale charge génératrice (8). Toutes les charges et le mélange de gaz de gonflage sont logés dans le réservoir sous pression (7).
EP96929766A 1996-08-29 1996-08-29 Utilisation de melanges de gaz dans des gonfleurs hybrides de coussins gonflables de securite Withdrawn EP0921967A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1996/013826 WO1998008716A1 (fr) 1995-07-28 1996-08-29 Utilisation de melanges de gaz dans des gonfleurs hybrides de coussins gonflables de securite

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0921967A1 true EP0921967A1 (fr) 1999-06-16
EP0921967A4 EP0921967A4 (fr) 2001-11-07

Family

ID=22255681

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96929766A Withdrawn EP0921967A4 (fr) 1996-08-29 1996-08-29 Utilisation de melanges de gaz dans des gonfleurs hybrides de coussins gonflables de securite

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0921967A4 (fr)
JP (1) JP2001500835A (fr)
AU (1) AU6903896A (fr)
CA (1) CA2263406A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2349794B2 (fr) 2009-05-11 2017-02-22 Takata AG Générateur de gaz pour gonfler un coussin de sécurité gonflable d'un dispositif de retenue d'occupants d'un véhicule et procédé de gonflage d'un coussin de sécurité gonflable

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3845970A (en) * 1971-10-09 1974-11-05 Bayern Chemie Gmbh Flugchemie Shock absorption system for a motor vehicle
DE9416112U1 (de) * 1993-10-06 1994-12-15 Contec Chemieanlagen Gmbh Gasgeneratortreibstoff
US5386775A (en) * 1993-06-22 1995-02-07 Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. Azide-free gas generant compositions and processes

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3845970A (en) * 1971-10-09 1974-11-05 Bayern Chemie Gmbh Flugchemie Shock absorption system for a motor vehicle
US5386775A (en) * 1993-06-22 1995-02-07 Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. Azide-free gas generant compositions and processes
DE9416112U1 (de) * 1993-10-06 1994-12-15 Contec Chemieanlagen Gmbh Gasgeneratortreibstoff

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of WO9808716A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2263406A1 (fr) 1998-03-05
EP0921967A4 (fr) 2001-11-07
JP2001500835A (ja) 2001-01-23
AU6903896A (en) 1998-03-19

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5589141A (en) Use of mixed gases in hybrid air bag inflators
US5861571A (en) Gas-generative composition consisting essentially of ammonium perchlorate plus a chlorine scavenger and an organic fuel
EP0902775B1 (fr) Procede pyrotechnique pour produire un gaz inodore et incolore non toxique et depourvu de matieres particulaires
EP0673809B1 (fr) Gonfleur hybride à dispositif de déclenchement du débit basé sur une pressurisation rapide
US5466313A (en) Gas-producing material
US5868424A (en) Substantially smoke-free and particulate-free inflator for inflatable safety restraint system
US5675102A (en) Method of assembling a hybrid inflator and related propellants
EP0825074B1 (fr) Gonfleur pour sac de sécurité gonflable
US5850053A (en) Eutectic mixtures of ammonium nitrate, guanidine nitrate and potassium perchlorate
WO1997049582A1 (fr) Dispositif a coussin d'air et gaz de propulsion pour coussins d'air
US5936195A (en) Gas generating composition with exploded aluminum powder
US5854442A (en) Gas generator compositions
JP4098776B2 (ja) マイクロ−ガス発生
EP0819238B1 (fr) Procede entierement pyrotechnique de production d'un gaz incolore, inodore, non toxique et exempt de particules
US5997666A (en) GN, AGN and KP gas generator composition
US6004410A (en) Apparatus comprising an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and a gas generating composition therefor
US20010017176A1 (en) Cool burning gas generating composition
EP0921967A1 (fr) Utilisation de melanges de gaz dans des gonfleurs hybrides de coussins gonflables de securite
KR100853877B1 (ko) 차량 승객의 자동 방호 시스템용 저함량 애쉬 함유 가스발생 및 점화용 조성물
KR20000035844A (ko) 하이브리드 에어 백 팽창기에 있어서의 혼합 개스의 용도
MXPA99001980A (en) Use of mixed gases in hybrid air bag inflators
WO1998054114A1 (fr) Composition de generation de gaz contenant du nitrate d'aminoguanadine, du perchlorate de potassium et/ou du nitrate de potassium et du polyalcool de vinyle

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19990215

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT SE

A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20010925

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A4

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT SE

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20030912

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20040123