US3912562A - Low temperature gas generator propellant - Google Patents

Low temperature gas generator propellant Download PDF

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US3912562A
US3912562A US500810A US50081074A US3912562A US 3912562 A US3912562 A US 3912562A US 500810 A US500810 A US 500810A US 50081074 A US50081074 A US 50081074A US 3912562 A US3912562 A US 3912562A
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magnesium
magnesium hydroxide
coolant
magnesium carbonate
composition
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US500810A
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Eugene F Garner
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Allied Corp
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Allied Chemical Corp
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Priority claimed from US395481A external-priority patent/US3901747A/en
Application filed by Allied Chemical Corp filed Critical Allied Chemical Corp
Priority to US500810A priority Critical patent/US3912562A/en
Priority to CA75232055A priority patent/CA1048272A/en
Priority to DE19752536099 priority patent/DE2536099A1/en
Priority to SE7509194A priority patent/SE7509194L/en
Priority to JP50102837A priority patent/JPS5152380A/ja
Priority to FR7526291A priority patent/FR2283108A1/en
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C06—EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
    • C06B—EXPLOSIVES OR THERMIC COMPOSITIONS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS EXPLOSIVES
    • C06B23/00—Compositions characterised by non-explosive or non-thermic constituents
    • C06B23/04—Compositions characterised by non-explosive or non-thermic constituents for cooling the explosion gases including antifouling and flash suppressing agents
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C06—EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
    • C06D—MEANS FOR GENERATING SMOKE OR MIST; GAS-ATTACK COMPOSITIONS; GENERATION OF GAS FOR BLASTING OR PROPULSION (CHEMICAL PART)
    • C06D5/00—Generation of pressure gas, e.g. for blasting cartridges, starting cartridges, rockets
    • C06D5/06—Generation of pressure gas, e.g. for blasting cartridges, starting cartridges, rockets by reaction of two or more solids

Definitions

  • This pyrotechnic composition is adapted, upon combustion, for generating a low-flame temperature, nontoxic gas for inflating a vehicle safety bag or other inflatable device.
  • the composition comprises: a fuel, such as a carbonaceous material, aluminum or magnesium; an inorganic oxidizer, such as a metal chlorate, a metal perchlorate, a metal nitrate, ammonium chlorate, ammonium perchlorate or ammonium nitrate; and a coolant or combined binder and coolant, such as magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide or a mixture of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate.
  • a typical example of this composition comprises: carbon as the fuel; potassium chlorate as the oxidizer; and magnesium carbonate or a mixture of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate as the binder-coolant.
  • carbon as the fuel
  • potassium chlorate as the oxidizer
  • magnesium carbonate or a mixture of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate as the binder-coolant.
  • This invention relates to a pyrotechnic composition adapted, upon combustion, for generating gas.
  • this invention relates to a pyrotechnic composition which, upon combustion, generates a low temperature, non-toxic gas.
  • a gas is to inflate a safety bag in a vehicle to restrain movement of an occupant in the vehicle in the event of collision, or in the case of slower burning mixtures, to be defined in one embodiment later, producing gas with a relatively low temperature, the substantially non-toxic gas produced may be used to inflate life rafts, emergency airline slides, buoys, tires or other inflatable devices.
  • pyrotechnic compositions be able to meet certain criteria in order to be adapted for use with a vehicle safety air bag restraint or other such inflatable devices.
  • the pyrotechnic composition must be able to withstand storage in an environment from approximately -40F. to approximately +220F.
  • the composition be capable of being ignited rapidly, for example, within a matter of milliseconds, and that it be capable of being totally ignited to produce gas.
  • a slow burn is not a disadvantage and a relatively cool gas is highly advantageous, as will be discussed. It is necessary that the gas produced have only a negligible amount of toxic gases, such as nitrogen oxides or carbon monoxide.
  • Previously used pyrotechnic compositions normally include the use of an organic binder.
  • the organic binder also acts as a fuel and tends to raise the flame temperature of the gas to an unacceptable level. As a result, the temperature of the outer surface of the vehi-,
  • cle safety bag or other inflatable device using such prior art compositions, would be so high that it might burn the user.
  • compositions using such binders were intended for applications such as high-energy propellants for rockets, where low temperature was not an objective. See: U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,929,697 to Perry and 2,994,598 to Dickey.
  • many of the compositions disclosed in the prior art produce a toxic gas, such as some of the compositions in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,020,180 to Morello and 3,047,524 to Bowman.
  • the pyrotechnic composition of this invention is adapted, upon combustion, for generating a low temperature, substantially non-toxic gas for the application desired.
  • This gas is useful for inflating various devices, such as a safety bag in a vehicle.
  • a safety bag is inflated to restrain the movement of an occupant of the vehicle in the event of collision.
  • a composition producing a low temperature gas from a relatively slow burn is utilized, as will be discussed later, application to other already mentioned inflatable devices is advantageous.
  • the pyrotechnic composition comprises a fuel; an inorganic oxidizer; and a coolant or combined binder and coolant (which also is referred to as just a coolant in the following description), which is selected from the group consisting of magnesium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, and a mixture of magnesium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide. It has been found that one may use as much of the bindercoolant as is necessary in the pyrotechnic composition to obtain the desired binder properties for the composition without raising the flame temperature of the gas, generated upon combustion, to an unacceptable level.
  • the fuel may be selected from the group consisting of: a carbonaceous material, aluminum and magnesium.
  • the inorganic oxidizer may be selected from the group consisting of: a metal chlorate, a metal perchlorate, a metal nitrite, ammonium chlorate, ammonium perchlorate, and ammonium nitrite.
  • the composition comprises: a fuel selected from the group consisting of a carbonaceous material (such as carbon, carbon black or lamp black), aluminum and magnesium; an inorganic oxidizer selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal chlorate, such as potassium chlorate or sodium chlorate, an alkali metal perchlorate, such as potassium perchlorate or sodium perchlorate, an alkali metal nitrate, such as potassium nitrate or sodium nitrate, ammonium chlorate, ammonium perchlorate, and ammonium nitrate; and a coolant or combined binder and coolant selected from the group consisting of: magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, and a mixture of magnesium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide.
  • a fuel selected from the group consisting of a carbonaceous material (such as carbon, carbon black or lamp black), aluminum and magnesium
  • an inorganic oxidizer selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal chlorate, such as potassium chlorate or sodium chlorate, an alkali metal perch
  • a typical formulation of this pyrotechnic composition comprises: carbon which acts as a fuel; potassium chlorate (KClo or potassium perchlorate (KClo which acts as an oxidizer; and a magnesium carbonate (MgCO and magnesium hydroxide (MgOH mixture which acts as a coolant and binder.
  • a low temperature gas (about 800F in one embodiment) is generated relatively slowly (in, for example, about 1 to 3 seconds) which may be cooled, as by contact with a metal chip bed, to a temperature of from 200F. to 600F., for inflating an inflatable device such as a life raft, inflatable buoy, tire, emergency slide, etc., which may then be in contact with the user.
  • the pyrotechnic composition of this invention comprises by weight: from less than 1% to about 10% of one of the foregoing fuels, such as carbon; from about 30% to about of one of the foregoing inorganic oxidizers, such as potassium chlorate; and from about 10% to about 60% of one of the foregoing coolants or combined binders and coolants, such as magnesium carbonate or a mixture of magnesium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide.
  • the pyrotechnic composition comprises by weight: about 3% to about 7% of one of the foregoing fuels, such as carbon; about 40% to about 60% of one of the foregoing inorganic oxidizers, such as potassium chlorate; and about 35% to about 55% of one of the foregoing combined binders and coolants, such as a mixture of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate.
  • the magnesium hydroxide reacts with carbon dioxide (CO in the air to form magnesium carbonate (MgCO Magnesium carbonate is a highly oxygenated, cement-like material and, by itself, provides no binding properties. The conversion of magnesium hydroxide to magnesium carbonate provides the binding effect.
  • magnesium hydroxide nor the magnesium carbonate acts as a fuel. Since magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate are both coolants, not fuels, one can use as much as necessary. As a result, one has enough binder for the composition without raising the flame temperature of the gas to unacceptable levels.
  • the free oxygen formed from the inorganic oxidizer, such as potassium perchlorate, is consumed by the fuel, such as carbon, forming carbon dioxide and evolving heat which is cooled by the magnesium hydroxide.
  • magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate rather than magnesium hydroxide without magnesium carbonate.
  • the magnesium hydroxide in the pyrotechnic composition should comprise by weight not less than about of the entire composition and preferably from about 10% to about 30% of the entire composition.
  • the composition may comprise: from about 10% to about 30% magnesium hydroxide as compared to the entire composition and from about to about 40% magnesium carbonate as compared to the entire composition.
  • the mixture of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate it has been found advantageous for the mixture of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate to comprise about one-half magnesium hydroxide and about one-half magnesium carbonate.
  • EXAMPLE 1 The composition used comprises: 5% carbon as the fuel, 50% potassium chlorate as the inorganic oxidizer, and 45% of a mixture of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate as the binder-coolant. The proportion of this mixture was approximately one-half magnesium hydroxide and one-halfmagnesium carbonate so that the magnesium hydroxide and the magnesium carbonate each formed 22-l 78% of the total composition.
  • EXAMPLE 2 The composition comprised: 5% carbon, 50% potassium chlorate; and 45% magnesium hydroxide.
  • EXAMPLE 3 The composition comprised: 5% carbon, 51% potassium chlorate; and 44% magnesium hydroxide.
  • EXAMPLE 4 The composition comprised: 6% carbon; 50% potassium chlorate; and 44% magnesium hydroxide.
  • compositions in the foregoing examples each produce a gas having a flame temperature from about l500F. to less than 2000F.
  • the pyrotechnic compositions above of this invention achieve flexibility in reference to the amount of binder which may be used, consistent with the object of producing a gas having a low-flame temperature and a negligible amount of toxic gases, such as nitrogen oxides or carbon monoxide.
  • EXAMPLE 5 The composition comprised: 3% carbon as the fuel; 45% potassium chlorate as the inorganic oxidizer; and 52% magnesium carbonate as the coolant.
  • Pelletizing can be achieved by severely mixing the powdered ingredients and then using a pill press to produce pellets, or by granulating the powdered mixture, extruding it through a screen and forming noodles. Pelletizing has been found advantageous because of the following undesirable characteristics of a mixed powder.
  • the powder tends to separate, with the oxidizer at the bottom and the fuel at the top. When the powder burns, it burns with different characteristics depending upon the degree to which the powder mixture is homogeneous. In addition, the powder may be loosely packed or it may become tightly packed which also affects its burning or combustion characteristics.
  • an organic lubricant such as stearic acid or Carbowax (a trade name of Union Carbide Corporation for polyethylene glycols), may be added to pelletizing.
  • a pyrotechnic composition adapted, upon combustion, for generating a low temperature, substantially non-toxic gas, said composition comprising: a fuel selected from the group consisting of a carbonaceous material, aluminum and magnesium; an inorganic oxidizer selected from the group consisting of a metal chlorate, a metal perchlorate, a metal nitrate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium chlorate, and ammonium perchlorate; and a coolant selected from the group consisting of magnesium hydroxide and a mixture of magnesium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide.
  • the pyrotechnic composition according to claim 1 comprising by weight: about 1% to about of said fuel; about 30% to about 70% of said inorganic oxidizer; and about 10% to about 60% of said coolant.
  • the pyrotechnic composition according to claim 1 comprising by weight: about 3% to about 7% of said fuel; about 40% to about 60% of said inorganic oxidizer; and about 35% to about 55% of said coolant.
  • magnesium hydroxide comprises by weight about 10% to about 30% of the entire composition.
  • composition according to claim 1 comprising by weight: 5% carbon; about 50% potassium chlorate; and about 45% of a mixture of about equal amounts of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate.

Abstract

This pyrotechnic composition is adapted, upon combustion, for generating a low-flame temperature, non-toxic gas for inflating a vehicle safety bag or other inflatable device. The composition comprises: a fuel, such as a carbonaceous material, aluminum or magnesium; an inorganic oxidizer, such as a metal chlorate, a metal perchlorate, a metal nitrate, ammonium chlorate, ammonium perchlorate or ammonium nitrate; and a coolant or combined binder and coolant, such as magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide or a mixture of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate. A typical example of this composition comprises: carbon as the fuel; potassium chlorate as the oxidizer; and magnesium carbonate or a mixture of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate as the binder-coolant. One may use as much of this later mentioned binder-coolant as is necessary to obtain the desired binding properties in the composition, without raising the flame temperature of the gas to an unacceptable level.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Garner [451 Oct. 14, 1975 LOW TEMPERATURE GAS GENERATOR PROPELLANT [75] Inventor:
[73] Assignee: Allied Chemical Corporation, New
York, NY.
22 Filed: Aug. 26, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 500,810
Related US. Application Data 63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 395,481, Sept. 10,
1973, Pat. No. 3,901,747.
Eugene F. Garner, Saugus, Calif.
Primary ExaminerStephen J. Lechert, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmJonathan Plaut ABSTRACT This pyrotechnic composition is adapted, upon combustion, for generating a low-flame temperature, nontoxic gas for inflating a vehicle safety bag or other inflatable device. The composition comprises: a fuel, such as a carbonaceous material, aluminum or magnesium; an inorganic oxidizer, such as a metal chlorate, a metal perchlorate, a metal nitrate, ammonium chlorate, ammonium perchlorate or ammonium nitrate; and a coolant or combined binder and coolant, such as magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide or a mixture of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate. A typical example of this composition comprises: carbon as the fuel; potassium chlorate as the oxidizer; and magnesium carbonate or a mixture of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate as the binder-coolant. One may use as much of this later mentioned binder-coolant as is necessary to obtain the desired binding properties in the composition, without raising the flame temperature of the gas to an unacceptable level.
7 Claims, N0 Drawings LOW TEMPERATURE GAS GENERATOR PROPELLANT CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part application of my previous patent application Ser. No. 395,481, filed September 10, 1973, now U.S. Pat. 3,901,747 entitled Pyrotechnic Composition With Combined Binder-Coolant".
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a pyrotechnic composition adapted, upon combustion, for generating gas. In particular, this invention relates to a pyrotechnic composition which, upon combustion, generates a low temperature, non-toxic gas. Among the uses for such a gas is to inflate a safety bag in a vehicle to restrain movement of an occupant in the vehicle in the event of collision, or in the case of slower burning mixtures, to be defined in one embodiment later, producing gas with a relatively low temperature, the substantially non-toxic gas produced may be used to inflate life rafts, emergency airline slides, buoys, tires or other inflatable devices.
It is necessary that pyrotechnic compositions be able to meet certain criteria in order to be adapted for use with a vehicle safety air bag restraint or other such inflatable devices. The pyrotechnic composition must be able to withstand storage in an environment from approximately -40F. to approximately +220F. For the vehicle safety air bag applications, it is also necessary that the composition be capable of being ignited rapidly, for example, within a matter of milliseconds, and that it be capable of being totally ignited to produce gas. In some other applications, a slow burn is not a disadvantage and a relatively cool gas is highly advantageous, as will be discussed. It is necessary that the gas produced have only a negligible amount of toxic gases, such as nitrogen oxides or carbon monoxide.
Previously used pyrotechnic compositions normally include the use of an organic binder. The organic binder also acts as a fuel and tends to raise the flame temperature of the gas to an unacceptable level. As a result, the temperature of the outer surface of the vehi-,
cle safety bag or other inflatable device, using such prior art compositions, would be so high that it might burn the user.
This is understandable because the compositions using such binders were intended for applications such as high-energy propellants for rockets, where low temperature was not an objective. See: U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,929,697 to Perry and 2,994,598 to Dickey. In addition, many of the compositions disclosed in the prior art produce a toxic gas, such as some of the compositions in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,020,180 to Morello and 3,047,524 to Bowman.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The pyrotechnic composition of this invention is adapted, upon combustion, for generating a low temperature, substantially non-toxic gas for the application desired. This gas is useful for inflating various devices, such as a safety bag in a vehicle. A safety bag is inflated to restrain the movement of an occupant of the vehicle in the event of collision. Where a composition producing a low temperature gas from a relatively slow burn is utilized, as will be discussed later, application to other already mentioned inflatable devices is advantageous. In general, the pyrotechnic composition comprises a fuel; an inorganic oxidizer; and a coolant or combined binder and coolant (which also is referred to as just a coolant in the following description), which is selected from the group consisting of magnesium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, and a mixture of magnesium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide. It has been found that one may use as much of the bindercoolant as is necessary in the pyrotechnic composition to obtain the desired binder properties for the composition without raising the flame temperature of the gas, generated upon combustion, to an unacceptable level. The fuel may be selected from the group consisting of: a carbonaceous material, aluminum and magnesium. The inorganic oxidizer may be selected from the group consisting of: a metal chlorate, a metal perchlorate, a metal nitrite, ammonium chlorate, ammonium perchlorate, and ammonium nitrite.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION This pyrotechnic composition is adapted for generating a low temperature, non-toxic gas upon combustion for inflating a vehicle safety bag or other inflatable device. In general, the composition comprises: a fuel selected from the group consisting ofa carbonaceous material (such as carbon, carbon black or lamp black), aluminum and magnesium; an inorganic oxidizer selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal chlorate, such as potassium chlorate or sodium chlorate, an alkali metal perchlorate, such as potassium perchlorate or sodium perchlorate, an alkali metal nitrate, such as potassium nitrate or sodium nitrate, ammonium chlorate, ammonium perchlorate, and ammonium nitrate; and a coolant or combined binder and coolant selected from the group consisting of: magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, and a mixture of magnesium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide. A typical formulation of this pyrotechnic composition comprises: carbon which acts as a fuel; potassium chlorate (KClo or potassium perchlorate (KClo which acts as an oxidizer; and a magnesium carbonate (MgCO and magnesium hydroxide (MgOH mixture which acts as a coolant and binder.
In the case of the composition of carbonaceous fuel, inorganic oxidizer and magnesium carbonate coolant, a low temperature gas (about 800F in one embodiment) is generated relatively slowly (in, for example, about 1 to 3 seconds) which may be cooled, as by contact with a metal chip bed, to a temperature of from 200F. to 600F., for inflating an inflatable device such as a life raft, inflatable buoy, tire, emergency slide, etc., which may then be in contact with the user.
The pyrotechnic composition of this invention comprises by weight: from less than 1% to about 10% of one of the foregoing fuels, such as carbon; from about 30% to about of one of the foregoing inorganic oxidizers, such as potassium chlorate; and from about 10% to about 60% of one of the foregoing coolants or combined binders and coolants, such as magnesium carbonate or a mixture of magnesium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide.
Preferably, in one embodiment, the pyrotechnic composition comprises by weight: about 3% to about 7% of one of the foregoing fuels, such as carbon; about 40% to about 60% of one of the foregoing inorganic oxidizers, such as potassium chlorate; and about 35% to about 55% of one of the foregoing combined binders and coolants, such as a mixture of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate. When such compositions are burned in the presence of air, the magnesium hydroxide reacts with carbon dioxide (CO in the air to form magnesium carbonate (MgCO Magnesium carbonate is a highly oxygenated, cement-like material and, by itself, provides no binding properties. The conversion of magnesium hydroxide to magnesium carbonate provides the binding effect. Neither the magnesium hydroxide nor the magnesium carbonate acts as a fuel. Since magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate are both coolants, not fuels, one can use as much as necessary. As a result, one has enough binder for the composition without raising the flame temperature of the gas to unacceptable levels. The free oxygen formed from the inorganic oxidizer, such as potassium perchlorate, is consumed by the fuel, such as carbon, forming carbon dioxide and evolving heat which is cooled by the magnesium hydroxide.
In this last mentioned embodiment (in the preceding paragraph) it is preferable, in most instances, to start with a mixture of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate, rather than magnesium hydroxide without magnesium carbonate. One should use enough magnesium hydroxide in the mixture to obtain the desired binding effect caused by the carbonation of the magnesium hydroxide. But, one should use only enough magnesium hydroxide to obtain the necessary physical properties as a binder because in compositions using a mixture of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate, it has been found that the higher the proportion of magnesium hydroxide to magnesium carbonate that is used in the composition, the longer the reaction time will take.
More specifically, in this last discussed embodiment, the magnesium hydroxide in the pyrotechnic composition should comprise by weight not less than about of the entire composition and preferably from about 10% to about 30% of the entire composition. In instances where a mixture of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate is used as the combined binder and coolant, the composition may comprise: from about 10% to about 30% magnesium hydroxide as compared to the entire composition and from about to about 40% magnesium carbonate as compared to the entire composition. In many compositions it has been found advantageous for the mixture of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate to comprise about one-half magnesium hydroxide and about one-half magnesium carbonate.
In the preferred embodiment previously mentioned (carbon fuel, potassium chlorate or perchlorate oxidizer, and magnesium carbonate coolant) where a relatively low burning composition produces a relatively low temperature gas (which may optionally be further cooled as already discussed), it has been surprisingly found that the magnesium carbonate burns in the presence of the oxidizer and the carbon fuel to support the combustion at a very high temperature, but relatively slowly, with the magnesium carbonate decomposing to absorb the heat and produce the relatively low temperature gas product made up of, substantially, carbon dioxide (CO and oxygen, with trace amounts of carbon monoxide (CO).
The following examples, in which percent is by weight, are provided for purposes of illustration.
EXAMPLE 1 The composition used comprises: 5% carbon as the fuel, 50% potassium chlorate as the inorganic oxidizer, and 45% of a mixture of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate as the binder-coolant. The proportion of this mixture was approximately one-half magnesium hydroxide and one-halfmagnesium carbonate so that the magnesium hydroxide and the magnesium carbonate each formed 22-l 78% of the total composition.
EXAMPLE 2 The composition comprised: 5% carbon, 50% potassium chlorate; and 45% magnesium hydroxide.
EXAMPLE 3 The composition comprised: 5% carbon, 51% potassium chlorate; and 44% magnesium hydroxide.
EXAMPLE 4 The composition comprised: 6% carbon; 50% potassium chlorate; and 44% magnesium hydroxide.
The compositions in the foregoing examples each produce a gas having a flame temperature from about l500F. to less than 2000F.
The pyrotechnic compositions above of this invention achieve flexibility in reference to the amount of binder which may be used, consistent with the object of producing a gas having a low-flame temperature and a negligible amount of toxic gases, such as nitrogen oxides or carbon monoxide.
EXAMPLE 5 The composition comprised: 3% carbon as the fuel; 45% potassium chlorate as the inorganic oxidizer; and 52% magnesium carbonate as the coolant.
It has been found useful in one embodiment to pelletize the pyrotechnic composition of this invention in order to achieve a predictable combustion performance of the composition, rather than to use the composition in powder form. Pelletizing can be achieved by severely mixing the powdered ingredients and then using a pill press to produce pellets, or by granulating the powdered mixture, extruding it through a screen and forming noodles. Pelletizing has been found advantageous because of the following undesirable characteristics of a mixed powder. The powder tends to separate, with the oxidizer at the bottom and the fuel at the top. When the powder burns, it burns with different characteristics depending upon the degree to which the powder mixture is homogeneous. In addition, the powder may be loosely packed or it may become tightly packed which also affects its burning or combustion characteristics. The result is that inconsistent results aresometimes obtained when using the composition in powder form. When using the composition in pellet form, more consistent results are generally produced. Optionally, an organic lubricant, such as stearic acid or Carbowax (a trade name of Union Carbide Corporation for polyethylene glycols), may be added to pelletizing.
I claim:
1. A pyrotechnic composition adapted, upon combustion, for generating a low temperature, substantially non-toxic gas, said composition comprising: a fuel selected from the group consisting of a carbonaceous material, aluminum and magnesium; an inorganic oxidizer selected from the group consisting of a metal chlorate, a metal perchlorate, a metal nitrate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium chlorate, and ammonium perchlorate; and a coolant selected from the group consisting of magnesium hydroxide and a mixture of magnesium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide.
2. The pyrotechnic composition according to claim 1 comprising by weight: about 1% to about of said fuel; about 30% to about 70% of said inorganic oxidizer; and about 10% to about 60% of said coolant.
3. The pyrotechnic composition according to claim 1 comprising by weight: about 3% to about 7% of said fuel; about 40% to about 60% of said inorganic oxidizer; and about 35% to about 55% of said coolant.
4. The pyrotechnic composition according to claim 1 wherein said magnesium hydroxide comprises by weight about 10% to about 30% of the entire composition.
5. The pyrotechnic composition according to claim 1, wherein said coolant comprises about 10% to about 30% magnesium hydroxide as compared to the entire composition and about 20% to about 40% magnesium carbonate as compared to the entire composition.
6. The pyrotechnic composition according to claim 5 wherein said mixture of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate comprises about equal amounts of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate.
7. The composition according to claim 1 comprising by weight: 5% carbon; about 50% potassium chlorate; and about 45% of a mixture of about equal amounts of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate.
Disclaimer 3,912,562.Eugene F. Garner, Saugus, Calif. LOW TEMPERATURE GAS GENERATOR PROPELLANT. Patent dated Oct. 14, 1975. Disclaimer filed Feb. 22, 1977, by the assignee, Allied Ohemz'atzl 0017mmtion. e
The term of this patent subsequenf, to Aug. [Ofiicz'al Gazette May 5, 1977.]
26, 1992, has been disclaimed.
Disclaimer 3,912,562.Eugene F. Gal-mew, Saugus, Calif. LOW TEMPERATURE GAS GENERATOR PROPELLANT. Patent dated Oct. 14, 1975. Disclaimer filed Feb. 22, 1977 by the assignee, Allied Ohemz'cal Ow 00mtion.
The term of this patent subsequent to Aug. 26, 1992, has been disclaimed.
[Oficz'al Gazette May 3, 1.977.]

Claims (7)

1. A PYROTECHNIC COMPOSITION ADAPTED, UPON COMBUSTION, FOR GENERATING A LOW TEMPERATURE, SUBSTANTIALLY NON-TOXIC GAS, SAID COMPOSITION COMPRISING: A FUEL SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF A CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL, ALUMINUM AND MAGNESIUM, AN INORGANIC OXIDIZER SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF A METAL CHLORATE, A METAL PERCHLORATE, A METAL NITRATE, AMMONIUM NITRATE, AMMONIUM CHLORATE, AND AMMONIUM PERCHLORATE, AND A COOLANT SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDE AND A MIXTURE OF MAGNESIUM CARBONATE AND MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDE.
2. The pyrotechnic composition according to claim 1 comprising by weight: about 1% to about 10% of said fuel; about 30% to about 70% of said inorganic oxidizer; and about 10% to about 60% of said coolant.
3. The pyrotechnic composition according to claim 1 comprising by weight: about 3% to about 7% of said fuel; about 40% to about 60% of said inorganic oxidizer; and about 35% to about 55% of said coolant.
4. The pyrotechnic composition according to claim 1 wherein said magnesium hydroxide comprises by weight about 10% to about 30% of the entire composition.
5. The pyrotechnic composition according to claim 1, wherein said coolant comprises about 10% to about 30% magnesium hydroxide as compared to the entire composition and about 20% to about 40% magnesium carbonate as compared to the entire composition.
6. The pyrotechnic composition according to claim 5 wherein said mixture of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate comprises about equal amounts of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate.
7. The composition according to claim 1 comprising by weight: 5% carbon; about 50% potassium chlorate; and about 45% of a mixture of about equal amounts of magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate.
US500810A 1973-09-10 1974-08-26 Low temperature gas generator propellant Expired - Lifetime US3912562A (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US500810A US3912562A (en) 1973-09-10 1974-08-26 Low temperature gas generator propellant
CA75232055A CA1048272A (en) 1974-08-26 1975-07-23 Low temperature gas generator propellant
DE19752536099 DE2536099A1 (en) 1974-08-26 1975-08-13 PYROTECHNICAL MEANS
SE7509194A SE7509194L (en) 1974-08-26 1975-08-18 PYROTECHNICAL COMPOSITION.
JP50102837A JPS5152380A (en) 1974-08-26 1975-08-25
FR7526291A FR2283108A1 (en) 1974-08-26 1975-08-26 Low temp. gas generator - comprising fuel, oxidiser and inorg. coolant-binder material

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US395481A US3901747A (en) 1973-09-10 1973-09-10 Pyrotechnic composition with combined binder-coolant
US500810A US3912562A (en) 1973-09-10 1974-08-26 Low temperature gas generator propellant

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Cited By (41)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4062288A (en) * 1975-03-03 1977-12-13 Allied Chemical Corporation Initiator for tire inflator
US4062287A (en) * 1977-01-07 1977-12-13 Allied Chemical Corporation Resilient insert for tire inflator
US4097241A (en) * 1974-11-04 1978-06-27 Allied Chemical Corporation Pyrotechnic tire inflator
US4128996A (en) * 1977-12-05 1978-12-12 Allied Chemical Corporation Chlorite containing pyrotechnic composition and method of inflating an inflatable automobile safety restraint
US4214438A (en) * 1978-02-03 1980-07-29 Allied Chemical Corporation Pyrotechnic composition and method of inflating an inflatable device
US4238253A (en) * 1978-05-15 1980-12-09 Allied Chemical Corporation Starch as fuel in gas generating compositions
US4355577A (en) * 1979-08-24 1982-10-26 Ady Michael S Model rocket propulsion system
US5060973A (en) * 1990-07-23 1991-10-29 General Electric Company Liquid propellant inflator for vehicle occupant restraint apparatus
WO1995004610A1 (en) * 1993-08-10 1995-02-16 Thiokol Corporation Thermite compositions for use as gas generants
US5401340A (en) * 1993-08-10 1995-03-28 Thiokol Corporation Borohydride fuels in gas generant compositions
US5429691A (en) * 1993-08-10 1995-07-04 Thiokol Corporation Thermite compositions for use as gas generants comprising basic metal carbonates and/or basic metal nitrates
US5472647A (en) * 1993-08-02 1995-12-05 Thiokol Corporation Method for preparing anhydrous tetrazole gas generant compositions
US5486248A (en) * 1994-05-31 1996-01-23 Morton International, Inc. Extrudable gas generant for hybrid air bag inflation system
US5500059A (en) * 1993-08-02 1996-03-19 Thiokol Corporation Anhydrous 5-aminotetrazole gas generant compositions and methods of preparation
US5545272A (en) * 1995-03-03 1996-08-13 Olin Corporation Thermally stable gas generating composition
WO1996027574A1 (en) * 1995-03-03 1996-09-12 Primex Technologies, Inc. Thermally stable gas generating composition
US5592812A (en) * 1994-01-19 1997-01-14 Thiokol Corporation Metal complexes for use as gas generants
EP0779260A2 (en) 1995-12-13 1997-06-18 Morton International, Inc. Fuel compositions for use in hybrid inflators containing stored oxidizing gas
US5725699A (en) * 1994-01-19 1998-03-10 Thiokol Corporation Metal complexes for use as gas generants
US5866842A (en) * 1996-07-18 1999-02-02 Primex Technologies, Inc. Low temperature autoigniting propellant composition
US6019861A (en) * 1997-10-07 2000-02-01 Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. Gas generating compositions containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate
US6116641A (en) * 1998-01-22 2000-09-12 Atlantic Research Corporation Dual level gas generator
US6143104A (en) * 1998-02-20 2000-11-07 Trw Inc. Cool burning gas generating composition
US6170399B1 (en) 1997-08-30 2001-01-09 Cordant Technologies Inc. Flares having igniters formed from extrudable igniter compositions
US6224099B1 (en) 1997-07-22 2001-05-01 Cordant Technologies Inc. Supplemental-restraint-system gas generating device with water-soluble polymeric binder
US6231702B1 (en) * 1998-02-20 2001-05-15 Trw Inc. Cool burning ammonium nitrate based gas generating composition
US6368432B2 (en) * 1998-07-13 2002-04-09 Nof Corporation Gas generating compositions
US6510875B2 (en) 1999-07-14 2003-01-28 Pennzoil Inflating device and method of use
US20030097953A1 (en) * 2001-10-23 2003-05-29 Kazuya Serizawa Gas generating composition and gas generator
US6605654B1 (en) 1999-07-14 2003-08-12 Pennzoil-Quaker State Company Tire sealing and inflating composition and method of use
WO2004011398A1 (en) * 2002-07-25 2004-02-05 Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd. Gas generator composition
US20040154710A1 (en) * 2002-07-25 2004-08-12 Mamoru Watabiki Gas generating composition
US20040216819A1 (en) * 1999-10-06 2004-11-04 Kazuya Serizawa Gas generating composition and method
US6969435B1 (en) 1994-01-19 2005-11-29 Alliant Techsystems Inc. Metal complexes for use as gas generants
US7094296B1 (en) * 1999-09-16 2006-08-22 Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. Gas generants containing silicone fuels
US20060289096A1 (en) * 2003-07-25 2006-12-28 Mendenhall Ivan V Extrudable gas generant
US20100084060A1 (en) * 1994-01-19 2010-04-08 Alliant Techsystems Inc. Metal complexes for use as gas generants
US8388777B2 (en) 2004-07-26 2013-03-05 Autoliv Asp, Inc. Alkali metal perchlorate-containing gas generants
WO2014158891A1 (en) * 2013-03-13 2014-10-02 Autoliv Asp, Inc. Enhanced slag formation for copper-containing gas generants
EP2980052A3 (en) * 2014-07-30 2016-02-10 Martin-Baker Aircraft Co. Ltd. Pyrotechnic composition
WO2016097826A1 (en) * 2014-12-19 2016-06-23 Tubitak O -chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (cs) based self-combustible pyrotechnic compositions which have low ignition temperatures

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Cited By (54)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4097241A (en) * 1974-11-04 1978-06-27 Allied Chemical Corporation Pyrotechnic tire inflator
US4062288A (en) * 1975-03-03 1977-12-13 Allied Chemical Corporation Initiator for tire inflator
US4062287A (en) * 1977-01-07 1977-12-13 Allied Chemical Corporation Resilient insert for tire inflator
US4128996A (en) * 1977-12-05 1978-12-12 Allied Chemical Corporation Chlorite containing pyrotechnic composition and method of inflating an inflatable automobile safety restraint
US4214438A (en) * 1978-02-03 1980-07-29 Allied Chemical Corporation Pyrotechnic composition and method of inflating an inflatable device
US4238253A (en) * 1978-05-15 1980-12-09 Allied Chemical Corporation Starch as fuel in gas generating compositions
US4355577A (en) * 1979-08-24 1982-10-26 Ady Michael S Model rocket propulsion system
US5060973A (en) * 1990-07-23 1991-10-29 General Electric Company Liquid propellant inflator for vehicle occupant restraint apparatus
US5472647A (en) * 1993-08-02 1995-12-05 Thiokol Corporation Method for preparing anhydrous tetrazole gas generant compositions
US5682014A (en) * 1993-08-02 1997-10-28 Thiokol Corporation Bitetrazoleamine gas generant compositions
US5500059A (en) * 1993-08-02 1996-03-19 Thiokol Corporation Anhydrous 5-aminotetrazole gas generant compositions and methods of preparation
US5501823A (en) * 1993-08-02 1996-03-26 Thiokol Corporation Preparation of anhydrous tetrazole gas generant compositions
US5401340A (en) * 1993-08-10 1995-03-28 Thiokol Corporation Borohydride fuels in gas generant compositions
US5429691A (en) * 1993-08-10 1995-07-04 Thiokol Corporation Thermite compositions for use as gas generants comprising basic metal carbonates and/or basic metal nitrates
US5439537A (en) * 1993-08-10 1995-08-08 Thiokol Corporation Thermite compositions for use as gas generants
WO1995004610A1 (en) * 1993-08-10 1995-02-16 Thiokol Corporation Thermite compositions for use as gas generants
US5735118A (en) * 1994-01-19 1998-04-07 Thiokol Corporation Using metal complex compositions as gas generants
US6481746B1 (en) 1994-01-19 2002-11-19 Alliant Techsystems Inc. Metal hydrazine complexes for use as gas generants
US5592812A (en) * 1994-01-19 1997-01-14 Thiokol Corporation Metal complexes for use as gas generants
US6969435B1 (en) 1994-01-19 2005-11-29 Alliant Techsystems Inc. Metal complexes for use as gas generants
US20100084060A1 (en) * 1994-01-19 2010-04-08 Alliant Techsystems Inc. Metal complexes for use as gas generants
US5673935A (en) * 1994-01-19 1997-10-07 Thiokol Corporation Metal complexes for use as gas generants
US9199886B2 (en) 1994-01-19 2015-12-01 Orbital Atk, Inc. Metal complexes for use as gas generants
US5725699A (en) * 1994-01-19 1998-03-10 Thiokol Corporation Metal complexes for use as gas generants
US5486248A (en) * 1994-05-31 1996-01-23 Morton International, Inc. Extrudable gas generant for hybrid air bag inflation system
WO1996027574A1 (en) * 1995-03-03 1996-09-12 Primex Technologies, Inc. Thermally stable gas generating composition
US5545272A (en) * 1995-03-03 1996-08-13 Olin Corporation Thermally stable gas generating composition
US5641938A (en) * 1995-03-03 1997-06-24 Primex Technologies, Inc. Thermally stable gas generating composition
EP0779260A2 (en) 1995-12-13 1997-06-18 Morton International, Inc. Fuel compositions for use in hybrid inflators containing stored oxidizing gas
US5866842A (en) * 1996-07-18 1999-02-02 Primex Technologies, Inc. Low temperature autoigniting propellant composition
US6224099B1 (en) 1997-07-22 2001-05-01 Cordant Technologies Inc. Supplemental-restraint-system gas generating device with water-soluble polymeric binder
US6170399B1 (en) 1997-08-30 2001-01-09 Cordant Technologies Inc. Flares having igniters formed from extrudable igniter compositions
US6019861A (en) * 1997-10-07 2000-02-01 Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. Gas generating compositions containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate
US6116641A (en) * 1998-01-22 2000-09-12 Atlantic Research Corporation Dual level gas generator
US6231702B1 (en) * 1998-02-20 2001-05-15 Trw Inc. Cool burning ammonium nitrate based gas generating composition
US6143104A (en) * 1998-02-20 2000-11-07 Trw Inc. Cool burning gas generating composition
US6368432B2 (en) * 1998-07-13 2002-04-09 Nof Corporation Gas generating compositions
US6510875B2 (en) 1999-07-14 2003-01-28 Pennzoil Inflating device and method of use
US6605654B1 (en) 1999-07-14 2003-08-12 Pennzoil-Quaker State Company Tire sealing and inflating composition and method of use
US7094296B1 (en) * 1999-09-16 2006-08-22 Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc. Gas generants containing silicone fuels
US20040216819A1 (en) * 1999-10-06 2004-11-04 Kazuya Serizawa Gas generating composition and method
US7081175B2 (en) 1999-10-06 2006-07-25 Nof Corporation Gas generating composition and method
US7335270B2 (en) * 2001-10-23 2008-02-26 Nof Corporation Gas generating composition and gas generator
US20030097953A1 (en) * 2001-10-23 2003-05-29 Kazuya Serizawa Gas generating composition and gas generator
US20040154710A1 (en) * 2002-07-25 2004-08-12 Mamoru Watabiki Gas generating composition
WO2004011398A1 (en) * 2002-07-25 2004-02-05 Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd. Gas generator composition
US20060289096A1 (en) * 2003-07-25 2006-12-28 Mendenhall Ivan V Extrudable gas generant
US8388777B2 (en) 2004-07-26 2013-03-05 Autoliv Asp, Inc. Alkali metal perchlorate-containing gas generants
WO2014158891A1 (en) * 2013-03-13 2014-10-02 Autoliv Asp, Inc. Enhanced slag formation for copper-containing gas generants
EP2980052A3 (en) * 2014-07-30 2016-02-10 Martin-Baker Aircraft Co. Ltd. Pyrotechnic composition
WO2016097826A1 (en) * 2014-12-19 2016-06-23 Tubitak O -chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (cs) based self-combustible pyrotechnic compositions which have low ignition temperatures
CN107108389A (en) * 2014-12-19 2017-08-29 土耳其科学技术研究理事会 O-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS) class self-burning type pyrotechnic composition with low ignition temperature
US10155701B2 (en) 2014-12-19 2018-12-18 Tubitak O-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS) based self-combustible pyrotechnic compositions which have low ignition temperatures
CN107108389B (en) * 2014-12-19 2019-12-24 土耳其科学技术研究理事会 O-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS) type self-igniting pyrotechnic composition with low ignition temperature

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