United States Patent [19] [ii] Patent Number: 4,698,107
Goetz et al. [45] Date of Patent: Oct. 6,1987
[54] GAS GENERATING MATERIAL
[75] Inventors: George W. Goetz, Detroit, Mich.;
Brian K. Hamilton, Littleton, Colo.
[73] Assignee: TRW Automotive Products, Inc.,
Lyndhurst, Ohio
[21] Appl. No.: 946,705
[22] Filed: Dec. 24,1986
[51] Int.Cl." C06B 45/34
[52] U.S. CI 149/7; 149/35;
149/41; 149/61; 102/286; 102/531; 280/728
[58] Field of Search 149/7, 35, 61, 41;
102/531, 286; 280/728
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,476,623 11/1969 Menke et al 149/35
3,883,373 5/1975 Sidebottom 149/6
3,895,098 7/1975 Pietz 423/351
3,931,040 1/1976 Breazeale 252/188.3 R
4,062,708 12/1977 Goetz 149/35
4,072,546 2/1978 Winer 149/19.8
4,203,786 5/1980 Garner 149/19.91
4,246,051 1/1981 Garner et al 149/7
4,339,288 7/1982 Camp 149/8
4,369,079 1/1983 Shaw 149/45
4,390,380 6/1983 Camp 149/8
4,533,416 8/1985 Poole 149/35
4,604,151 8/1986 Knowlton et al 149/35
Primary Examiner—Stephen J. Lechert, Jr.
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Tarolli, Sundheim & Covell
[57] ABSTRACT
Structure for generating nitrogen gas for inflating an air bag vehicle occupant restraint comprises a grain made of an azide based material which generates gas upon combustion. The grain has an ignition enhancing coating thereon consisting essentially of 20 to 50% by weight of an alkali metal azide, 25 to 35% by weight of an inorganic oxidizer, 10 to 15% by weight of a fluoroelastomer binder, 15 to 25% by weight of magnesium, and 1 to 3% by weight of fumed silicon dioxide. The coating may also include 1 to 6% by weight of graphite as a roughening agent.
8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures
