US3928964A - Pyrotechnic cool gas generation method for inflatable structure - Google Patents
Pyrotechnic cool gas generation method for inflatable structure Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3928964A US3928964A US417453A US41745373A US3928964A US 3928964 A US3928964 A US 3928964A US 417453 A US417453 A US 417453A US 41745373 A US41745373 A US 41745373A US 3928964 A US3928964 A US 3928964A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- gas
- coolant
- oxidizer
- propellant
- air cushion
- 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.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 9
- 239000002826 coolant Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 239000007800 oxidant agent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 239000003380 propellant Substances 0.000 claims description 17
- UGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon monoxide Chemical compound [O+]#[C-] UGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 9
- 229910002091 carbon monoxide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 9
- XTEGARKTQYYJKE-UHFFFAOYSA-M Chlorate Chemical compound [O-]Cl(=O)=O XTEGARKTQYYJKE-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims description 8
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- CDBYLPFSWZWCQE-UHFFFAOYSA-L Sodium Carbonate Chemical compound [Na+].[Na+].[O-]C([O-])=O CDBYLPFSWZWCQE-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 4
- VLTRZXGMWDSKGL-UHFFFAOYSA-M perchlorate Inorganic materials [O-]Cl(=O)(=O)=O VLTRZXGMWDSKGL-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims description 4
- VLTRZXGMWDSKGL-UHFFFAOYSA-N perchloric acid Chemical compound OCl(=O)(=O)=O VLTRZXGMWDSKGL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- ZLNQQNXFFQJAID-UHFFFAOYSA-L magnesium carbonate Chemical compound [Mg+2].[O-]C([O-])=O ZLNQQNXFFQJAID-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000001095 magnesium carbonate Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910000021 magnesium carbonate Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910000029 sodium carbonate Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 31
- BVKZGUZCCUSVTD-UHFFFAOYSA-L Carbonate Chemical compound [O-]C([O-])=O BVKZGUZCCUSVTD-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 7
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 7
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 231100000252 nontoxic Toxicity 0.000 description 3
- 230000003000 nontoxic effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000002341 toxic gas Substances 0.000 description 3
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Chemical compound O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 description 2
- VKJKEPKFPUWCAS-UHFFFAOYSA-M potassium chlorate Chemical compound [K+].[O-]Cl(=O)=O VKJKEPKFPUWCAS-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 2
- 239000004449 solid propellant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- 231100000331 toxic Toxicity 0.000 description 2
- 230000002588 toxic effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- BVKZGUZCCUSVTD-UHFFFAOYSA-M Bicarbonate Chemical compound OC([O-])=O BVKZGUZCCUSVTD-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 125000005587 carbonate group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000354 decomposition reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- AXZAYXJCENRGIM-UHFFFAOYSA-J dipotassium;tetrabromoplatinum(2-) Chemical compound [K+].[K+].[Br-].[Br-].[Br-].[Br-].[Pt+2] AXZAYXJCENRGIM-UHFFFAOYSA-J 0.000 description 1
- 230000002349 favourable effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002923 metal particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001487 potassium perchlorate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011160 research Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012827 research and development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000087 stabilizing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
- the generated gas withstand storage from about 40F. to +220F., ignite rapidly, for example within just a few milliseconds be totally ignited and producing non-toxic gas, and produce gas at a relatively low temperature (less than about 2,000F.) when burned at pressures from I to 20,000 lbs/in. It has been proposed to use a pure pyrotechnic gas generator producing a non-toxic gas where the propellant and the oxidizer are mixed, either as a rough grain or as a contracted product. It has further been proposed to add to that mixture or to cool the gas produced from that mixture with a carbonate or other coolant.
- a gas generating, solid propellant grain which may be of a conventional type, such as a PVC propellant, is utilized to product a gas. That gas is then passed through an oxidizer, such as a metal chlorate or perchlorate, in the form of a porous bed.
- a coolant such as a carbonate
- the products produced by such treatment of the produced gas from a PVC propellant include approximately 10 percent carbon dioxide (C0,), l0 percent water vapor and 80 percent oxygen, with substantially no toxic carbon monoxide (CO) produced.
- the temperature of the gas supplied as a result of oxidation, without the use of the carbonate coolant is below 2000F. and as low as I400F. or lower.
- the combustible propellant is made up ofa PVC propellant grain, though the propellant may be any standard propellant which will produce non-toxic gas for use in filling an air cushion assembly.
- propellant is shown as burning and then passing through a porous bed of oxidizer.
- the porous bed of oxidizer may be formed of any metal chlorate or perchlorate, preferably potassium chlorate (KCIO and/or potassium perchlorate (KCIOJ.
- the gas from the burning propellant passing through the oxidizer undergoes extreme oxidation, and the resultant products as a result of this oxidation are carbon dioxide (CO water and oxygen, with substantially no carbon monoxide (CO) produced.
- the porous bed may include a coolant such as metal carbonate and/or bicarbonate to further lower the temperature of the generated gas before it passes, as shown in the schematic, into the air cushion.
- the gas leaving the porous bed can also be further cooled by mechanical heat exchange, such as passing it over metal wire, chain, sintered or loose metal particles, etc., if desired, before passing it into the air cushion.
- the solid propellant can be used as an extruded, cast, or mechanically compacted (pressed) grain.
- the coolant is preferably a carbonate, such as magnesium carbonate and/or sodium carbonate which will absorb heat as a result of decomposition from the generated gas.
- a PVC propellant grain commercially known as Arcite 497C of the Atlantic Research Corporation was burned and the produced gas introduced into a porous bed of recrystallized potassium chlorate crystals of an average of about 500 microns diameter.
- No separate carbonate coolant was used.
- a temperature of about I400F. of the resultant gas directed to the air cushion was achieved.
- About l0 percent carbon dioxide (CO l0pereent water vapor, and percent oxygen was produced as the gas filling the air cushion. Substantially no toxic carbon monoxide was produced.
- a chemical coolant such as a carbonate which will absorb heat as a result of its contact with the generated gas in the porous bed, or thereafter, if desired, would further lower the temperature of the generated gas.
- the burn of the propellant can be controlled, as previously discussed, because there is no intermixture of the oxidizer or the oxidizer and the coolant with the burning propellant grain. Furthermore, without the mixture of oxidizer and propellant, lower pressures at which the propellant burns are attainable for an equal amount of gas produced per given amount of time. Furthermore, as a result of the lack of such intermixture, the storability of the product is made more favorable.
- a method of filling an air cushion assembly with a generated gas without the production of carbon monoxide and at a temperature less than about 2000 F. comprising burning a propellant grain to generate gas, passing said generated gas through a porous bed of oxidizer and coolant, further cooling said gas by mechanical heat exchange with a heat exchange surface after passing the gas through the bed, further treating the oxidized gas emerged from the porous bed with a separate coolant, and directing the generatedgas to an air cushion assembly.
- said coolant in each occurrence selected from a class consisting of 4 chlorate, metal perchlorate and a combination of the two.
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Air Bags (AREA)
Abstract
The introduction of a generated gas through an oxidizer bed, which, optionally, may also include a coolant.
Description
United States Patent [191 Hamilton [54] PYROTECHNIC COOL GAS GENERATION METHOD FOR INFLATABLE STRUCTURE [75] Inventor: Brian K. Hamilton, Utica, Mich.
[73] Assignee: Allied Chemical Corporation, New
York, N.Y.
[22] Filed: Nov. 19, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 417,453
Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 224,525, Feb. 8, 1972,
[451 Dec. 30, 1975 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,532,359 10/1970 Teague et al 280/150 AB 3,647,393 3/1972 Leising et al. 102/39 X Primary Examiner-Stephen .l. Lechert, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm.lonathan Plaut 57 ABSTRACT The introduction of a generated gas through an oxidizer bed, which, optionally, may also include a coolant.
3 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure AIR CUSHION -+1 I I I I I I CARBONATE COOLANT (OPTIONAL) COOLANT PROPELLENT PYROTECHNIC COOL GAS GENERATION METHOD FOR INFLATABLE STRUCTURE This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 224,525, filed Feb. 8, I972, now abandoned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Automobile safety has indicated use of air cushion systems for passenger restraint. Much research and development has recently been carried out in the development of such air cushion systems both for the protection of passengers, as disclosed for example in US. patent application Ser. No. 8 I ,947, filed Oct. l9, I970, US. Pat. No. 3,874,059 and for the protection of the driver, as for example in US. patent application Ser. No. 147,913, filed May 28, I970 now US. Pat. No. 3,787,074. In both the case of the protection of the passenger and the driver, the gas used to fill the protective structure (cushion or bag) may be in part or all generated gas from a combustible material.
It is necessary that the generated gas withstand storage from about 40F. to +220F., ignite rapidly, for example within just a few milliseconds be totally ignited and producing non-toxic gas, and produce gas at a relatively low temperature (less than about 2,000F.) when burned at pressures from I to 20,000 lbs/in. It has been proposed to use a pure pyrotechnic gas generator producing a non-toxic gas where the propellant and the oxidizer are mixed, either as a rough grain or as a contracted product. It has further been proposed to add to that mixture or to cool the gas produced from that mixture with a carbonate or other coolant. How ever, such mixtures present problems, as it is extremely difficult to control the rate of burn because of the mix of ingredients, and with the mixture of ingredients the burning occurs at a relatively high pressure. Furthermore, the mixture of propellant and oxidizer results in stabilizing problems connected to ambient temperature changes and storage conditions.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION Therefore, according to this invention a gas generating, solid propellant grain which may be of a conventional type, such as a PVC propellant, is utilized to product a gas. That gas is then passed through an oxidizer, such as a metal chlorate or perchlorate, in the form of a porous bed. Optionally, a coolant, such as a carbonate, may be added to the oxidizer to further cool the generated gas. The products produced by such treatment of the produced gas from a PVC propellant include approximately 10 percent carbon dioxide (C0,), l0 percent water vapor and 80 percent oxygen, with substantially no toxic carbon monoxide (CO) produced. The temperature of the gas supplied as a result of oxidation, without the use of the carbonate coolant, is below 2000F. and as low as I400F. or lower.
DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the combustible propellant is made up ofa PVC propellant grain, though the propellant may be any standard propellant which will produce non-toxic gas for use in filling an air cushion assembly. In the drawing, which shows a schematic flow of the invention, propellant is shown as burning and then passing through a porous bed of oxidizer.
The porous bed of oxidizer may be formed of any metal chlorate or perchlorate, preferably potassium chlorate (KCIO and/or potassium perchlorate (KCIOJ. The gas from the burning propellant passing through the oxidizer undergoes extreme oxidation, and the resultant products as a result of this oxidation are carbon dioxide (CO water and oxygen, with substantially no carbon monoxide (CO) produced. The porous bed may include a coolant such as metal carbonate and/or bicarbonate to further lower the temperature of the generated gas before it passes, as shown in the schematic, into the air cushion. Furthermore, optionally, the gas leaving the porous bed can also be further cooled by mechanical heat exchange, such as passing it over metal wire, chain, sintered or loose metal particles, etc., if desired, before passing it into the air cushion.
The solid propellant can be used as an extruded, cast, or mechanically compacted (pressed) grain.
The coolant is preferably a carbonate, such as magnesium carbonate and/or sodium carbonate which will absorb heat as a result of decomposition from the generated gas.
In one specific example, a PVC propellant grain commercially known as Arcite 497C of the Atlantic Research Corporation was burned and the produced gas introduced into a porous bed of recrystallized potassium chlorate crystals of an average of about 500 microns diameter. No separate carbonate coolant was used. A temperature of about I400F. of the resultant gas directed to the air cushion was achieved. About l0 percent carbon dioxide (CO l0pereent water vapor, and percent oxygen was produced as the gas filling the air cushion. Substantially no toxic carbon monoxide was produced. Of course, the addition of a chemical coolant, such as a carbonate which will absorb heat as a result of its contact with the generated gas in the porous bed, or thereafter, if desired, would further lower the temperature of the generated gas.
By the process indicated, the burn of the propellant can be controlled, as previously discussed, because there is no intermixture of the oxidizer or the oxidizer and the coolant with the burning propellant grain. Furthermore, without the mixture of oxidizer and propellant, lower pressures at which the propellant burns are attainable for an equal amount of gas produced per given amount of time. Furthermore, as a result of the lack of such intermixture, the storability of the product is made more favorable.
It is understood that the above-described example and general descriptive matter is merely illustrative of the invention and not meant to limit said invention, except as such invention is within the scope of the following claims.
I claim:
I. A method of filling an air cushion assembly with a generated gas without the production of carbon monoxide and at a temperature less than about 2000 F., comprising burning a propellant grain to generate gas, passing said generated gas through a porous bed of oxidizer and coolant, further cooling said gas by mechanical heat exchange with a heat exchange surface after passing the gas through the bed, further treating the oxidized gas emerged from the porous bed with a separate coolant, and directing the generatedgas to an air cushion assembly.
2. A method as set forth in claim I, said coolant in each occurrence selected from a class consisting of 4 chlorate, metal perchlorate and a combination of the two.
Claims (3)
1. A METHOD OF FILLING AN AIR CUSHION ASSEMBLY WITH A GENERATED GAS WITHOUT THE PRODUCTION OF CARBON MONOXIDE AND AT A TEMPERATURE LESS THAN ABOUT 2000*F., COMPRISING BURNING A PROPELLANT GRAIN TO GENERATE GAS, PASSING SAID GENERATED GAS THROUGH A POROUS BED OF OXIDIZER AND COOLANT, FURTHER COOLING SAID GAS BY MECHANICAL HEAT EXCHANGE WITH A HEAT EXCHANGE SURFACE AFTER PASSING THE GAS THROUGH THE BED, FURTHER TREATING THE OXIDIZED GAS EMERGED FROM THE POROUS BED WITH A SEPARATE COOLANT, AND DIRECTING THE GENERATED GAS TO AN AIR CUSHION ASSEMBLY.
2. A method as set forth in claim 1, said coolant in each occurrence selected from a class consisting of magnesium carbonate, sodium carbonate, or a combination of the two.
3. A method as set forth in claim 1, said porous bed of oxidizer selected from the class consisting of a metal chlorate, metal perchlorate and a combination of the two.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US417453A US3928964A (en) | 1972-02-08 | 1973-11-19 | Pyrotechnic cool gas generation method for inflatable structure |
| IT6948074A IT1030049B (en) | 1973-11-19 | 1974-08-05 | Pyrotechnic cool gas generation for filling an air cushion - using gas oxidisers and coolants |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US22452572A | 1972-02-08 | 1972-02-08 | |
| US417453A US3928964A (en) | 1972-02-08 | 1973-11-19 | Pyrotechnic cool gas generation method for inflatable structure |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US3928964A true US3928964A (en) | 1975-12-30 |
Family
ID=26918797
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US417453A Expired - Lifetime US3928964A (en) | 1972-02-08 | 1973-11-19 | Pyrotechnic cool gas generation method for inflatable structure |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US3928964A (en) |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4369079A (en) * | 1980-12-31 | 1983-01-18 | Thiokol Corporation | Solid non-azide nitrogen gas generant compositions |
| US4370181A (en) * | 1980-12-31 | 1983-01-25 | Thiokol Corporation | Pyrotechnic non-azide gas generants based on a non-hydrogen containing tetrazole compound |
| USH18H (en) | 1983-11-21 | 1986-02-04 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army | Reduction of erosion and muzzle flash of gun tubes |
| FR2682374A1 (en) * | 1991-10-09 | 1993-04-16 | Livbag Snc | Pyrotechnic generator of hot gases with reduced toxicity |
| US5601310A (en) * | 1995-09-19 | 1997-02-11 | Atlantic Research Corporation | Hybrid inflator and method of use |
| US7188567B1 (en) | 1999-11-12 | 2007-03-13 | Zodiac Automotive Us Inc. | Gas generation system |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3532359A (en) * | 1968-07-22 | 1970-10-06 | Chrysler Corp | Inflatable device |
| US3647393A (en) * | 1970-05-11 | 1972-03-07 | Chrysler Corp | Gas-generating apparatus |
-
1973
- 1973-11-19 US US417453A patent/US3928964A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3532359A (en) * | 1968-07-22 | 1970-10-06 | Chrysler Corp | Inflatable device |
| US3647393A (en) * | 1970-05-11 | 1972-03-07 | Chrysler Corp | Gas-generating apparatus |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4369079A (en) * | 1980-12-31 | 1983-01-18 | Thiokol Corporation | Solid non-azide nitrogen gas generant compositions |
| US4370181A (en) * | 1980-12-31 | 1983-01-25 | Thiokol Corporation | Pyrotechnic non-azide gas generants based on a non-hydrogen containing tetrazole compound |
| USH18H (en) | 1983-11-21 | 1986-02-04 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army | Reduction of erosion and muzzle flash of gun tubes |
| FR2682374A1 (en) * | 1991-10-09 | 1993-04-16 | Livbag Snc | Pyrotechnic generator of hot gases with reduced toxicity |
| US5601310A (en) * | 1995-09-19 | 1997-02-11 | Atlantic Research Corporation | Hybrid inflator and method of use |
| US7188567B1 (en) | 1999-11-12 | 2007-03-13 | Zodiac Automotive Us Inc. | Gas generation system |
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