US5024160A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rapid burning propellant charge for automobile air bag inflators, rocket motors, and igniters therefor
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems LLC
•
Filing: 1988-02-11
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Granted: 1991-06-18
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Expires: 2008-02-11
Abstract
Abstract A rapid burning propellant charge for applications including igniters, launch eject motor, and gas generators for automobile air bags. The propellant charge comprises a reticulated substrate having a quantity of interconnected ligaments and a coating of solid propellant material on the ligaments. In order to provide a large amount of surface area for a fast burn time, interstices are between coated ligaments to define propellant surface area for combustion. In applications where minimum smoke is desired, the reticulated substrate is preferably composed of carbon, graphite, or a non-combustible material, and the solid propellant material is preferably a minimum smoke type.
Inventors
- 👤 J. B. Canterberry
- 👤 David A. Flanigan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:13
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/26; B60R21/264; B60R21/2644; C; C06; C06B; C06B21/00; C06B21/0083; C06B45/00; C06D; C06D5/00; F; F42; F42B; F42B3/00; F42B3/04; F42B5/00; F42B5/02; F42B5/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
Apparatus comprising a vehicle inflatable crash protection bag means, a gas generant charge which is operable upon ignition to produce gas, said gas generant charge includes a reticulated substrate having a quantity of interconnected ligaments and a coating of solid gas generant composition on said ligaments, said coating has a thickness such that interstices are between coated ligaments which interstices define open gas generant surface area for supporting combustion, ignition means to ignite said gas generant composition, and means for flowing the gas into said vehicle inflatable crash protection bag means for inflation thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus comprising a vehicle inflatable crash protection bag means, a gas generant charge which is operable upon ignition to produce gas, said gas generant charge includes a reticulated substrate having a quantity of interconnected ligaments and a coating of solid gas generant composition on said ligaments, said coating has a thickness such that interstices are between coated ligaments which interstices define open gas generant surface area for supporting combustion, ignition means to ignite said gas generant composition, and means for flowing the gas into said vehicle inflatable crash protection bag means for inflation thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said reticulated substrate is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of carbon and graphite.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said reticulated substrate comprises less than about six percent of the volume of said gas generant charge and said gas generant composition comprises at least 90 percent of the volume of said gas generant charge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said gas generant composition comprises at least 90 percent of the volume of said gas generate charge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said reticulated substrate is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of carbon, graphite, and a non-combustible material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
111 words
Apparatus comprising a vehicle inflatable crash protection bag means, a gas generant charge which is operable upon ignition to produce gas, said gas generant charge includes a reticulated substrate having a quantity of interconnected ligaments and a coating of solid gas generant composition on said ligaments, said coating has a thickness such that interstices are between coated ligaments which interstices define open gas generant surface area for supporting combustion, said gas generant composition comprises at least 90 percent of the volume of said gas generant charge, ignition means to ignite said gas generant composition, and means for flowing the gas into said vehicle inflatable crash protection bag means for inflation thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
111 words
Apparatus comprising a vehicle inflatable crash protection bag means, a gas generant charge which is operable upon ignition to produce gas, said gas generant charge includes a reticulated substrate having a quantity of interconnected ligaments and a coating of solid gas generant composition on said ligaments, said coating has a thickness such that interstices are between coated ligaments which interstices define open gas generant surface area for supporting combustion, said gas generant composition comprises at least 90 percent of the volume of said gas generant charge, ignition means to ignite said gas generant composition, and means for flowing the gas into said vehicle inflatable crash protection bag means for inflation thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said reticulated substrate is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of carbon, graphite, and a non-combustible material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
111 words
Apparatus comprising a vehicle inflatable crash protection bag means, a gas generant charge which is operable upon ignition to produce gas, said gas generant charge includes a reticulated substrate composed of a material selected from the group consisting of carbon, graphite, and a non-combustible material and having a quantity of interconnected ligaments and a coating of solid gas generant composition on said ligaments, said coating has a thickness such that interstices are between coated ligaments which interstices define open gas generant surface area for supporting combustion, ignition means to ignite said gas generant composition, and means for flowing the gas into said vehicle inflatable crash protection bag means for inflation thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
111 words
Apparatus comprising a vehicle inflatable crash protection bag means, a gas generant charge which is operable upon ignition to produce gas, said gas generant charge includes a reticulated substrate composed of a material selected from the group consisting of carbon, graphite, and a non-combustible material and having a quantity of interconnected ligaments and a coating of solid gas generant composition on said ligaments, said coating has a thickness such that interstices are between coated ligaments which interstices define open gas generant surface area for supporting combustion, ignition means to ignite said gas generant composition, and means for flowing the gas into said vehicle inflatable crash protection bag means for inflation thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said reticulated substrate is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of carbon and graphite.
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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) | 1994-06-17 | 1994-12-17 | 1995-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-06-17 | 1998-12-17 | 1999-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-06-17 | 2002-12-17 | 2003-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |