A hybrid inflator for an automotive inflatable safety system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a mixture of an inert gas (e.g., argon) and oxygen are contained within the inflator housing and a hybrid propellant (i.e., ballistic properties similar to double-base and long-term stability similar to LOVA) is included in the gas generator.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a division of Ser. No. 08/328,657, filed on Oct. 25, 1994, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/210,668, entitled "Hybrid Inflator", and filed Mar. 18, 1994.
The cost and ease of manufacture and assembly of airbag inflators is enhanced by welding sections of the inflator housing together in a recessed portion of the side wall of such housing. By providing a portion of the housing side wall which is recessed sufficiently that it contains all of the weld flashing produced during the welding operation it is possible to eliminate the machining operation for removing such flashing which, otherwise, could be required to provide external dimensions within specification.
A temperature fuse for gas-generating mixtures consists of substances or mixtures of substances that have lower detonation points or decomposition points than the gas-generating mixture. In particular, the temperature fuse contains substances or mixtures of substances that thermally decompose exothermically in a narrowly restricted temperature range. The evolution of heat that results ignites the gas-generating mixture.
An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) comprises an inflator structure (14) defining a chamber (50) for containing a quantity of inflation fluid (52) under pressure. The inflator structure (14) has a rupturable wall portion (60) blocking fluid flow out of the chamber (50). An actuatable initiator (74) is connected with the inflator structure (14) for generating combustion products. The initiator (74) has a central axis (80). A spherical projectile (76) is supported adjacent to the initiator (74) and is movable away from the initiator under the force of the combustion products of the initiator into engagement with the wall portion (60) to rupture the wall portion. The apparatus (10) includes a focusing sleeve (78) for constraining the spherical projectile (76) to move in a predetermined direction from the initiator (74) to the wall portion (60). The focusing sleeve (78) has an axis (142) located on the axis (80) of the initiator (74).
An apparatus (2) for inflating an air bag (4) including a container (12) and a combustible material (20) disposed in the container. The combustible material (20) comprises a binder selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate butyrate and cellulose acetate propionate. The binder has a melting point in the range of about 230.degree. C. to about 260.degree. C. An igniter (32) ignites the combustible material (20) to generate combustion products. A conduit directs the combustion products towards the air bag (4).
A water slurry method of making high performance explosive compositions and ordnances using the explosive compositions as an explosive ingredient for high performance, low sensitivity explosive applications is disclosed. The method involves combining an aqueous dispersion including CL-20 with a lacquer including at least one non-energetic binder and at least one plasticizer, then agitating the slurry to form CL-20 granules. The CL-20 may be present in the explosive formulation in a concentration of from about 85 wt % to about 96 wt %. The formulation is preferably sufficiently pressable and/or extrudable to permit it to be formed into grains suitable for ordnance and similar applications, including use as grenades, land mines, missile warheads, and demolition explosives.
