Auto-igniting pyrotechnic booster composition

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to auto-ignition/booster compositions for inflators of occupant restraint systems, for example. An exemplary auto-ignition composition in accordance with the present invention includes a metal chlorate, an auto-ignition fuel selected from the group including sugars and orgainic acids, and a nitrogen-containing secondary fuel.

1 . A gas generating system comprising a composition, the composition comprising: 
 a metal chlorate;    a first fuel selected from the group consisting of sugars and organic acids; and    a nitrogen-containing secondary fuel.    
     
     
         2 . The gas generating system of  claim 1  wherein said composition comprises silicone as a fuel/binder at about 10-30 weight percent of the composition.  
     
     
         3 . The gas generating system of  claim 1  wherein said nitrogen-containing secondary fuel is selected from the group consisting of selected from the group consisting of guanidines, aminoguanidines, tetrazoles, triazoles, salts of guanidines, salts of aminoguanidines, salts of tetrazoles, salts of triazoles, nitrogen-containing fuels, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The gas generating system of  claim 1  comprising a secondary oxidizer selected from the group consisting of metal and nonmetal perchlorates, oxides, nitrites, nitrates, permanganates, and chlorates provided at about 0.1-60 weight percent of the total composition.  
     
     
         5 . The gas generating system of  claim 1  wherein said system is an airbag inflator.  
     
     
         6 . The gas generating system of  claim 1  wherein said system is a seatbelt pretensioner.  
     
     
         7 . The gas generating system of  claim 1  wherein said system is a vehicle occupant protection system.  
     
     
         8 . The gas generating system of  claim 1  wherein said metal chlorate is provided at about 15-45%, said first fuel is provided at about 15-45%, and said secondary fuel is provided at about 0.1-70%, said percentages stated by weight of the total composition.  
     
     
         9 . The gas generating system of  claim 1  wherein said metal chlorate is selected from the group consisting of alkali, alkaline earth, and transitional metal chlorates.  
     
     
         10 . An auto-ignition composition comprising: 
 a metal chlorate;    a first fuel selected from the group consisting of sugars and organic acids; and    a nitrogen-containing secondary fuel.    
     
     
         11 . The auto-ignition composition of  claim 10  wherein said metal chlorate is provided at about 15-45%, said first fuel is provided at about 15-45%, and said secondary fuel is provided at about 0.1-70%, said percentages stated by weight of the total composition.  
     
     
         12 . The auto-ignition composition of  claim 10  wherein said composition further comprises silicone as a fuel/binder at about 10-30 weight percent of the composition.  
     
     
         13 . The auto-ignition composition of  claim 10  wherein said nitrogen-containing secondary fuel is selected from the group consisting of selected from the group consisting of guanidines, aminoguanidines, tetrazoles, triazoles, salts of guanidines, salts of aminoguanidines, salts of tetrazoles, salts of triazoles, nitrogen-containing fuels, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The auto-ignition composition of  claim 10  further comprising a secondary oxidizer selected from the group consisting of metal and nonmetal perchlorates, oxides, nitrites, nitrates, permanganates, and chlorates, said secondary oxidizer provided at about 0.1-60 weight percent of the total composition.  
     
     
         15 . The auto-ignition composition of  claim 10  wherein said metal chlorate is selected from the group consisting of alkali, alkaline earth, and transitional metal chlorates.