| abstract |
A cartridge for a gas generator of the type in which a liquid such as water is reacted with a solid fuel such as a base metal hydride comprises a canister which contains at least one compressible filler means which cooperates with the canister interior to define a fuel charge compartment. The canister has a plurality of fluid flow passages formed in it to place the fuel charge compartment in fluid flow communication with the exterior of the canister. Preferably, a pair of compressible filler means such as blocks of a synthetic polymeric foamed material are placed within the canister to define the fuel charge compartment between them. The fluid flow passages communicate with the fuel compartment so that upon immersion of the cartridge into a liquid the liquid flows through the passages to contact the fuel and react with it to form a gas. Fuels of this type expand upon such reaction and the compressible filler means are compressed by the expanding fuel to accommodate their increased volume sufficiently to prevent undue compression of the fuel to an extent which would unduly retard the penetration of the liquid into the body of the fuel charge. The canister is preferably lined with a fluid permeable material such as a fibrous paper to promote even distribution of the liquid about the fuel charge. |