| abstract |
An apparatus (10) for inflating an air bag includes a container (12) having a chamber (16) for holding an inert gas and an oxidizer gas under pressure. A body (20) of a combustible material is disposed in the container (12). The body (20) of combustible material comprises a non-metallic nitrogen containing compound, a thermoplastic polymer, and an oxidizer material. The oxidizer material is selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal nitrate, alkali-earth metal nitrate, ammonium perchlorate, alkali metal perchlorate, alkali-earth metal perchlorate, organo-ammonium nitrate, or ammonium dinitramide. An igniter (32) ignites the body (20) of combustible material to generate combustion products that mix with, and heat, the inert gas and the oxidizer gas. The body (20) of combustible material undergoes further combustion upon exposure to the oxidizer gas to yield an inflation fluid comprising the combustion products, the inert gas, and any unreacted oxidizer gas. A conduit directs the inflation fluid flow from the container (12) into an air bag. The apparatus produces unexpectedly low levels of CO, NO, NO2, HCN and HCOH in the inflation fluid. |