Robert K Walsh

US Patent:

6487974, Dec 3, 2002

Filed:

Oct 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/685617

Inventors:

J B Canterberry - Apollo Beach FL
Samuel Steven Schlueter - Plant City FL
John Herman Adams - Lakeland FL
Robert Keith Walsh - Lakeland FL

Assignee:

Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. - Lakeland FL

International Classification:

C06D 500

US Classification:

102531, 149 36, 149 43, 149 61, 280741

Abstract:

An ignition enhancer and gas heater composition for vehicle occupant restraint systems (commonly known as âairbagsâ) contains a non-azide fuel, an oxidizer and a metal. The ignition enhancer composition provides reliable and consistent ignition of a main propellant composition to produce a sufficient amount of gas to inflate an attached airbag within ten to eighty milliseconds or successfully heat the stored gas in a hybrid system. In a preferred embodiment, the enhancer composition contains 5-aminotetrazole, strontium nitrate, boron nitride, mica or clay and aluminum.

US Patent:

6547900, Apr 15, 2003

Filed:

Jan 24, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/768684

Inventors:

J. B. Canterberry - Apollo Beach FL
Mark A. Schmidt - Winter Haven FL
Edward O. Hosey - Lakeland FL
Robert K. Walsh - Lakeland FL
John H. Adams - Lakeland FL

Assignee:

Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. - Lakeland FL

International Classification:

C06B 2100

US Classification:

1491096, 149 47, 149 48, 264 34

Abstract:

A non azide gas generant composition of nitroguanidine and phase stabilized ammonium nitrate is provided. This gas generant composition has many desirable characteristics such as little production of ash and the production of essentially toxic free exhaust gas. When nitroguanidine is compressed into a pellet it has needle shaped crystals that bend or distort. When the gas generant pellets are subjected to thermal cycling some nitroguanidine crystals will return to their native conformation resulting in pellet growth. To eliminate this pellet growth, nitroguanidine is passed through a VBM mill. The media in the VBM mill pulverizes the nitroguanidine into an amorphous crumb.

US Patent:

6887325, May 3, 2005

Filed:

Jan 22, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/347938

Inventors:

J B Canterberry - Apollo Beach FL, US
Mark A. Schmidt - Winter Haven FL, US
Edward O. Hosey - Lakeland FL, US
Robert K. Walsh - Lakeland FL, US
John H. Adams - Lakeland FL, US

Assignee:

Key Safety Systems, Inc. - Sterling Heights MI

International Classification:

D03D023/00

US Classification:

1491096

Abstract:

A non azide gas generant composition of nitroguanidine and an oxidizer such as phase stabilized ammonium nitrate is provided. A gas generant having nitroguanidine and phase stabilized ammonium nitrate has many desirable characteristics such as little production of ash and the production of essentially toxic free exhaust gas. When nitroguanidine is compressed into a pellet it has needle shaped crystals that bend or distort. When the gas generant pellets are subjected to thermal cycling some nitroguanidine crystals will return to their native conformation resulting in pellet growth. To eliminate this pellet growth, nitroguanidine is passed through a vibrating ball mill. The media in the vibrating ball mill pulverizes the nitroguanidine into an amorphous crumb.

US Patent:

42437024, Jan 6, 1981

Filed:

Jun 29, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/053450

Inventors:

Robert M. Walsh - Wilmington DE

Assignee:

Hercules Incorporated - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

B05D 500
C08L 9304
C09D 1108

US Classification:

427256

Abstract:

It has been discovered that pastes of particulate thermoplastic polymers dispersed in a soft resinous phase can be prepared which heat-set by fusion of the thermoplastic binder. Polyesters and polyamides have been found to be particularly useful. When pigmented or otherwise colored, these formulations have utility as printing inks. When uncolored, they can be used as clear overprint coatings. In addition, these fusible pastes have utility as specialty coatings in adhesives and can be fabricated into self-supporting shapes.

US Patent:

57658668, Jun 16, 1998

Filed:

Feb 19, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/801332

Inventors:

J B Canterberry - Apollo Beach FL
Samuel Steven Schlueter - Plant City FL
John Herman Adams - Lakeland FL
Robert Keith Walsh - Lakeland FL
Dennis Alvin Trevillyan - Plant City FL

Assignee:

Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. - Lakeland FL

International Classification:

B60R 2128

US Classification:

280741

Abstract:

An airbag inflators employ gas generating compositions formed from a fuel, one or more oxidizers and mica. The gas generant composition employed in the airbag inflators yields solid combustion products and inflating gases having a reduced content of undesirable gases such as NO. sub. x and CO.

US Patent:

62141384, Apr 10, 2001

Filed:

Aug 18, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/912106

Inventors:

J B Canterberry - Apollo Beach FL
Samuel Steven Schlueter - Plant City FL
John Herman Adams - Lakeland FL
Robert Keith Walsh - Lakeland FL

Assignee:

Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. - Lakeland FL

International Classification:

C06B 3304

US Classification:

149 36

Abstract:

An ignition enhancer and gas heater composition for vehicle occupant restraint systems (commonly known as "airbags") contains a non-azide fuel, an oxidizer and a metal. The ignition enhancer composition provides reliable and consistent ignition of a main propellant composition to produce a sufficient amount of gas to inflate an attached airbag within ten to eighty milliseconds or successfully heat the stored gas in a hybrid system. In a preferred embodiment, the enhancer composition contains 5-aminotetrazole, strontium nitrate, boron nitride, mica or clay and aluminum.

US Patent:

41629973, Jul 31, 1979

Filed:

Mar 2, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/882847

Inventors:

Robert M. Walsh - Wilmington DE

Assignee:

Hercules Incorporated - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

C08L 9100
C08L 9304

US Classification:

260 27R

Abstract:

It has been discovered that pastes of particulate thermoplastic polymers dispersed in a soft resinous phase can be prepared which heat-set by fusion of the thermoplastic binder. Polystyrene-type and polyacrylate-type polymers have been found to be particularly useful. When pigmented or otherwise colored, these formulations have utility as printing inks. When uncolored, they can be used as clear overprint coatings. In addition, these fusible pastes have utility as specialty coatings in adhesives and can be fabricated into self-supporting shapes.

US Patent:

60198613, Feb 1, 2000

Filed:

Oct 7, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/946467

Inventors:

J B Canterberry - Apollo Beach FL
Samuel Steven Schlueter - Plant City FL
John Herman Adams - Lakeland FL
Robert Keith Walsh - Lakeland FL

Assignee:

Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. - Lakeland FL

International Classification:

C06B 4510

US Classification:

149 191

Abstract:

Gas generating compositions contain a non-azide fuel, phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) and silicon. These gas generant compositions yield inflation gases having a reduced content of undesirable gases such as NO. sub. x and CO. The gas generanting compositions preferably contain 5-aminotetrazole at a concentration of 15-30 wt. % as the fuel, an oxidizer system at a concentration of 35-80 wt. % which comprises phase stabilized ammonium nitrate, at least 0. 5 wt. % silicon, about 1 wt. % iron oxide and at least one material selected from binders and processing aids. The gas generating compositions are useful for inflating vehicle occupant restraint devices and for pyrotechnically operated fire suppression devices. The high level of gases produced by the compositions of the invention allow for smaller inflators which reduce the costs of production and the saving of weight.