Gary W Smith
Electrician in Ogden, UT

5437229, Aug 1, 1995

Apr 8, 1993

8/019948

Robert D. Taylor - Hynum UT
Gary L. Smith - Ogden UT
Ritchie Olsen - Ogden UT

Morton International, Inc. - Chicago IL

C06B 4500

102288

Slurry and spray dried azide-based gas generant intermediates are made having a hydrazoic acid content of less than about 3. times. 10 EXP(-3) M/L, a pH of greater than 8. 0 up to about 12. 5, and impurity metal ions Ca, Mg, Pb, Fe, Mn and Cu, each below about 25 ppm. These intermediates are made by slurrying powdered ingredients of the azide and oxidizer/reactant in water, wet grinding the slurry and spray drying to form a particulate material which is molded into pellets or tablets which are useful as the gas generant in vehicle crash bags or inflators. The basicity of the water is adjusted to a pH of greater than 8. 0 up to about 12. 5, preferably about 10, by the addition of a base, such as NaOH, followed by the addition of such solid ingredients as S, MoS. sub. 2 and NaN. sub. 3, and preferably the NaN. sub. 3 is added last, whereby hydrazoic acid production is minimized.

5019220, May 28, 1991

Aug 6, 1990

7/563772

Robert D. Taylor - Hynum UT
Gary L. Smith - Ogden UT
Ritchie Olsen - Ogden UT

Morton International, Inc. - Chicago IL

C06B 2100

264 34

Multiple processes and apparatuses for improving the prior system of making gas generant pellets or tablets made of sodium azide, molybdenum disulfide and sulfur wherein powdered ingredients thereof are slurried in water, subjected to wet grinding, spray dried to a powdered material which is molded into pellets or tablets which find use in vehicle crash bags or inflators. The first improvement to the old process and apparatus involves adjusting the basicity of the water to a pH of greater than 8. 0 up to about 12. 5 via the addition of sodium hydroxide, followed by the addition of sulfur and molybdenum disulfide and finally the sodium azide whereby azide addition is made to a basic mixture of the other ingredients thereby keeping hydrazoic acid concentration levels below about 3. times. 10EXP(-3) moles per liter. The second improvement to the old process and apparatus involves (1) softening the water before its use in slurrying the powdered ingredients to remove undesirable Ca and Mg ions and/or (2) adding sodium sulfide and/or tri-sodium phosphate to the slurry to precipitate any remaining undesirable Ca, Mg, Pb, Fe, Mn and Cu ions as non-hazardous compounds.

5223184, Jun 29, 1993

Feb 6, 1991

7/651157

Robert D. Taylor - Hynum UT
Gary L. Smith - Ogden UT
Ritchie Olsen - Ogden UT

Morton International, Inc. - Chicago IL

C06B 2100

264 34

Multiple processes and apparatuses for improving the prior system of making gas generant pellets or tablets made of sodium azide, molybdenum disulfide and sulfur wherein powdered ingredients thereof are slurried in water, subjected to wet grinding, spray dried to a powdered material which is molded into pellets or tablets which find use in vehicle crash bags or inflators. The first improvement to the old process and apparatus involves adjusting the basicity of the water to a pH of greater than 8. 0 up to about 12. 5 via the addition of sodium hydroxide, followed by the addition of sulfur and molybdenum disulfide and finally the sodium azide whereby azide addition is made to a basic mixture of the other ingredients thereby keeping hydrazoic acid concentration levels below about 3. times. 10EXP(-3) moles per liter. The second improvement to the old process and apparatus involves (1) softening the water before its use in slurrying the powdered ingredients to remove undesirable Ca and Mg ions and/or (2) adding sodium sulfide and/or tri-sodium phosphate to the slurry to precipitate any remaining undesirable Ca, Mg, Pb, Fe, Mn and Cu ions as non-hazardous compounds.

4764316, Aug 16, 1988

Sep 2, 1986

6/903003

Ernie D. Brown - Pleasant View UT
Karl M. Nelson - Ogden UT
Gary L. Smith - Ogden UT

Morton Thiokol, Inc. - Chicago IL

C06B 2100, C06B 4510, C06D 108, F42B 300

264 31

Thermoplastic elastomer particulates, oxidizer particulates, fuel particulates, plasticizers and other propellant formulation ingredients are mixed to produce a dry blend. The dry blend is tightly packed into a rocket motor casing or mold. The dry blend is then heated in place, beginning at the bottom and continuing upward, to fuse the thermoplastic elastomer. During fusion, vacuum and mechanical compaction pressure are used to eliminate interstices. Upon cooling, a solid propellant grain is produced.