A gas generating system ( 24 ) is provided including a gas generant container ( 34 ) and an initiator ( 28 ). A gas generant composition ( 32 ) is placed within the container ( 34 ) in ignitable communication with the igniter ( 28 ). A molecular sieve ( 33 ) is positioned within the housing 17 combined within the gas generant composition ( 32 ), or external of the gas generant ( 32 ) but in reactive proximity or vapor communication therewith. A seatbelt device ( 150 ) and a vehicle occupant restraint system ( 180 ) incorporating a gas generating system as described herein are also disclosed.
1. A gas generating system comprising:
a pyrotechnic gas generator for production of gas; and
a gas generating composition contained within said pyrotechnic gas generator; and
molecular sieve in operable communication with said gas generating composition wherein said molecular sieve is provided in an amount at least 1% by weight of the gas generating composition and said molecular sieve is mixed within the gas generating composition.
2. The gas generating system of claim 1 wherein said molecular sieve is positioned within said gas generator but separate from said gas generating composition.
3. The gas generating system of claim 1 wherein said gas generating system is a seatbelt pretensioner, and said gas generator and molecular sieve are contained within the seatbelt pretensioner.
4. The gas generating system of claim 1 wherein said gas generator contains a gas generant that produces carbon monoxide upon combustion thereof.
5. The gas generating system of claim 1 wherein said gas generator contains nitrocellulose as a gas generant.
6. The gas generating system of claim 1 wherein said molecular sieve is provided at greater than 1% by weight of the gas generating composition.
7. The vehicle occupant protection system of claim 1 wherein said gas generant composition further comprises an oxidizer selected from the group consisting of strontium nitrate and potassium perchlorate.
8. The gas generating system of claim 1 included in a vehicle occupant protection system.
9. A gas generating device comprising:
a housing:
a pyrotechnic gas generator contained within said housing; and
a gas generating composition comprising nitrocellulose blended and mixed with molecular sieve, said composition contained within said pyrotechnic gas generator.
10. A seatbelt device containing a gas generating device as claimed in claim 9 .
11. The vehicle occupant protection system of claim 9 wherein said gas generant composition further comprises an oxidizer selected from the group consisting of strontium nitrate and potassium perchlorate.
12. The gas generating device of claim 9 included in a vehicle occupant protection system.