Solid Propellant Inflator for Personal Flotation Devices.
Abstract
The objective of the program is to develop and test a solid propellant gas generation system as a practical replacement for CO2 cartridges for inflatable life jackets and/or hybrid life jackets, with enhanced reliability and performance over a temperature range of -65 degrees F to 185 degrees F. To document comparative performance of the CO2 and solid propellant systems, test beds of 20 lb. and 35 lb. byoyancy inflatables are employed. Repetitive tests are made of each system, over the indicated environmental span, with specimens subjected to shock, vibration, cycling, and many other tests necessary to prove functional and life savings reliability and capability. The solid propellant inflator (SPI) test results reflect uniform performance across the temperature range at time/pressure levels considered ideal for the usage. CO2 cartridge performance was poor at soak temperatures below 20 degrees F and above 150 degrees F. As the SPI is pressured only upon activation, leakage during storage is not possible.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA130047
Entities
People
- Brian Hamilton
- Gordon B. Holcombe
- Terry Borland