Filtration devices for use in automotive airbag applications and related methods
First Claim
1. A filtration device for use in automotive airbags, the filtration device comprising:
- a foam cored body comprising a reticulated foam comprising granular blends of different granular sizes, the reticulated foam having a structural integrity to withstand a supersonic shockwave generated by activation of a pyrotechnic charge in an air bag inflation mechanism; and
the body comprising interconnected struts that define pores through which air that is generated upon activating the pyrotechnic charge in the air bag inflation mechanism passes; and
the interconnected struts of an interior portion of the body being smoother than the interconnected struts of an exterior portion of the body to increase gas flow closer to a point of activation of the pyrotechnic, and the interconnected struts of the exterior portion of the body being rougher than the interconnected struts of the interior portion of the body to increase particle capture at or before the gas exits the filtration device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure provides filtration devices for use in automotive airbag applications and related methods. For example, a filtration device for use in automotive airbags can be provided that includes a body comprising at least one of a reticulated metal foam or a reticulated ceramic foam. In some embodiments, the body can have between about 35 pores per square inch and about 65 pores per square inch through which air passes that is generated upon activating a pyrotechnic charge in an air bag inflation mechanism. In some embodiments, the body can include interconnected struts that define pores within the body through which gas passes that is generated upon activating a pyrotechnic charge in an air bag inflation mechanism.
26 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A filtration device for use in automotive airbags, the filtration device comprising:
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a foam cored body comprising a reticulated foam comprising granular blends of different granular sizes, the reticulated foam having a structural integrity to withstand a supersonic shockwave generated by activation of a pyrotechnic charge in an air bag inflation mechanism; and the body comprising interconnected struts that define pores through which air that is generated upon activating the pyrotechnic charge in the air bag inflation mechanism passes; and the interconnected struts of an interior portion of the body being smoother than the interconnected struts of an exterior portion of the body to increase gas flow closer to a point of activation of the pyrotechnic, and the interconnected struts of the exterior portion of the body being rougher than the interconnected struts of the interior portion of the body to increase particle capture at or before the gas exits the filtration device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A filtration device for use in automotive airbags, the filtration device comprising:
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a foam cored body comprising a reticulated metal foam comprising granular blends of different granular sizes; the body comprising interconnected struts that define pores within the body through which gas passes that is generated upon activating a pyrotechnic charge in an air bag inflation mechanism, the body having a structural integrity to withstand a supersonic shockwave; and the interconnected struts of an interior portion of the body being smoother than the interconnected struts of an exterior portion of the body to increase gas flow closer to a point of activation of the pyrotechnic, while the interconnected struts of the exterior portion of the body are rougher than the interconnected struts of the interior portion of the body to increase particle capture at or before the gas exits the filtration device. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for using a filtration device in automotive airbags, the method comprising:
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providing a filtration device comprising; a foam cored body comprising a reticulated foam comprising granular blends of different granular sizes, the body having a structural integrity to withstand a supersonic shockwave generated by activation of a pyrotechnic charge in an air bag inflation mechanism; and the body comprising interconnected struts that define pores within the body through which a generant gas passes upon inflation of the automotive airbags, the interconnected struts of an interior portion of the body being smoother than the interconnected struts of an exterior portion of the body to Increase gas flow closer to a point of activation of the pyrotechnic, and the interconnected struts of the exterior portion of the body being rougher than the interconnected struts of the interior portion of the body to increase particle capture at or before the gas exits the filtration device; and placing the filtration device within the airbag inflation mechanism proximal to and surrounding the pyrotechnic charge in the air bag inflation mechanism so that, upon activating the pyrotechnic charge in the air bag inflation mechanism, the generant gas passes through the filtration device.
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Specification