Dual flow inflator for a vehicular airbag system
First Claim
1. An inflator for a vehicular airbag system, the inflator comprising:
- a gas chamber having a longitudinal axis, the gas chamber comprising a first exit orifice oriented to provide a first gas flow out of the gas chamber, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a second exit orifice oriented to provide a second gas flow out of the gas chamber in a direction substantially opposite the first gas flow, the first and second exit orifices each having an open configuration and a sealed configuration; and
an initiator in communication with the gas chamber to induce a first gas flow through the first exit orifice and a second gas flow through the second exit orifice.
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Abstract
A dual flow inflator for airbags is disclosed, together with related manufacturing, installation, and deployment methods. The inflator may have a gas chamber with a first end with a first exit orifice and a second end with a second exit orifice. The exit orifices may be directed into inlet ports of an inflatable curtain so that inflation gases exit the inflator through the exit orifices and enter directly into the inflatable curtain. The exit orifices may provide axial gas flows in opposite directions so that each gas flow neutralizes the thrust of the other. The exit orifices may comprise frangible structures such as burst discs, scored surfaces, and compression closures. If desired, pistons may be utilized to ensure that the exit orifices are completely and simultaneously opened. Furthermore, the gas chamber may comprise a variety of configurations, including a unitary, one-piece structure, a multi-part structure with vessels attached to a tubular or spherical bulkhead, or a generally spherical shape.
26 Citations
68 Claims
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1. An inflator for a vehicular airbag system, the inflator comprising:
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a gas chamber having a longitudinal axis, the gas chamber comprising a first exit orifice oriented to provide a first gas flow out of the gas chamber, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a second exit orifice oriented to provide a second gas flow out of the gas chamber in a direction substantially opposite the first gas flow, the first and second exit orifices each having an open configuration and a sealed configuration; and
an initiator in communication with the gas chamber to induce a first gas flow through the first exit orifice and a second gas flow through the second exit orifice. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 67, 68)
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24. An inflator for a vehicular airbag system, the inflator comprising:
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a gas chamber having a longitudinal axis, the gas chamber comprising a first end with a first exit orifice and a second end with a second exit orifice displaced from the first orifice along the longitudinal axis, the first and second exit orifices each having an open configuration and a sealed configuration; and
an initiator positioned to produce heat between the first and second ends to induce a first gas flow through the first exit orifice and a second gas flow through the second exit orifice.
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27. An inflator for a vehicular airbag system, the inflator comprising:
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a first vessel having an interior end with a first interior opening and an exterior end with a first exit orifice that opens in response to activation of the inflator to permit pressurized gas to escape from the first vessel;
a second vessel having an interior end with a second interior opening and an exterior end with a second exit orifice that opens in response to activation of the inflator to permit pressurized gas to escape from the second vessel; and
a bulkhead with a first aperture shaped to communicate with the interior end of the first vessel and a second aperture sized to communicate with the interior end of the second vessel, the second aperture positioned opposite the first aperture.
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33. An exit orifice for an inflator of a vehicular airbag system, the exit orifice having an open configuration and a sealed configuration, the exit orifice comprising:
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a first deformable portion having an undeformed configuration and a deformed configuration;
a second deformable portion having an undeformed configuration and a deformed configuration; and
a weakened region facing directly into a cushion of the vehicular airbag system, the weakened region attaching the first and second deformable portions together to maintain the first and second deformable portions in the undeformed configuration until the weakened region is split by a predetermined pressure change within the inflator.
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38. An inflator for a vehicular airbag system, the inflator comprising:
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a first hemispherical portion with a first exit orifice having an open configuration and a sealed configuration;
a second hemispherical portion with a second exit orifice positioned opposite the first exit orifice, the second exit orifice having an open configuration and a sealed configuration; and
an initiator in communication with a cavity formed by the first and second hemispherical portions to induce a first gas flow through the first exit orifice and a second gas flow through the second exit orifice.
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47. A method for manufacturing an inflator for a vehicular airbag system, the method comprising:
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providing a gas chamber having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
forming a first exit orifice in the first end, the first exit orifice having a sealed configuration and an open configuration;
forming a second exit orifice in the second end, the second exit orifice having a sealed configuration and an open configuration;
providing an initiator;
positioning the initiator in communication with a portion of the gas chamber between the first and second ends;
inserting gas-producing material into the gas chamber; and
sealing the chamber with the first and second exit orifices in the sealed configuration to prevent escape of the gas-producing material until the initiator has been activated.
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55. A method for inflating an inflatable curtain of a vehicular airbag system, the vehicular airbag system comprising an inflator having a first end with a first exit orifice disposed proximate a first inlet port of the inflatable curtain and a second end with a second exit orifice disposed proximate a second inlet port of the inflatable curtain, wherein each of the first and second exit orifices have an open configuration and a sealed configuration, the method comprising:
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moving the first exit orifice from the sealed configuration to the open configuration to permit a first gas flow to flow into the inflatable curtain from the inflator through the first exit orifice; and
moving the second exit orifice from the sealed configuration to the open configuration to permit a second gas flow to flow into the inflatable curtain from the inflator through the second exit orifice.
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62. A method for installing an inflator for a vehicular airbag system, the inflator having a first end with a first exit orifice and a second end with a second exit orifice, wherein each of the first and second exit orifices have an open configuration and a sealed configuration, the method comprising:
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inserting the first exit orifice into a first inlet port of an inflatable curtain of the vehicular airbag system;
substantially sealing the first inlet port around the first exit orifice in gas-tight fashion;
inserting the second exit orifice into a second inlet port of the inflatable curtain; and
substantially sealing the second inlet port around the second exit orifice in gas-tight fashion.
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66. A method for manufacturing an inflator for a vehicular airbag system, the method comprising:
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providing a gas chamber having a first hemispherical portion and a second hemispherical portion;
forming a first exit orifice in the first hemispherical portion, the first exit orifice having a sealed configuration and an open configuration; and
forming a second exit orifice in the second hemispherical portion, the second exit orifice having a sealed configuration and an open configuration.
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Specification