AIRBAG INFLATOR WITH ADAPTIVE FLOW ORIFICE
First Claim
1. In an inflator device having at least one orifice wherethrough inflation gas can pass, an improvement comprising:
- the at least one orifice at least in part defined by a shape memory alloy material having an austenite finishing temperature (Tf), wherein the at least one orifice defines a first fluid flow through area (A1) when at a temperature less than Tf and a second fluid flow through area (A2) when at a temperature greater than Tf, where A2<
A1.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An inflator device having a chamber wherein a pressure dependant gas generant reacts to produce inflation gas and at least one orifice allowing the gas to pass and inflate an airbag. The at least one orifice is defined at least in part by a shape memory alloy having an austenite finishing temperature (Tf). The at least one orifice has a first fluid flow through area (A1) when at a temperature less than Tf and a second fluid flow through area (A2) when at a temperature greater than Tf. The second fluid flow through area (A2) is less than the first fluid flow through area (A1).
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. In an inflator device having at least one orifice wherethrough inflation gas can pass, an improvement comprising:
the at least one orifice at least in part defined by a shape memory alloy material having an austenite finishing temperature (Tf), wherein the at least one orifice defines a first fluid flow through area (A1) when at a temperature less than Tf and a second fluid flow through area (A2) when at a temperature greater than Tf, where A2<
A1.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An airbag inflator device comprising:
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a first chamber wherein a supply of a combustible gas generant material reacts to produce gas and an orifice assembly in fluid communication with the first chamber and defining at least one of orifice wherethrough at least a portion of the produced gas can pass, the orifice assembly comprising at least one inflator device opening and a restrictor disposed adjacent the at least one inflator device opening, the restrictor at least in part defined by a shape memory alloy material having an austenite finishing temperature (Tf) whereby the at least one orifice defines a first fluid flow through area (A1) when at a temperature less than Tf and a second fluid flow through area (A2) when at a temperature greater than Tf, where A2<
A1. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A self-regulating inflation gas rate flow inflator device comprising:
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a first chamber wherein a supply of a combustible gas generant material having a burn rate which is pressure dependent is burned to form a product gas and at least one orifice wherethrough at least a portion of the product gas can pass, the at least one orifice at least in part defined by a shape memory alloy material comprises a ternary alloy comprising copper, aluminum and one of nickel and bromine, the shape memory alloy having an austenite finishing temperature (Tf) of at least 90°
C., wherein the at least one orifice defines a first fluid flow through area (A1) when at a temperature less than Tf and a second fluid flow through area (A2) when at a temperature greater than Tf, where A2<
A1. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification