Inflator
First Claim
1. An inflator for use in a safety device within a motor vehicle, the inflator comprising a hybrid multi-stage gas generator;
- the gas generator including a chamber accommodating compressed gas, a first pyrotechnic unit incorporating a first pyrotechnic charge configured so that, on actuation of the first pyrotechnic charge, hot gas from the pyrotechnic charge is directed into the chamber containing said compressed gas; and
a second pyrotechnic unit incorporating a second pyrotechnic charge configured so that on actuation of the second pyrotechnic charge, hot gas from the second pyrotechnic charge is directed into the chamber containing the compressed gas;
at least one gas outlet being located in a flow path from the chamber containing compressed gas to the exterior of the inflator, the gas outlet having an initial predetermined gas flow area, the gas outlet incorporating a deformable part configured to deform in response to a predetermined gas pressure, thereby increasing the gas flow area of the gas outlet.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An inflator (1) is disclosed for use in a safety device within a motor vehicle, for example, for inflating an air-bag. The inflator comprises at least one gas outlet (23) having an initial predetermined gas flow area. The or each gas outlet incorporates a deformnable part (41) which is configured to deform, in response to a predetermined gas pressure, so as to increase the gas flow area of the gas outlet. The deformable part (41) may be surrounded by a slot (40) which initially constitutes the outlet. The deformable part includes a neck (42) which bends so that the deformable part (41) opens like a flap. The invention is particularly suited for incorporating in a hybrid multi-stage gas generator comprising two or more pyrotechnic charges that can be actuated in combination or independently. The variable-area gas flow outlet provides an arrangement to vary the cross-section or area of a gas flow passage in response to a high pressure of gas.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. An inflator for use in a safety device within a motor vehicle, the inflator comprising a hybrid multi-stage gas generator;
- the gas generator including a chamber accommodating compressed gas, a first pyrotechnic unit incorporating a first pyrotechnic charge configured so that, on actuation of the first pyrotechnic charge, hot gas from the pyrotechnic charge is directed into the chamber containing said compressed gas; and
a second pyrotechnic unit incorporating a second pyrotechnic charge configured so that on actuation of the second pyrotechnic charge, hot gas from the second pyrotechnic charge is directed into the chamber containing the compressed gas;
at least one gas outlet being located in a flow path from the chamber containing compressed gas to the exterior of the inflator, the gas outlet having an initial predetermined gas flow area, the gas outlet incorporating a deformable part configured to deform in response to a predetermined gas pressure, thereby increasing the gas flow area of the gas outlet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- the gas generator including a chamber accommodating compressed gas, a first pyrotechnic unit incorporating a first pyrotechnic charge configured so that, on actuation of the first pyrotechnic charge, hot gas from the pyrotechnic charge is directed into the chamber containing said compressed gas; and
Specification