Inflator with weld spatter collection
First Claim
1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;
an inflator for providing inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; and
a conduit for delivering the inflation fluid from said inflator to said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;
said inflator comprising an outlet passage and a conduit receiving portion for receiving an end portion of said conduit, said conduit receiving portion including a wall portion that encircles said outlet passage and is spaced from said end portion of said conduit to help define a annular space between said wall portion and said end portion.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). An inflator (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (14). A conduit (360) delivers the inflation fluid from the inflator (24) to the protection device (14). The inflator (24) includes an outlet passage (302) and a conduit receiving portion (300) for receiving an end portion (364) of the conduit (360). The conduit receiving portion (300) includes a wall portion (320, 330) that encircles the outlet passage (302) and is spaced from the end portion (364) of the conduit (360) to help define an annular space (372, 374) between the wall portion and the end portion.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;
an inflator for providing inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; and
a conduit for delivering the inflation fluid from said inflator to said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;
said inflator comprising an outlet passage and a conduit receiving portion for receiving an end portion of said conduit, said conduit receiving portion including a wall portion that encircles said outlet passage and is spaced from said end portion of said conduit to help define a annular space between said wall portion and said end portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus for providing inflation fluid to an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflator actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflator including an outlet passage for discharging inflation fluid from said inflator;
a conduit having an end portion welded to said inflator, said end portion encircling said outlet passage;
an inner channel formed inside said conduit adjacent said end portion of said conduit, said inner channel encircling said outlet passage. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. An apparatus for providing inflation fluid to an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflator actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflator including an outlet passage for discharging inflation fluid from said inflator;
a conduit having an end portion welded to said inflator, said end portion encircling said outlet passage;
an outer channel formed outside said conduit adjacent said end portion of said conduit, said outer channel encircling said outlet passage. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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30. An apparatus comprising:
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an inflator actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;
a conduit for delivering inflation fluid to the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;
a weld for securing said conduit to said inflator; and
means for collecting weld spatter generated during the formation of said weld. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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34. An inflator for providing inflation fluid to an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device via a conduit, said inflator comprising:
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a structure defining a chamber for storing inflation fluid under pressure;
a closure member rupturable to release said inflation fluid from said chamber; and
an end cap connectable with said structure, said end cap being connectable with the conduit via a weld, said end cap including an annular channel located inside the conduit for collecting weld spatter resulting from the weld.
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35. An inflator for providing inflation fluid to an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device via a conduit, said inflator comprising:
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a structure defining a chamber for storing inflation fluid under pressure;
a closure member rupturable to release said inflation fluid from said chamber; and
an end cap connectable with said structure, said end cap being connectable with the conduit via a weld, said end cap including an annular channel located outside the conduit for collecting weld spatter resulting from the weld.
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Specification