Inflator
First Claim
1. An inflator for a vehicle occupant protection system, the inflator comprising:
- a cylindrical outer wall having a longitudinal axis and at least one opening formed therealong for enabling fluid communication between an interior of the inflator and an exterior of the inflator;
a first inflation fluid source positioned within the outer wall;
a baffle system fluidly interposed between the first inflation fluid source and the outer wall for conveying inflation fluid between the first inflation fluid source and the outer wall;
at least one opening for enabling fluid communication between the first inflation fluid source and the baffle system; and
at least one opening for enabling fluid communication between the baffle system and the outer wall, the at least one opening for enabling fluid communication between the first inflation fluid source and the baffle system being substantially radially aligned with the at least one opening for enabling fluid communication between an interior of the inflator and an exterior of the inflator.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inflator for a vehicle occupant restraint system. The inflator includes a cylindrical outer wall having a longitudinal axis and a first opening formed therealong for enabling fluid communication between an interior of the inflator and an exterior of the inflator. A first inflation fluid source is positioned within the outer wall. A baffle system is fluidly interposed between the first inflation fluid source and the outer wall for conveying inflation fluid between the first inflation fluid source and the outer wall, and for cooling the inflation fluid. A second opening enables fluid communication between the first inflation fluid source and the baffle system, and a third opening enables fluid communication between the baffle system and the outer wall. The first opening is substantially radially aligned with the second opening. An expanded metal mesh buffer may be positioned between within the baffle system. Openings enabling fluid communication between the baffle system and the exterior of the baffle system, any openings provided within the baffle system, and the opening enabling fluid communication between the interior and exterior of the inflator housing are cooperatively positioned to direct the flow of an inflation through the baffle system in directions substantially perpendicular to and/or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. Also disclosed is a vehicle occupant restraint system incorporating an inflator in accordance with the present invention.
117 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An inflator for a vehicle occupant protection system, the inflator comprising:
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a cylindrical outer wall having a longitudinal axis and at least one opening formed therealong for enabling fluid communication between an interior of the inflator and an exterior of the inflator;
a first inflation fluid source positioned within the outer wall;
a baffle system fluidly interposed between the first inflation fluid source and the outer wall for conveying inflation fluid between the first inflation fluid source and the outer wall;
at least one opening for enabling fluid communication between the first inflation fluid source and the baffle system; and
at least one opening for enabling fluid communication between the baffle system and the outer wall, the at least one opening for enabling fluid communication between the first inflation fluid source and the baffle system being substantially radially aligned with the at least one opening for enabling fluid communication between an interior of the inflator and an exterior of the inflator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A vehicle occupant restraint system comprising:
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an inflator having a cylindrical outer wall including a longitudinal axis and at least one opening formed therealong for enabling fluid communication between an interior of the inflator and an exterior of the inflator, a first inflation fluid source positioned within the outer wall, a baffle system fluidly interposed between the first inflation fluid source and the outer wall for conveying inflation fluid between the first inflation fluid source and the outer wall, at least one opening for enabling fluid communication between the first inflation fluid source and the baffle system, and at least one opening for enabling fluid communication between the baffle system and the outer wall, the at least one opening for enabling fluid communication between the first inflation fluid source and the baffle system being substantially radially aligned with the at least one opening for enabling fluid communication between an interior of the inflator and an exterior of the inflator; and
a crash event sensor in operative communication with the inflator, the crash event sensor including a known crash sensor algorithm adapted to signal activation of the airbag system in the event of a collision.
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Specification