Gas generating system
First Claim
1. A gas generating system comprising:
- a baffle system for cooling a gas generated by the gas generating system, the baffle system including;
a first enclosure;
a second enclosure spaced apart from a wall of the first enclosure to define a first fluid flow passage between the second enclosure and the wall, the second enclosure defining a baffle chamber therein, the second enclosure including at least one first opening for enabling fluid communication between a gas source and the second enclosure baffle chamber, and at least one second opening for enabling fluid communication between the second enclosure baffle chamber and the first fluid flow passage; and
a third enclosure spaced apart from the wall of the first enclosure to define a second fluid flow passage between the third enclosure and the wall, the second fluid flow passage being in fluid communication with the first fluid flow passage, the third enclosure defining a baffle chamber therein, the third enclosure including at least one first opening for enabling fluid communication between the second fluid flow passage and the third enclosure baffle chamber, and at least one second opening for enabling fluid communication between the third enclosure baffle chamber and an exterior of the gas generating system.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A gas generating system (10) including a baffle system for cooling a gas generated by the gas generating system. The baffle system (40) includes a first enclosure and a second enclosure (80) spaced apart from a wall (14) of the first enclosure to define a first fluid flow passage (86) extending between the second enclosure (80) and the wall (14). The second enclosure (80) defines a baffle chamber (92) therein. The second enclosure (80) also includes at least one opening (94) for enabling fluid communication between a gas source and the second enclosure baffle chamber (92), and at least one opening (96) for enabling fluid communication between the second enclosure baffle chamber (92) and the first fluid flow passage (86). A third enclosure (32) is also provided spaced apart from the wall (14) of the first enclosure to define a second fluid flow passage (98) extending between the third enclosure (32) and the wall (14). The second fluid flow passage (98) is in fluid communication with the first fluid flow passage (86). The third enclosure (32) defines a baffle chamber (102) therein, and also includes at least one opening (104) for enabling fluid communication between the second fluid flow passage (98) and the third enclosure baffle chamber (102), and at least one opening (106) for enabling fluid communication between the third enclosure baffle chamber (102) and an exterior of the gas generating system. A method for cooling gases is also disclosed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A gas generating system comprising:
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a baffle system for cooling a gas generated by the gas generating system, the baffle system including;
a first enclosure;
a second enclosure spaced apart from a wall of the first enclosure to define a first fluid flow passage between the second enclosure and the wall, the second enclosure defining a baffle chamber therein, the second enclosure including at least one first opening for enabling fluid communication between a gas source and the second enclosure baffle chamber, and at least one second opening for enabling fluid communication between the second enclosure baffle chamber and the first fluid flow passage; and
a third enclosure spaced apart from the wall of the first enclosure to define a second fluid flow passage between the third enclosure and the wall, the second fluid flow passage being in fluid communication with the first fluid flow passage, the third enclosure defining a baffle chamber therein, the third enclosure including at least one first opening for enabling fluid communication between the second fluid flow passage and the third enclosure baffle chamber, and at least one second opening for enabling fluid communication between the third enclosure baffle chamber and an exterior of the gas generating system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for cooling a gas comprising the steps of:
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providing a first enclosure;
providing a second enclosure spaced apart from a wall of the first enclosure to define a first fluid flow passage between the second enclosure and the wall, the second enclosure defining a baffle chamber therein, the second enclosure including at least one first opening for enabling fluid communication between a gas source and the second enclosure baffle chamber and at least one second opening for enabling fluid communication between the second enclosure baffle chamber and the first fluid flow passage;
providing a third enclosure spaced apart from the wall of the first enclosure to define a second fluid flow passage between the third enclosure and the wall, the second fluid flow passage being in fluid communication with the first fluid flow passage, the third enclosure defining a baffle chamber therein, the third enclosure including at least one first opening for enabling fluid communication between the second fluid flow passage and the third enclosure baffle chamber, and at least one second opening for enabling fluid communication between the third enclosure baffle chamber and an exterior of the third enclosure;
directing the gas from the gas source through the at least one first opening of the second enclosure into the second enclosure baffle chamber;
directing the gas through the at least one second opening of the second enclosure, out of the second enclosure baffle chamber and into the first fluid flow passage;
directing the gas out of the first fluid flow passage and into the second fluid flow passage;
directing the gas out of the second fluid flow passage through the at least one first opening of the third enclosure and into the third enclosure baffle chamber; and
directing the gas through the at least one second opening of the third enclosure from the third enclosure baffle chamber to an exterior of the third enclosure baffle chamber, whereby heat from the gas is transferred to the enclosures during passage of the gas between the gas source and the exterior of the third enclosure, thereby cooling the gas during passage of the gas between the gas source and the exterior of the third enclosure.
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18. A vehicle occupant protection system comprising:
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an airbag system including an airbag and a gas generating system coupled to the airbag so as to enable fluid communication with the airbag upon activation of the airbag system, the gas generating system having a baffle system for cooling a gas generated by the gas generating system, the baffle system including;
a first enclosure;
a second enclosure spaced apart from a wall of the first enclosure to define a first fluid flow passage between the second enclosure and the wall, the second enclosure defining a baffle chamber therein, the second enclosure including at least one first opening for enabling fluid communication between a gas source and the second enclosure baffle chamber, and at least one second opening for enabling fluid communication between the second enclosure baffle chamber and the first fluid flow passage; and
a third enclosure spaced apart from the wall of the first enclosure to define a second fluid flow passage between the third enclosure and the wall, the second fluid flow passage being in fluid communication with the first fluid flow passage, the third enclosure defining a baffle chamber therein, the third enclosure including at least one first opening for enabling fluid communication between the second fluid flow passage and the third enclosure baffle chamber, and at least one second opening for enabling fluid communication between the third enclosure baffle chamber and an exterior of the gas generating system. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification