Hybrid inflator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A hybrid inflator for inflating an airbag system of a vehicle, comprising:
- an inflator housing filled with a pressurized medium containing an inert gas;
one or more gas heaters internal and connected at an end of the inflator housing, the at least one of the gas heaters including;
an outer shell formed by a heater housing having a plurality of heater holes and a plurality of bypass openings;
a gas generating chamber in which a gas generant charge is stored, the gas generating chamber and the inflator housing being in communication with each other through the plurality of heater holes and the plurality of bypass openings;
an ignition means connected to the gas heater and located at an end of the inflator housing;
an enhancer chamber in which an enhancer charge is stored, the enhancer chamber being located between the gas generating chamber and the ignition means, and separated from the gas generating chamber by a bulkhead, the bulkhead having one or more first openings to the gas generator chamber, and being located in close proximity to the plurality of bypass openings; and
wherein the enhancer charge when ignited by the ignition means passes ignited gases through the one or more first openings in the bulkhead and passes a portion of the ignited gases through the bypass openings in proximity to the bulkhead pre-heating the inert gas in the inflator and a remaining portion of the ignited enhancer charge ignites the heater charge.
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Abstract
A hybrid inflator for inflating an airbag system has one or more heater assemblies with an enhancer charge contained in the heater with bypass ports or openings in direct communication with the inert gas. Upon ignition a portion of the enhancer charge bypasses the heater gas generant charge to pre-heat the inert gas prior to or simultaneously with a remaining portion of the enhancer charge igniting the heater gas generant charge.
40 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A hybrid inflator for inflating an airbag system of a vehicle, comprising:
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an inflator housing filled with a pressurized medium containing an inert gas;
one or more gas heaters internal and connected at an end of the inflator housing, the at least one of the gas heaters including;
an outer shell formed by a heater housing having a plurality of heater holes and a plurality of bypass openings;
a gas generating chamber in which a gas generant charge is stored, the gas generating chamber and the inflator housing being in communication with each other through the plurality of heater holes and the plurality of bypass openings;
an ignition means connected to the gas heater and located at an end of the inflator housing;
an enhancer chamber in which an enhancer charge is stored, the enhancer chamber being located between the gas generating chamber and the ignition means, and separated from the gas generating chamber by a bulkhead, the bulkhead having one or more first openings to the gas generator chamber, and being located in close proximity to the plurality of bypass openings; and
wherein the enhancer charge when ignited by the ignition means passes ignited gases through the one or more first openings in the bulkhead and passes a portion of the ignited gases through the bypass openings in proximity to the bulkhead pre-heating the inert gas in the inflator and a remaining portion of the ignited enhancer charge ignites the heater charge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A hybrid inflator for inflating an airbag system of a vehicle, comprising:
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an inflator housing filled with a pressurized medium containing an inert gas;
one or more gas heaters internal and connected at an end of the inflator housing, the at least one of the gas heaters including;
an outer shell formed by a heater housing having a plurality of heater holes;
a gas generating chamber in which a gas generant charge is stored, the gas generating chamber and the inflator housing being in communication with each other through the plurality of heater holes;
an ignition means connected to the gas heater and located at an end of the inflator housing;
an enhancer chamber in which an enhancer charge is stored, the enhancer chamber being located between the gas generating chamber and the ignition means, and separated from the gas generating chamber by a bulkhead, the bulkhead having one or more first openings to the gas generator chamber, and the enhancer chamber, having one or more bypass openings to the inflator housing; and
wherein the enhancer charge when ignited by the ignition means passes ignited gases through the enhancer chamber bypass openings to the inflator housing thereby pre-heating the inert gas in the inflator housing and the enhancer chamber passes ignited enhancer charge gases through the one or more first openings in the bulkhead and ignites the heater charge. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification