Gas generating system

• US 20070248511A1
• Filed: 04/20/2007
• Published: 10/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition, LLC (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: TK Holdings Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: McCormick, David M., Mason, Scott A., Anderson, Jeffrey, Morgan, Richard W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,376,400 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/305
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26088 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/264 using instantaneous generation of gas, e.g. pyrotechnic B60R21/268 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2644 using only solid reacting substances, e.g. pellets, powder
• CPC Class Codes: C06D 5/00 Generation of pressure gas, e.g. for blasting cartridges, starting cartridges, rockets explosive compositions containing an oxidizer, fuels for rocket engines intended for reaction with an oxidant other than air C06B

Abstract

A gas generating system is provided including a first housing formed from a polymeric material, and a pyrotechnic gas generant material contained in the first housing. The first housing forms a combustion chamber for the gas generant. An airbag system and a vehicle occupant protection system, each incorporating a gas generating system as described herein, are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A gas generating system comprising:

a first housing formed from a polymeric material; and

a pyrotechnic gas generant material contained in the first housing, wherein the first housing forms a combustion chamber for the gas generant.

2. The gas generating system of claim 1 further comprising a second housing enclosing at least a portion of the first housing.

3. The gas generating system of claim 2 wherein the second housing includes at least one first gas exit aperture for enabling fluid communication between an interior of the second housing and an exterior of the second housing, and wherein the first housing includes at least one second gas exit aperture for enabling fluid communication between an interior of the first housing and the at least one first gas exit aperture.

4. The gas generating system of claim 3 further comprising a baffle positioned along a fluid flow path between the at least one first gas exit aperture and the at least one second gas exit aperture, the baffle defining a baffle chamber and including at least one orifice for enabling fluid communication between the at least one second gas exit aperture and the baffle chamber, and at least one opening for enabling fluid communication between the baffle chamber and at least one first gas exit aperture.

5. The gas generating system of claim 4 wherein the baffle is formed from a metallic material.

6. The gas generating system of claim 4 wherein the baffle is formed from a polymer.

7. The gas generating system of claim 2 wherein the first housing is spaced apart from the second housing so as to form a fluid flow passage between the second housing and the first housing.

8. The gas generating system of claim 1 further comprising an initiator operatively coupled to the combustion chamber so as to initiate combustion of the gas generant upon activation of the initiator.

9. The gas generating system of claim 1 wherein the first housing is formed from Nylon 6.

10. The gas generating system of claim 1 wherein the first housing is formed from Nylon 6/6.

11. The gas generating system of claim 1 wherein the first housing is formed from material having a melting temperature that is below an auto-ignition temperature of the gas generant positioned in the first housing.

12. The gas generating system of claim 1 wherein the first housing is formed from a polymer material having a melting temperature within the range 125°

C.-200°

C.

13. The gas generating system of claim 2 wherein the second housing is formed from a polymer material.

14. The gas generating system of claim 13 wherein the second housing is formed from a material having a melting temperature within the range 125°

C.-200°

C.

15. The gas generating system of claim 13 wherein the second housing is formed from Nylon 6.

16. The gas generating system of claim 13 wherein the second housing is formed from Nylon 6/6.

17. The gas generating system of claim 13 wherein the first housing and the second housing are formed from the same material.

18. The gas generating system of claim 2 wherein the second housing is formed from a metallic material.

19. An airbag system comprising:

at least one airbag; and

a gas generating system in accordance with claim 1.

20. A vehicle occupant protection system including a gas generating system in accordance with claim 1.