Inflator device having an annular inflation gas discharge opening
First Claim
1. In an inflator device for inflating an inflatable cushion of an inflatable cushion restraint system, the inflator device including a supply of gas generant material to produce inflation gas upon reaction initiation, the improvement comprising:
- a reaction housing including a reaction housing side wall, the reaction housing at least in part defining a reaction chamber containing the supply of gas generant material;
an initiator device connected to the reaction housing, the initiator device in reaction initiating communication with the supply of gas generant material;
the reaction housing side wall including a plurality of reaction housing discharge openings, wherein upon reaction initiation of the supply of gas generant material, the inflation gas discharges from the reaction chamber through the reaction housing discharge openings;
a filter housing disposed around at least a portion of the reaction housing, the filter housing at least in part defining a filter chamber, the filter housing including an annular discharge opening, wherein the inflation gas discharges from the filter housing to the inflatable cushion through the annular discharge opening; and
a filter disposed in the filter chamber and external of the reaction housing.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An inflator device for inflating an inflatable cushion of an inflatable cushion restraint system. The inflator device includes a reaction housing defining a reaction chamber containing a supply of gas generant material. An initiator device is connected to the reaction housing and is in reaction initiating communication with the supply of gas generant material. A filter housing is disposed around at least a portion of the reaction housing and at least in part defines a filter chamber. The filter housing includes an annular discharge opening. The produced inflation gas discharges from the filter housing to the inflatable cushion through the annular discharge opening. A filter is disposed in the filter chamber and external of the reaction housing.
37 Citations
20 Claims
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1. In an inflator device for inflating an inflatable cushion of an inflatable cushion restraint system, the inflator device including a supply of gas generant material to produce inflation gas upon reaction initiation, the improvement comprising:
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a reaction housing including a reaction housing side wall, the reaction housing at least in part defining a reaction chamber containing the supply of gas generant material; an initiator device connected to the reaction housing, the initiator device in reaction initiating communication with the supply of gas generant material; the reaction housing side wall including a plurality of reaction housing discharge openings, wherein upon reaction initiation of the supply of gas generant material, the inflation gas discharges from the reaction chamber through the reaction housing discharge openings; a filter housing disposed around at least a portion of the reaction housing, the filter housing at least in part defining a filter chamber, the filter housing including an annular discharge opening, wherein the inflation gas discharges from the filter housing to the inflatable cushion through the annular discharge opening; and a filter disposed in the filter chamber and external of the reaction housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An inflator device for an inflatable cushion restraint system, the inflator device comprising:
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a cylindrical reaction housing defining a reaction chamber containing a supply of gas generant material, the reaction housing having a side wall including a plurality of reaction housing discharge openings, wherein upon reaction initiation of the supply of gas generant material, inflation gas is produced and discharges from the reaction chamber through the reaction housing discharge openings; an initiator device in reaction initiating communication with the supply of gas generant material; a filter housing comprising a base portion and a top portion and at least in part defining a filter chamber, the filter housing base portion disposed around and secured to the reaction housing side wall, the filter housing top portion attached to an end of the reaction housing side wall; a filter housing discharge opening formed between the filter housing base portion and top portion; and a filter disposed in the filter chamber and external of the reaction housing. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A toroidal-shaped inflator device for an inflatable cushion restraint system, the inflator device comprising:
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a cylindrical reaction housing including a side wall and an end wall at a first end of the side wall, the reaction housing side wall including a circumferential ridge extending outward from an outer surface of the side wall and a plurality of reaction housing discharge openings, the reaction housing at least in part defining a reaction chamber containing a supply of gas generant material, wherein upon reaction initiation of the supply of gas generant material, inflation gas is produced and discharges from the reaction chamber through the reaction housing discharge openings; an initiator device connected to the reaction housing end wall and in reaction initiating communication with the supply of gas generant material; a filter housing comprising a base portion and a top portion and at least in part defining a filter chamber, the filter housing base portion disposed around the reaction housing side wall and abutting the ridge, the filter housing top portion attached by a weld to a second end of the reaction housing side wall that is opposite the first end; an annular discharge opening formed between the filter housing base portion and top portion; and a filter disposed in the filter chamber and external of the reaction housing, wherein the filter is disposed between the filter housing top portion and bottom portion and the filter holds the filter housing base portion against the reaction housing ridge.
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Specification