Gas generating system

• US 20100045009A1
• Filed: 08/24/2009
• Published: 02/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2008
• 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: Pfendt, Larissa D., Schubert, Robert J. JR., Grucz, Steven N., Moreno, Federico, Kelley, Derrick O., Schumann, David T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,783,715 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/741
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2607 characterised by heating or heat insulating means, e.g. for use under extreme temperatures
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2644 using only solid reacting substances, e.g. pellets, powder
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/13 Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1352 Polymer or resin containing [i.e., natural or synthetic]

Abstract

A housing unit for a gas generating system is provided. The housing unit includes a housing and a thermal barrier covering a portion of the housing exterior. A gas generating system and a vehicle occupant protection system incorporating the housing unit are also provided.

Claims

1. A housing unit for a gas generating system, the housing unit comprising a housing and a thermal barrier covering a portion of the housing exterior.

2. A housing unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein the thermal barrier comprises a polyimide material.

3. A housing unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein the thermal barrier comprises a coating applied to the exterior surface of the housing.

4. A gas generating system including a housing unit in accordance with claim 1.

5. A vehicle occupant protection system including a gas generating system in accordance with claim 4.

6. The housing unit of claim 1 wherein the housing includes at least one gas exit orifice to enable fluid communication between an interior of the housing and an exterior of the housing after activation of the gas generating system, and wherein the housing unit includes means for enabling a flow of generated gases from the housing through the thermal barrier after activation of the gas generating system.

7. The housing unit of claim 6 wherein the means for enabling a flow of generated gases comprises at least one orifice formed in the thermal barrier prior to covering of the portion of the housing with the thermal barrier.

8. The housing unit of claim 7 wherein the at least one orifice formed in the thermal barrier is substantially aligned with at least one housing gas exit orifice.

9. The housing unit of claim 6 wherein the means for enabling a flow of generated gases comprises at least one weakened portion of the thermal barrier formed in the barrier prior to covering of the housing with the barrier so as to enable rupture of the at least one weakened portion by a pressurized gas exiting the housing through the at least one housing gas exit orifice.

10. The housing unit of claim 6 wherein the means for enabling a flow of generated gases comprises at least one orifice formed in the thermal barrier after covering of the portion of the housing with the thermal barrier.

11. A housing unit for a gas generating system, the housing unit comprising a housing and a thermal barrier covering a portion of the housing to deflect a portion of heat impinging on the covered portion toward an uncovered portion of the housing.

12. A housing unit in accordance with claim 11 further comprising an auto-ignition material positioned inside the housing in thermal communication with the uncovered portion of the housing.

13. A gas generating system including a housing unit in accordance with claim 11.

14. A vehicle occupant protection system including a gas generating system in accordance with claim 13.

15. A housing unit for a gas generating system, the housing unit comprising a housing and a thermal barrier covering a portion of the housing so as to provide heating of an uncovered portion of the housing adjacent the covered portion at a greater rate than heating of the covered portion when heat from a heat source external to the housing impinges on the covered portion.

16. A housing unit for a gas generating system, the housing unit comprising a longitudinal housing having an interior divided into first and second chambers, and a thermal barrier covering a portion of the housing exterior of the first chamber.

17. The housing unit of claim 16 wherein the first chamber has first length and the second chamber has a second length, and wherein the first length is greater than the second length.

18. The housing unit of claim 16 further comprising:

an uncovered portion of the housing adjacent the covered portion of the housing;

a gas generant material positioned in the first chamber; and

an auto-ignition material positioned in the housing so as to be in thermal communication with the uncovered portion of the housing, and positioned in the housing so as to enable fluid communication between the auto-ignition material and the gas generant material after ignition of the auto-ignition material.

19. A gas generating system including a housing unit in accordance with claim 16.

20. A vehicle occupant protection system including a gas generating system in accordance with claim 19.

21. A method of assembling a housing unit for a gas generating system, comprising the steps of:

providing a housing;

providing a thermal barrier; and

covering a portion of the housing exterior with the thermal barrier so as to enable selective heating of the housing exterior.