GAS GENERATING SYSTEM

• US 20100194085A1
• Filed: 02/04/2010
• Published: 08/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2009
• 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: Mayville, Brian A., VanHooser, Joshua D., Tauchen, Dale E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,764,054 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/741
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/23 Inflatable members B60R21/18 takes precedence; connection to inflation fluid source retainers B60R21/217
• 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

Abstract

A gas generating system includes a housing, a gas generant combustion chamber within the housing, and a liquid coolant chamber within the housing. A mixing chamber is positioned within the housing so as to enable fluid communication with the combustion chamber and the coolant chamber after activation of the gas generating system.

Claims

1. A gas generating system comprising:

a housing;

a gas generant combustion chamber within the housing;

a liquid coolant chamber within the housing; and

a mixing chamber positioned within the housing so as to enable fluid communication with the combustion chamber and the coolant chamber after activation of the gas generating system.

2. The gas generating of claim 1 wherein the housing includes an opening configured 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 mixing chamber is positioned to enable fluid communication with the opening after activation of the gas generating system.

3. The gas generating of claim 2 wherein a portion of the housing defines a portion of the coolant chamber, and wherein the opening is formed the portion of the housing.

4. The gas generating of claim 1 further comprising a movable member positioned within the housing in operative communication with the coolant chamber, such that movement of the movable member forces coolant from the coolant chamber toward the mixing chamber.

5. The gas generating of claim 4 wherein the movable member defines a portion of the coolant chamber.

6. The gas generating of claim 4 wherein at least one opening is formed in the movable member, and wherein movement of the movable member forces coolant along the at least one opening.

7. The gas generating of claim 4 wherein the coolant chamber is defined by a piston receptacle and a piston including a portion received within the piston receptacle, and wherein one of the piston receptacle and the piston forms the movable member.

8. The gas generating of claim 4 further comprising a partition within the housing and wherein a coolant is positioned between the movable member and the partition.

9. The gas generating of claim 8 wherein the partition is positioned to enable fluid communication with the mixing chamber after activation of the gas generating system, the partition includes at least one opening enabling fluid communication between the coolant and the mixing chamber after activation of the gas generating system, and wherein movement of the movable member forces the coolant through the at least one opening.

10. The gas generating of claim 4 further comprising a conduit enabling fluid communication between the combustion chamber and the mixing chamber after activation of the gas generating system, and wherein the movable member is slidably mounted along the conduit.

11. The gas generating of claim 4 further comprising a conduit enabling fluid communication between the combustion chamber and the mixing chamber after activation of the gas generating system, and wherein a coolant is positioned between the conduit and the housing.

12. The gas generating of claim 1 wherein a portion of the coolant chamber is defined by a collapsible tube.

13. An airbag system comprising a gas generating system in accordance with claim 1.

14. A vehicle occupant protection system comprising a gas generating system in accordance with claim 1.

15. A gas generating system comprising:

a housing;

a coolant chamber defined within the housing;

an opening enabling fluid communication between the coolant chamber and an exterior of the coolant chamber after activation of the gas generating system;

a coolant material positioned within the coolant chamber; and

a movable member positioned within the housing such that movement of the movable member urges coolant along the opening.

16. An airbag system comprising a gas generating system in accordance with claim 15.

17. A vehicle occupant protection system comprising a gas generating system in accordance with claim 15.

18. A gas generating system comprising:

a housing;

a combustion chamber within the housing;

a coolant within the housing; and

a movable member positioned in operative communication with the combustion chamber and the coolant such that combustion of a gas generant material in the combustion chamber produces combustion products which move the movable member, and wherein the movement of the movable member forces the coolant into fluid communication with the combustion products.

19. An airbag system comprising a gas generating system in accordance with claim 18.

20. A vehicle occupant protection system comprising a gas generating system in accordance with claim 18.