SAFETY VALVE WITH INERTIAL OPENING CONTROL

• US 3,787,067 A
• Filed: 11/18/1971
• Issued: 01/22/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jean Paul Bernard
• Original Assignee: Jean Paul Bernard
• Inventors: Bernard, Jean Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Schonberg, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Silverstrim, John P.
• Application Number:
  US05/199,997
• Time in Patent Office: 796 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB 137/38,39,50 222/3 141/4 251/76
• US Class Current: 280/736
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/36 actuated in consequence of extraneous circumstances, e.g. shock, change of position
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0777 With second control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1026 Speed change and excess speed valve control

Abstract

A safety valve is provided whose opening is controlled by the movement of a piston that responds to an inertial force. The valve includes a tubular body having a discharge opening at one end an evacuation opening at the other end, and a fluid inlet situated in the lateral wall. A piston is slidably arranged within the tubular body so as to close the discharge opening at one end, but to permit communication between the inlet, an evacuation opening at the other end. A compression spring is mounted in the tubular body so as to continually push the piston toward the discharge opening, in order to keep the evacuation opening open. Upon the application of an inertial force, the piston will slide towards the evacuation opening and open the discharge opening for permitting the egress of gas. The valve can be arranged for use in inflation devices, such as air bags, for automotive vehicles.

Claims

1. An inflatable air cushion safety fluid system for controlling the expulsion of gas comprising:

an inflatable cushion device;

a source of expanding gas;

a cylinder body having a discharge opening at one end, connected to the inflatable cushion device, and an evacuation opening at the opposite other end, the cylinder body further having a lateral fluid inlet opening adjacent the discharge opening;

a piston slidably positioned within the cylinder body so as to close the discharge opening in its normal at rest position, the piston having a port in its lateral wall providing fluid communication between the lateral fluid inlet and the evacuation opening;

a compression spring mounted in the cylinder body to bias the piston against the discharge opening, the valve is mounted so that a large inertial force will force the piston against the compression spring and permit fluid communication between the lateral fluid inlet opening and the discharge opening whereby the gas can inflate the cushion device; and

means for controlling said source of expanding gas comprising a deceleration responsive control device which normally confines said gas to said source of expanding gas but which permits said gas to enter said cylinder body through said later fluid inlet therein when said means are subjected to a deceleration in a predetermined direction at least equal to a predetermined value.

2. An inflatable air cushion safety fluid system as in claim 1, wherein the piston has a tubular shape and is closed adjacent the discharge opening.

3. An inflatable air cushion safety fluid system as in claim 2, where the spring is positioned with the tubular shape of the piston and rests against the evacuation end of the cylinder.

4. An inflatable air cushion safety fluid system as in claim 2, where the opening of the lateral fluid inlet is of such a dimension in relationship to the position of the closed piston end and the piston port that communication can be provided from the lateral fluid inlet to both the discharge opening and the exhaust opening whereby expanding gas can flow to both openings.

5. An inflatable air cushion safety fluid system as in claim 4, where a safety catch is provided within the cylinder to maintain the piston in an open position when activated.