Pyrotechnic actuated valve

• US 3,900,211 A
• Filed: 04/04/1974
• Issued: 08/19/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Claude E. Campbell, Lowell L. Russell
• Original Assignee: Claude E. Campbell, Lowell L. Russell
• Inventors: Russell, Lowell L., Campbell, Claude E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schonberg, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Silverstrim, John P.
• Application Number:
  US05/457,890
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 137/70,71,68,69 280/15AB 222/3
• US Class Current: 280/737
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/268 using instantaneous release of stored pressurised gas B60R21/26005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1782 Frangible element returns pressure responsive valve

Abstract

A fast acting valve adapted for actuation by a pyrotechnic charge, especially applicable to the purpose of discharging a container of compressed fluid into an inflatable automobile seat belt upon command, but useful to any application where an extremely fast-acting dump valve is required, the structure eliminating expulsion of component structure or pyrotechnic residue into the fluid stream.

Claims

1. A pyrotechnic actuated valve connectable to a container of fluid under pressure, comprising:

A. a hollow valve body having an inlet at one end connectable to a container of fluid under pressure, and terminating in an internal flange;

B. said hollow valve body including a poppet cavity with a discharge outlet therefrom;

C. a movable poppet in said poppet cavity including an external flange interconnected to a poppet body by a shearable web, said flange being engageable against said internal flange of said inlet and said poppet body normally closing said outlet;

a poppet support positioned in operable engagement with said poppet, comprising a dished disc in engagement with said movable poppet, a retainer at the end of said valve body remote from said inlet, and a hollow, frangible tube held in longitudinal compression between said disc and said retainer; and

E. a pyrotechnic charge internal of said frangible support tube adapted upon activation to disintegrate said support tube whereupon fluid pressure moves said poppet, after shearing said shearable web, to open said outlet with disintegrated material of said tube and pyrotechnic residue being maintained free from said outlet by the moved poppet.

2. A pyrotechnic actuated valve as claimed in claim 1, said retainer comprising a retainer tube threadedly engaged in the interior of the end remote from said inlet.

3. A pyrotechnic actuated valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein said discharge outlet is operatively connected with an inflatable automobile seat belt whereby upon command actuation of said pyrotechnic charge, fluid under pressure from said container is discharged into said seat belt with fluid flow being maintained free from disintegrated material and pyrotechnic residue.

4. A pyrotechnic actuated valve as claimed in claim 1 including an initiator external of said retainer tube and operatively connected with said pyrotechnic charge, said initiator being controllably activatable externally from said valve.

5. A pyrotechnic actuated valve as claimed in claim 1, said frangible support tube consisting of a hollow tube of ceramic material.

6. A pyrotechnic actuated valve as claimed in claim 1, said poppet body having an internal cavity therein opening outwardly at the end thereof proximate said external flange, a container fill valve operatively inserted in said cavity whereby said valve is operable with a container with no external openings other than the container outlet.