Safety device with coanda effect

• US 3,909,037 A
• Filed: 05/22/1974
• Issued: 09/30/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ben A. Stewart
• Original Assignee: Ben A. Stewart
• Inventors: Stewart, Ben A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friaglia, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): Silverstrim, John P.
• Application Number:
  US05/472,392
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 280/15AB 417/179 239/418
• US Class Current: 280/738
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/30 with means to draw ambient air into the flow line and mix such air with the inflation fluid

Abstract

An air bag inflation system for use in vehicles for protecting the occupants thereof against injury in the event of a collision. The system utilizes ambient air for inflating the air bag with the ambient air being drawn into the air bag by one or more air movers which induce secondary fluid flow by directing the flow of a primary fluid through a Coanda nozzle.

Claims

1. An air bag inflation system for use in protecting vehicle passengers against injury in a collision, said system comprising:

a. means providing a source of pressurized primary fluid;

b. an ambient air aspirator including;

i. means forming a tubular throat having an upstream end for the induction of ambient air, and a downstream end for the expulsion of a mixture of ambient air and said primary fluid under pressure, said throat having said upstream end thereof formed with an air foil-shaped surface;

ii. means forming an annular chamber radially adjacent to said throat;

iii. means forming a slot opening from said annular chamber into said throat with said air foil-shaped surface forming one side of said slot;

c. meAns providing a fluid flow path between said source of primary fluid and said annular chamber; and

d. an inflatable air bag mounted adjacent said downstream end of said throat to receive said mixture of primary fluid and ambient air under pressure for inflation of said air bag.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said air bag is folded and disposed within said throat prior to being inflated.

3. An air bag inflation system for use in protecting vehicle passengers against injury in a collision, said system comprising:

a. an ambient air aspirator including;

i. means forming a tubular throat of a generally flattened cross-sectional configuration, said throat having an upstream end for the induction of ambient air, and a downstream end for the expulsion of a mixture of ambient air and primary fluid under pressure, said throat having said upstream end thereof formed with an air foil-shaped surface;

ii. means forming an annular chamber radially adjacent to said throat;

iii. means forming a slot opening from said annular chamber into said throat, with said air foil-shaped surface forming one side of said slot;

b. combustible means for producing a supply of said pressurized primary fluid;

c. means providing a fluid flow path between said combustion means and said annular chamber for passage of said pressurized primary fluid from said combustible means to said annular chamber; and

d. an inflatable air bag mounted adjacent said downstream end of said throat to receive a mixture of said primary fluid and ambient air under pressure for inflation of said air bag.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said air bag is folded and disposed within said throat prior to being inflated.

5. An air bag inflation system for use in protecting vehicle passengers against injury in a collision, said system comprising:

a. an ambient air aspirator including;

i. means forming a tubular throat having an upstream end for the induction of ambient air, and a downstream end of the expulsion of a mixture of ambient air and primary fluid under pressure, said throat having said upstream end thereof formed with an air foil-shaped surface;

ii. means forming an annular chamber radially adjacent to said throat;

iii. means forming a slot opening from said annular chamber into said throat with said air foil-shaped surface forming one side of said slot; and

b. combustible means disposed in said annular chamber for producing a supply of said pressurized primary fluid in said annular chamber.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising an air bag mounted on said downstream end of said throat, said air bag being folded and disposed within said throat prior to being inflated.