Gas generator

• US 3,934,984 A
• Filed: 01/10/1975
• Issued: 01/27/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: OLIN Corporation
• Original Assignee: OLIN Corporation
• Inventors: Marlow, Darrell W., Freeman, Brady L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Song, Robert R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pekar, John A.
• Application Number:
  US05/540,059
• Time in Patent Office: 382 Days
• Field of Search: 280/150 AB, 23/281, 55/512, 55/522, 261/94
• US Class Current: 422/166
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 7/00 Apparatus for generating gases production of inert gas mixtures B01J19/14; for generating specific gases, see the relevant subclasses, e.g. C01B, C10J ; in "air bags" on vehicles B60R21/26; for starter gas F02C7/26; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure F42B3/04
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2644 using only solid reacting substances, e.g. pellets, powder
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 3/04 for producing gas under pressure generators of inflation fluid especially adapted for vehicle air bags B60R21/26

Abstract

A gas generator for an air bag or the like including an ignitor, a propellant, an outlet, and a cooling chamber positioned between the propellant and the outlet. The cooling chamber is filled with hollow balls with surface openings which are an effective heat sink and a trap for undesirable particulate matter so that the gas introduced into the air bag is sufficiently cool and clean to be vented into the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A gas generator for an inflatable occupant restraint comprising a housing, a propellant chamber in said housing, a gas generating charge in said chamber, means for igniting said charge in response to a predetermined signal, an outlet in said housing for the expulsion of gases formed upon igniting and burning of said charge, a cooling chamber formed between said propellant chamber and said outlet, said cooling chamber including a plurality of hollow, metallic balls each having an opening through the surface thereof.

2. The generator of claim 1 in which said balls are spherical and hollow with a slit through the surface to provide maximum exposed surface for heat absorption and a trap for solid particles in said gases.