Sequenced orifice fluid supply for occupant restraint system
First Claim
1. A fluid supply for an occupant restraint system having:
- a confinement having a collapsed inoperative condition and an expanded operative condition for restraining movement of an occupant of a vehicle during a collision, said fluid supply comprising;
means for directing fluid into the confinement;
a vessel defining first and second pressure chambers fluidically in series;
gas under pressure in the first and second pressure chambers;
means substantially blocking fluid flow between said first and second chambers;
means for directing an initial flow of the gas from the first chamber into the fluid directing means to effect an initial expansion of the confinement; and
means for subsequently removing said blocking means and directing a flow of the gas from the second chamber through the first chamber and into the fluid directing means to effect full expansion of the confinement after the confinement has been initially expanded.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An occupant restraint system for a vehicle including an air bag having a collapsed inoperative condition and an expanded operative condition for restraining movement of an occupant of the vehicle during a collision, a fluid supply, and a diffuser for directing fluid from the fluid supply into the air bag. The fluid supply includes a staged source of fluid for expanding the air bag. Fluid from the first source stage is introduced into the diffuser immediately upon the collision of the vehicle to initiate expansion of the air bag. After a time delay of milliseconds, a greater mass flow of fluid from the second source stage is introduced into the diffuser to complete the expansion of the air bag.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A fluid supply for an occupant restraint system having:
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a confinement having a collapsed inoperative condition and an expanded operative condition for restraining movement of an occupant of a vehicle during a collision, said fluid supply comprising; means for directing fluid into the confinement; a vessel defining first and second pressure chambers fluidically in series; gas under pressure in the first and second pressure chambers;
means substantially blocking fluid flow between said first and second chambers;means for directing an initial flow of the gas from the first chamber into the fluid directing means to effect an initial expansion of the confinement; and means for subsequently removing said blocking means and directing a flow of the gas from the second chamber through the first chamber and into the fluid directing means to effect full expansion of the confinement after the confinement has been initially expanded. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A fluid supply for use with an occupant restraint system including a confinement having a collapsed inoperative condition and an expanded operative condition for restraining movement of an occupant of a vehicle during a collision and means for directing fluid into the confinement, the fluid supply comprising:
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a source of fluid including first and second pressure chambers occupied by fluid and arranged fluidically in series; first means operative to direct an initial flow of fluid from the first chamber to the fluid directing means to effect an initial expansion of the confinement; and second means operative to subsequently direct fluid from said second chamber to said first chamber permitting a secondary fluid flow at a rate greater than said initial flow to the fluid directing means such that said initial and secondary fluid flows are combined to effect further expansion of the confinement after the confinement has been initially expanded. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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6. A fluid supply for a vehicle occupant restraint system of the type having an inflatable confinement and means responsive to a collision to inflate said confinement, said fluid supply comprising:
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a. a source of pressurized fluid including reservoir means containing a predetermined amount of fluid under pressure; b. means operable to direct fluid flow from said source; c. means operable to activate said fluid source and release fluid from said reservoir means; d. two-stage means including a first chamber within said reservoir means connected to discharge fluid to said directing means and a second chamber within said reservoir means and arranged fluidically in series with said first chamber, said two-stage means being responsive to said activation means and operable to permit a first stage flow of fluid from said first chamber, having a predetermined maximum mass flow rate to said directing means and operable to subsequently permit a second stage flow from said second chamber, through said first chamber, having a second predetermined maximum mass flow rate occurring subsequent to said first stage maximum mass flow rate, said second stage maximum being greater than said first stage maximum. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification