Gas generator for automobile safety cushions

• US 4,005,876 A
• Filed: 04/10/1975
• Issued: 02/01/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thiokol Corporation (Howmet Aerospace, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Thiokol Corporation (Howmet Aerospace, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kirchoff, George F., Schneiter, Fred E., Jorgensen, Howard E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Betts, Kenneth H.
• Application Number:
  US05/566,871
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 280/150 AB, 280/741, 280/740, 102/39, 222/3, 222/5, 23/281
• US Class Current: 280/741
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26041 of elongated shape
• 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

An elongated gas generator, designed especially for use on the passenger side of the front seat position of an automotive vehicle, has a combustion cartridge having a central, electrically initiated igniter surrounded by gas generant material. This, in turn, is surrounded by filtering screens and by a perforated, tubular housing. A pH neutralizing material is located adjacent the openings of the housing for neutralizing gases produced by the burning gas generant. At least one other perforated case encloses the housing, and multiple layers of wire cooling screens are interposed between the housing and the case enclosing it. The openings in the housing are arranged relative to those of the outer case so that a long path is created for gases passing through the cooling screens, parallel to the layers thereof. The cooled and filtered gases are discharged directly from the outer case into a structure to be inflated.

Claims

1. A gas generator comprising:

a combustion cartridge comprising a closed tube, a gas generant material and igniter therefore in the tube, filtering screens inside the tube surrounding the gas generant, and two diametrically opposite openings in the tube through which combustion gases may flow;

an outer case surrounding the combustion cartridge and having two diametrically opposite openings that are angularly spaced 90°

from those in the combustion cartridge;

two long, plastic-film packages of pH neutralizing material, one located at each opening of the combustion cartridge and confined between the combustion cartridge and the outer case; and

layers of wire screen oriented circumferentially about the combustion cartridge and confined between the combustion cartridge and the outer case, and between the two packages of pH neutralizing material, whereby combustion gases from the combustion cartridge must flow through the screens, substantially parallel to the layers thereof, before being discharged through the openings in the outer case, thereby providing a long path for the gases through a minimal volume of screen.

2. The gas generator of claim 1 further including a hermetically sealed, easily-rupturable container that fits inside the closed tube of the combustion cartridge and contains the igniter, gas generant, and filtering screens.