Inflator assembly and flow control valve for same
First Claim
1. In a vehicular safety system having an inflatable occupant restraint, reservoir means operatively connected to said restraint and containing a supply of pressurized gas therein, and valve means for controlling the flow of gas from said reservoir means into said restraint, comprising the improvement wherein said valve means includes a valve housing operatively interconnected to the outlet opening of said reservoir means, said valve housing having a flow passage therethrough, and a valve member disposed within said passage and supported on said housing member for movement relative thereto between a first position wherein said restraint is normally maintained in a collapsed condition and a second position wherein said restraint is at least partially inflated, said valve housing and said valve member including cooperating wall means defining a flow control orifice which is of progressively increasing area as said valve member moves from said first position toward said second position, said valve member being disposed such that flow from said outlet opening impinges thereupon in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of movement of said valve member urging said cooperating wall means together to create a predetermined frictional force resisting movement of said valve member, said wall means including means cooperating with certain surfaces of said valve member to form a chamber, and said wall means includes means defining a second passage communicating said source of fluid pressure with said chamber thereby permitting fluid source pressure to be applied to the said certain surfaces of said valve member for moving same.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inflator assembly including a flow control device associated with a safety system for controlling flow of fluid from a fluid source into an inflatable restraint, such as an inflatable confinement associated with a vehicle for protecting an occupant during a collision. The flow control device includes a shiftable valve which is normally responsive to fluid flow initially actuated by an explosive. The shiftable valve contains or orifice which is progressively opened during the opening movement of the valve to provide for controlled flow of fluid into the restraint.
47 Citations
32 Claims
- 1. In a vehicular safety system having an inflatable occupant restraint, reservoir means operatively connected to said restraint and containing a supply of pressurized gas therein, and valve means for controlling the flow of gas from said reservoir means into said restraint, comprising the improvement wherein said valve means includes a valve housing operatively interconnected to the outlet opening of said reservoir means, said valve housing having a flow passage therethrough, and a valve member disposed within said passage and supported on said housing member for movement relative thereto between a first position wherein said restraint is normally maintained in a collapsed condition and a second position wherein said restraint is at least partially inflated, said valve housing and said valve member including cooperating wall means defining a flow control orifice which is of progressively increasing area as said valve member moves from said first position toward said second position, said valve member being disposed such that flow from said outlet opening impinges thereupon in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of movement of said valve member urging said cooperating wall means together to create a predetermined frictional force resisting movement of said valve member, said wall means including means cooperating with certain surfaces of said valve member to form a chamber, and said wall means includes means defining a second passage communicating said source of fluid pressure with said chamber thereby permitting fluid source pressure to be applied to the said certain surfaces of said valve member for moving same.
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15. A system having an inflatable device, a reservoir defining therein a compartment containing a pressurized gaseous fluid, and a flow control device operatively connected between said reservoir and said inflatable device for controlling the flow of pressure fluid therebetween, comprising the improvement wherein said flow control device includes:
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valve means for controlling the flow of pressure fluid as discharged from said reservoir, said valve means including a valve housing having a housing chamber adapted for communication between the reservoir chamber and the inflatable device and a valve member movably supported within said housing chamber, said valve member being normally maintained in a first position wherein said inflatable device is maintained in a collapsed position, said valve member movable from said first position to a second position for permitting flow of fluid from said reservoir into said inflatable device for inflating same; first means associated with said reservoir and said valve means for permitting the pressure fluid to flow from said reservoir, at least during discharge thereof, such that the flow from said reservoir impinges upon said valve member in a direction substantially tranverse to the direction of motion of said member, to act against said valve member for urging same against said valve housing to create a frictional force between said valve member and said valve housing tending to retard movement of said valve member when it is being moved from said first to said second position; said wall means including means cooperating with certain surfaces of said valve member to define a chamber; and
,second means associated with said reservoir and said valve member for permitting pressure fluid as discharged from said reservoir to act on said valve member and at least initiate movement of said valve member away from said first position in a direction toward said second position, wherein said second means includes means defining a second passage communicating said source of fluid pressure with said chamber thereby permitting fluid source pressure to be applied to the said certain surfaces of said valve member for moving same. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An inflator assembly for an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint of the type activated upon receipt of a collision signal, said inflator comprising:
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a. a source of pressurized fluid; b. fluid directing means communicating with said source and adapted to direct fluid flow from said source to said inflatable restraint; c. means operable to activate said fluid source in response to a collision signal; d. flow control means operatively associated with said fluid directing means and including; i. wall means defining a fluid flow passage, ii. a valve member disposed within said passage and contacting said wall means, said valve member and said wall means defining a variable flow control orifice, said valve member being movable, upon activation of said fluid source, from an initial position wherein said orifice substantially restricts fluid flow to a subsequent position wherein said orifice permits substantially less restricted flow, and, iii. said valve member having selected surfaces thereon being disposed such that pressure of said fluid flow impinges thereagainst in a direction substantially tranverse to the direction of motion of said member and urges said member against said wall means to create a predetermined frictional force therebetween for retarding movement of said member from said initial position to said subsequent position, wherein said wall means includes means defining a chamber in cooperation with certain other surfaces of said valve member and said wall means includes means defining a second passage communicating said source of fluid pressure with said chamber, thereby permitting fluid source pressure to be applied to said valve member for moving same. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification