Elongate gas generator for inflating vehicle inflatable restraint cushions
First Claim
1. A gas generator for inflating a vehicle inflatable restraint cushion comprises a tubular member having a pair of end portions, a pair of plate members one of which is attached to one of said end portions of said tubular member and the other of which is attached to the other of said end portions to define a combustion chamber therewithin, a solid fuel gas generant composition contained within the combustion chamber, ignition means for igniting said solid fuel gas generant composition, a plurality of aperture means in each said plate member for effecting exit of generated gases from the combustion chamber, a pair of chamber means one of which is attached to one of said pair of tubular member end portions and the other of which is attached to the other of said pair of tubular member end portions for receiving and filtering the generated gases, and means for routing the generated gases from said pair of chamber means to an inflatable restraint cushion.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A gas generator which has a high volume combustion chamber for increased gas production and which is sized small enough to be confined within a vehicle steering wheel circumference with a minimum impact on the aesthetics of the steering wheel and general interior of the vehicle is used for inflating a vehicle inflatable restraint cushion in the event of an accident. The inflater is generally cylindrical in shape and includes a centrally disposed combustion chamber flanked by a pair of diffuser chambers.
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Citations
20 Claims
- 1. A gas generator for inflating a vehicle inflatable restraint cushion comprises a tubular member having a pair of end portions, a pair of plate members one of which is attached to one of said end portions of said tubular member and the other of which is attached to the other of said end portions to define a combustion chamber therewithin, a solid fuel gas generant composition contained within the combustion chamber, ignition means for igniting said solid fuel gas generant composition, a plurality of aperture means in each said plate member for effecting exit of generated gases from the combustion chamber, a pair of chamber means one of which is attached to one of said pair of tubular member end portions and the other of which is attached to the other of said pair of tubular member end portions for receiving and filtering the generated gases, and means for routing the generated gases from said pair of chamber means to an inflatable restraint cushion.
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13. A gas generator for inflating a vehicle inflatable restraint cushion comprises a tubular member having a pair of end portions, a pair of plate members one of which is attached to one of said end portions of said tubular member and the other of which is attached to the other of said end portions to define a combustion chamber therewithin, a solid fuel gas generant composition contained within the combustion chamber, ignition means for igniting said solid fuel gas generant composition, a plurality of aperture means in each said plate member for effecting exit of generated gases from the combustion chamber, a pair of chamber means one of which is attached to one of said pair of tubular member end portions and the other of which is attached to the other of said pair of tubular member end portions for receiving and filtering the generated gases, and means for routing the generated gases from said pair of chamber means to an inflatable restraint cushion, said ignition means includes an igniter which is disposed centrally of the combustion chamber and which extends between and is fixedly attached to said plate members.
- 14. A gas generator for inflating a vehicle inflatable restraint cushion comprises a tubular member having a pair of end portions, a pair of plate members one of which is attached to one of said end portions of said tubular member and the other of which is attached to the other of said end portions to define a combustion chamber therewithin, a solid fuel gas generant composition contained within the combustion chamber, ignition means for igniting said solid fuel gas generant composition, a plurality of aperture means in each said plate member for effecting exit of generated gases from the combustion chamber, a pair of chamber means one of which is attached to one of said pair of tubular member end portions and the other of which is attached to the other of said pair of tubular member end portions for receiving and filtering the generated gases, and means for routing the generated gases from said pair of chamber means to an inflatable restraint cushion, at least one of said chamber means includes a tubular wall, said routing means includes a plurality of aperture means in said tubular wall, the gas generator further comprises a generally cylindrical filter means which is disposed in and extends generally over the length of said at least one chamber means and which is spaced from said tubular wall to define a plenum chamber between said filter means and said tubular wall, and means for preventing entry of particulate matter to the plenum chamber from around either end of said filter means.
Specification