Gas inflator apparatus
First Claim
1. An apparatus for inflating an inflatable container in which a delay is provided and wherein a gas propellant is activated without direct use of an electric signal, comprising:
- first means for containing gas and having a wall;
electro-explosive device means for creating a path for gas from said first means to the inflatable container, wherein said electro-explosive device means is electrically activated;
propellant means positioned within said first means;
pressure sensing means operatively connected to said first means for monitoring a differential pressure between a first pressure related to the pressure of the gas in said first means and a reference pressure, wherein said reference pressure exceeds said first pressure during the dynamic state and wherein the gas creating said reference pressure does not provide a substantial portion of the gas used to inflate the inflatable container; and
second means for controlling activation of said propellant means, wherein said second means responds to movement of at least a portion of said pressure sensing means away from said reference pressure to activate said propellant means after a delay without electrical activation thereof, thereby increasing the gas flow rate provided to the inflatable container.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A gas inflator apparatus for deploying inflatable devices, particularly automobile air bags, which provides an initial flow rate of gas onto the air bag, followed by a delayed maximum flow rate to fully depoly the air bag, the apparatus particularly having the capability to program the delay by monitoring cartain environmental conditions, namely pressure, and additionally providing temperature compensation for variations in ambient conditions, all of which optimize performance of the gas inflator apparatus over a wider range of operating conditions. A single electrical signal is sent to the gas inflator apparatus upon the sensing of an impact. The signal actuates an electro-explosive device which allows stored gas in the gas inflator apparatus to begin flowing into the air bag. Mechanical elements monitor the differential pressure between a pressure related to the pressure in the housing which stores the gas and a reference pressure. Upon achievement of a programmed differential pressure, the mechanical elements ignite a gas generator propellant, the combustion of which augments the flow rate into the air bag to ensure full inflation thereof.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. An apparatus for inflating an inflatable container in which a delay is provided and wherein a gas propellant is activated without direct use of an electric signal, comprising:
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first means for containing gas and having a wall; electro-explosive device means for creating a path for gas from said first means to the inflatable container, wherein said electro-explosive device means is electrically activated; propellant means positioned within said first means; pressure sensing means operatively connected to said first means for monitoring a differential pressure between a first pressure related to the pressure of the gas in said first means and a reference pressure, wherein said reference pressure exceeds said first pressure during the dynamic state and wherein the gas creating said reference pressure does not provide a substantial portion of the gas used to inflate the inflatable container; and second means for controlling activation of said propellant means, wherein said second means responds to movement of at least a portion of said pressure sensing means away from said reference pressure to activate said propellant means after a delay without electrical activation thereof, thereby increasing the gas flow rate provided to the inflatable container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for inflating an inflatable container, comprising:
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first enclosure means containing compressed gas under a first pressure; first connecting means for connecting said first enclosure means to an inflatable container; first barrier means for providing a barrier between said first enclosure means and said first connecting means; means for breaking said first barrier means, wherein said compressed gas in said first enclosure means begins to flow from said first enclosure means through said connecting means into the inflatable container; second enclosure means containing a combustible material; second connecting means for connecting said first enclosure means to said second enclosure means; second barrier means for providing a barrier between said second enclosure means and said first enclosure means; pressure sensing means for monitoring a differential pressure between a second pressure and a reference pressure, wherein said second pressure is related to said first pressure; and mechanical ignition means for igniting said combustible material to break said second barrier means and thereby permit exhaust gases from said combustible material to mix with said compressed gas to increase the flow rate thereof into the inflatable container, wherein said pressure sensing means activates said ignition means when said pressure sensing means detects a first differential pressure between said second pressure and said reference pressure, said reference pressure exceeding said second pressure in the dynamic state. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for inflating a container using an apparatus having a first enclosure means containing a compressed gas under a first pressure, a barrier separating said first enclosure means and the container, and a combustible material, comprising:
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sensing a condition requiring inflation of the container; generating an electric signal for breaking said barrier; permitting compressed gas within said first enclosure means to flow into the container; sensing whether a pressure differential exists between a second pressure related to said first pressure and a reference pressure, wherein said reference pressure is defined using a gas located in a volume different from a volume used to contain gas defining said second pressure, wherein the gas defining said reference pressure does not substantially contribute to the inflation of the container, and wherein said reference pressure exceeds said second pressure in the dynamic state; igniting said combustible material by moving an impacting means away from said reference pressure when a first pressure differential is detected; and mixing exhaust gases from burning said combustible material with said compressed gas in said first enclosure means, wherein the flow rate into the container increases. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. An apparatus for inflating an inflatable container in which an initial flow rate is provided to the inflatable container and a second, increased flow rate is provided after a time delay, said delay depending upon a pressure differential and the ambient temperature, comprising:
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first enclosure means container gas under a first pressure; first connecting means for attaching said first enclosure means to an inflatable container; first barrier means between said first enclosure means and said first connecting means; means for removing said first barrier means, wherein gas from said first enclosure means flows to the inflatable container; combustible material in said first enclosure means; pressure sensing means for controlling ignition of said combustible material after a delay; and temperature compensating means for influencing said delay based upon the ambient temperature. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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Specification