Housing for gas generating composition

• US 5,217,697 A
• Filed: 08/29/1991
• Issued: 06/08/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nippon Oil and Fats Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nippon Oil and Fats Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Ima, Toshinori, Kanazawa, Teruo, Motohira, Tsukasa, Suzuki, Satoru
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SANTIAGO, AMALIA L
• Application Number:
  US07/755,518
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• Field of Search: 422/164-167, 422/305, 55/385.3, 280/734, 280/735, 280/731, 280/743, 102/531
• US Class Current: 422/165
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2644 using only solid reacting substances, e.g. pellets, powder

Abstract

A housing for a gas generating composition comprises an igniter chamber for retaining an igniter material. A combustion chamber is formed around the igniter chamber, and a gas generating composition is disposed in the combustion chamber. A cooling chamber with a gas exhaust port is formed around the combustion chamber. A coolant for cooling gas is accommodated in the cooling chamber. The igniter chamber, the combustion chamber and the cooling chamber communicate with one another through ports. A first shell constitutes the top wall of the combustion chamber, an intermediate wall between the combustion chamber and the cooling chamber, and at least the bottom wall of the cooling chamber. The first shell is integrally formed of a metal plate with an even thickness, and opens downward at its center portion and is open at least upward at its outer surface. An igniter housing constitutes at least the peripheral wall of the igniter chamber. The igniter housing is joined to the inner surface of the top wall of the first shell, and is open downward. A second shell is open downward, and is joined to the first shell at the periphery of the opening. The second shell and the first shell cooperate to define the cooling chamber. A cover is joined to the first shell and the igniter housing to constitute the bottom walls of the igniter chamber and the combustion chamber.

Claims

1. In a housing for a gas generating composition comprising an igniter chamber for retaining an igniting means, a combustion chamber located around the igniter chamber for retaining a gas generating composition for generating gas when ignited by the igniting means, a cooling chamber located around the combustion chamber and having a gas exhaust port, and a cooling means for cooling gas accommodated in the cooling chamber, the igniter chamber, the combustion chamber and the cooling chamber communicating with one another through ports, wherein the improvement comprises:

a first shell having a top wall, said first shell constituting a top wall of the combustion chamber, an intermediate wall between the combustion chamber and the cooling chamber, and at least a bottom wall of the cooling chamber, said shell being integrally formed of a metal plate with an even thickness, and having a central downward opening at a center portion thereof and having a peripheral opening which opens at least upwardly at an outer surface thereof;

an igniter housing constituting a lower opening and at least a peripheral wall of the igniter chamber, securely joined to the top wall of the first shell, and open downward;

a second shell having a downward opening, and securely joined to the first shell at a periphery of the peripheral opening at the outer surface of the first shell, said second shell together with the first shell defining the cooling chamber; and

a cover arrangement securely joined to the first shell and the igniter housing and constituting bottom walls of the igniter chamber and the combustion chamber.

2. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the cover arrangement comprises:

a first cover located in a center portion of the central downward opening of the first shell so as to close the lower opening of the igniter housing; and

a second cover for covering a peripheral portion of the central downward opening of the first shell.

3. The housing according to claim 2, wherein the first cover has a tubular protrusion closely fitted in the lower opening of the igniter housing.

4. The housing according to claim 2, wherein part of the second cover is held between a periphery of the lower opening of the igniter housing and the first cover.

5. The housing according to claim 2 wherein said second cover has a periphery including a coupling protrusion received within the central downward opening of the first shell, and wherein said central downward opening of the first shell has a recess formed therein in which the coupling protrusion is to be closely fitted.

6. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the igniter housing has a top wall through which the igniter housing is joined to an inner surface of the top wall of the first shell.

7. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the first shell constitutes part of a peripheral wall of the cooling chamber, and the second shell forms the remaining portion of the peripheral wall of the cooling chamber, opposite portions of the first and second shells joined in a close contact to each other at the peripheral wall of the cooling chamber.

8. The housing according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion protruding into the cooling chamber is formed in the second shell, and a recess in which the protrusion is to be closely fitted is formed in the first shell.

9. The housing according to claim 1 wherein said first shell comprises an opening formed in the center of the top wall of the combustion chamber constituted thereby, the igniter being fitted into said opening.