Hybrid inflator
First Claim
1. A hybrid inflator for a gas bag for a vehicle occupant restraint safety system comprising:
- a gas storage vessel having a sealed exit;
a supply of gas stored under pressure in said vessel;
a pyrotechnic material effective to heat and expand said supply of gas;
initiation means to ignite said pyrotechnic material to heat the supply of gas; and
means to open said sealed exit to permit heated gas to flow through said exit to a gas bag when the bag is required to be inflated;
wherein said heat generating material comprises pyrotechnic material in sheet form, which on combustion gives products substantially in solid form.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hybrid inflator for a gas bag safety restraint system for use in a motorized vehicle comprises a compressed supply of stored gas heated by means of a gasless pyrotechnic material in sheet form. The sheeted pyrotechnic material may advantageously be located within the compressed gas storage vessel in a thin container or in direct contact with the gas. The invention also includes a heating element for a hybrid inflator. The preferred pyrotechnic material comprises a substrate of an oxidizing polymeric material for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), coated with an oxidizable material, for example magnesium, which is capable of reacting exothermally with the oxidizing polymeric material. The pyrotechnic sheet produces solid products in very fine particle form which gives improved energy transfer to the stored gas. The invention facilities simple, cheaper constructions of hybrid inflators.
40 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A hybrid inflator for a gas bag for a vehicle occupant restraint safety system comprising:
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a gas storage vessel having a sealed exit; a supply of gas stored under pressure in said vessel; a pyrotechnic material effective to heat and expand said supply of gas; initiation means to ignite said pyrotechnic material to heat the supply of gas; and means to open said sealed exit to permit heated gas to flow through said exit to a gas bag when the bag is required to be inflated; wherein said heat generating material comprises pyrotechnic material in sheet form, which on combustion gives products substantially in solid form. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification