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Hybrid inflator with tortuous delivery passage

  • US 5,423,570 A
  • Filed: 05/09/1994
  • Issued: 06/13/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A hybrid inflator for a vehicle passenger restraint system, comprising:

  • A) a center tie having an upper and lower end;

    B) a curved, continuous vessel wall secured to the upper and lower ends of and surrounding the center tie to define a gas chamber receiving and storing a compressed gas;

    C) the center tie defining a combustion chamber extending from the lower end thereof, the combustion chamber receiving and storing pyrotechnic gaseous heat source material and initiator means for igniting the pyrotechnic material;

    D) the center tie further defining a directional inlet port extending only in a single direction from the combustion chamber into the gas chamber and means sealing the inlet port until at least ignition of the pyrotechnic material;

    E) the center tie further defining a directional outlet vent extending only in a single direction from the gas chamber adjacent the upper end of the center tie, the orientation of the directional inlet port and the directional outlet vent being substantially opposed; and

    F) the outlet vent forming at least a portion of an outlet passage from the gas chamber through the upper end of the center tie and means sealing the outlet passage until after ignition of the pyrotechnic material;

    wherein ignition of the pyrotechnic gaseous heat source material causes subsequent release of both sealing means, permitting hot gas from the combustion chamber to enter the gas chamber through the directional inlet port, mix with the pressurized gas while flowing through opposed generally c-shaped paths surrounding the center tie and exit with the pressurized gas through the directionally opposed outlet vent.

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