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Particulate removal in inflatable restraint system gas generators

  • US 5,480,185 A
  • Filed: 09/17/1993
  • Issued: 01/02/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An apparatus suitable for use in inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, comprising:

  • a container having a first chamber for storing a gas generating material and a second chamber useful in effecting gas redirection and for storing a supply of gas under pressure, the gas generating material when ignited producing a hot gas, the hot gas containing particulate of the gas generating material and byproducts thereof and being releasable from said first chamber into said second chamber by means of at least one gas exit nozzle, said second chamber housing a filter placed along the inner wall thereof opposite said gas exit nozzle, said filter being useful in effecting gas redirection and particulate removal from at least a portion of the hot gas released from said first chamber and impinging thereon forming an inflation gas for use in inflating the vehicle occupant restraint comprising hot gas having a significantly reduced particulate content; and

    a diffuser having at least one controlling orifice for providing passage therein of at least a portion of the inflation gas from said container and at least one exit port for dispensing at least a portion of the inflation gas passing therein into the vehicle occupant restraint,whereby there is at least an approximately 180°

    cumulative change in gas direction between contacting the filter and the passage of the inflation gas into the diffuser.

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