Crash protection method and apparatus
First Claim
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1. A safety bag system for compact storage and rapid deployment by inflation in case of an emergency said system including:
- an inflatable bag means;
wherein at the time of manufacture of said safety bag system a relatively inert inventory of substances are loaded into a suitable storage means, and at suitable times after manufacturing said safety bag system a means for producing a fuel from said relatively inert inventory of substances is employed to an extent sufficient to provide and maintain the desired quantity of said fuel, and upon an emergency condition selected from the group including fire and collision a suitable means is employed to initiate reaction of said fuel to inflate said inflatable bag means.
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Abstract
An air bag protection system 1 which produces fuel by electrolysis and ignites the fuel to heat gases for purposes of rapidly inflating reticulated bag 16 into a crash arrest barrier. Coatings are provided for prolonging the deployed life of the protective bag against thermal degradation due to external exposure to fires and internal heating by inflation gases.
22 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A safety bag system for compact storage and rapid deployment by inflation in case of an emergency said system including:
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an inflatable bag means; wherein at the time of manufacture of said safety bag system a relatively inert inventory of substances are loaded into a suitable storage means, and at suitable times after manufacturing said safety bag system a means for producing a fuel from said relatively inert inventory of substances is employed to an extent sufficient to provide and maintain the desired quantity of said fuel, and upon an emergency condition selected from the group including fire and collision a suitable means is employed to initiate reaction of said fuel to inflate said inflatable bag means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. Apparatus for supplying expansive fluids to an inflatable bag comprising:
- means for storing a first reactant, means for storing a second reactant, a valve means separating said storing means, said last mentioned means providing an ignition means substantially in the region of mixing said first reactant with said second reactant wherein said ignition means is selected from the group including hot-surface ignition, shear orifices, catalytic ignition, and spark discharge.
- View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
- 10. A combined fluid supply conduit and ignition apparatus adapted to be received in an opening to an air bag, said apparatus comprising a tubular member adapted to form a pressure holding seal with said opening, and providing a passageway for fluid to enter said air bag, a generally centrally disposed electrode extending from said passageway into said air bag when said apparatus is located in said opening, valve means to open or close said passageway to control flow of fluid therethrough into said electrode, said electrode when actuated initiates a reaction by means selected from the group consisting of spark discharge, hot surface, and catalytic action wherein said reaction involves substantial amounts of said fluid.
Specification