Automotive air bag filter with support member
First Claim
1. A filter for an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint inflator, said filter comprising:
- a tubular filter element having a substantially cylindrical interior surface and a substantially cylindrical outer surface having a predetermined diameter and a predetermined axial length and spaced radially outwardly from said inner surface, said filter element being formed of a porous, relatively brittle material subject to fracture due to hoop stress, and a tubular support member surrounding said outer surface, said support member being of an axial length equal to at least a major portion of the axial length of said outer surface and having an inner diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said outer surface for close surrounding engagement therewith, said support member having a plurality of through openings and being constructed of a material not subject to fracture due to hoop stress for supporting said filter element in such a way as to counteract hoop stress in said filter element.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A filter for an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint inflator includes a tubular filter element having a generally cylindrical interior surface and a generally cylindrical outer surface having a predetermined diameter and a predetermined axial length and spaced radially outwardly from the inner surface. A tubular support member surrounds the outer surface. The support member is of an axial length equal to at least a major portion of the axial length of the outer surface and has an inner diameter substantially similar to the diameter of the outer surface for close surrounding engagement therewith. The support member has a plurality of through openings.
28 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A filter for an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint inflator, said filter comprising:
- a tubular filter element having a substantially cylindrical interior surface and a substantially cylindrical outer surface having a predetermined diameter and a predetermined axial length and spaced radially outwardly from said inner surface, said filter element being formed of a porous, relatively brittle material subject to fracture due to hoop stress, and a tubular support member surrounding said outer surface, said support member being of an axial length equal to at least a major portion of the axial length of said outer surface and having an inner diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said outer surface for close surrounding engagement therewith, said support member having a plurality of through openings and being constructed of a material not subject to fracture due to hoop stress for supporting said filter element in such a way as to counteract hoop stress in said filter element.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An inflatable vehicle occupant restraint system inflator comprising:
- a cylindrical housing having substantially circular top and bottom walls and a tubular side wall extending therebetween, said walls defining a chamber therein; and
a tubular filter located within said chamber and having an outer surface in proximity to an inner surface of said side wall;
said filter comprising a tubular filter element having a substantially cylindrical inner surface and a substantially cylindrical outer surface of a predetermined diameter and a predetermined axial length spaced radially outwardly from said inner surface, said filter element being formed of a porous, relatively brittle material subject to fracture due to hoop stress, and a tubular support member surrounding said outer surface of said filter element, said support member being of an axial length equal to at least a major portion of the axial length of said outer surface of said filter element and having an inner diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said outer surface of said filter element for close surrounding engagement therewith, said support member having a plurality of through openings and being constructed of a material not subject to fracture due to hoop stress for supporting said filter element in such a way as to counteract hoop stress in said filter element, and an outer surface of said support member comprising an outer surface of the filter. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
- a cylindrical housing having substantially circular top and bottom walls and a tubular side wall extending therebetween, said walls defining a chamber therein; and
Specification