Diffuser plate for an airbag gas generator

• US 5,725,245 A
• Filed: 09/17/1996
• Issued: 03/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Backlund, Donald, O'Driscoll, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P.
• Application Number:
  US08/724,046
• Time in Patent Office: 539 Days
• Field of Search: 280/740, 280/736, 280/741, 280/742
• US Class Current: 280/740
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26 characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow arrangement or mounting thereof to the vehicle B60R21/20; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure in general F42B3/04; initiators or igniters therefor F42B3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/261 with means other than bag structure to diffuse or guide inflation fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2644 using only solid reacting substances, e.g. pellets, powder

Abstract

A gas generator for a passive airbag restraint has a housing including a combustion chamber and a gas passage end, the chamber containing a solid gas generating fuel. A diffuser plate having a plurality of orifices is located in the gas passage to direct a gas generated by the combustion of the solid fuel to an airbag. The diffuser plate is shaped preferably by bending or folding, to have a greater surface area than the cross-sectional area of the gas passage. The greater surface area allows for an increased number of orifices to maximize port area to increase gas flow therethrough.

Claims

1. A gas generator for a passive restraint device comprising a housing with a combustion chamber having an end defining a gas passage, solid gas generating fuel located in the combustion chamber, and a diffuser plate having a plurality of orifices to pass a gas generated by the combustion of the solid fuel therethrough, the diffuser plate mounted in the gas passage and a port area of from about 50 to about 90 percent of the gas passage cross-sectional area adjacent to the fuel, the diffuser plate having a greater surface area than the cross-sectional area of the gas passage.

2. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the diffuser plate is formed from an elliptical plate which is folded so as to provide a circular circumference.

3. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the diffuser plate has an undulated surface.

4. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the diffuser plate is formed of stainless steel.

5. A method for producing a gas generator for a passive restraint device comprising:

providing a housing having a combustion chamber and an end defining as gas passage;

placing a solid gas generating fuel in the combustion chamber;

providing a diffuser plate having a plurality of orifices for passing a gas generated by the solid fuel therethrough the diffuser plate having a greater surface area than the cross-sectional area of the gas passage and a port area of from about 50 to about 90 percent of the gas passage cross-sectional area; and

,

mounting the diffuser plate in the gas passage adjacent to the fuel.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising folding the diffuser plate such that it has an undulated surface with peaks and valleys.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising bending the diffuser plate such that it has an undulated surface.