Method for manufacturing hybrid inflator having toroidal-like stored gas housing
First Claim
1. A method for manufacturing a hybrid inflator for an inflatable safety system, comprising the steps of:
- forming an annular stored gas housing, tubing which has a generally torus-shaped outer wall, from a length of tubing wherein a radially inward annular part of said stored gas housing defines a central opening, said forming step including;
providing first and second dies, with each of said first and second dies having a groove;
locating said tubing between said first and second dies in axial alignment with said grooves of said first and second dies, said tubing comprising first and second tubing ends and a substantially cylindrical tubing sidewall disposed about a longitudinal axis;
advancing said first and second dies relatively toward each other and forcing portions of said tubing radially inwardly relative to said longitudinal axis; and
conforming an upper half of said tubing to said groove in said first die and conforming a lower half of said tubing to said groove in said second die;
supplying a central housingpositioning a propellant in at least part of said central housing;
disposing said central housing within said central opening of said stored gas housing;
securing said central housing to said stored gas housing; and
providing an inflating medium to at least said stored gas housing.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for manufacturing a hybrid inflator for an inflatable safety system. The methodology principally relates to forming an annular stored gas housing from a single piece of tubing into a generally toroidal-like or torus-like outer wall configuration. The methodology may also include forming a central housing and a providing an appropriate propellant to at least a portion of the central housing. The central housing may then be disposed in a central opening extending through the stored gas housing and the central housing and stored gas housing may be appropriately interconnected, preferably to seal the inflator. An appropriate inflating medium may then provided to the inflator.
23 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for manufacturing a hybrid inflator for an inflatable safety system, comprising the steps of:
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forming an annular stored gas housing, tubing which has a generally torus-shaped outer wall, from a length of tubing wherein a radially inward annular part of said stored gas housing defines a central opening, said forming step including; providing first and second dies, with each of said first and second dies having a groove; locating said tubing between said first and second dies in axial alignment with said grooves of said first and second dies, said tubing comprising first and second tubing ends and a substantially cylindrical tubing sidewall disposed about a longitudinal axis; advancing said first and second dies relatively toward each other and forcing portions of said tubing radially inwardly relative to said longitudinal axis; and conforming an upper half of said tubing to said groove in said first die and conforming a lower half of said tubing to said groove in said second die; supplying a central housing positioning a propellant in at least part of said central housing; disposing said central housing within said central opening of said stored gas housing; securing said central housing to said stored gas housing; and providing an inflating medium to at least said stored gas housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification