Pressure detection method and device
First Claim
1. A device for detecting the pressure changes of a pressurized vessel, comprising:
- means disposed on an outside surface of the pressurized vessel for indicating the pressure in the vessel, said means comprising at least two reference marks spaced apart on the surface by a predetermined distance; and
wherein said predetermined distance can be measured at intervals, and correlated to determine the pressure of the vessel.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device and method for detecting pressure changes in a pressurized vessel, such as a gas storage bottle of an inflator of a vehicle restraint system. At least two reference marks are positioned on an outside surface of the vessel for indicating the pressure in the vessel. The marks are spaced apart on the surface by a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance can be measured at intervals, and correlated to determine changes in the pressure of the vessel. The references marks can be physical, i.e., paint or scratch marks, or magnetic, such as a magnetic bar or stripe. The physical marks can be read by an optical laser and the magnetic marks by a magnetic head, such as a floppy or hard disk drive, or a CD-ROM.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A device for detecting the pressure changes of a pressurized vessel, comprising:
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means disposed on an outside surface of the pressurized vessel for indicating the pressure in the vessel, said means comprising at least two reference marks spaced apart on the surface by a predetermined distance; and wherein said predetermined distance can be measured at intervals, and correlated to determine the pressure of the vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A device for detecting pressure changes in a gas storage bottle of an inflator of a vehicle restraint system, comprising:
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means disposed on an outside surface of the inflator for indicating the pressure in the bottle said means comprising at least two reference marks spaced apart on the surface of the bottle by a predetermined distance; and means for measuring any changes in said predetermined distance, wherein said predetermined distance can be measured at intervals, and any changes in said predetermined distance correlated to determine the pressure of the inflator.
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5. A method for detecting pressure changes in a pressurized vessel, comprising the steps of:
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positioning at least two indicating means on an outside surface of the vessel; filling the vessel with a pressurized gas, wherein as said vessel is pressurized said at least two indicating means are separated by a predetermined distance; measuring the predetermined distance; recording an initial pressure and temperature of the vessel; monitoring the vessel at intervals; measuring any changes in the predetermined distance separating the at least two indicating means; and correlating any measured changes in the predetermined distance separating the at least two indicating means, to determine an existing pressure in the vessel. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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Specification