Hybrid inflator with diffuser end translating initiator boss
First Claim
1. An inflator for a safety restraint system, the inflator comprising:
- A) a gas storage vessel having a mouth;
B) a diffuser surrounding and extending outwardly from the mouth of the gas storage vessel and defining a plurality of gas outlet ports;
C) a combustion chamber housing having an open end secured to the gas storage vessel peripherally adjacent the mouth thereof, the combustion chamber housing defining adjacent its open end a plurality of outlet orifices for releasing inflation gas from the gas storage vessel, the combustion chamber housing further defining exhaust ports opening to the interior of the gas storage vessel;
D) a breakaway closure member sealingly secured across the mouth of the gas storage vessel to provide a closed gas storage chamber and across the open end of the combustion chamber housing to provide a combustion chamber, the breakaway closure member includingi) a periphery ring,ii) a translating boss having an initiator mounted therethrough and a skirt slidingly received in the open end of the combustion chamber housing,iii) a frangible web connecting the translating boss to the periphery ring, wherein, upon fracture of the web, the translating boss translates into the diffuser to open the mouth of the gas storage vessel to provide a path from the outlet orifices through the diffuser outlet openings, with the skirt of the translating boss still received in the open end of the combustion chamber housing; and
E) pressurized gas contained within the gas storage vessel and combustible material contained within the combustion chamber housing,whereby operation of the initiator ignites the combustible material in the combustion chamber housing and the resultant increased pressure in the combustion chamber housing fractures the frangible web and drives the translating boss into the diffuser to release gas from the gas storage vessel through the outlet orifices and diffuser, and hot products of combustion of the combustion material are delivered through the combustion chamber exhaust ports to heat and augment the pressure of the gas.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inflator for a safety restraint system includes a gas storage vessel having a mouth, and a diffuser extending outwardly from the mouth and defining gas outlet ports. A combustion chamber having a flared open end is secured to the gas storage vessel peripherally adjacent the mouth and defines throttle orifices for releasing inflation gas from the gas storage vessel. A breakaway closure member is secured across the mouth of the gas storage vessel and the open end of the combustion chamber housing, the breakaway closure member including a periphery ring, a translating boss having an initiator mounted therethrough and a skirt slidingly received in the open end of the combustion chamber housing, and a frangible web connecting the boss to the periphery ring. The combustion chamber housing further defines exhaust ports opening to the gas storage vessel, and contains combustible material, which may be pyrotechnic gas generator or fluid fuel. The initiator ignites the combustible material and the resultant increased pressure in the combustion chamber housing fractures the frangible web and drives the translating boss into the diffuser to release gas from the gas storage vessel through the throttle orifices and diffuser. Hot products of combustion are delivered through the combustion chamber exhaust ports to heat and augment the pressure of the gas.
33 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An inflator for a safety restraint system, the inflator comprising:
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A) a gas storage vessel having a mouth; B) a diffuser surrounding and extending outwardly from the mouth of the gas storage vessel and defining a plurality of gas outlet ports; C) a combustion chamber housing having an open end secured to the gas storage vessel peripherally adjacent the mouth thereof, the combustion chamber housing defining adjacent its open end a plurality of outlet orifices for releasing inflation gas from the gas storage vessel, the combustion chamber housing further defining exhaust ports opening to the interior of the gas storage vessel; D) a breakaway closure member sealingly secured across the mouth of the gas storage vessel to provide a closed gas storage chamber and across the open end of the combustion chamber housing to provide a combustion chamber, the breakaway closure member including i) a periphery ring, ii) a translating boss having an initiator mounted therethrough and a skirt slidingly received in the open end of the combustion chamber housing, iii) a frangible web connecting the translating boss to the periphery ring, wherein, upon fracture of the web, the translating boss translates into the diffuser to open the mouth of the gas storage vessel to provide a path from the outlet orifices through the diffuser outlet openings, with the skirt of the translating boss still received in the open end of the combustion chamber housing; and E) pressurized gas contained within the gas storage vessel and combustible material contained within the combustion chamber housing, whereby operation of the initiator ignites the combustible material in the combustion chamber housing and the resultant increased pressure in the combustion chamber housing fractures the frangible web and drives the translating boss into the diffuser to release gas from the gas storage vessel through the outlet orifices and diffuser, and hot products of combustion of the combustion material are delivered through the combustion chamber exhaust ports to heat and augment the pressure of the gas. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification