Adaptive output inflator having a selectable oxidant composition
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, said apparatus comprising:
- a first chamber containing nitrous oxide and adapted to provide gaseous inflation material to the inflatable device;
a heat source actuatable to be in heat transmitting communication with the contents of said first chamber to initiate decomposition of the nitrous oxide;
at least one exit opening wherethrough gaseous inflation material from said first chamber can be expelled from the apparatus;
a first sealing means normally preventing flow of gaseous inflation material through said at least one exit opening;
opening means actuatable to open said first sealing means to permit flow of gaseous inflation material through said at least one exit opening whereby at least a portion of gaseous inflation material from said first chamber can be expelled from the apparatus; and
directing means for directing the expelled contents of said first chamber to the inflatable device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved adaptive output inflator is provided wherein inflator performance, such as measured by inflator gas output, can be appropriately varied and selected by appropriately varying and selecting the operational oxidant composition of the inflator.
90 Citations
28 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, said apparatus comprising:
-
a first chamber containing nitrous oxide and adapted to provide gaseous inflation material to the inflatable device; a heat source actuatable to be in heat transmitting communication with the contents of said first chamber to initiate decomposition of the nitrous oxide; at least one exit opening wherethrough gaseous inflation material from said first chamber can be expelled from the apparatus; a first sealing means normally preventing flow of gaseous inflation material through said at least one exit opening; opening means actuatable to open said first sealing means to permit flow of gaseous inflation material through said at least one exit opening whereby at least a portion of gaseous inflation material from said first chamber can be expelled from the apparatus; and directing means for directing the expelled contents of said first chamber to the inflatable device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21)
-
-
16. A method of operating an apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, wherein the apparatus includes a first chamber containing nitrous oxide and is adapted to provide gaseous inflation material to the inflatable device, a heat source actuatable to be in heat transmitting communication with the contents of the first chamber to initiate decomposition of the nitrous oxide, at least one exit opening wherethrough gaseous inflation material from the first chamber can be expelled from the apparatus, first sealing means normally preventing flow of gaseous inflation material through the at least one exit opening, opening means actuatable to open the first sealing means to permit flow of gaseous inflation material through the at least one exit opening whereby at least a portion of gaseous inflation material from the first chamber can be expelled from the apparatus and directing means for directing the expelled contents of the first chamber to the inflatable device, said method comprising the steps of:
-
actuating the opening means to open the first sealing means to permit flow of gaseous inflation material through the at least one exit opening; and releasing ambient temperature nitrous oxide through the at least one exit opening. - View Dependent Claims (17)
-
-
18. A method of operating an apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, wherein the apparatus includes a first chamber containing nitrous oxide and is adapted to provide gaseous inflation material to the inflatable device, a heat source actuatable to be in heat transmitting communication with the contents of the first chamber to initiate decomposition of the nitrous oxide at least one exit opening wherethrough gaseous inflation material from the first chamber can be expelled from the apparatus, first sealing means normally preventing flow of gaseous inflation material through the at least one exit opening, the first sealing means adapted to open when a predetermined increase in pressure within the first chamber is realized opening means actuatable to open the first sealing means to permit flow of gaseous inflation material through the at least one exit opening whereby at least a portion of gaseous inflation material from the first chamber can be expelled from the apparatus and directing means for directing the expelled contents of the first chamber to the inflatable device, said method comprising the steps of:
-
actuating the heat source whereby heat is transmitted to the contents of the first chamber to increase the temperature and pressure with the first chamber; opening the first chamber sealing means when a predetermined increase in pressure within the first chamber is realized; and releasing heated first chamber contents from the apparatus.
-
-
19. A method of operating an apparatus for inflating an inflatable device wherein the apparatus includes a first chamber containing nitrous oxide and is adapted to provide gaseous inflation material to the inflatable device, a heat source actuatable to be in heat transmitting communication with the contents of the first chamber to initiate decomposition of the nitrous oxide, at least one exit opening wherethrough gaseous inflation material from the first chamber can be expelled from the apparatus, first sealing means normally preventing flow of gaseous inflation material through the at least one exit opening, opening means actuatable to open the first sealing means to permit flow of gaseous inflation material through the at least one exit opening whereby at least a portion of gaseous inflation material from the first chamber can be expelled from the apparatus, directing means for directing the expelled contents of the first chamber to the inflatable device, a charge of gas generant material in fluid communication with the nitrous oxide contained within the first chamber with at least a portion of the gas generant being combustible, and an igniter which, when actuated, ignites the combustible gas generant to form hot gaseous inflation products to inflate the device, said method comprising the step of:
igniting the combustible gas generant to form hot gaseous inflation products.
-
20. A method of operating an apparatus for inflating an inflatable device wherein the apparatus includes a first chamber containing nitrous oxide and is adapted to provide gaseous inflation material to the inflatable device, a heat source actuatable to be in heat transmitting communication with the contents of the first chamber to initiate decomposition of the nitrous oxide, at least one exit opening wherethrough gaseous inflation material from the first chamber can be expelled from the apparatus, first sealing means normally preventing flow of gaseous inflation material through the at least one exit opening, opening means actuatable to open the first sealing means to permit flow of gaseous inflation material through the at least one exit opening whereby at least a portion of gaseous inflation material from the first chamber can be expelled from the apparatus directing means for directing the expelled contents of the first chamber to the inflatable device and a divider separating the first chamber into a first section adjacent the heat source and a second section adjacent the at least one exit opening the divider restricting fluid communication of chamber contents between the first and second sections and including at least one flow passage therethrough with a second sealing means normally closing the at least one flow passage, the second sealing means openable at preselected operating conditions to permit fluid communication between the first and second sections through the at least one flow passage, said method comprising the steps of:
-
opening the first chamber to release ambient temperature nitrous oxide from the apparatus, actuating the heat source whereby heat is transmitted to the contents of the first section of the first chamber to increase the temperature and pressure therein, subsequent to said opening of the first chamber, opening the at least one flow passage to permit fluid communication between the first and second sections.
-
-
22. An adaptive output inflator apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, said apparatus comprising:
-
a first chamber containing nitrous oxide and adapted to provide gaseous inflation material to the inflatable device; a heat source actuatable to be in heat transmitting communication with said first chamber to initiate decomposition of the nitrous oxide; at least one exit opening wherethrough gaseous inflation material from said first chamber can be expelled from the apparatus; first sealing means normally preventing flow of gaseous inflation material through said at least one exit opening; opening means actuatable to open said first sealing means to permit flow of gaseous inflation material through said at least one exit opening whereby at least a portion of gaseous inflation material from said first chamber can be expelled from the apparatus; a second chamber in which is stored a charge of gas generant material, said second chamber openable to said first chamber whereby at least a portion of the charge of gas generant material is placed in fluid communication with the contents of said first chamber with at least a portion of the gas generant being combustible; an igniter which, when actuated, ignites the combustible gas generant to form hot gaseous inflation products to inflate the device; and directing means for directing the expelled contents of said first chamber to the inflatable device. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
-
-
27. In an apparatus that forms an inflation material for inflating an inflatable device the improvement comprising a plurality of internal flow throttling orifices with a pressure sensitive flow restricting member initially, upon actuation of the apparatus, partially restricting flow through at least one of said internal flow throttling orifices, wherein with application of a predetermined pressure thereagainst said flow restricting member selectively permits a greater relative flow through the internal flow throttling orifice.
-
28. In an apparatus that forms an inflation material for inflating an inflatable device the improvement comprising a plurality of internal flow throttling orifices with a pressure sensitive flow restricting member initially, upon actuation of the apparatus, totally restricting flow through less than all of said internal flow throttling orifices, wherein with application of a predetermined pressure thereagainst said flow restricting member selectively opens to permit flow through the internal flow throttling orifice previously totally flow restricted.
Specification