Solid propellant/water type hybrid gas generator
First Claim
1. A hybrid gas generator comprising:
- a housing having a closed section;
a displaceable partition member disposed in the closed section and arranged to partition the closed section into first and second variable volume chambers;
a non-flammable liquid disposed in the first variable volume chamber;
a pyrotechnic charge disposed in the second variable volume chamber, said pyrotechnic charge being selectively ignitable to produce combustion gas and pressurize the second chamber in a manner which displaces the displaceable partition member in a direction which reduces the volume of the first variable volume chamber;
means defining an orifice through which the combustion gas vents from the second variable volume chamber; and
passage means for transferring liquid from the first variable volume chamber and ejecting it into the flow of gas from the second variable volume chamber at a location proximate said orifice prior to venting the combustion gas through said orifice.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In order to fill an inflatable safety restraint device such as an air bag, a relatively small pyrotechnic charge is used to pressurize a chamber of water or other suitable liquid and force the liquid out of the chamber and through a conduit in a manner wherein it is caused to intimately mix and atomize in a high speed stream of gas resulting from the combustion of the pyrotechnic charge. The heat of the combustion gas is absorbed by the liquid which is then converted into a large volume. The vaporized liquid and combustion gas is used to inflate the air bag with an essentially non-toxic, low temperature, low particulate atmosphere. The resulting combustion gas and liquid mixture may also be used to extinguish a fire.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A hybrid gas generator comprising:
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a housing having a closed section; a displaceable partition member disposed in the closed section and arranged to partition the closed section into first and second variable volume chambers; a non-flammable liquid disposed in the first variable volume chamber; a pyrotechnic charge disposed in the second variable volume chamber, said pyrotechnic charge being selectively ignitable to produce combustion gas and pressurize the second chamber in a manner which displaces the displaceable partition member in a direction which reduces the volume of the first variable volume chamber; means defining an orifice through which the combustion gas vents from the second variable volume chamber; and passage means for transferring liquid from the first variable volume chamber and ejecting it into the flow of gas from the second variable volume chamber at a location proximate said orifice prior to venting the combustion gas through said orifice. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of generating gas comprising the steps of:
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disposing a liquid in a first chamber in a housing; disposing a pyrotechnic charge in a second chamber in the housing; separating the first and second chambers with a displaceable partition member; igniting the pyrotechnic charge to form combustion gas and to apply pressure to the displaceable partition member in a manner which forces the liquid out of the first chamber into passage means associated with the housing; and ejecting the liquid into a stream of combustion gas issuing from the second chamber in the passage means in a manner which promotes heat exchange between the combustion gas and the liquid and which vaporizes the liquid. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification