Venting systems for inflatables
First Claim
1. A venting system for an inflatable air bag connected to a seat belt webbing having one end of the air bag connected to a source of inflation gas, the system comprising:
- an elongated passageway connected at one end to the source of inflation gas;
a firing pin located in said passageway and operatively coupled to and responsive to the pressure of the inflation gas for axially moving along said passageway;
a primer located at the other end of said passageway downstream of said firing pin, said primer axially in line with said firing pin and responsive to the movement of said firing pin for igniting an ignition charge; and
a pyrotechnic device connected at one end to the air bag and at the other end to said ignition charge, said device responsive to said ignition charge for opening a rip in the air bag for allowing the inflation gas to escape.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A venting system venting inflated inflatables at a predetermined time period after inflation utilizes non-flaming pyrotechnic materials. The system is used in the restraint system of a vehicle and senses the initiation of a crash pulse to control the passage of inflation fluid to the inflatable. A pyrotechnic delay column responds to the inflation gas to activate an output member connected to the outside surface of the inflatable to weaken the threads of the fabric. As adjacent threads weaken, a rip is created which very quickly cause the inflatable to deflate. In an alternative embodiment, an initiator responsive to an actuating signal generated by a crash pulse activates the pyrotechnic delay column.
25 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A venting system for an inflatable air bag connected to a seat belt webbing having one end of the air bag connected to a source of inflation gas, the system comprising:
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an elongated passageway connected at one end to the source of inflation gas; a firing pin located in said passageway and operatively coupled to and responsive to the pressure of the inflation gas for axially moving along said passageway; a primer located at the other end of said passageway downstream of said firing pin, said primer axially in line with said firing pin and responsive to the movement of said firing pin for igniting an ignition charge; and a pyrotechnic device connected at one end to the air bag and at the other end to said ignition charge, said device responsive to said ignition charge for opening a rip in the air bag for allowing the inflation gas to escape. - 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, 28, 29)
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30. A venting system for an inflatable air bag connected to a seat belt webbing having one end of the air bag connected to a source of inflation gas, the system comprising:
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a sensor responding to a crash pulse for generating an actuating signal; a pyrotechnic device connected at one end to the air bag and at the other end to an ignition charge, said device responsive to said ignition charge for opening a rip in the air bag for allowing the inflation gas to escape; and an initiator responsive to said actuating signal for igniting said ignition charge.
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Specification