Inflator for an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device

• US 6,168,199 B1
• Filed: 09/04/1997
• Issued: 01/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Faigle, Ernst M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JASMIN, LYNDA C
• Application Number:
  US08/923,277
• Time in Patent Office: 1,216 Days
• Field of Search: 280/737, 280/735, 280/736, 280/739, 280/738, 280/742, 280/740, 280/741
• US Class Current: 280/736
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26094 characterised by fluid flow controlling valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/261 with means other than bag structure to diffuse or guide inflation fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/264 using instantaneous generation of gas, e.g. pyrotechnic B60R21/268 takes precedence

Abstract

An inflator (10) includes a tank (12), an outlet manifold (14), and an initiator (40). The tank (12) stores inflation fluid (18) under pressure. The initiator (40), when actuated, initiates a flow of the inflation fluid (18) from the tank (12) to the exterior of the inflator (10) along an outlet flow path extending through the manifold (14). The inflator (10) further includes a pressure controlling structure (80) which partially obstructs the outlet flow path through the manifold (14). The pressure controlling structure (80) is rupturable under the influence of a predetermined inflation fluid pressure force.

Claims

1. An inflator comprising:

a tank storing inflation fluid under pressure and having a circular outlet opening having an external screw thread;

an outlet manifold having an internal screw thread engageable with said external screw thread;

an initiator which, when actuated, initiates a flow of said inflation fluid from said tank to the exterior of said inflator along an outlet flow path extending through said manifold; and

a pressure controlling structure partially obstructing said outlet flow path through said manifold, said pressure controlling structure being rupturable under a predetermined inflation fluid pressure force, said outflow path extends through a plurality of outlet openings in said manifold, said pressure controlling structure prior to actuation of said initiator blocking a first group of said outlet openings and not blocking a second group of openings.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said pressure controlling structure comprises a strip of metal foil extending fully across said first group of outlet openings.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said outlet openings in said first group are larger than said outlet openings in said second group.

4. An inflator comprising:

a tank storing inflation fluid under pressure;

an outlet manifold;

an initiator which, when actuated, initiates a flow of said inflation fluid from said tank to the exterior of said inflator along an outlet flow path extending through said manifold; and

a pressure controlling structure partially obstructing said outlet flow path through said manifold, said pressure controlling structure being rupturable under a predetermined inflation fluid pressure force, said outlet flow path extends through a plurality of outlet openings in said manifold, said pressure controlling structure prior to actuation of said initiator, blocking a first group of said outlet openings and not blocking a second group of said outlet openings.

5. An inflator according to claim 4 wherein said first group of outlet openings and said second group of said outlet openings are axially and alternately spaced from each other along the longitudinal length of a part of said inflator.