Device for releasing gas from a vessel

• US 6,516,726 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2001
• Issued: 02/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc. (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Specht, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Jordan, Charles T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Semunegus, Lulit
• Application Number:
  US09/904,254
• Publication Number:
  US 20020033111A1
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 102/530, 102/531, 280/741, 137/68.13
• US Class Current: 102/530
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/268 using instantaneous release of stored pressurised gas B60R21/26005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 13/06 constructed to be ruptured by an explosion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1647 Explosive actuation

Abstract

A device for releasing gas from a vessel drives a piston with a propellant charge that can be ignited by an ignition device. A housing accommodates the piston, the propellant charge and the ignition device. The housing is formed from at least two housing half shells made of plastic material and a load-absorbing sleeve enclosing the housing half shells.

Claims

1. A device for releasing gas from a vessel comprising a cylindrical housing for axially guiding a piston, the cylindrical housing containing a propellant charge that can be ignited by an ignition device, the housing comprises at least two housing half shells which enclose at least the space containing the ignition device and the propellant charge, the housing half shells being held together with an interlocking fit and secured within a load-absorbing sleeve that is rigidly connected to an inflation head fastened to a gas storage vessel.

2. The device for releasing gas from a vessel according to claim 1 wherein the ignition device comprises a plug socket located on an end face of the housing and positioned true to the angle of rotation in the housing by asymmetrical positioning points provided at the periphery of the housing half shells around the housing axis.

3. The device for releasing gas from a vessel according to claim 1 wherein the load-absorbing sleeve is pressed into one or more recesses provided at the external periphery of the housing half shells.

4. The device for releasing gas from a vessel according to claim 3 wherein the recess is designed as a peripheral groove.

5. The device for releasing gas from a vessel according to claim 2 wherein the load-absorbing sleeve at the end face of the housing on which the ignition device is located, comprises a bent sleeve segment arranged in a recess of the housing half shells.

6. The device for releasing gas from a vessel according to claim 1 wherein the load-absorbing sleeve is fastened on the inflation head by a welded joint.

7. The device for releasing gas from a vessel according to claim 1 wherein the housing half shells comprise a heat-resistant plastic material and the load-absorbing sleeve comprises metal.

8. The device for releasing gas from a vessel according to claim 1 wherein the piston is a percussion piston.