Multiple stage inflator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An inflator for inflating an airbag comprising:
- (a) an outer housing having a cylindrical housing wall, a first end and a second end attached on opposites ends of the cylindrical housing wall, whereby the cylindrical housing wall, the first end, and the second end define a sealed pressure vessel containing stored gas;
(b) a diffuser subassembly disposed on the first end, the diffuser subassembly comprising a burst disk, the diffuser having a plurality of outlet ports for directing gas flow in a radial direction, and an opening device which is positioned so that a longitudinal axis of the opening device is essentially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the inflator;
(c) a first gas generator subassembly disposed on the second end, the first gas generator subassembly having a first housing containing an igniter, an enhancer, and a gas generant; and
(d) a second gas generator subassembly disposed on the second end, the second gas generator subassembly having a second housing containing an igniter, an enhancer, and a gas generant, wherein the first housing and second housing are attached inside the pressure vessel of the outer housing at the second end and spaced from the diffuser subassembly at the first end.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dual stage inflator is disclosed in the present invention. The dual stage inflator comprises a diffuser subassembly and a gas generator subassembly. Also disclosed is a multiple stage inflator, which comprises a diffuser subassembly, a first gas generator subassembly, and a second gas generator subassembly. Both the dual stage inflator and the multiple stage inflator have numerous output characteristics or output profiles associated therewith to protect different size and position vehicle occupants. The dual stage inflator and the multiple stage inflator release either stored gas or stored gas mixed with combustion gaseous products from the burning of gas generant.
33 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An inflator for inflating an airbag comprising:
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(a) an outer housing having a cylindrical housing wall, a first end and a second end attached on opposites ends of the cylindrical housing wall, whereby the cylindrical housing wall, the first end, and the second end define a sealed pressure vessel containing stored gas;
(b) a diffuser subassembly disposed on the first end, the diffuser subassembly comprising a burst disk, the diffuser having a plurality of outlet ports for directing gas flow in a radial direction, and an opening device which is positioned so that a longitudinal axis of the opening device is essentially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the inflator;
(c) a first gas generator subassembly disposed on the second end, the first gas generator subassembly having a first housing containing an igniter, an enhancer, and a gas generant; and
(d) a second gas generator subassembly disposed on the second end, the second gas generator subassembly having a second housing containing an igniter, an enhancer, and a gas generant, wherein the first housing and second housing are attached inside the pressure vessel of the outer housing at the second end and spaced from the diffuser subassembly at the first end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An inflator for inflating an airbag comprising:
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an outer housing having a cylindrical housing wall, a first end and a second end attached on opposite ends of the cylindrical housing wall to define a sealed pressure vessel containing stored gas;
a diffuser subassembly for opening a burst disk to release stored gas from the inflator;
a first gas generator subassembly for generating inflation gas attached inside the outer housing of the pressure vessel; and
a second gas generator subassembly for generating inflation gas attached inside the outer housing of the pressure vessel, wherein the diffuser subassembly, the first gas generator subassembly, and the second gas generator subassembly are independently actuated. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification