Gas generating device

• US 7,017,943 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2003
• Issued: 03/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Schwuchow, Karsten, Englbrecht, Karl
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, David R.
• Application Number:
  US10/630,149
• Publication Number:
  US 20040026910A1
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: 280/736, 280/737, 280/741, 280/742, 280/740, 102/530, 102/531, 222/3
• US Class Current: 280/736
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/245 placed in series
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00157 by means of a burner
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 4/001 Feed or outlet devices as such, e.g. feeding tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 7/00 Apparatus for generating gases production of inert gas mixtures B01J19/14; for generating specific gases, see the relevant subclasses, e.g. C01B, C10J ; in "air bags" on vehicles B60R21/26; for starter gas F02C7/26; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure F42B3/04
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2612 Gas guiding means, e.g. ducts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2633 with a plurality of inflation levels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2685 comprising a plurality of pressure chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2644 using only solid reacting substances, e.g. pellets, powder
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/272 with means for increasing the pressure of the gas just before or during liberation, e.g. hybrid inflators

Abstract

A gas generating device comprises a gas generator (10) which has an outer housing (12), and a gas conduit pipe (50) which is connected to the gas generator (10) and via which a gas flows out from the gas generator (10). The outer housing (12) has at least two openings (40, 42) via which the gas conduit pipe (50) is fastened to the outer housing (12) and through which the gas can flow out when the gas conduit pipe (50) is not installed. The gas generator (10) is neutral with respect to thrust without the gas conduit pipe (50) arranged on it. The gas conduit pipe (50) projects into the interior of the gas generator (10) via at least one of the openings (40, 42).

Claims

1. A gas generating device comprising a gas generator (10) which has an outer housing (12), and a gas conduit pipe (50) which is connected to said gas generator (10) and via which a gas flows out from said gas generator (10), said outer housing (12) having at least two openings (40, 42) via which said gas conduit pipe (50) as fastened to said outer housing (12) and through which said gas can flow out in a noninstalled state of said gas conduit pipe (50), characterized in that said gas generator (10) is neutral with respect to thrust in said noninstalled state of said gas conduit pipe (50) and, said gas conduit pipe (50) projecting into an interior of said gas generator (10) via at least one of said openings (40, 42), the other of said openings being closed by a closure device.

2. The gas generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that said openings (40, 42) via which said gas can flow out in said noninstalled state of said gas conduit pipe (50), are situated on opposite sides in relation to said outer housing (12).

3. The gas generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that said gas generator (10) has a central axis (A) and said two openings (40, 42) are arranged diametrically opposite to each other with respect to a central axis of said outer housing.

4. The gas generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that said two openings (40, 42) are the only outflow openings of said gas generator (10) in said noninstalled state of said gas conduit pipe (50).

5. The gas generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that said gas conduit pipe (50) has a stop at an end projecting out from said outer housing (12), and that a clamping device engages an opposite end of said gas conduit pipe (50).

6. The gas generating device according to claim 5, characterized in that said clamping device is one of a nut (50) and a screw.

7. The gas generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that said gas generator (10) is constructed so as to have at least two stages and said gas conduit pipe (50) is arranged between said at least two stages.

8. The gas generating device according to claim 7, characterized in that said individual stages of said gas generator (10) have a common outflow space (26) for gas which becomes free, into which space said gas conduit pipe (50) opens.

9. The gas generating device according to claim 8, characterized in that said individual stages of said gas generator are formed by closed chambers (14, 16) filled with compressed gas.

10. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein said closure device is defined by said conduit pipe (50).

11. The gas generator according to claim 1 wherein said closure device closes said opening when said conduit pipe (50) is fastened to said outer housing (12).

12. A gas generating device comprising a gas generator (10) which has an outer housing (12), and a gas conduit pipe (50) which is connected to said gas generator (10) and via which a gas flows out from said gas generator (10), said outer housing (12) having at least two openings (40, 42) via which said gas conduit pipe (50) is fastened to said outer housing (12) and through which said gas can flow out in a non-installed state of said gas conduit pipe (50), characterized in that said gas generator (10) is neutral with respect to thrust in said noninstalled state of said gas conduit pipe (50) and that via at least one of said openings (40, 42) said gas conduit pipe (50), which is of cylindrical shape, projects into an interior of said gas generator (10), characterized in that said gas conduit pipe (50) extends right through said two openings (40, 42) and through said outer housing (12).

13. A gas generating device comprising a gas generator (10) which has an outer housing (12), and a gas conduit pipe (50) which is connected to said gas generator (10) and via which a gas flows out from said gas generator (10), said outer housing (12) having at least two openings (40, 42) via which said gas conduit pipe (50) is fastened to said outer housing (12) and through which said gas can flow out in a non-installed state of said gas conduit pipe (50), characterized in that said gas generator (10) is neutral with respect to thrust in said non-installed state of said gas conduit pipe (50) and that via at least one of said openings (40, 42) said gas conduit pipe (50), which is of cylindrical shape, projects into an interior of said gas generator (10), characterized in that said gas conduit pipe (50) extends into said interior of said gas generator (10) and has lateral inlet openings (60).

14. A gas generating device comprising a gas generator (10) which has an outer housing (12), and a gas conduit pipe (50) which is connected to said gas generator (10) and via which a gas flows out from said gas generator (10), said outer housing (12) having at least two openings (40, 42) via which said gas conduit pipe (50) is fastened to said outer housing (12) and through which said gas can flow out in a non-installed state of said gas conduit pipe (50), characterized in that said gas generator (10) is neutral with respect to thrust in said non-installed state of said gas conduit pipe (50) and that via at least one of said openings (40, 42) said gas conduit pipe (50), which is of cylindrical shape, projects into an interior of said gas generator (10), said gas conduit pipe (50) has a stop at an end projecting out from said outer housing (12), and that a clamping device engages an opposite end of said gas conduit pipe (50, characterized in that one of said ends of said gas conduit pipe (60) is closed.