Pyrotechnic linear inflator
First Claim
1. An inflator for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system comprising:
- a longitudinal tubular enclosure having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along at least a portion of the enclosure, said longitudinal tubular enclosure having a first tubular perforated section with a first length and a plurality of first gas exit apertures formed therealong, each first gas exit aperture of the plurality of first gas exit apertures having a substantially equal cross-sectional area, said longitudinal tubular enclosure also having a second tubular perforated section formed in collinear relation with said first tubular perforated section, said second tubular perforated section having a second length and a plurality of second gas exit apertures formed therealong, each second gas exit aperture of the plurality of second gas exit apertures having a substantially equal cross-sectional area,said first perforated tubular section containing a first gas exit aperture area per unit length thereof and said second perforated tubular section containing a second gas exit aperture area per unit length thereof, said second gas exit aperture area per unit length being greater than said first gas exit aperture area per unit length;
a gas generant composition positioned within the at least a portion of the enclosure, the gas generant composition being distributed substantially uniformly along the at least a portion of the enclosure; and
an igniter operably fixed to said first perforated section for ignition of said gas generant composition upon inflator activation.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inflator (10) for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system. In one aspect of the invention, the inflator (10) includes a longitudinal enclosure (22) having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along at least a portion of the enclosure, and a gas generant composition (24) positioned along the portion of the enclosure (22). The gas generant composition (24) is distributed substantially uniformly along the portion of the enclosure (22). A plurality of gas exit apertures (40) is formed along the portion of the enclosure (22) to enable fluid communication between the enclosure (22) and an exterior of the enclosure. The apertures (40) are spaced apart a distance proportional to a desired rate of propagation of a combustion reaction of gas generant positioned between the apertures (40). In another aspect of the invention, the inflator (10) includes a longitudinal enclosure (22) having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along at least a portion of the enclosure, and a gas generant composition (24) positioned along the portion of the enclosure (22). The gas generant composition (24) is distributed substantially uniformly along the portion of the enclosure (22). A plurality of gas exit apertures (40) is formed along the portion of the enclosure (22) to enable fluid communication between the enclosure (22) and an exterior of the enclosure. The total number of apertures (40) along the enclosure (22) is inversely proportional to a desired rate of propagation of a combustion reaction of gas generant positioned between the apertures (40).
87 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An inflator for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system comprising:
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a longitudinal tubular enclosure having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along at least a portion of the enclosure, said longitudinal tubular enclosure having a first tubular perforated section with a first length and a plurality of first gas exit apertures formed therealong, each first gas exit aperture of the plurality of first gas exit apertures having a substantially equal cross-sectional area, said longitudinal tubular enclosure also having a second tubular perforated section formed in collinear relation with said first tubular perforated section, said second tubular perforated section having a second length and a plurality of second gas exit apertures formed therealong, each second gas exit aperture of the plurality of second gas exit apertures having a substantially equal cross-sectional area, said first perforated tubular section containing a first gas exit aperture area per unit length thereof and said second perforated tubular section containing a second gas exit aperture area per unit length thereof, said second gas exit aperture area per unit length being greater than said first gas exit aperture area per unit length; a gas generant composition positioned within the at least a portion of the enclosure, the gas generant composition being distributed substantially uniformly along the at least a portion of the enclosure; and an igniter operably fixed to said first perforated section for ignition of said gas generant composition upon inflator activation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for controlling a rate of propagation of a combustion reaction of a gas generant composition along at least a portion of a longitudinal enclosure, comprising the steps of:
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providing a longitudinal enclosure having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along the at least a portion of the enclosure; providing a gas generant composition distributed substantially uniformly along the at least a portion of the enclosure; providing a first tubular performed section along the at least a portion of the enclosure, the first tubular perforated section including a plurality of first gas exit apertures longitudinally spaced apart therealong to enable fluid communication between an interior of the enclosure and an exterior of the enclosure, a distance between each first gas exit aperture and an adjacent first gas exit aperture being controlled such that the distance is proportional to a predetermined rate of propagation of a combustion reaction of an amount of the gas generant composition positioned within the enclosure between the first gas exit aperture and the adjacent first gas exit aperture, thereby varying the rate of propagation of the combustion reaction along the first tubular perforated section in correspondence with the distances between adjacent ones of the plurality of first gas exit apertures. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A vehicle occupant restraint system comprising:
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an airbag system having at least one airbag and an inflator coupled to the airbag so as to enable fluid communication with an interior of the airbag upon activation of the inflator, the inflator including; a longitudinal tubular enclosure having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along at least a portion of the enclosure, said longitudinal tubular enclosure having a first tubular perforated section with a first length and a plurality of first apertures formed therealong, each first gas exit aperture of the plurality of first gas exit apertures having a substantially equal cross-sectional area, said longitudinal tubular enclosure also having a second tubular perforated section formed in collinear relation with said first tubular perforated section, said second tubular perforated section having a second length and a plurality of second apertures formed therealong, each second gas aperture of the plurality of second apertures having a substantially equal cross-sectional area, said first perforated tubular section containing a first gas exit aperture area per unit length thereof and said second perforated tubular section containing a second gas exit aperture area per unit length thereof, said second gas exit aperture area per unit length being greater than said first gas exit aperture area per unit length; a gas generant composition positioned within the at least a portion of the enclosure, the gas generant composition being distributed substantially uniformly along the at least a portion of the enclosure; and an igniter operably fixed to said first perforated section for ignition of said gas generant composition upon inflator activation.
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Specification