Inflator filter retainer
First Claim
1. An inflator comprising:
- a structure defining a chamber from which inflation fluid flows, said structure including an end cap having a side wall;
a closure member rupturable to release said inflation fluid from said chamber;
an initiator actuatable to rupture said closure member;
a filter retainer including a side wall defining a cavity, said side wall of said filter retainer including a rim portion forming a terminal end of said side wall; and
a filter assembly positioned in said cavity of said filter retainer, first segments of said rim portion being deformed to clamp said filter assembly to said filter retainer, non-deformed second segments of said rim portion engaging an inner surface of said side wall of said end cap, said second segments helping position said end cap and said filter retainer coaxially with each other.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inflator (14) includes a structure (50, 70, 90) that helps define a chamber (42) from which inflation fluid flows. The structure (50, 70, 90) includes an end cap (90) having a side wall (92). A closure member (104) is rupturable to release inflation fluid from the chamber (42). An initiator (230) is actuatable to rupture the closure member (104). A filter retainer (170) includes a side wall (172) that defines a cavity (176). The side wall (172) of the filter retainer (170) includes a rim portion (196) that forms a terminal end of the side wall. A filter assembly (120) is positioned in the cavity (176) of the filter retainer (170). First segments (260) of the rim portion (196) are deformed to clamp the filter assembly (120) to the filter retainer (170). Non-deformed second segments (262) of the rim portion (196) engage an inner surface (264) of the side wall (92) of the end cap (90). The second segments (262) help position the end cap (90) and the filter retainer (170) coaxially with each other.
12 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An inflator comprising:
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a structure defining a chamber from which inflation fluid flows, said structure including an end cap having a side wall; a closure member rupturable to release said inflation fluid from said chamber; an initiator actuatable to rupture said closure member; a filter retainer including a side wall defining a cavity, said side wall of said filter retainer including a rim portion forming a terminal end of said side wall; and a filter assembly positioned in said cavity of said filter retainer, first segments of said rim portion being deformed to clamp said filter assembly to said filter retainer, non-deformed second segments of said rim portion engaging an inner surface of said side wall of said end cap, said second segments helping position said end cap and said filter retainer coaxially with each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An inflator comprising:
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a source from which inflation fluid flows, said source including a part having a side wall; a filter retainer including a side wall defining a cavity, said side wall of said filter retainer including a rim portion forming a terminal end of said side wall; and a filter assembly positioned in said cavity of said filter retainer, first segments of said rim portion being deformed to clamp said filter assembly to said filter retainer, non-deformed second segments of said rim portion engaging an inner surface of said side wall of said part, said second segments helping position said part and said filter retainer coaxially with each other.
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22. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle that has a side structure and a roof, said apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable curtain inflatable away from the roof to a position adjacent the side structure; a fill tube having a portion disposed in said inflatable curtain; and an inflator for providing inflation fluid to said inflatable curtain through said fill tube, said inflator comprising; a structure defining a chamber from which inflation fluid flows, said structure including an end cap having a side wall; a closure member rupturable to release said inflation fluid from said chamber; an initiator actuatable to rupture said closure member; a filter retainer including a side wall defining a cavity, said side wall of said filter retainer including a rim portion forming a terminal end of said side wall; and a filter assembly positioned in said cavity of said filter retainer, first segments of said rim portion being deformed to clamp said filter assembly to said filter retainer, non-deformed second segments of said rim portion engaging an inner surface of said side wall of said end cap, said second segments helping position said end cap and said filter retainer coaxially with each other.
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Specification