Inflator for vehicle protection apparatus

• US 7,159,622 B1
• Filed: 03/31/2004
• Issued: 01/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nxgen Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Fink, Michael F.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US10/815,298
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 141/4, 141/9, 141/10, 141/44, 141/47, 141/52, 141/54, 141/100, 141/114, 141/192, 141/329, 141/330, 280/728.1, 280/734, 280/737, 280/741, 280/742
• US Class Current: 141/54
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0018 Roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26076 characterised by casing
• 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 21/268 using instantaneous release of stored pressurised gas B60R21/26005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/274 characterised by means to rupture or open the fluid source

Abstract

A pressurized container includes a vessel defining a chamber therein. A housing that is connected to the vessel defines an outlet that is fluidly separated from the chamber by a closure member. A moveable member may be seated within and form a seal with the housing and abut the closure member. Activation of an initiator propels the moveable member through the closure member, thereby fluidly connecting the chamber and the outlet. The pressurized container might include an obstruction partially blocking an outlet path and another initiator that breaks the obstruction when activated, thereby further opening the outlet path. The pressurized container might include a main path fluidly connected to the outlet, a first secondary path that connects the main path to the chamber, and a second secondary path that also connects the main path to the chamber. If the pressurized container includes two secondary paths, a first closure member can fluidly separate the outlet from the chamber of the vessel along the first secondary path, and a second closure member can fluidly separate the outlet from the chamber of the vessel along the second secondary path. Also, the chamber might include a first portion and a second portion, wherein an isolator member substantially fluidly separates the first portion and the second portion.

Claims

1. A pressurized container comprising:

a hollow vessel defining a chamber therein;

a pressurized gas within the chamber;

an aluminum member comprising an aluminum housing and an aluminum closure member exhibiting continuous grain alignment between the aluminum housing and the aluminum closure member, the aluminum member connected to the hollow vessel, the aluminum housing defining an outlet separated from the pressurized gas within the chamber by the aluminum closure; and

an initiator connected to the housing;

wherein activation of the initiator breaks the closure member, thereby fluidly connecting the chamber and the outlet such that the pressurized gas within the chamber escapes through the outlet.

2. The pressurized container of claim 1, further including a projectile seated within the housing and abutting the aluminum closure, wherein activation of the initiator propels the projectile through the aluminum closure and out of the housing, thereby fluidly connecting the chamber and the outlet.

3. The pressurized container of claim 1, wherein the aluminum housing and aluminum closure each comprise 7075-T6 aluminum.

4. The pressurized container of claim 1, wherein the aluminum housing and aluminum closure each comprise aluminum formed by an impact process.

5. The pressurized container of claim 4, wherein the process is a cold impact process.

6. The pressurized container of claim 1, wherein the aluminum housing and aluminum closure each comprise aluminum formed by forging.

7. The pressurized container of claim 1, wherein the initiator comprises a support portion abutting the aluminum closure.

8. The pressurized container of claim 1, wherein the initiator is a cold gas initiator.

9. A method of forming a pressurized container, the method comprising:

forming a hollow vessel defining a chamber therein;

forming an aluminum member comprising an aluminum housing and an aluminum closure to include continuous grain alignment between the aluminum housing and the aluminum closure;

connecting an initiator to the aluminum housing;

sealing together the hollow vessel and the aluminum member against pressurized gas leakage, the aluminum housing defining an outlet separated from the pressurized gas within the chamber by the aluminum closure; and

filling the chamber with a pressurized gas;

wherein activation of the initiator breaks the aluminum closure, thereby fluidly connecting the chamber and the outlet such that the pressurized gas within the chamber escapes through the outlet.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the aluminum housing and aluminum closure each comprise 7075-T6 aluminum.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein forming the aluminum member comprises forming the aluminum member by an impact process.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the process is a cold impact process.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the aluminum member comprises forged aluminum.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising supporting the aluminum closure when the chamber is filled with the pressurized gas.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the initiator is a cold gas initiator.