Distributed charge inflator system
First Claim
1. An inflatable system comprising:
- a. an inflatable component; and
b. means for inflating and sustaining inflation of the inflatable component, such means comprising;
i. a non-inflatable housing distinct from but in fluid communication with the inflatable component, the housing comprising;
A. a combustion chamber;
B. a gas storage chamber in fluid communication with the combustion chamber; and
C. a gas nozzle actuatable prior to inflation of the inflatable component;
ii. an initiator disposed in the combustion chamber;
iii. a gas propellant disposed in the combustion chamber;
iv. a charge distributed within the inflatable component such that a substantial portion of the charge is disposed outside the housing, the charge generating inflating gas so as to provide initial inflation of the inflatable component; and
v. a compressed gas, disposed in the gas storage chamber in fluid communication with the gas nozzle, for sustaining inflation of the inflatable component after its initial inflation.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An inflator includes a distributed charge to be distributed within an inflatable component of an inflatable system and a housing. The housing includes a combustion chamber and a gas storage chamber. The combustion chamber includes an initiator and a gas propellant. The gas storage chamber includes an inert gas at a high pressure. The housing also includes a gas nozzle. The distributed charge is connected to the housing through the gas nozzle. The distributed charge may be mechanically joined to the housing by a ferrule. Upon receiving an electrical signal from a crash sensor or other activator, the initiator ignites the gas propellant in the combustion chamber. The hot gas and hot particles from the burning gas propellant and the initiator flow into the gas storage chamber and heat the compressed inert gas in the gas storage chamber. The heated, compressed gas in the gas storage chamber flows through the gas nozzle and ignites the distributed charge. Combustion of the distributed charge generates a high volume of gas and inflates an inflatable component of an inflatable system.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An inflatable system comprising:
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a. an inflatable component; and b. means for inflating and sustaining inflation of the inflatable component, such means comprising; i. a non-inflatable housing distinct from but in fluid communication with the inflatable component, the housing comprising; A. a combustion chamber; B. a gas storage chamber in fluid communication with the combustion chamber; and C. a gas nozzle actuatable prior to inflation of the inflatable component; ii. an initiator disposed in the combustion chamber; iii. a gas propellant disposed in the combustion chamber; iv. a charge distributed within the inflatable component such that a substantial portion of the charge is disposed outside the housing, the charge generating inflating gas so as to provide initial inflation of the inflatable component; and v. a compressed gas, disposed in the gas storage chamber in fluid communication with the gas nozzle, for sustaining inflation of the inflatable component after its initial inflation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An inflatable system comprising:
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a. an inflatable component including a plurality of inflatable chambers; and b. means for generating inflating gas, such means comprising; i. a non-inflatable housing distinct from but in fluid communication with the inflatable component and including (A) an initiator and (B) a gas nozzle actuatable prior to inflation of the inflatable component; and ii. a plurality of charges (A) connected to the housing and (B) for generating inflating gas, each of the plurality of charges extending into and being distributed in a respective and different one of the plurality of inflatable chambers; and
wherein (a) the housing comprises a first chamber including the initiator and a second chamber and (b) the gas generating means further comprises a compressed gas included in the second chamber in fluid communication with the gas nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An inflatable system comprising:
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a. an inflatable component; and b. means for inflating and sustaining inflation of the inflatable component, such means comprising; i. a non-inflatable housing distinct from but in fluid communication with the inflatable component, the housing comprising; A. a combustion chamber; B. a gas storage chamber in fluid communication with the combustion chamber; and C. a gas nozzle actuatable prior to inflation of the inflatable component; ii. an initiator disposed in the combustion chamber; iii. a gas propellant disposed in the combustion chamber; iv. a charge, in the form of a rod of one or more pyrotechnic materials, distributed within the inflatable component such that a substantial portion of the charge is disposed outside the housing, the charge generating inflating gas so as to provide initial inflation of the inflatable component; v. a sheath enclosing the charge; vi. a ferrule mechanically joining the charge to the housing; and vii. an inert compressed gas, disposed in the gas storage chamber in fluid communication with the gas nozzle, for sustaining inflation of the inflatable component after its initial inflation; and in which the initiator ignites the gas propellant in the combustion chamber, the ignited gas propellant heats the compressed gas in the gas storage chamber, and the heated compressed gas flows through the gas nozzle and ignites the charge.
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25. An inflatable system comprising:
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a. an inflatable component including a plurality of inflatable chambers; and b. means for generating inflating gas, such means comprising; i. a non-inflatable housing distinct from but in fluid communication with the inflatable component and including (A) an initiator and (B) a gas nozzle actuatable prior to inflation of the inflatable component; and ii. a plurality of charges (A) connected to the housing, (B) in fluid communication with the gas nozzle, and (C) for generating inflating gas, each of the plurality of charges extending into and being distributed in a respective and different one of the plurality of inflatable chambers prior to inflation thereof; and
wherein (a) the housing comprises a first chamber including the initiator and a second chamber and (b) the gas generating means further comprises a compressed gas included in the second chamber in fluid communication with the gas nozzle.
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Specification