Dual-flow inflator
First Claim
1. A stored gas inflator comprising:
- a pressure vessel for storing a pressurized medium therein, the pressure vessel including a wall defining an interior of the vessel;
a gas flow conduit extending through the interior of the vessel, the conduit including a first portion extending from the interior of the vessel through a first portion of the wall to an exterior of the vessel, and a second portion extending from the interior of the vessel through a second portion of the wall to the exterior of the vessel; and
at least one rupturable barrier formed along a portion of the conduit that extends through the interior of the vessel, for separating an interior of the conduit from the interior of the pressure vessel prior to activation of the inflator, the rupturable barrier being rupturable upon activation of the inflator to enable fluid communication between an interior of the conduit and the interior of the pressure vessel.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A stored gas inflator (10) comprising a pressure vessel (12) for storing a pressurized medium therein. The pressure vessel (12) has a wall (14) defining an interior of the vessel. A gas flow conduit (26) extends through the interior of the pressure vessel (12). The conduit (26) has a first portion extending from the interior of the vessel (12) through a first portion of the wall (14) to an exterior of the vessel, and a second portion extending from the interior of the vessel through a second portion of the wall (14) to the exterior of the vessel. Rupturable barriers (40) are formed along a portion of the conduit (26) that extends through the interior of the vessel, for separating an interior of the conduit (26) from the interior of the pressure vessel (12) prior to activation of the inflator (10). The barriers (40) are rupturable upon activation of the inflator (10) to enable fluid communication between the interior of the conduit (26) and the interior of the pressure vessel (12). This permits the pressurized inflation medium to flow from the pressure vessel (12) into the conduit (26) and out of the conduit in opposing directions into one or more associated airbag(s) or other inflatable element(s). Use of multiple gas flow paths from the inflator (10) permits a greater quantity of gas to flow relatively rapidly from the inflator (10).
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A stored gas inflator comprising:
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a pressure vessel for storing a pressurized medium therein, the pressure vessel including a wall defining an interior of the vessel; a gas flow conduit extending through the interior of the vessel, the conduit including a first portion extending from the interior of the vessel through a first portion of the wall to an exterior of the vessel, and a second portion extending from the interior of the vessel through a second portion of the wall to the exterior of the vessel; and at least one rupturable barrier formed along a portion of the conduit that extends through the interior of the vessel, for separating an interior of the conduit from the interior of the pressure vessel prior to activation of the inflator, the rupturable barrier being rupturable upon activation of the inflator to enable fluid communication between an interior of the conduit and the interior of the pressure vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A stored gas inflator comprising:
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a pressure vessel for storing a pressurized medium in an interior thereof, a combustion chamber extending through the interior of the pressure vessel, the combustion chamber being adapted to enable fluid communication between the combustion chamber and an exterior of the inflator upon activation of the inflator; at least one rupturable barrier formed along a portion of the combustion chamber extending through the interior of the vessel, for separating an interior of the combustion chamber from the interior of the pressure vessel prior to activation of the inflator; a pressurized medium stored in the interior of the pressure vessel so as to enable fluid communication between the pressurized medium and the combustion chamber upon rupture of the at least one rupturable barrier; and a quantity of a pyrotechnic material positioned in the combustion chamber such that, upon activation of the inflator, combustion of the pyrotechnic material produces rupturing of the at least one rupturable barrier, thereby permitting the pressurized medium to flow through the ruptured barrier into the combustion chamber and out of the combustion chamber to the exterior of the inflator.
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20. A vehicle occupant protection system comprising:
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an airbag system including a stored gas inflator including; a pressure vessel for storing a pressurized medium therein, the pressure vessel having a wall defining an interior of the vessel; a gas flow conduit extending through the interior of the pressure vessel, the conduit having a first portion extending from the interior of the vessel through a first portion of the wall to an exterior of the vessel, and a second portion extending from the interior of the vessel through a second portion of the wall to the exterior of the vessel, and at least one rupturable barrier formed along a portion of the conduit that extends through the interior of the vessel, for separating an interior of the conduit and the interior of the pressure vessel prior to activation of the inflator, the rupturable barrier being rupturable upon activation of the inflator to enable fluid communication between an interior of the conduit and the interior of the pressure vessel; and an airbag coupled to at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the conduit so as to enable fluid communication between an interior of the airbag and the at least one of the first portion and the second portion of the conduit upon activation of the inflator.
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Specification