Inflator with vent
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus comprising:
- an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having an inflatable volume; and
an inflator for providing inflation fluid for inflating the protection device, the inflator comprising an inflation fluid chamber and an inflation fluid control structure, the control structure being coaxially aligned with the inflation fluid chamber and defining an axial end portion of the inflator, the control structure having a portion positioned within the inflatable volume and a portion positioned outside the inflatable volume, the control structure comprising;
discharge openings located in the portion positioned within the inflatable volume for directing inflation fluid into the inflatable volume of the protection device;
vent openings located in the portion positioned outside the inflatable volume for venting inflation fluid outside the inflatable volume;
a vent member positioned between the discharge openings and the vent openings, the vent member being actuatable from an open condition permitting inflation flow through the vent openings to a closed condition blocking inflation fluid flow through the vent openings; and
a tether for actuating the vent member, the tether having a first end connected to the protection device and a second end connected to the vent member.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and an inflator (16) for providing inflation fluid for inflating the protection device. The inflator (16) includes an inflation fluid control structure (100). The control structure (100) includes discharge openings (116) for directing inflation fluid into an inflatable volume (72) of the protection device (14) and vent openings (118) for venting inflation fluid outside the inflatable volume. The control structure (100) also includes a vent member (132) actuatable from an open condition permitting inflation flow through the vent openings (118) to a closed condition blocking inflation fluid flow through the vent openings.
23 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having an inflatable volume; and an inflator for providing inflation fluid for inflating the protection device, the inflator comprising an inflation fluid chamber and an inflation fluid control structure, the control structure being coaxially aligned with the inflation fluid chamber and defining an axial end portion of the inflator, the control structure having a portion positioned within the inflatable volume and a portion positioned outside the inflatable volume, the control structure comprising; discharge openings located in the portion positioned within the inflatable volume for directing inflation fluid into the inflatable volume of the protection device; vent openings located in the portion positioned outside the inflatable volume for venting inflation fluid outside the inflatable volume; a vent member positioned between the discharge openings and the vent openings, the vent member being actuatable from an open condition permitting inflation flow through the vent openings to a closed condition blocking inflation fluid flow through the vent openings; and a tether for actuating the vent member, the tether having a first end connected to the protection device and a second end connected to the vent member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19)
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8. An apparatus comprising:
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an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; and an inflator for providing inflation fluid for inflating the protection device, the inflator comprising an inflation fluid control structure, the control structure comprising; discharge openings for directing inflation fluid into an inflatable volume of the protection device; vent openings for venting inflation fluid outside the inflatable volume; and a vent member actuatable from an open condition permitting inflation flow through the vent openings to a closed condition blocking inflation fluid flow through the vent openings; wherein the control structure comprises a housing defining the discharge openings and the vent openings, the housing comprising a passage providing fluid communication between the discharge openings and the vent openings, the vent member blocking the passage in the closed condition; wherein the control structure comprises an assist structure, the assist structure comprising an assist chamber, an assist port in fluid communication with the assist chamber, and an assist portion of the vent member disposed in the assist chamber, the assist port being configured to direct inflation fluid into the assist chamber, the inflation fluid directed into the assist chamber pressurizing the assist chamber and urging the vent member to move toward the closed condition. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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17. An inflator for providing inflation fluid to an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, the inflator comprising:
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a housing defining an inflation fluid chamber and a gas distribution portion, the gas distribution portion comprising a discharge chamber and a venting chamber separated by a wall having a passage that provides fluid communication between the discharge chamber and venting chamber, the gas discharge portion being adapted to receive inflation fluid from the inflation fluid chamber and direct inflation fluid through discharge openings; and a vent member supported in the gas distribution portion actuatable from an open condition permitting inflation flow from the discharge chamber through the passage, into the venting chamber and through vent openings to a closed condition blocking inflation fluid flow through the passage and thus through the vent openings.
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18. An inflator for providing inflation fluid to an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, the inflator comprising:
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a housing defining an inflation fluid chamber and a gas distribution portion, the gas distribution portion comprising a discharge chamber and a venting chamber separated by a wall having a passage that provides fluid communication between the discharge chamber and venting chamber, the gas discharge portion being adapted to receive inflation fluid from the inflation fluid chamber and direct inflation fluid through discharge openings; and a vent member supported in the gas distribution portion actuatable from an open condition permitting inflation flow from the discharge chamber through the passage, into the venting chamber and through vent openings to a closed condition blocking inflation fluid flow through the passage and thus through the vent openings, wherein the gas distribution portion comprises an end cap secured to the housing, the end cap helping to define the inflation fluid chamber.
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Specification