Variable output using piezo valve technology
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An airbag inflator comprising:
- a first quantity of inflation gas stored under pressure within a compressed gas chamber, the compressed gas chamber being sealed;
a quantity of liquid fuel being housed within a liquid fuel chamber, the first quantity of inflation gas for pressurizing the liquid fuel chamber;
a valve that seals the liquid fuel chamber, the valve for variably releasing liquid fuel from the liquid fuel chamber.
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Abstract
An airbag inflator that contains a first quantity of inflation gas. This gas may be housed in a chamber. A quantity of liquid fuel may also be added. This fuel may be housed within a liquid fuel chamber. The quantity of inflation gas may operate to pressurize the liquid fuel chamber. A piezo-valve is also added. The piezo-valve seals the liquid fuel chamber. The piezo-valve is capable of variably releasing liquid fuel from the chamber such that when this secondary liquid is ignited, the airbag inflation gas can be augmented as desired.
19 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An airbag inflator comprising:
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a first quantity of inflation gas stored under pressure within a compressed gas chamber, the compressed gas chamber being sealed; a quantity of liquid fuel being housed within a liquid fuel chamber, the first quantity of inflation gas for pressurizing the liquid fuel chamber; a valve that seals the liquid fuel chamber, the valve for variably releasing liquid fuel from the liquid fuel chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for variably inflating an airbag comprising:
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obtaining an airbag and an inflator, the inflator comprising; a first quantity of gas stored under pressure within a compressed gas chamber; a quantity of liquid fuel being housed within a liquid fuel chamber, the first quantity of gas being capable of pressurizing the liquid fuel chamber; a piezo-valve that seals the liquid fuel chamber, the piezo-valve capable of variably opening the liquid fuel chamber; and obtaining a sensor for determining the severity of a crash and communicating the severity of the crash to the piezo-valve, wherein the piezo-valve releases liquid fuel corresponding to the severity of the crash. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. An airbag system comprising:
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a sensor that determines the severity of the crash an inflator comprising; a first quantity of gas stored under pressure within a compressed gas chamber; a quantity of liquid fuel being housed within a liquid fuel chamber; and
an igniter that combusts the liquid fuel into a second quantity of gas; anda piezo-valve that seals the liquid fuel chamber, the piezo-valve for variably releasing liquid fuel from the chamber, wherein the piezo-valve releases an amount of liquid fuel corresponding to the severity of the crash. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification