Gas generator assembly
First Claim
1. A gas generant tablet comprising:
- a body portion having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis;
a first projection extending from the first end in a first direction, at least a portion of the first projection extending non-orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis;
a second projection extending from the second end in a second direction generally opposite the first direction, at least a portion of the second projection extending non-orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis; and
a land portion extending from a periphery of the body portion toward the longitudinal axis to substantially circumscribe at least one of the first projection and the second projection,wherein at least one of the first projection and the second projection is substantially spherical and covers a majority of the periphery.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A gas generant tablet (24) for use in a linear inflator (10). The tablet (24) includes a body portion (102) having a first end (104), a second end (106), and a longitudinal axis (T). A first projection (108) extends from the tablet first end (104) in a first direction, with at least a portion of the first projection (108) extending non-orthogonally with respect to the tablet longitudinal axis (T). A second projection (112) extends from the tablet second end (106) in a second direction generally opposite the first direction. At least a portion of the second projection (112) extends non-orthogonally with respect to the tablet longitudinal axis (T). The tablet (24) is shaped such that a cavity (25) is formed between adjacent tablets (24) when the tablets are stacked within a combustion chamber of the inflator (10). Also disclosed is an inflator (10) for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system (200). The inflator (10) includes a longitudinal enclosure (22) having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along at least a portion of the enclosure. The enclosure (22) defines an interior cavity (22c) for containing a quantity of a gas generant composition therein, and includes a plurality of apertures (40) formed therealong to enable fluid communication between the enclosure interior cavity (22c) and an exterior of the enclosure. A plurality of gas generant tablets (24) is stacked along the enclosure (22), the tablets being shaped such that a cavity (25) is provided between adjacent tablets (24) when the tablets are stacked within the enclosure (22).
127 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A gas generant tablet comprising:
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a body portion having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis; a first projection extending from the first end in a first direction, at least a portion of the first projection extending non-orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis; a second projection extending from the second end in a second direction generally opposite the first direction, at least a portion of the second projection extending non-orthogonally with respect to the longitudinal axis; and a land portion extending from a periphery of the body portion toward the longitudinal axis to substantially circumscribe at least one of the first projection and the second projection, wherein at least one of the first projection and the second projection is substantially spherical and covers a majority of the periphery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An inflator for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system, the inflator comprising:
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a longitudinal enclosure having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along at least a portion of the enclosure, the at least a portion of the enclosure defining an interior cavity for containing a quantity of a gas generant composition therein, the at least a portion of the enclosure including a plurality of apertures formed therealong to enable fluid communication between the enclosure interior cavity and an exterior of the enclosure; and a plurality of gas generant tablets stacked along the at least a portion of the enclosure, each of the tablets having a body portion at least one substantially spherical projection extending from the body portion, and a land portion from a periphery of the body portion toward the longitudinal axis to substantially circumscribe the substantially spherical projection wherein the at least one substantially spherical projection covers a majority of the periphery. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A vehicle occupant restraint system comprising:
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an airbag system having at least one airbag and an inflator coupled to the airbag so as to enable fluid communication with an interior of the airbag upon activation of the inflator, the inflator including; a longitudinal enclosure extending along at least a portion of the housing interior, the enclosure having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along at least a portion of the enclosure, the at least a portion of the enclosure defining an interior cavity for containing a quantity of a gas generant composition therein, the at least a portion of the enclosure including a plurality of apertures formed therealong to enable fluid communication between the enclosure interior cavity and an exterior of the enclosure; and a plurality of gas generant tablets stacked along the at least a portion of the enclosure, each of the tablets having a body portion and at least one substantially spherical projection extending from the body portion and a land portion extending from a periphery of the body portion toward the longitudinal axis to substantially circumscribe the substantially spherical projection wherein the at least one substantially spherical projection covers a majority of the periphery.
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Specification