Flexible gas generator
First Claim
1. A gas generator comprising:
- a first flexible housing defining an interior;
a gas generant material positioned in the interior so as to enable contact between the first housing and the gas generant material prior to activation of the gas generator; and
a first flexible, porous covering in contact with a substantial portion of an exterior surface of the first housing prior to activation of the gas generator;
a second flexible housing defining an interior, the second housing having an exterior surface, and;
a second flexible porous covering in contact with a substantial portion of the exterior surface of the second housing,wherein the first housing and the first flexible covering are positioned within the second housing interior, and wherein the gas generator further comprises at least one orifice formed along the second housing whereby generated gases are conveyed from the second housing into an associated airbag.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In accordance with the present invention, a flexible gas generator (10) is provided which includes a first flexible housing (14) defining an interior, the first housing (14) having an exterior surface. A first flexible, porous covering (15) is positioned in contact with substantially the entire exterior surface of the first housing (14). The first housing (14) and covering (15) are positioned within a second flexible housing (12). The first (14) and second (12) housings may be formed from polymeric or metallic tubing. A second flexible, porous covering (19) may be positioned to cover substantially the entire exterior surface of the second housing (12). The flexible first covering (15) may comprise multiple layers of, for example, a braided or a mesh material. The flexible coverings (15, 19) provide structural support for the housings (12, 14) while cooling and filtering the generated gases. A series of plenums (390) may be formed between adjacent layers of the first covering and/or a series of baffles (100) may be positioned between the layers to direct the flow of inflation gases and to cool the gases. Use of flexible tubing and flexible coverings provides the gas generator with substantial flexibility.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A gas generator comprising:
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a first flexible housing defining an interior; a gas generant material positioned in the interior so as to enable contact between the first housing and the gas generant material prior to activation of the gas generator; and a first flexible, porous covering in contact with a substantial portion of an exterior surface of the first housing prior to activation of the gas generator; a second flexible housing defining an interior, the second housing having an exterior surface, and; a second flexible porous covering in contact with a substantial portion of the exterior surface of the second housing, wherein the first housing and the first flexible covering are positioned within the second housing interior, and wherein the gas generator further comprises at least one orifice formed along the second housing whereby generated gases are conveyed from the second housing into an associated airbag. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification