Pressurized gas release mechanism
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A gas seal for containing a pressurized fluid in a container, the gas seal comprising:
- a rupturable portion; and
an extension coupled to the rupturable portion such that at least a portion of a force acting on the extension is transferred to the rupturable portion so as to promote rupture of the rupturable portion by generating stresses in the rupturable portion, the extension defining a cavity therein, the cavity having at least one closed end, wherein the rupturable portion closes a closed end of the cavity.
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Abstract
A gas seal for containing a pressurized fluid in a container. The gas seal includes a rupturable portion and an extension coupled to the rupturable portion such that a predetermined minimum force acting on the extension produces a rupture of the rupturable portion, permitting pressurized fluid flow past the gas seal. An inflator and a vehicle occupant protection system incorporating the gas seal are also disclosed.
38 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A gas seal for containing a pressurized fluid in a container, the gas seal comprising:
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a rupturable portion; and an extension coupled to the rupturable portion such that at least a portion of a force acting on the extension is transferred to the rupturable portion so as to promote rupture of the rupturable portion by generating stresses in the rupturable portion, the extension defining a cavity therein, the cavity having at least one closed end, wherein the rupturable portion closes a closed end of the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A gas generating system comprising:
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a housing; a first seal including a rupturable portion coupled to the housing to form a gas seal therewbetween; an extension coupled to the rupturable portion such that a predetermined minimum force acting on the extension produces a rupture of the rupturable portion; and a second seal positioned along the extension and engaging an element of the gas generating system so as to form a second gas seal therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A gas seal for containing a pressurized fluid in a container, the gas seal comprising:
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a rupturable portion; an extension coupled to the rupturable portion such that a predetermined minimum force acting on the extension produces a rupture of the rupturable portion, permitting pressurized fluid flow past the gas seal; and a projection positioned at a closed end of the extension and against which the predetermined minimum force acts to produce rupture of the rupturable portion. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A mechanism for releasably containing pressurized fluid in a container, the mechanism comprising:
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a housing coupled to the container; a gas seal for containing a pressurized fluid in a container, the gas seal comprising; a rupturable portion; and an extension coupled to the rupturable portion such that at least a portion of a force acting on the extension is transferred to the rupturable portion so as to promote rupture of the rupturable portion by generating stresses in the rupturable portion, the extension defining a cavity therein, the cavity having at least one closed end, wherein the rupturable portion closes a closed end of the cavity, the gas seal being mounted in the housing in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid; and a mechanism for generating a predetermined minimum force for acting on the extension to produce a rupture of the gas seal, wherein the housing defines a flow direction of pressurized fluid through the housing, and wherein the predetermined minimum force acts on the extension in a direction transverse to the flow direction to produce a rupture of the gas seal.
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22. A gas seal for containing a pressurized fluid in a container, the gas seal comprising:
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a rupturable portion positioned at a first end of the gas seal for forming a first seal between the rupturable portion and a housing in which the gas seal is mounted; and an extension coupled to the rupturable portion, the extension including a projection extending therefrom for forming a second seal between the extension and the housing. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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Specification