Air bag heat sink/filter securing method and apparatus

• US 8,910,364 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2012
• Issued: 12/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arc Technology Holding Limited
• Original Assignee: Arc Automotive Incorporated (The Jordan Co. LP)
• Inventors: Overton, Douglas Earl, Rose, James Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Omgba, Essama
• Application Number:
  US13/473,940
• Publication Number:
  US 20130305516A1
• Time in Patent Office: 943 Days
• Field of Search: 294/28, 295/21, 280/741, 280/736, 280/737, 280/742, 280/740
• US Class Current: 29/428
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 39/00 Application of procedures in order to connect objects or parts, e.g. coating with sheet metal otherwise than by plating joining mitred profiles B21D53/745; riveting B21J; uniting components by forging or pressing to form integral members B21K25/00; welding B23K; press-fitting, force-fitting, or shrinking in general B23P11/00, B21D19/00; by adhesives F16B11/00 ; Connections as such F16L, F16B; Tube expanders
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26011 using a filter through which the inflation gas passes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/261 with means other than bag structure to diffuse or guide inflation fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49936 Surface interlocking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49938 Radially expanding part in cavity, aperture, or hollow body
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/22 with fluid pressure responsive component

Abstract

A method and apparatus for securing a heat sink/filter positioned between a pressure vessel and a diffuser in an air bag inflator. The pressure vessel is constructed so that upon activation of the inflator of the area of gas exiting the pressure vessel is smaller than the area of gas exiting the diffuser to create pressures in the pressure vessel that are higher than the pressures in the diffuser. This results in deformation of the pressure vessel that is equal to or greater than the deformation of the diffuser to maintain compression of the heat sink/filter between the pressure vessel and the diffuser during activation of the inflator.

Claims

1. Apparatus for securing a heat sink/filter in an air bag inflator, comprising:

a pressure vessel having a plurality of exit apertures;

a diffuser surrounding a portion of the pressure vessel for receiving hot inflation gas from the exit apertures when the inflator is activated;

the heat sink/filter being positioned and compressed between and in contact with the pressure vessel and the diffuser prior to activation of the inflator;

the pressure vessel being constructed so that upon activation of the inflator the area of gas exiting the pressure vessel is smaller than the area of gas exiting the diffuser to create pressures in the pressure vessel that are higher than the pressures in the diffuser;

whereby the deformation of the pressure vessel is equal to or greater than the deformation of the diffuser to maintain the compression of the heat sink/filter between the pressure vessel and the diffuser and to prevent any debris or unburned gas generant from flowing between the heat sink and the pressure vessel or between the heat sink and the diffuser.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the area of the gas exiting the pressure vessel is controlled by the number and size of the exit apertures.

3. A method of securing a heat sink/filter in an air bag inflator comprising:

positioning and compressing the heat sink/filter between and in contact with a pressure vessel and a diffuser prior to activation of the inflator;

constructing the pressure vessel so that upon activation of the inflator the area of gas exiting the pressure vessel is smaller than the area of gas exiting the diffuser to create pressures in the pressure vessel that are higher than the pressures in the pressure diffuser;

whereby the deformation of the pressure vessel is equal to or greater than the deformation of the diffuser to maintain the compression of the heat sink/filter between the pressure vessel and the diffuser and to prevent any debris or unburned gas generant from flowing between the heat sink and the pressure vessel or between the heat sink and the diffuser.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising controlling the number and size of the exit apertures to determine the area of gas exiting the pressure vessel.