Gas generator

• US 9,046,327 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2008
• Issued: 06/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition, LLC
• Original Assignee: TK Holdings Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Hordos, Deborah L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N
• Application Number:
  US12/286,430
• Publication Number:
  US 20090102171A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,437 Days
• Field of Search: 280/741
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26011 using a filter through which the inflation gas passes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2633 with a plurality of inflation levels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2648 comprising a plurality of combustion chambers or sub-chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/2644 using only solid reacting substances, e.g. pellets, powder
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 3/04 for producing gas under pressure generators of inflation fluid especially adapted for vehicle air bags B60R21/26
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 3/24 Cartridge closures or seals top closures for shotgun ammunition cartridges F42B7/12

Abstract

A gas generator is provided, the gas generator having a propellant cushion that prevents movement of propellant tablets or grains by providing a bias thereagainst. Furthermore, the cushion is formed from a desiccating material thereby removing moisture and inhibiting moisture uptake by the propellant during manufacture of the gas generator. The elastomeric cushion is also able to manage the presence of chlorine-containing products during periods of inactivation of the gas generator. Accordingly, variables such as fractured propellant and/or moisture retained within the propellant are mitigated or eliminated, thereby enhancing repeatability of inflator performance.

Claims

1. A gas generator comprising:

a housing having a first end and a second end;

a chlorine-containing composition contained within said housing, ignitable upon activation of said gas generator; and

an elastomeric retainer contained within said housing, said retainer comprised of a desiccating material.

2. A gas generating system comprising the gas generator of claim 1.

3. A vehicle occupant protection system incorporating the gas generator of claim 1.

4. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein said retainer is formed from silicone and the desiccating material.

5. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein said retainer is formed from silicone and the desiccating material selected from zeolites, calcium oxide, calcium sulfate, and mixtures thereof.

6. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein said retainer is formed from silicone and zeolite, said silicone and zeolite provided in weight percent ratios of 10/90 to 90/10 of silicone to zeolite.

7. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein said gas generant retainer is formed from silicone and zeolite, said silicone and zeolite provided in weight percent ratios of 20/80 to 50/50 of silicone to zeolite.

8. A gas generator comprising:

a housing having a first end and a second end;

a gas generating composition;

a chlorine-containing composition contained within said housing; and

a resilient cushion comprised of a silicon-based elastomer and molecular sieve, said cushion biased against said gas generating composition.

9. A gas generator comprising:

a housing having a first end and a second end;

a gas generant contained within said housing, ignitable upon activation of said gas generator; and

a gas generant retainer comprised of an elastomer and a desiccant, said retainer in physical contact with said gas generant for absorbing moisture contained within the housing prior to combustion of the gas generant.

10. The gas generator of claim 9 wherein said retainer is comprised of silicone and molecular sieve.