Hydrogen storage enclosure

• US 9,493,137 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2013
• Issued: 11/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Andersson, Ronnie, Hornquist, Niclas, Johanson, Mats, Aderum, Tobias
• Primary Examiner(s): TO, TOAN C
• Application Number:
  US14/381,035
• Publication Number:
  US 20150048605A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,363 Days
• Field of Search: 280/741, 102/530, 102/531
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26082 Material
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2725 using a fluid fuel gas generator
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/26 characterised by the inflation fluid source or means to control inflation fluid flow arrangement or mounting thereof to the vehicle B60R21/20; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure in general F42B3/04; initiators or igniters therefor F42B3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/268 using instantaneous release of stored pressurised gas B60R21/26005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/32 Hydrogen storage

Abstract

A gas generator for an airbag includes a storage container and at least one chamber defined by the storage container. The at least one chamber infludes a metal wall and contains at least gaseous hydrogen. A coating layer of iron oxide is disposed on at least a surface portion of the metal wall to prevent diffusion of hydrogen atoms through the metal wall.

Claims

1. A gas generator for an airbag, the gas generator comprising:

a storage enclosure;

at least one chamber defined by the storage enclosure, the at least one chamber including a metal wall;

at least gaseous hydrogen contained in the at least once chamber; and

a coating layer of iron oxide disposed on at least a surface portion of the metal wall, the coating layer operative to prevent diffusion of hydrogen atoms through the metal wall.

2. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein the coating layer is Fe3O4.

3. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein the coating layer is provided on an inside surface of the metal wall.

4. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein the coating layer is provided on both an inside surface and an outside surface of the metal wall.

5. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein the coating layer limits a decline in performance of the gas generator.

6. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein the at least one chamber further contains an inert gas.

7. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein that at least one chamber includes two portions welded together.

8. The gas generator according to claim 7, wherein the coating layer is provided on a whole of an inside surface and/or an outside surface of the two portions of the at least one chamber.

9. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein the coating layer has a thickness of from 0.1 μ

m inclusive to 2 μ

m inclusive.

10. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein the coating layer has a thickness of from 0.1 μ

m inclusive to 0.5 μ

m inclusive.

11. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein the gas generator is adapted to store hydrogen temporarily.

12. The gas generator according to claim 1, in combination with an airbag module.

13. The gas generator and airbag module of claim 1, in combination with a vehicle.

17. The gas generator according to claim 1, wherein the coating layer is provided on a whole of an inside surface and/or an outside surface of the at least one chamber.

14. A method of preventing diffusion of hydrogen atoms from a gas generator having at least one chamber defined by a metal wall and at least gaseous hydrogen in the at least one chamber, the method comprising:

filling the at least one chamber with gaseous hydrogen;

coating the at least one chamber with a layer of iron oxide disposed on at least a surface portion of the metal wall; and

preventing diffusion of hydrogen atoms through the metal wall with the layer of iron oxide.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein coating the at least one chamber includes coating the at least one chamber with the layer having a thickness of from 0.1 μ

m inclusive to 2.0 μ

m inclusive.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein coating the at least one chamber includes coating the at least one chamber with the layer having a thickness of from 0.1 μ

m inclusive to 0.5 μ

m inclusive.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein coating the at least one chamber includes coating a whole of an inside surface and/or an outside surface of the at least one chamber.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein coating the at least one chamber includes coating a whole of an inside surface and/or an outside surface of the at least one chamber.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein coating the at least one chamber includes coating a whole of an inside surface and/or an outside surface of the at least one chamber.

21. A gas generator for an airbag, the gas generator comprising:

a storage enclosure;

at least one chamber defined by the storage enclosure, the at least one chamber including a metal wall;

at least gaseous hydrogen contained in the at least one chamber; and

a coating layer of iron oxide disposed on at least a surface portion of the metal wall, the coating layer operative to prevent diffusion of hydrogen atoms through the metal wall,

wherein the coating layer is provided on a whole of an inside surface and/or an outside surface of the at least one chamber.

22. The gas generator according to claim 21, wherein the at least one chamber includes two chambers and further wherein the coating layer is provided on the whole of the inside surface and/or the outside surface of the two portions of the at least one chamber.

23. The gas generator according to claim 22, wherein the two portions are welded together.