Bendix Atlantic Inflator Co.

Alliedsignal Inc.

Other

Allied Corporation

Klaus F Ocker

Robert J Bishop

Richard L Frantom

Robert M Kremer

Donald W Renfroe

Teresa L Bazel

James Michael Rose

Roy G Brown

Roy L Brown

Charles D Woods

Robert C Pfeiffer

William E Rogerson

Stephen P McGarry

Richard J Jodts

William D Gaw, Jr

James Ross

Donald W Renfoe

Will E Rogers

An inflator (20) comprising: a pressure vessel (22) made of a thin walled steel tubing (24), sealed at one end by an end plate or cap (30). The other end of the pressure vessel sealed by a propellant housing (50). A plurality of axial bores (56a-d) exiting through an adjacent part (58) of the housing (50) and a face of the adjacent part of the housing includes a second counter bore (70) and a plurality of radial bores (72a-d) radially extend therefrom. A rupture disk assembly (100) having a central portion (102) forms a rupture disk extending into the second counter bore (70) and a radially extending outer portion (104) fitted generally flat against the face (60) .

Hybrid inflator

An air bag module (50) comprising an inflator (40) for generating inflation gas; an air bag (12) disposed about the inflator to receive the inflation gas exiting the inflator; a structure (52) for supporting at least the inflator. The inflator comprises: a pressure vessel (42) and a plurality of exit ports (16). The exit ports are arranged to render the inflator in a thrust neutral condition when the inflator is not attached to the structure. A plug (60) or plugs is provided for closing a designated set of exit ports to render the inflator in a non-thrust neutral condition when supported by the structure. Each plug is received in each of the designated exit ports and is preferably received though a portion of the structure such that if the inflator is removed from the structure each plug must also be removed, thereby opening all of previously closed exit ports and rendering the inflator in its thrust neutral condition once again.

Mounting of a thrust neutral inflator for air bag modules

A post activation device to indicate that pressure the existed within a pressure vessel just prior to the opening of the pressure vessel and the resulting loss of pressurization, having a diaphragm, plug or piston (62, 130, 160, 330) capable of rupturing, moving or deforming in response to a pressure differential thereacross above one or more low limit values and for providing an indication of the pressure within the pressure vessel just prior to its being opened, and a support member (70), within the pressure vessel for supporting the diaphragm, plug or piston means.

Tell tale device for a pressure vessel

A post depressurization device (30) for providing an indication of the pressure that existed within a fluid filled pressure vessel (22) just prior to depressurization of the pressure vessel, having a housing (102) and a piston (130) for temporality sealing an open end of the housing and outwardly movable in response to a pressure differential not less then a predetermined level generated subsequent to the depressurization of the pressure vessel. The piston and the housing cooperating to define a pressure storage cavity (156). The housing including a valve (122) for permitting the fluid within the pressure vessel to enter the pressure cavity and stabilize at a level substantially equal to the pressure level within the pressure vessel and for inhibiting a rapid decrease in the pressure within the pressure cavity immediately subsequent to depressurization of the pressure vessel.

Post depressurization indicator

An inflator comprising: a pressure vessel (10) for storing a quantity of stored inflation gas under pressure. The pressure vessel comprising a first burst disk (46) and a seal disk (310) both for selectively sealing same. The inflator (10) including a gas release mechanism (52, 300) for permitting the controlled, staged release of the inflation gas at determinable inflation rates. The gas release mechanism includes: a first pyrotechnic device, positioned outside of the pressure vessel and spaced from the first burst disk (46), including a piston (72) moved into a disk piercing position to rupture the first burst disk (46) in response to the buildup of pressure caused burning of a first quantity of propellant material (218). The bursting of the first burst disk permits the inflation gas to initially flow out of the pressure vessel at a determinable cold inflation rate, the piston thereafter provides a conduit to communicate the products of combustion of the burning propellent to the pressure means so as to increase the temperature of the inflation gas therein and thereby increase the rate of egress of the gas. The inflator (10) also includes a second pyrotechnic mechanism (300), positioned outside of the pressure vessel and spaced from the seal disk (310), for providing, when activated, additional products of combustion arising from burning of a second quantity of propellent material, the products of combustion opening the seal disk (310) and thereafter entering the pressure vessel to heat the inflation gas therein and thereby elevate the rate of egress of the inflation gas above the rate achievable by the first pyrotechnic device.

Hybrid inflator with staged inflation capability

A pressure switch (30) adapted to be placed within a pressurized chamber for generating a logical signal when the pressure within the chamber reduces to a determinable pressure P.sub.1. The pressure switch (30) comprises: a pressure vessel (32) sealed at one end (34) by a snap action diagram (40) and having an inner stop (42) and an outer stop (60, 62) respectively positioned on opposing sides of the diaphragm (40) for limiting diaphragm motion. The outer stop comprises: a first cylindrical portion (78), a first pair of parallel slots (80a, b) formed therein and a through bore (70, 72, 74) extending therethrough. A switch assembly is loosely mounted to the outer stop. The switch assembly (90) comprises an upper housing member (92), a lower housing member (94), first and second electrical contacts (96a, 96b) and a pin (98). The upper housing member (92) comprising a hollow cylindrical portion (100) adapted to be slid over first cylindrical portion including a second pair of opposing slots (113a, b), the first and second cylindrical portions (78, 100) are loosely secured together by a clip (150) fitted within the first and second pair of slots (80a,b; 112a,b) to eliminate compressive loading between the switch assembly and other components of the switch.

Temperature compensated low pressure switch for hybrid inflators

An inflator (110) including: a pressure means (12, 14, 16, 20) for storing a quantity of stored inflation gas under pressure. The pressure means including a first burst disk (46) in communication with the stored inflation gas and preventing egress of the gas from the chamber and a hollow sliding piston (172) having at one end thereof cutting edges (174) for puncturing the first burst disk (46). A shear disk (180) having a stationary outer portion (187) and a central portion or second disk (186), central portion is secured to one end of the piston (172) opposite the cutting edges (174). The central portion is capable of separating from the outer portion and moving with the piston (172). A quantity of propellant material (218) is provided near the second burst disk (80) to produce gaseous combustion products when burned. The piston is propelled into the first burst disk (46) after the central portion (186) of the shear disk separates from the outer portion in response to the build up of pressure generated due to the burning of a propellant (218), thereby permitting the egress of the stored inflation gas. The central portion (186) or second burst disk is ruptured by the continued build up of pressure due to the burning propellant material whereupon after the rupturing of the second burst disk the heated products of combustion resulting from the burning propellant material flow through the sliding piston (172).

A device (20) for inflating an air bag (37) comprising: a pressure vessel (34) formed by a vessel part (22) and a generator body assembly (30). The generator body assembly is received within opposing openings (24, 26) in the vessel part (22) and secured thereto to provide a gas tight seal (28). The generator body assembly (30) includes: a first bore (38) to receive a quantity of propellant (150) and initiator assembly (120) to cause the propellant (150) to burn in response to a control signal indicative of a vehicle crash. Various passages are provided in the gas generator assembly and oriented to permit the products of combustion of the burning propellant to impinge on inner walls of the pressure vessel to reduce particulate emission.

Hybrid inflator for air bag

An inflator (10) comprising: a pressure tank (12, 14, 16, 20) for storing a quantity of stored inflation gas under pressure. The pressure tank comprising a first burst disk (46) in communication with the stored inflation gas; a sliding piston (72) including at one end thereof a sharp edge (74) for puncturing the first rupture disk and at its other end a second rupture disk (80). The sliding piston (72) movable into engagement with the first rupture disk in response to the build up of pressure acting on the second rupture disk (80) in response to the burning of propellant material (90) thereby permitting egress of the stored inflation gas. The second burst disk being ruptured by the continued build up of pressure due to the burning propellant whereupon after the rupturing of same the heated products of combustion resulting from the burning propellant flow through the sliding piston (72) to increase the temperature of the stored inflation gas prior to its exit from the inflator.

An inflator for an air cushion including a pressure vessel comprising a hollow sleeve for storing a quantity of inert gas such as Argon. One end of the sleeve is closed by a first pyrotechnic actuator assembly while the other end of the sleeve may include a closed end or another pyrotechnic actuator assembly. The pressure vessel is secured within a diffuser which directs inflation gases into the air cushion. The pressure vessel in cooperation with the diffuser defines various regions which assist in reducing the gas turbulence and heat transfer between the gas and the diffuser.

Single pyrotechnic hybrid inflator

Dual pyrotechnic hybrid inflator

A dual spool seat belt retractor including a housing and lap and shoulder belt retractors mounted therein. Tension relieving means is provided for the shoulder belt retractor and is positioned in its inoperable position in response to release of energy stored in a release means due to rotation of the lap belt retractor in the extraction direction. Preferably, the tension relieving means is placed in its inoperable position in response to a predetermined number of revolutions of the lap belt retractor in the rewind direction.

Growing community of inventors

Fraser, MI, United States of America

Klaus F Ocker