Stored gas inflator assembly

Details Stored gas inflator assembly Stored gas inflator assembly

1999-02-26

2001-05-08

English, Peter C. (Department: 3619)

Land vehicles

Wheeled

Attachment

C280S737000, C137S068130, C137S071000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06227562

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a vehicle safety apparatus and, in particular, to an inflator for an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, such as a side curtain, which remains inflated for an extended period of time.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known to inflate a vehicle occupant protection device, such as an air bag, to help protect a vehicle occupant. The protection device is inflated by inflation fluid from an inflator. One type of protection device is a side curtain. The side curtain is inflatable into a position between the vehicle occupant and the vehicle side structure to help protect the vehicle occupant in the event of a side impact to the vehicle.
It is known to tailor the output pressure of an inflator, in order to inflate an air bag or side curtain in a predetermined manner over a period of time. For example, it is known to inflate a side curtain initially with inflation fluid at a relatively high pressure and flow rate, then to maintain the side curtain inflated for an extended period of time with a continued flow of inflation fluid at a relatively low rate. Known inflators which can effect such an extended inflation of a side curtain use one or more ignitable pyrotechnic charges which can burn for an extended period of time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a vehicle occupant safety apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle having a side structure in the event of a side impact to the vehicle. The safety apparatus comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a deflated condition and having an inflated condition in which the protection device is inflated between the vehicle occupant and the vehicle side structure. The safety apparatus also comprises an inflator assembly for inflating the protection device and for maintaining the protection device in an inflated condition for at least five seconds. The inflator assembly includes at least one container having gas stored under pressure.
In a preferred embodiment, the inflator assembly comprises container means for containing inflation fluid under pressure. The container means has at least one openable portion for releasing inflation fluid to flow out of the container means. The inflator assembly also includes first output means connected with the container for releasing inflation fluid from the inflator assembly at a relatively high rate over a relatively short period of time. The inflator assembly further includes second output means connected with the container for releasing inflation fluid from the inflator at a relatively low rate for about five to ten seconds.


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