Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment
Patent
1996-01-05
1997-09-09
Johnson, Brian L.
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Attachment
280741, 137 6813, 137 69, 222 3, 102531, B60R 2126
Patent
active
056648030
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gas generator and more particularly relates to a gas generator comprising a source of gas for inflating an air bag or the like.
An air bag is provided in a motor vehicle, mounted at a position in front of the driver or in front of a passenger of the vehicle, and a gas generater is provided adapted to inflate the air bag should an accident arise. The air bag then forms a protective cushion for the driver or passenger. The gas generator must be such that the air bag is inflated to a desired degree within a brief period of time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide a gas generator particularly for a vehicle air bag.
According this invention there is provided a gas generator comprising a bottle containing compressed gas, a housing within the bottle, the housing containing a movable element and triggering means, the movable element moving in response to activation of the triggering means, the housing having one or more apertures formed in the side wall thereof, in alignment with the initial position of the movable element, the or each aperture initially being sealed by a sealing disc, which sealing disc is biassed into engagement with the movable element by compressed gas, the arrangement being such that when the movable element moves from the initial position on activation of the triggering means, the part of the movable element engaging the sealing disc is moved away from the sealing disc and the or each disc may move under the effect of the pressure of the compressed gas to a position in which it no longer seals the aperture, thus opening the aperture and establishing a flow path for compressed gas from the bottle to an air bag to be inflated.
The disc may simply be moved by the pressure of the compressed gas to a position in which the disc no longer seals the aperture, or the disc may be torn or ruptured by the pressure of the compressed gas. In any event, the disc is finally in a position where it does not seal the aperture.
In the simple embodiment &f the invention the movable element may be moved by a biassing force from a spring, the triggering means being adapted to retain the movable element in position until the triggering means are activated, the triggering means then releasing the movable element, permitting the movable element to move under the bias applied by the spring. However, in a preferred embodiment, the movable element is a piston and the triggering means is a squib. The squib may be adapted to be electrically activated. On activation of the squib, gas is generated which moves the piston along a cylinder.
Preferably the housing contains a combustible material, the combustible material being arranged to be ignited in response to actuation of the squib, the combustible material being so located that as it combusts, it heats the compressed gas.
Conveniently the combustible material is a pyrotechnic material.
Advantageously the combustible material is a combustible fuel, the compressed gas containing oxygen, which oxygen is consumed as the fuel is burnt.
Conveniently the housing contains a fuse, the fuse being ignited in response to activation of the squib, the fuse in turn, after a predetermined delay, causing ignition of the combustible material.
Preferably the fuse extends directly to a pyrotechnic material.
In one embodiment the pyrotechnic material creates a flame, and a mixture of combustible fuel and compressed gas containing oxygen is directed into a combustion zone adjacent the flame.
Preferably the compressed gas is passed through a filter before leaving the gas generator.
Preferably the movable element incorporates a tapered portion adapted to engage the closure discs when the apertures are being opened, so that the apertures are opened gradually.
In order that the invention may the more readily understood and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DR
REFERENCES:
patent: 3017894 (1962-01-01), Chilcoat
patent: 3209937 (1965-10-01), Hirst et al.
patent: 3774807 (1973-11-01), Keathley et al.
patent: 3889703 (1975-06-01), Keathley
patent: 4203616 (1980-05-01), Okada
patent: 4289327 (1981-09-01), Okada
patent: 5022674 (1991-06-01), Frantom et al.
patent: 5230531 (1993-07-01), Hamilton et al.
patent: 5273312 (1993-12-01), Coultas et al.
patent: 5474328 (1995-12-01), Nilsson
Karlsson Lennart
Sk.ang.nberg Torbjorn
Autoliv Development AB
English Peter C.
Johnson Brian L.
LandOfFree
Gas generator, particularly for an air bag does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Gas generator, particularly for an air bag, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Gas generator, particularly for an air bag will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-64803