US 2004/0000777 A1 · Variable output inflator

Abstract

An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and an inflation fluid source (50) for providing inflation fluid (152) for inflating the protection device. The apparatus (10) also includes an opening (170) through which the inflation fluid (152) flows from the inflation fluid source (50). A member (190) is movable to control flow of the inflation fluid (152) through the opening (170). A volume of a field responsive fluid (230) resists movement of the member (190). The field responsive fluid (230) has a viscosity that varies in response to an energy field acting on the fluid. The apparatus (10) further includes means (232) for varying the viscosity of the field responsive fluid (230) to vary the resistance to movement of the member (190).

Claims13

Dependent claims

Apparatus comprising:

an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;
an inflation fluid source for providing inflation fluid for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;
an opening through which said inflation fluid flows from said inflation fluid source;
a member movable to control fluid flow through said opening;
a volume of a field responsive fluid for resisting movement of said member, said field responsive fluid having a viscosity that varies in response to an energy field acting on said field responsive fluid;
and
means for varying the viscosity of said field responsive fluid to vary the resistance to movement of said member.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Variable output inflator

Life of this patent

Variable output inflator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13