Wire-wrap low pressure sensor for pressurized gas inflators
AssigneeMorton International, Inc.
InventorsMarcus T. Clark, David D. Schroeder, David W. Parkinson, Kelly B. Johnson, Brent R. Marchant
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A low pressure sensing device for sensing pressure changes in a pressurized gas storage bottle of an inflater. At least one wire is wrapped around the vessel to sense the expansion or contraction of the vessel due to pressure changes in the vessel. The wire has a first end and a second end. The first end of the wire is secured to the vessel and the remainder of the wire is free to move circumferentially relative to the vessel in response to the expansion and contraction of the vessel. This relative movement can be monitored to determine if a pressure change has occurred in the vessel.
Claims16
A low pressure sensing device for sensing pressure changes of a pressurized vessel, comprising:
- sensing means wrapped around the vessel for sensing expansion or contraction of the vessel due to pressure changes in the vessel, said sensing means comprising at least one wire wrapped about an outer diameter of the vessel, said at least one wire having a first end and a second end, said first end of said at least one wire being secured to the vessel and the second end and remainder of said at least one wire being free to move circumferentially with respect to the vessel in response to the expansion and contraction of the vessel;
- and
- means for determining the positional change of said sensing means to determine if a pressure change has occurred in the vessel.
A low pressure sensing device for sensing pressure changes of a pressurized vessel, comprising:
- sensing means wrapped around the vessel for sensing expansion or contraction of the vessel due to pressure changes in the vessel, said sensing means comprising a carbon fiber wrapped about an outer diameter of the vessel, said carbon fiber having a first end and a second end, said first end of said carbon fiber being secured to the vessel and the second end and remainder of said carbon fiber being free to move circumferentially with respect to the vessel in response to the expansion and contraction of the vessel;
- and
- means for determining the positional change of the carbon fiber to determine if a pressure change has occurred in the vessel.
A method for sensing pressure changes in a gas storage bottle of an inflator of a vehicle safety restraint system, comprising the steps of:
- wrapping a sensing means around an outer diameter of said bottle, said sensing means having a first end and a second end;
- securing the first end of said sensing means to said bottle;
- allowing said second end and the remainder of the sensing means to move circumferentially with respect to said bottle as the bottle contracts and expands due to pressure changes;
- and
- monitoring the movement of said second end of the sensing means to determine if a pressure change has occurred in the gas storage bottle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.