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US 6,149,191 AGranted
Carborane-containing airbag inflator
AssigneeAutoliv ASP, Inc.
InventorKarl K. Rink
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for inflating an inflatable device which are based on the reaction of a carborane fuel material and an oxidant, such as water. Thus, the invention can desirably avoid the need for the storage of reactants under relatively high pressures.
Claims36
A combination for use in inflation of an inflatable device, said combination comprising:
- a closed storage volume containing a quantity of at least one carborane fuel material and a quantity of at least one primary oxidant and
- an initiator for initiating combustion of at least a portion of the quantity of the carborane fuel material and at least a portion of the quantity of the primary oxidant to:
- form first combustion products including heat and a quantity of a first product fuel species and
- open said storage volume whereby at least a portion of the first combustion products are released therefrom for inflation of the inflatable device.
1 more element
An apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, said apparatus comprising:
- a closed storage volume containing a quantity of at least one carborane fuel material, a quantity of water and a quantity of at least one decomposable oxidant source material,
- an initiator to:
- initiate combustion of at least a portion of the quantity of the carborane fuel material and at least a portion of the quantity of water to form first combustion products including heat and a quantity of a first product fuel species;
- and
- initiate decomposition of the decomposable oxidant source material to form an oxidant to react with at least a portion of the first product fuel species to form additional gaseous combustion products;
- wherein, said closed storage volume is adapted to open when a predetermined increase in pressure therewithin is realized, whereby at least a portion of the gaseous combustion products is released from said storage volume to inflate the inflatable device.
3 more elements
A method for inflating an inflatable device using an inflation apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:
- initiating combustion, within the apparatus, of at least a portion of a quantity of at least one carborane fuel material and at least a portion of a quantity of at least one primary oxidant to form first combustion products including heat and a quantity of a first product fuel species and
- releasing at least a portion of the first combustion products from the apparatus to inflate the inflatable device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.