Gas generation via indirect ignition
AssigneeAutoliv ASP, Inc.
InventorsDavid L. Blakemore, Anthony M. Young, David J. Green, Karl K. Rink
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Inflation apparatuses and methods are provided wherein a supply of ignition material is indirectly ignited to assist in the inflation process.
Claims29
An apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, the apparatus comprising:
- a fluid storage chamber having contents, in a static state, including a supply of at least one gas source material, the at least one gas source material having a fluid form;
- a chamber opener effective, upon actuation, to open the fluid storage chamber and release therefrom a quantity of inflation gas derived from at least a portion of the at least one gas source material;
- and
- a first indirect ignition charge including at least one first ignition material physically remote from the chamber opener and in indirect ignition contact with the chamber opener upon acutation of the chamber opener;
- wherein actuation of the chamber opener results in subsequent indirect ignition of at least a portion of the first indirect ignition charge to produce a quantity of heat and wherein at least a portion of the quantity of heat is transmitted to the contents of the fluid storage chamber;
- wherein the apparatus is free of a mechanical chamber opener.
An apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, the apparatus comprising:
- a fluid storage chamber having contents, in a static state, including a supply of at least one gas source material, the at least one gas source material having a fluid form;
- a chamber opener effective, upon actuation, to open the fluid storage chamber and release therefrom a quantity of inflation gas derived from at least a portion of the at least one gas source material;
- and
- a first indirect ignition charge including at least one first ignition material physically remote from the chamber opener and in indirect ignition contact therewith;
- wherein actuation of the chamber opener results in subsequent indirect ignition of at least a portion of the first indirect ignition charge to produce a quantity of heat and wherein at least a portion of the quantity of heat is transmitted to the contents of the fluid storage chamber;
- the apparatus additionally comprising a second indirect ignition charge including at least one second ignition material physically remote from the chamber opener and in indirect ignition contact therewith, wherein actuation of the chamber opener results in subsequent indirect ignition of at least a portion of the second indirect ignition charge to produce a second quantity of heat and at least a portion of the second quantity of heat is transmitted to the contents of the fluid storage chamber.
A method of supplying a quantity of inflation gas to an inflatable device via an apparatus which includes a fluid storage chamber, a chamber opener, and at least one indirect ignition charge, the fluid storage chamber having contents, in a static state, including a supply of at least one gas source material, the at least one gas source material having a fluid form, the method comprising:
- actuating said chamber opener and indirectly igniting at least a portion of the at least one indirect ignition charge to produce heat to heat at least a portion of the supply of the at least one gas source material;
- wherein the actuating of the chamber opener results in opening of the fluid storage chamber by non-mechanical means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.