Gas generator and method of assembly
AssigneeAutomotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
InventorsLarry A. Moquin, Bruce A. Stevens, Steven M. Dunham, Jeffery S. Blackburn, Sean P. Burns, Graylon K. Williams
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Assembly of a gas generator 10 includes the step of adding uncured silicone to a propellant cup 25. Granulated oxidizer is then added over the top of the silicone and allowed to disperse therein. Afterwards, the silicone is cured to provide flush communication with an inner wall 14 of the propellant cup 25. Other granulated gas generant constituents may be added as well. A gas generator 10 assembled in this manner provides more predictable burn rates of a gas generant composition 26 and therefore more predictable performance of the gas generator 10.
Claims16
A gas generator for use in a vehicle occupant protection system comprising:
- a housing containing a first end and a second end, and an inner wall and an outer wall;
- a propellant cup defined by and within the inner wall at the second end of said housing;
- a monolithic gas generant composition formed within the propellant cup and in flush communication with the inner wall, wherein said gas generant composition comprises silicone and an oxidizer;
- and
- an initiator fixed within said first end and ignitably communicating with said monolithic gas generant composition for combustion thereof.
A gas generator for use in a vehicle occupant protection system comprising:
- a housing containing a first end and a second end, and an inner wall and an outer wall;
- a propellant cup defined by and within the inner wall at the second end of said housing;
- a monolithic gas generant composition formed within the propellant cup and in flush communication with the inner wall, wherein said gas generant composition comprises about 27% by weight of silicone and about 73% by weight of ammonium perchlorate;
- and
- an initiator fixed within said first end and ignitably communicating with said monolithic gas generant composition for combustion thereof.
A gas generator for use in a vehicle occupant protection system comprising:
- a housing containing a first end and a second end, and an inner wall and an outer wall;
- a propellant cup defined by and within the inner wall at the second end of said housing;
- a monolithic gas generant composition formed within the propellant cup and in flush communication with the inner wall, wherein said gas generant composition comprises 15-30% by weight of silicone and 70-85% by weight of an oxidizer;
- and
- an initiator fixed within said first end and ignitably communicating with said monolithic gas generant composition for combustion thereof.
A method of assembling a gas generator for a vehicle occupant protection system wherein the gas generator has a propellant cup, the method comprising the steps of:
- inserting uncured silicone into the propellant cup thereby establishing at least one surface area of the silicone;
- sprinkling granulated oxidizer over the at least one surface area of the silicone to combine the uncured silicone and the granulated oxidizer;
- and
- curing the silicone combined with the at least one gas generant constituent and thereby forming a monolithic gas generant composition within the propellant cup.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.