Inflator using reversing axial flow
AssigneeAutomotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
InventorsChris A. Adamini, David S. Whang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An inflator (10) having an inflator body (12) with a plurality of elongate chambers (16, 18, 20, 22) and bores (17, 19, 21) formed therein. In a preferred embodiment, the bores (17, 19, 21) are formed in ends (12a, 12b) of the inflator body (12) and positioned co-radially with adjacent chambers, fluidly connecting the same and providing for a reversing axial flow in the inflator (10) for inflation gas.
Claims23
An inflator for a vehicle occupant protection system comprising:
- an inflator body having first and second ends;
- a first elongate chamber formed in said body;
- a second elongate chamber formed in said body, said second chamber fluidly connected with said first chamber proximate said first end at a first connection;
- a third elongate chanter formed in said body, said third chamber fluidly connected with said second chamber proximate said second end at a second connection;
- a plurality of apertures spaced longitudinally along said inflator and fluidly communicating with said third elongate chamber;
- wherein said first, second and third chambers provide a substantially continuous fluid flow path through said inflator body, whereby a direction of said flow path is substantially reversed at least at each of said first and second connections.
An inflator for an inflatable restraint system in a vehicle comprising:
- an inflator body;
- a first elongate chamber formed in said inflator body;
- a second elongate chamber formed in said inflator body;
- a third elongate chamber formed in said inflator body;
- a first bore overlapping radii of said first and second elongate chambers;
- a second bore overlapping radii of said second and third elongate chambers;
- a plurality of gas exit orifices in fluid communication with said third elongate chamber for supplying an inflation gas to an inflatable restraint device.
A method of manufacturing an inflator for an inflatable occupant restraint system in a motor vehicle comprising the steps of:
- forming a first elongate chamber in an inflator body, the first elongate chamber oriented substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis thereof forming a second elongate chamber in the inflator body, the second elongate chamber oriented substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis;
- forming a third elongate chamber in the inflator body, the third elongate chamber oriented substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis;
- forming a first bore in a first end of the inflator body, wherein the bore overlaps radii of the first and second elongate chambers and fluidly connects the same;
- forming a second bore in a second end of the inflator body, wherein the second bore overlaps radii of the second and third elongate chambers and fluidly connects the same.
An inflator for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprising:
- an inflator body;
- a first elongate chamber formed in said inflator body, a second elongate chamber formed in said inflator body;
- a first bore overlapping radii of said first and second elongate chambers, providing for fluid communication therebetween a plurality of gas exit orifices in fluid communication with said second elongate chamber for supplying an inflation gas to an inflatable restraint device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.