Gas generating system with axial flow filter
AssigneeTK Holdings Inc.
InventorsRobert M. Krupp, Donald B. Patterson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A filter for use in absorbing heat from gases generated in a gas generating system is disclosed. The filter includes a plurality of discrete, continuous gas flow passages extending therethrough. In one embodiment, the filter is incorporated into an inflator used for inflating an inflatable element of a vehicle occupant protection system. A gas generator incorporating the filter and a vehicle occupant protection system incorporating the filter are also described.
Claims19
An inflator for generating pressurized gases for inflating a vehicle airbag, the inflator comprising;
- an inflator housing;
- and
- a filter contained within the housing, the filter comprising a plurality of discrete, continuous gas flow passages extending therethrough for directing gases in a direction substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the inflator;
- wherein the inflator is in fluid communication with the vehicle airbag after activation of the inflator.
An inflator for generating gases, the inflator comprising:
- an inflator housing;
- a filter positioned within the housing, the filter including a plurality of elongated, discrete, continuous gas flow passages extending therethrough, a first end face and a second end face opposite the first end face, and wherein the plurality gas flow passages extend between the first end face and the second end face to convey gases between the first end face and the second end face;
- and
- a gas generant material positioned within the housing and exterior of the filter prior to activation of the inflator.
An inflator comprising:
- a housing;
- a gas generant combustion chamber in the housing;
- a filter positioned within the housing separate from the combustion chamber so as to enable fluid communication with the combustion chamber upon activation of the inflator, the filter comprising a plurality of discrete, continuous gas flow passages extending therethrough, wherein an axis extends through the filter, and wherein the plurality of gas flow passages extends substantially parallel with the axis;
- and
- a gas generant material positioned within the gas generant combustion chamber and exterior of the filter prior to activation of the inflator.
An inflator comprising:
- a housing defining a housing interior;
- a gas generant combustion chamber in the interior;
- a gas generant material positioned within the gas generant combustion chamber;
- a filter positioned in the interior, the filter including a plurality of discrete, continuous gas flow passages extending therethrough;
- and
- a second chamber in the interior, the second chamber including at least one gas exit aperture to enable fluid communication between the filter and an exterior of the housing after activation of the inflator;
- wherein the filter occupies substantially an entire volume of the interior between the combustion chamber and the second chamber.
A gas generating system comprising:
- a housing;
- an axis extending through the housing;
- a combustion chamber defined within the housing and positioned along the axis;
- a gas generant material positioned within the combustion chamber;
- a diffuser chamber defined within the housing and positioned along the axis;
- a filter positioned along the housing and within the housing so as to enable fluid communication with the combustion chamber and the diffuser chamber upon activation of the gas generating system, the filter including a plurality of discrete, continuous gas flow passages extending therethrough for directing gases in a direction substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.