Abstract: A dynamic control valve system adapted for inflatable restraint systems for vehicles includes a control valve having an inlet in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid, and an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the air bag. The control valve includes a valve member actuatable between a flow preventing position and a position spaced away from the flow preventing position. The control valve supplies the high pressure fluid through the control valve to the inflatable restraint for inflating the inflatable restraint when the valve member is moved away from its flow preventing position. The control valve includes a valve spool which cooperates with a valve casing to define a plurality of flow paths. Consequently, the actuation of the valve member between closed and open positions is substantially independent of forces produced by flow of the high pressure fluid through the valve.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 25, 2000
Date of Patent:
May 15, 2001
Assignee:
Sturman/TLX LLC
Inventors:
Neil C. Karolek, Oded E. Sturman, Derek A. Dahlgren
Abstract: A dynamic control valve system adapted for inflatable restraint systems for vehicles includes a control valve having an inlet in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid, and an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the air bag. The control valve includes a valve member actuatable between a flow preventing position and a position spaced away from the flow preventing position. The control valve supplies the high pressure fluid through the control valve to the inflatable restraint for inflating the inflatable restraint when the valve member is moved away from its flow preventing position. The control valve includes a valve spool which cooperates with a valve casing to define a plurality of flow paths. Consequently, the actuation of the valve member between closed and open positions is substantially independent of forces produced by flow of the high pressure fluid through the valve.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 26, 1998
Date of Patent:
May 30, 2000
Assignee:
Sturman/TLX LLC
Inventors:
Neil C. Karolek, Oded E. Sturman, Derek A. Dahlgren