Jacketed Or Cartridge Gas Generator Patents (Class 102/530)
  • Publication number: 20110083576
    Abstract: A pyrotechnic gas generator intended for motor-vehicle safety includes a combustion chamber of cylindrical or approximately cylindrical shape. An initiator is located within the combustion chamber and is associated with at least one solid pyrotechnic charge. A diffusion chamber communicates with the the combustion chamber and receives gases generated by the pyrotechnic charge and transfers the gases to atmosphere via at least one evacuation opening. The diffusion chamber extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the combustion chamber, in the extension of one of its end faces. The diffusion chamber is also of generally cylindrical or approximately cylindrical shape, but with a cross section that is less than that of the the combustion chamber. The diffusion chamber is devoid of structure for filtering the gases that pass therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Yvonnig Patton, Francois Peremarty
  • Publication number: 20110079992
    Abstract: A gas generating system includes a housing having a passage and a forcing member positioned in the passage. A flowable material is positioned in the passage to resist motion of the forcing member. The housing is configured to enable a flow of flowable material out of the housing responsive only to a motion of the forcing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventor: Bruce A. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20110057429
    Abstract: A gas generating system devoid of a booster chamber. The inflator includes a composition having a metal chlorate as a first oxidizer, a primary fuel selected from carboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, and mixtures thereof, and a second oxidizer not having perchlorate character. The metal chlorate is provided at about 10-20 wt %, the primary fuel is provided at about 15-45 wt %, and the second oxidizer is provided at about 30-50 wt % stated by weight of the total composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Deborah L. Hordos, Paresh S. Khandhadia, Hideki Mizuno
  • Publication number: 20110053119
    Abstract: An explosive device simulator system has a housing in the shape of an explosive device. The simulator includes a sound producing system inside the housing. A light producing system inside the housing receives an actuation signal from a trigger system. The trigger system may include a microcontroller, which can be used to include a delay between a trigger event and the actuation signal. The simulator may include a smoke producing system that includes a powder that is dispersed by a gas generator. The powder exits the housing through a number of vents. A cordite odor substance may be included in the powder to provide a realistic smell of an exploded device. A light producing system provides the flash of a real explosive device and is connected to the microcontroller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Antonio Colon
  • Publication number: 20110048273
    Abstract: An explosive device simulator system has a housing in the shape of an explosive device. The simulator includes a sound producing system inside the housing. A light producing system inside the housing receives an actuation signal from a trigger system. The trigger system may include a microcontroller, which can be used to include a delay between a trigger event and the actuation signal. The simulator may include a smoke producing system that includes a powder that is dispersed by a gas generator. The powder exits the housing through a number of vents. A cordite odor substance may be included in the powder to provide a realistic smell of an exploded device. A light producing system provides the flash of a real explosive device and is connected to the microcontroller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Antonio Colon
  • Publication number: 20110049294
    Abstract: An emergency flotation device for an aircraft comprising a housing (9) containing an inflatable balloon (1) and a solid propellant cool gas generator (4) arranged to inflate the balloon when the aircraft ditches into water. The device is arranged so as to be optionally removable from the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Robert Morley, James Nichols, John Pritchard
  • Publication number: 20110041883
    Abstract: A reusable, self-inflating umbrella comprising an inflatable envelope (11) made of a flexible material and an inflation mechanism (12). The interior of the envelope (11) can be connected to the inflation mechanism (12), in which a gaseous substance with which the interior of the envelope (11) is inflated can be generated by a chemical reaction. The chemical reaction may consist in dissolving a sodium (bi)carbonate granulate in citric acid. The citric acid may be accommodated in a container which is made to rupture by pressure being applied externally to the inflation mechanism (12) by a user, thus triggering the chemical reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: Rolf Vaitl
  • Publication number: 20110030572
    Abstract: This generator comprises a tubular casing (1) sealed by a bottom (10), with a wall crossed by discharge orifices (100), and includes: an adapter sleeve (3) retained in the tubular casing (1) by crimping; a pyrotechnic initiator (2); a tubular filter (7) covering the discharge orifices (100); a pyrotechnic charge (6) inserted in-between the adapter sleeve (3) and the bottom (10); means for securing the charge comprising, on the bottom side, a transverse partition, and on the open side, an open-worked washer (4) urged towards the bottom (10); a sealing member (8) capable of breaking during combustion of the charge, then allowing the gases to escape out of the casing (1) via the filter (7) and the discharge orifices (100); and in that after failure of the sealing member (8, 90), the space occupied by the pyrotechnic charge (6) is delimited axially by said open-worked washer (4) and said bottom (10). Safety equipment for automobiles, notably for inflating an inflatable safety bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Catherine Luquet, Laurent Costecalde, Igor Lamy
  • Patent number: 7883111
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas generator, in particular for airbag modules in motor vehicles, comprising two generator stages each of which includes in its pressure housing at least one igniter, at least one propellant charge and at least one combustion chamber. An inner generator stage is arranged at least substantially inside an outer generator stage and the two generator stages are arranged at least partly in a common filter housing together with a common filter unit arranged outside a pressure housing of the outer generator stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Uwe Blessing, Jochem Gaertner, Peter Lehniger, Marc Alexander Winterhalder
  • Publication number: 20110025030
    Abstract: Methods of making and resultant compositions thereof, which include a gas generant having a coating including an inorganic combustion inhibitor. Such coated gas generants are useful in pyrotechnic compositions and ignition materials, and may be employed, for example, in inflatable restraint systems. The ratio of coated and uncoated gas generant bodies within an airbag inflator may be tailored to provide S-curve inflation performance. Spray application of aqueous mixture including the combustion inhibitor onto the gas generant body provides a rapid way to achieve a thin but robust coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan V. MENDENHALL, Gary K. Lund, Brett Hussey
  • Publication number: 20110025025
    Abstract: A disc inflator having gas cooling and mist removal functions, and reduced in weight and in size in a radial direction. An inflator case (40) has an upper case (36) at an occupant side and a lower case (38) at a side opposite an occupant. A tubular holding member (60) having a separation wall (64) at a base portion thereof is provided in the inflator case. A gas flow path (74) is formed at a periphery of the holding member (60), and communication holes (80) communicating with the gas flow path (74) are formed in the separation wall (64). At a peripheral wall portion (36B) of the upper case (36) is formed a gas ejection hole (76) at a position offset towards an occupant side only by a distance ? from a central position P of a combustion chamber (68). Accordingly, a length (L1) of a flow path from the starting end of the flow path to the gas ejection hole (76) increases, enabling effective heat exchange of a high temperature gas and removal of mist (82). Thereby, a conventionally used filter may be disposed of.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Osamu Fukawatase, Takaki Fukuyama, Hiroki Murase, Naoki Matsuda, Tomoharu Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20110018243
    Abstract: A gas generator for inflating a gas bag of a vehicle occupant restraint system is provided. The gas generator includes an igniting means for producing gas and/or heat upon activation by a control signal of the vehicle. The gas generator also includes a first chamber comprising a propellant ignitable by gas and/or heat produced by the igniting means, and a second chamber comprising pressurized inflation gas. An outlet opening through which the inflation gas can flow out of the second chamber and into the gas bag is provided. The gas generator also includes a sealing means sealing the outlet opening. The gas generator is configured in such a way that after activation of the igniting means gas and/or heat produced by the igniting means ignites the propellant and a pressure wave is created under the direct or indirect impact of gas produced by the igniting means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Kanji Yano, Katsumi Takazono
  • Publication number: 20110016763
    Abstract: A blank cartridge and mated blank chamber for simulated firearms incapable of discharging projectiles. The blank cartridge has a case with a cartridge base, a case wall, a cartridge shoulder forming a neck, and a nose enclosing the blank cartridge. The blank cartridge nose provides more reliable feeding from magazines of simulated firearms. The blank cartridge dimensions render it inoperable with ammunition chambers of actual projectile-discharging firearms. The blank chamber dimensions render it inoperable with ammunition cartridges. Upon discharge the blank cartridge and chamber release exhaust gases in a forward direction, creating realistic visual and auditory effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: Charles J. Ducastel, JR.
  • Patent number: 7854201
    Abstract: An igniter assembly includes, an electric igniter and igniter collar, and a resin fixing the electric igniter into the igniter collar. The electric igniter has an igniter main body and a conductive pin which extends from the igniter main body. The igniter collar has a first through hole formed in the axial direction and at least one second through hole formed separately from the first through hole and being provided to the igniter collar. The electric igniter is fixed inside the first through hole by the resin, and the resin is also charged into the second through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shingo Oda
  • Publication number: 20100307131
    Abstract: A solid fuel rocket motor, a castellated propellant cartridge and a method of controlling a pressure differential in a cartridge-loaded rocket motor are disclosed. The rocket motor may include a housing having an inside surface, a plurality of propellant cartridges disposed within the housing, an igniter disposed to ignite propellant material within the propellant cartridges, and a nozzle disposed to exhaust combustion gases out of the housing. At least some of the propellant cartridges may be castellated propellant cartridges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Jeremy Danforth, Richard D. Loehr
  • Publication number: 20100275808
    Abstract: Flame suppressants or catalysts, independent of the gas generant composition, reduce the flame front and carbon monoxide produced by combustion of gas generating compositions employed within gas generating systems such as vehicle occupant restraint systems, for example. Heterogeneous distribution of the flash suppressant and the gas generant within the gas generant bed facilitates, upon gas generator activation, a reduction in flame front of any known gas generant without reformulating the gas generating composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Bruce A. Stevens, Steven M.G. Dunham
  • Publication number: 20100269726
    Abstract: An inflator has an elongate outer housing (110) which has at least one discharge opening (126) and which contains a compressed gas container (112) and an igniting unit (116) provided at a first axial end (114) of the compressed gas container (112). The igniting of said igniting unit generates a shock wave which, in a shock wave direction (S), enters the compressed gas container (112) at the first axial end thereof and which passes at least through some sections of the compressed gas container (112). The discharge opening (126) is arranged away from the first axial end of the compressed gas container (112) and is closed by a bursting membrane (128) which can be destroyed by the shock wave, wherein the bursting membrane (128) is not oriented perpendicularly to the shock wave direction (S).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Christian Jung, Thomas kapfelsperger
  • Publication number: 20100269727
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator for a restraining device of a vehicle, including: a housing being made of a resin, forming an outer shell container, having a plurality of gas discharge ports, an ignition device disposed inside the housing, a gas generating agent that is ignited and burned by activation of the ignition device, each of the gas discharge ports being formed in combination with each of a plurality of through holes of an annular plate member that is embedded in a circumferential wall surface of the housing and formed of a material selected from the group consisting of metals, ceramics, and carbon fiber, and the annular plate member being formed of an annular base plate including the plurality of through holes formed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Nobuyuki KATSUDA, Mikio Yabuta
  • Patent number: 7814838
    Abstract: A gas generating system (10) including a baffle system (42) for modifying the temperature and pressure of a gas generated by the system, and to remove particulates from the gas. The gas generating system includes a first combustion chamber (34a), a second combustion chamber (36a), and the baffle system (42) adjacent both the first and second combustion chambers so as to enable fluid communication with the combustion chambers upon activation of the gas generating system. In another aspect of the present invention, a baffle system (42) is provided including a first end plate (44) having an opening (44b) formed therein for enabling fluid communication with a first fluid source (34a), a second end plate (46) having an opening (46b) formed therein for enabling fluid communication with a second fluid source (36a), and a sequence of baffle elements (48) extending between the first and second end plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Automotive Systems, Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. McCormick
  • Publication number: 20100242779
    Abstract: The present invention provides an igniter fixing structure, including a plurality of igniter bodies, having an ignition portion and an electroconductive pin, each of the igniter bodies being fixed, by a resin, to a peripheral edge of a port formed in a plate-like portion serving as a fixing object, the number of the port being the same as that of the plurality of the igniter bodies and a single retainer as a support member for the plurality of igniter bodies, the retainer having a plurality of support portions each having a hole for passing the electroconductive pin therethrough and a connection plate portion that connects the plurality of support portions, at least the support portions being embedded in the resin in a state in which the electroconductive pin passes through the hole, at least the connection plate portion being disposed to abut against the plate-like portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Nobuyuki KATSUDA, Mikio Yabuta
  • Patent number: 7793592
    Abstract: A component of a safety system in motor vehicles comprises a core which has end and side faces and is made of an explosive material. The component further comprises a jacket made of a solid semiconductor material that surrounds the explosive material on the side faces of the core, and an ignition element situated between electric contact surfaces on one of the end faces of the core. The ignition element initiates an ignition of the explosive material when current flows through it. The explosive material consists of a porous fuel and of an oxidizer incorporated into the porous fuel. The porous fuel and the solid semiconductor are made of the same material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Hofmann, Horst Laucht
  • Patent number: 7784827
    Abstract: An airbag inflator that contains a first quantity of inflation gas. This gas may be housed in a chamber. A quantity of liquid fuel may also be added. This fuel may be housed within a liquid fuel chamber. The quantity of inflation gas may operate to pressurize the liquid fuel chamber. A piezo-valve is also added. The piezo-valve seals the liquid fuel chamber. The piezo-valve is capable of variably releasing liquid fuel from the chamber such that when this secondary liquid is ignited, the airbag inflation gas can be augmented as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley W. Smith, Brent A. Parks
  • Patent number: 7770924
    Abstract: An inflator that includes a quantity of gas generant housed within a chamber. A liquid and a piston are also housed within another chamber. This chamber is sealed by a burst disk. The piston includes an opening. During deployment of the inflator, the burst disk is ruptured and the piston moves towards the distal end of the inflator. The movement of the piston hydraulically expels the liquid through the opening in the piston such that the liquid cools and contacts the gas formed by combustion of the gas generant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Cox, Bradley W. Smith, David W. Parkinson, Brent A. Parks
  • Publication number: 20100194085
    Abstract: A gas generating system includes a housing, a gas generant combustion chamber within the housing, and a liquid coolant chamber within the housing. A mixing chamber is positioned within the housing so as to enable fluid communication with the combustion chamber and the coolant chamber after activation of the gas generating system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Brian A. Mayville, Dale E. Tauchen, Joshua D. VanHooser
  • Publication number: 20100192798
    Abstract: Embodiments of a buoyancy dissipater and method for deterring an errant vessel are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a volume of gas is generated from a propellant and diffused below a waterline of a vessel. The resulting gas bubble dissipates the buoyancy of the vessel providing a non-lethal deterring effect. The buoyancy dissipater includes a diffuser having radially-positioned diffusion ports to radially diffuse the gas generated by a gas generator below the waterline. In some embodiments, the radially-positioned diffusion ports comprise holes positioned radially around the diffuser to diffuse the gas around the buoyancy dissipater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: James H. Dupont, William N. Patterson, Richard D. Loehr
  • Publication number: 20100186616
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas generator for an airbag module having a gas generator housing, in which a first chamber for receiving a propellant for igniting a main gas set in a second chamber, and an ignition device for the ignition of the propellant are provided. In order to simplify the production of the gas generator, the invention provides that the first chamber for receiving the propellant is limited by a pipe, on the first end of which the ignition device is disposed, and the second end of which reaches the gas generator housing at least approximately. The first and the second chamber are separated from each other such that no parts of the propellant may reach the second chamber via the second end of the pipe before the ignition of the propellant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Silvio Reichelt, Jiang Zhang, Vladimir Dolzhanskiy, Gerrit Von Breitenbach, Heiko Kratz
  • Publication number: 20100186615
    Abstract: A gas generator including a cup filled with gas generant molded articles that generate gas by combustion, and an ignitor on which an ignition agent is disposed. Each gas generant molded article is formed of smokeless powders containing nitrocellulose as its major ingredient. Each gas generant molded article includes an explosive containing a fuel agent containing a guanidine derivative and/or a tetrazole derivative and an oxidizing agent containing a metal nitrate and/or perchlorate. Thus, it is possible to provide a gas generator by which the amount of CO gas generated in operation can be reduced and the combustion speed can easily be controlled, and to provide a pretensioner system provided with the gas generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: NIPPON KAYAKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryoi Kodama, Eishi Sato, Hirokazu Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20100186617
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas generator for an occupant protection system, particularly for an airbag module in a motor vehicle, having an outer housing, an interior space formed in the outer housing for receiving a gas generating substance, an outflow opening for discharging gas generated in the interior space out of the gas generator, and a flow connection between the interior space and the outflow opening. According to the invention, the cross section of the flow connection between the interior space and the outflow opening is designed to be temperature-dependently variable. Further, a method for influencing a gas flow in a gas generator is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Jiang Zhang
  • Patent number: 7762189
    Abstract: A pyrotechnically powered actuator having a bellows that provides a force and stroke upon initiation is disclosed. The actuator includes a housing body with a first end and a second end. The bellows is coupled to the first end of the housing body. A cover is coupled to the second end of the housing body. An initiator is located within the housing body and includes a pyrotechnic material and a bridge element. The housing body, the bellows, and the cover define a hermetically sealed chamber. The bellows is compact, lightweight, and can withstand internal and external pressure at least as high as 3,000 psi. An exemplary embodiment includes a housing body that provides a compartment for adding supplemental pyrotechnic material. Further exemplary embodiments of the actuator include a chip initiator that requires less than 1 amp to function in less than 10 milliseconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company
    Inventors: Robert S. Ritchie, Steven D. Nelson, Michael N. Diamond
  • Publication number: 20100181421
    Abstract: A two-stage pyrotechnic gas generator for inflating an airbag has a housing with first and second chambers each having gas release apertures. The chambers are separated by a partition having an opening. Running through the gas generator is an essentially contiguous train of combustible material including a train of fast burning material passing through the first chamber to the opening, a pyrotechnic delay element associated with the opening, and a train of fast burning material within the second chamber. The first and second chambers each include a quantity of propellant deployed to be ignited by the corresponding train of fast burning material. An initiator, associated with the first chamber, is configured to initiate combustion of the essentially contiguous train of combustible material. As a result, the second quantity of propellant is ignited at a predefined delay relative to ignition of the first quantity of propellant to achieve precisely timed two-phase inflation with a single electronic initiator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: David Albagli, Nathan Libis
  • Publication number: 20100164261
    Abstract: In order to design a safety device (51) for a seat (42) for a vehicle, in particular motor vehicle, with an at least partially flexible seat surface (1) and with a barrier means (2) which is to be arranged essentially under the seat surface (1) and is to be erected, in particular in the event of an accident, to prevent an occupant from being displaced forwards in the direction of inertia (3), such that the occupant is securely held in the seat even in the event of an accident, it is proposed that the barrier means (2) is held in the erected state (4) by means of a holding means which is held essentially in a manner such that it does not move back out of a final state corresponding to the erected state (4) of the barrier means (2) without an additional application of force, wherein the holding means is, in particular, a self-locking means (5) and/or a ramp means (43) Which can be latched in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Rolf Wich, Uwe Fleckenstein, Alexander Wüstendörfer, Peter Herwig
  • Patent number: 7730837
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electropyrotechnic initiator comprising: an ignition support (10); an electrical initiation system (11) connecting the ignition support (10) to a source of electricity; and a cap (2) containing at least one explosive composition, the cap being of generally cylindrical shape presenting an open first end (20) connected to the ignition support (10), an opposite second end that is closed by an end wall (21), and a peripheral side wall (22) which presents at least one zone of weakness (3). This initiator is essentially remarkable in that at least one of the zones of weakness extends along a non-closed trace and over a portion only of the side wall (22), i.e. without reaching its opposite ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Stéphane Lahitte, Yann Decaesteker, Adélino Carrol
  • Patent number: 7721652
    Abstract: A gas generator including a plug (24) having a header part (45) and two or more electrode pins (22, 23), a thin-film bridge (25) having electrode pads (41, 42), and a squib (10) in which upon supply of electric current to the thin-film bridge (25) via the electrode pins (22, 23), the thin-film bridge (25) is activated to ignite ignition materials (26, 27), wherein the thin-film bridge (25) is arranged into a hollow (32) prepared at the plug (24) in such a manner that the thin-film bridge (25) is kept approximately on a level with the head (35) of the electrode pins (22, 23) and the header part (45) of the plug (24), the thin-film bridge (25) is connected by wire bonding to the electrode pins (22, 23) at the electrode pad parts (41, 42), and at least either of the electrode pad (41) or (42) of the thin-film bridge (25) is connected by the wire bonding to a metal part of the header part (45) of the plug (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Yoshida, Shigeru Maeda, Makoto Iwasaki, Ryoi Kodama
  • Patent number: 7703395
    Abstract: An inflator (10) includes a container (12) having a chamber (120). An exit opening (48) is provided in the container (12) and is connected to the chamber (120). A substance (122, 180) is stored in the chamber (120) and is responsive to heat for providing inflation fluid. An igniter (130) is associated with the container (12) and is actuatable to provide combustion products for heating the substance (122, 180). A nozzle (80) is interposed between the igniter (130) and the chamber (120). A passage (90) extends from the igniter (130) and through the nozzle (80). The passage (90) includes a divergent portion (110) for focusing a flow of combustion products from the igniter (130) into the chamber (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Fred J. Cook, Halley O. Stevens, Darrin L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100083863
    Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a pyrotechnic method for generating gas at two successive flow rates a first flow rate then a second flow rate, said first flow rate being higher than said second flow rate—which comprises: the combustion of a first pyrotechnic charge (10) in a first combustion chamber (1) discharging into a second combustion chamber (2) via at least one nozzle (3); and the combustion of a second pyrotechnic charge (20) in said second combustion chamber (2) discharging to the outside via at least one vent (21). Characteristically, said first chamber (1) operates at high pressure and said second chamber (2) operates at low pressure. Another subject of the invention is a pyrotechnic gas generator suitable for the implementation of said method. The invention is most particularly applicable in the context of side protection airbags (“curtain airbags”), used in automobile safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: SNPE MATERIAUX ENERGETIQUES
    Inventors: Pierre Humbert, Marc Sorgiati, Anthony Schyns
  • Patent number: 7692024
    Abstract: A novel compound, used for example, as a gas generating fuel, is defined as a compound having the structural formula of R3—R1—R2, wherein R1 is a benzene ring with nitro substitution, R2 is a tetrazolyl group with a C—C bond to the benzene ring, and R3 is a tetrazolyl group with a C—C bond to the benzene ring. A method of making the compound is also provided. A gas generating composition containing the novel compound as a fuel, and an oxidizer is also provided. The novel compound is contained within a gas generant composition, within a gas generator. The gas generator may be contained within a gas generating system such as an airbag inflator or seat belt assembly, or more broadly within a vehicle occupant protection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Sudhakar R. Ganta, Graylon K. Williams, Cory G. Miller
  • Publication number: 20100071580
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator, including, a housing having a gas discharge port, a combustion chamber cup member disposed, in the housing, such that an opening portion thereof covers a bottom surface of the housing, the combustion chamber cup member having a communication hole at least a portion of its peripheral wall surface thereof, a metallic cover member covering the peripheral wall surface provided with the communication hole, and a combustion chamber being formed inside the combustion chamber cup member and accommodating a gas generating agent and an igniter therein, at the time of activation, the cover member expanding and deforming mainly in the radial direction to form a gap between the peripheral wall surface of the combustion cup member and the metallic cover member, which serves as a gas channel leading to the combustion chamber and the outside of the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Masayuki NAKAYASU, Gen Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20100071581
    Abstract: In a gas generator of the invention, a closure member is disposed so as to be connected to an outer circumferential wall side along a circumferential edge thereof in a housing and to close an outlet port which is formed in a ceiling wall of the housing. Thin breakable portions adapted to be broken when a squib is activated are formed in the closure member so as to extend substantially radially from a center of the closure member in a rectilinear fashion. When the squib 19 is activated, the breakable portions are broken, whereby portions of the closure member 11 which lie between the breakable portions are individually made to be opened radially. A stopper portion is formed on a closure member side surface of the ceiling wall such that the opened door portions are brought into abutment therewith so that the opening angles of the door portions become less than 90° while ensuring an angle at which combustion gas is allowed to flow out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.,
    Inventors: Junichi ASANUMA, Kengo NAKASHIMA
  • Publication number: 20100031844
    Abstract: An inflator according to this invention has a structure that an interior part of a housing is charged with a pressurized gas and a gas generating agent capable of generating a gas when combusted, wherein the pressurized gas formed only of an inert gas; a quantity of heat to be generated when the gas generating agent is combusted is set within a range of 6000 to 10000 J/g; and a molar ratio between the pressurized gas and the combustion gas generated by the combustion of the gas generating agent is set within a range of 20 to 40.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akimitsu Tanaka, Junichi Asanuma, Yuji Kuriyama
  • Publication number: 20100031843
    Abstract: A gas generator has an igniter and a compressed gas container which contains a first filling gas and has an outflow opening that is closed by a first bursting diaphragm. Upon activation of the gas generator the igniter produces a shock wave which runs at least in part through the compressed gas container before destroying the first bursting diaphragm. The compressed gas container is filled with a mixture of the first filling gas and at least one second substance having a molar mass higher than that of helium, the proportion of the second substance being between 1 and 13 mole percent of the total filling quantity or reaching, at maximum, the total mass of the first filling gas, and the first filling gas being helium, hydrogen, or a mixture of the two gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventor: Christian Jung
  • Publication number: 20100018431
    Abstract: A squib includes a cup body and a closure plug for holding a plurality of electrode pins insulated from one another and closing the opening of the cup body, and further includes, in the cup body, ignition powder and an ASIC component formed by molding a resin around electric circuits including an ASIC and a capacitor, a heating element connected to the ASIC and located at the top of the resin molding of the ASIC component, and connection electrodes located at the bottom of the resin molding for connecting the ASIC to the electrode pins. The squib includes a cylindrical metal fixture having at the center of its top an opening of a size sufficient to expose the heating element and being fixed to the closure plug in a state covering the top circumferential periphery and side surface of the ASIC component and pushing the connection electrode of the ASIC component against the electrode pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: NIPPONKAYAKU KABUSHIKIKAISHA
    Inventors: Shigeru Maeda, Hirotaka Mukonoki, Hideyuki Koike
  • Publication number: 20100013202
    Abstract: A squib includes an SCB chip connected to electrode pins so as to ignite by externally applied electric current, and a capacitor electrically connected to the electrode pins in parallel with a thin film resistor on the SCB chip. The capacitor is arranged above the header, and the SCB chip is directly mounted on the capacitor so that the thin film resistor on the SCB chip and the capacitor are electrically connected through electrodes provided on a substrate of the SCB chip, while the size of the SCB chip is smaller than that of the capacitor. In this way, the invention provides the squib which effectively eliminates surface unevenness when the capacitor is located, and enables the connection of the SCB chip and the capacitor to the electrode pins only by one reflow process, and further makes it possible to use an even smaller chip than those used in the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: NIPPONKAYAKU KABUSHIKIKAISHA
    Inventors: Shigeru Maeda, Hirotaka Mukonoki, Hideyuki Koike
  • Publication number: 20090301601
    Abstract: The present invention comprises apparatus and methods employing a gas produced from a tetrazine-based energetic material such as that known as “BTATz” containing 3;6-BtS(1H-1,2,3,4-Tetrazol-5-ylamino)1-,2,4,5-tetrazine 3;6-BtS(1H-1,2,3,4-Tetrazol-5-ylamino)1-,2,4,5-tetrazine or salts thereof. The tetrazinebased energetic material is ignited through the use of a percussion cap, a piezoelectric crystal or a battery-supplied electric spark or by encapsulating it in a container that is then exposed to a burning flame. The gas produced upon ignition is employed a propellant such as to inflate life rafts, life vests, emergency evacuation slides, tires, air bags and other inflatable devices. The gas produced upon ignition is alternatively employed to power an engine and many other applications such as a fire suppressant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Jon R. Enerson, John H. Lucius, David Battat, Emile Battat, Glenn Mackal
  • Publication number: 20090288574
    Abstract: A dual stage inflator device including a housing defining first and second chamber each containing a quantity of gas generant material ignitable to produce combustion products. A divider plate, separating the first chamber from the second chamber, is disposed and fixed within the housing. The divider plate includes an opening to allow gas flow communication from the second chamber to the first chamber. A removable plug element is normally disposed in the divider plate opening to prevent gas flow communication between the first chamber and the second chamber when in a static state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Scott A. Jackson, Kevin R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20090283006
    Abstract: The present invention related to a pyrotechnic gas generator intended for motor vehicle safety, comprising a sealed housing (1), which contains:—at least one combustion chamber (C) containing a pyrotechnic charge (3), the combustion of which is initiated by an initiator (2) associated with the chamber;—at least one plenum chamber (T) for receiving the gases generated by the combustion of the charge (3) for removing them to the exterior, via at least one discharge aperture (10) formed in said housing (1). It is characterized in that said housing (1) also contains means (R) for temporarily storing at least some of the combustion gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventor: Xavier Abaziou
  • Publication number: 20090266265
    Abstract: The invention provides an ignition device having a high shielding-performance from electro-magnetic wave noise and the like, while being compact in size and enabling electric current securely to flow through electric circuits built in the ignition device. The ignition device includes a metal cup and a metal header for holding a plurality of electrode pins respectively insulated and closing the opening of the cup to integrate the header in the cup, and further includes, in the cup, ignition charge, an ASIC, a capacitor, and a heating element. The ASIC is electrically connected to the electrode pins, the capacitor and the heating element, respectively, and the heating element abuts against the ignition charge. The header is provided on its outer periphery with a metal flange for fixing the header to an installation body of the ignition device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: NIPPONKAYAKU KABUSHIKIKAISHA
    Inventors: Shigeru Maeda, Hirotaka Mukonoki, Dairi Kubo
  • Patent number: 7597354
    Abstract: A mechanism (10) for releasably confining pressurized fluid in a container (18) is provided. The mechanism includes a rupturable membrane (22) in fluid communication with an interior of the container (18), thereby exposing the membrane (22) to the fluid. The membrane (22) is configured to obstruct flow of the pressurized fluid when externally supported against pressure exerted by the fluid. The membrane (22) is also rupturable by pressure exerted by the fluid when not externally supported against the pressure exerted by the fluid. A support member (28) is provided for externally supporting the membrane (22) against pressure exerted by the fluid. The support member (28) is configured to be fracturable upon exposure to combustion products formed by activation of a gas generator (66) at least partially encased within the support member (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffery S. Blackburn
  • Publication number: 20090229485
    Abstract: A safety arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a pyrotechnic actuator for retracting a hinge pin of a vehicle hood. The pyrotechnic actuator includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis and further includes a first end defining an opening. The pyrotechnic actuator additionally includes a piston disposed in the housing for movement along the longitudinal axis between an extended position and a retracted position. The piston carries the pin. The pin at least partially extends from the housing in the extended position. The piston includes a base portion defining a combustion chamber. The pyrotechnic actuator further includes a pyrotechnic charge disposed in the combustion chamber for producing a combustion gas operative to move the piston from the extended position to the retracted position. The combustion chamber is defined by a thin walled member that is sealed to contain the ballistic event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventor: Brent PARKS
  • Patent number: 7540241
    Abstract: A gas generator includes a generator housing (12), an igniter device mounting opening (18) which has an edge (22), an igniter device and a booster chamber (24) having a peripheral wall (26). The igniter device has a prefabricated igniter (16) sealed off towards the exterior, a booster charge (23) adjoining the igniter (16) and an injected plastic base (20). The edge (22) of the igniter device mounting opening (18) for fastening the igniter device to the generator housing (12) is embedded in the injected plastic base (20) during injecting. Connectors (14) leading to the igniter (16) are embedded into the plastic base (20) during injecting and the plastic base (20) continues in one piece into the booster chamber (24) by forming a peripheral wall (26) of the booster chamber (24) which the booster charge (23) directly adjoins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Sebastian Bierwirth
  • Patent number: 7520531
    Abstract: An inflator device for an inflatable cushion restraint system. The inflator device includes a housing at least in part defining a chamber containing a stored gas. The housing includes a first outlet orifice and a second outlet orifice. A first rupturable seal is disposed over the first outlet orifice and a second rupturable seal is disposed over the second outlet orifice. The second outlet orifice is a pressure release orifice for releasing the pressurized gas upon unanticipated elevated temperatures, such as during bonfire conditions. A plug is disposed in the second outlet orifice. The plug includes a low melting temperature material adjacent the second rupturable seal. The low melting temperature material melts at or below an auto-ignition temperature of the inflator device to allow the second rupturable seal to rupture to vent the pressurized stored gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt Gammill