U.S. patent number RE37,843 [Application Number 08/718,194] was granted by the patent office on 2002-09-17 for apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint using a mixture of gases.
This patent grant is currently assigned to TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.. Invention is credited to Jack L. Blumenthal, Ernst M. Faigle, Nahum Gat, John H. Semchena, Richard J. Thompson.
United States Patent |
RE37,843 |
Blumenthal , et al. |
September 17, 2002 |
Apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint using a
mixture of gases
Abstract
An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint includes
containing means for receiving gases to provide a combustible
mixture of the gases. An igniter is activated to effect ignition of
the mixture of gases in response to sudden vehicle deceleration. A
directing means directs a flow of gas from containing means into
the inflatable occupant restraint. In the preferred embodiment the
gases are an inert gas, a fuel gas, and an oxidizer gas. Also, a
lean mixture of a fuel gas and oxidizer gas could be used. An
improved igniter transmits energy through an imperforate portion of
a wall of the containing means to ignite a charge in the containing
means. The igniter may include an elongate core disposed in a
frangible sheath which is shattered as the core is burned.
Inventors: |
Blumenthal; Jack L. (Los
Angeles, CA), Gat; Nahum (Manhattan Beach, CA), Faigle;
Ernst M. (Dryden, MI), Semchena; John H. (Royal Oak,
MI), Thompson; Richard J. (Imlay City, MI) |
Assignee: |
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
(Lyndhurst, OH)
|
Family
ID: |
27117020 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/718,194 |
Filed: |
September 19, 1996 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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761685 |
Sep 18, 1991 |
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Reissue of: |
947147 |
Sep 18, 1992 |
05348344 |
Sep 20, 1994 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/737; 222/3;
280/741 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R
21/017 (20130101); B60R 21/264 (20130101); C06D
5/00 (20130101); B60R 21/30 (20130101); B60R
2021/2633 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60R
21/26 (20060101); B60R 21/01 (20060101); C06D
5/00 (20060101); B60R 21/30 (20060101); B60R
021/26 () |
Field of
Search: |
;280/728.1,732,736,737,740,741,742 ;102/530,531,204 ;222/3
;422/164,165,166,167 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
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2231543 |
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Other References
Marks Mechanical Engineers Handbook, Sixth Ed. NY McGraw-Hill Book
Co. 1953 4-68-75. .
Introduction to Helium Mass Spectrometer Leak Detection, Varian
Associates, Inc., Palo Alto, Calif., 1980, pp. i, ii, and 21. .
Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers, Baumeister, et al.,
McGraw-Hill Book Company, Eighth Edition, 1979, pp. iii, iv, 9-97
and 9-98. .
General Chemistry, Timm, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., Fourth
Edition, 1944, pp. v, vi, and 69..
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Primary Examiner: Culbreth; Eric
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino
& Szabo L.L.P.
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.
07/761,685 filed Sep. 18, 1991 by Jack L. Blumenthal and Nahum Gat
and entitled "Apparatus for Inflating a Vehicle Occupant Restraint"
now abandoned. The benefit of the earlier filing data of the
aforementioned application Ser. No. 07/761,685 has been and hereby
is claimed.
Claims
Having described the invention, the following is claimed:
1. An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said
apparatus comprising: gas containing means having a single cavity
for containing a mixture of gases; a mixture of gases in said
single cavity consisting of a combustible mixture of gases
comprising the only stored gases for filling the vehicle occupant
restraint; igniter means which ignites the combustible mixture of
gases in said single cavity and forms an occupant restraint
inflating gas from said combustible mixture of gases, said occupant
restraint inflating gas comprising the ignited combustible mixture
of gases; and directing means which directs said occupant restraint
inflating gas, which comprises the ignited combustible mixture of
gases, from said single cavity to said vehicle occupant restraint
to inflate said vehicle occupant restraint.
2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a vehicle
deceleration sensor and wherein said igniter means includes means
for igniting the mixture of gases in response to sudden vehicle
deceleration sensed by said deceleration sensor.
3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said mixture of gases
includes an inert gas, a fuel gas, and an oxidizer gas for
supporting combustion of said fuel gas.
4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said containing means
comprises a single container for containing said inert gas, said
fuel gas, and said oxidizer gas.
5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the containing means
is at a pressure of approximately 500 to 5,000 psi.
6. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the relative amounts
of inert gas, fuel gas, and oxidizer gas are selected to yield upon
combustion of the fuel gas a predetermined volumetric flow rate of
heated gas to inflate the vehicle occupant restraint.
7. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said fuel gas is
selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a gaseous
hydrocarbon, said oxidizer gas is oxygen, and said inert gas is
selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and argon.
8. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said fuel gas is
hydrogen comprising about 10 to 14 molar percent of the mixture of
said gases, said oxidizer gas is oxygen comprising about 15 to 25
molar percent of the mixture of said gases, and said inert gas is
nitrogen comprising about 61-75 molar percent of the mixture of
said gases.
9. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said mixture of gases
consists of a lean mixture of a fuel gas and an oxidizer gas.
10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said containing
means comprises a single container for said mixture of gases of
said fuel gas and said oxidizer gas..[.
11. An apparatus as defined in claim 9 further including a first
container for said fuel gas, a second container for said oxidizer
gas, and means for directing fuel gas and oxidizer gas from said
first and second containers into a combustion chamber defined by
said containing means..]..[.
12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said igniter means
ignites the mixture of gases in said combustion chamber..]..[.
13. An apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said directing
means directs gas from said combustion chamber into said vehicle
occupant restraint..].
14. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said igniter means
includes an elongate heat source which extends from one end portion
of said containing means through a central portion of said
containing means.
15. An apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said containing
means has a longitudinal central axis, said elongate heat source
being disposed on the longitudinal central axis of said containing
means.
16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said igniter means
includes an elongate core disposed in a frangible sheath in said
containing means, and means for initiating burning of said core
with a resultant shattering of said sheath and spewing of
incandescent reaction products into the combustible mixture of
gases along the length of said elongated core.
17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said containing
means includes an imperforate wall portion, said igniter means
includes a first ignitable charge disposed adjacent to a first side
of said imperforate wall portion and a second ignitable charge
disposed adjacent to a second side of said imperforate wall
portion.
18. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said containing
means includes an imperforate wall portion, said igniter means
includes a source of energy disposed adjacent to a first side of
said imperforate wall portion, and means disposed adjacent to a
second side of said imperforate wall portion and actuatable due to
energy transmitted through said imperforate wall portion to effect
ignition of the combustible mixture of gases.
19. An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint as
defined in claim 1 wherein said igniter means forms an occupant
restraint inflating gas consisting of the ignited combustible
mixture of gases and said directing means directs said occupant
restraint inflating gas consisting of said ignited combustible
mixture of gases to inflate said vehicle occupant restraint.
20. An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said
apparatus comprising: a container having an imperforate wall
portion with inner and outer sides; an ignitable gaseous material
consisting of a combustible mixture of gases disposed in said
container; igniter means for igniting the combustible mixture of
gases, said igniter means igniting the combustible mixture of gases
in said container to effect a flow of the ignited combustible
mixture of gases from said container, said igniter means including
a source of energy disposed adjacent to the outer side of said
imperforate wall portion of said container and means disposed
adjacent to the inner side of said imperforate wall portion of said
container and actuatable due to the energy transmitted through said
imperforate wall portion of said container to effect ignition of
the ignitable gaseous material in said container, and directing
means for directing the ignited combustible mixture of gases from
said container to said vehicle occupant restraint to inflate said
vehicle occupant restraint.
21. An apparatus as set forth in claim 20 wherein said source of
energy includes a first ignitable charge and said means disposed
adjacent to the inner side portion of said imperforate wall portion
of said container includes a second ignitable charge which is
ignited under the influence of vibrations transmitted through said
imperforate wall portion of said container in response to ignition
of said first ignitable charge.
22. An apparatus as set forth in claim 21 wherein said igniter
means includes an elongate heat source which extends from a
location adjacent to said second ignitable charge through a central
portion of said container to enable heat to be transferred from
said elongate heat source to the ignitable material along the
length of said elongate heat source.
23. An apparatus as set forth in claim 22 wherein said container
has a longitudinal central axis, said elongate heat source being
disposed on the longitudinal central axis of said container.
24. An apparatus as set forth in claim 20 wherein said igniter
means includes an elongate core disposed in a frangible sheath in
said container, said means disposed adjacent to the inner side of
said imperforate wall being operable to initiate burning of said
core with a resultant shattering of said sheath and spewing of
incandescent reaction products into the ignitable material in said
container.
25. An apparatus as set forth in claim 24 wherein said container
has a longitudinal central axis, said elongate core and frangible
sheath being disposed on the longitudinal central axis of said
container.
26. An apparatus as set forth in claim 24 wherein said elongate
core and frangible sheath extend from one end portion of said
container through a central portion of said container to enable
incandescent reaction products to be spewed toward said ignitable
material in at least the one end portion and central portion of
said container.
27. An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said
apparatus comprising: .[.containing means including a gaseous.].
.Iadd.a container storing a .Iaddend.mixture of gases .[.consisting
of.]. .Iadd.including .Iaddend.a fuel gas, an inert gas and an
oxidizer gas; igniter means for igniting the fuel gas .[.and which
ignites the fuel gas in said containing means.]. to heat the
mixture of gases in said .[.containing means;.]. .Iadd.container;
.Iaddend.and directing means for directing the heated mixture of
gases from said .[.containing means.]. .Iadd.container .Iaddend.to
said vehicle occupant restraint to inflate said vehicle occupant
restraint.
28. An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said
apparatus comprising: containing means for containing a
combustible.[.,.]. mixture of gases; a combustible.[.,.]. mixture
of gases in said containing means; means separate from and
independent of said combustible mixture of gases for opening said
containing means and for igniting the combustible mixture of gases
to heat the gases in said containing means; and directing means for
directing the heated mixture of gases from said containing means to
said vehicle occupant restraint to inflate said vehicle occupant
restraint.
29. A method of inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said method
comprising: providing a mixture of gases consisting of a
combustible mixture of gases in a single cavity in a container,
said combustible mixture of gases being the only stored gases for
inflating the vehicle occupant restraint; igniting the combustible
mixture of gases in the single cavity to form an occupant restraint
inflating gas from said combustible mixture of gases and comprising
the ignited combustible mixture of gases; and directing the
occupant restraint inflating gas, which comprises the ignited
combustible mixture of gases, from the single cavity to the vehicle
occupant restraint to inflate the vehicle occupant restraint.
30. A method as set forth in claim 29 wherein said step of
providing a combustible mixture of gases includes providing an
inert gas, a fuel gas and an oxidizer gas, said step of igniting
the combustible mixture of gases includes burning the fuel
gas..[.
31. A method as set forth in claim 29 wherein said step of
providing a combustible mixture of gases includes the step of
storing a fuel gas in one container, storing an oxidizer gas in
another container, and mixing the fuel and oxidizer gases to form
the combustible mixture of gases in response to sudden vehicle
deceleration..].
32. A method as set forth in claim 29 further including the step of
sensing the occurrence of sudden vehicle deceleration and
performing said step of igniting the combustible mixture of gases
in response to performance of said step of sensing the occurrence
of sudden vehicle deceleration.
33. A method as set forth in claim 29 further including the step of
burning in the container at least a portion of one of the gases in
the combustible mixture of gases.
34. A method as set forth in claim 29 wherein said step of igniting
the combustible mixture of gases in the container includes
transmitting energy through an imperforate portion of a wall of the
container.
35. A method as set forth in claim 29 wherein said step of igniting
the combustible mixture of gases in the container includes igniting
a first charge disposed outside of the container, and igniting a
second charge disposed inside the container under the influence of
force transmitted through an imperforate wall portion of the
container from the first charge to the second charge.
36. A method as set forth in claim 29 wherein said step of igniting
the combustible mixture of gases in the container includes spewing
incandescent materials into the mixture of gases in the container
along an elongate path extending from one end portion of the
container through a central portion of the container.
37. A method of inflating a vehicle occupant restraint as defined
in claim 29 wherein said step of forming an occupant restraint
inflating gas includes forming an occupant restraint inflating gas
consisting of the ignited combustible mixture of gases.
38. A method of inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said method
comprising the steps of: .[.providing a gaseous.]. .Iadd.storing a
.Iaddend.mixture of gases in a container, said mixture of gases
.[.consisting of.]. .Iadd.including .Iaddend.a fuel gas, an inert
gas and an oxidizer gas; igniting the fuel gas in the container to
heat the mixture of gases in the container; and directing the
mixture of gases from the container to the vehicle occupant
restraint to inflate the vehicle occupant restraint.
39. A method of inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said method
comprising the steps of: .[.providing.]. .Iadd.storing .Iaddend.a
combustible mixture of gases in a container; providing a means
separate from and independent of the combustible mixture of gases
for opening the container; opening the container by said means
separate from and independent of the combustible mixture of gases;
igniting the combustible mixture of gases to heat the gases in the
container; directing the heated mixture of gases from the container
to the vehicle occupant restraint to inflate the vehicle occupant
restraint.
40. An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said
apparatus comprising: gas containing means having a chamber for
containing a mixture of gases; a mixture of gases in said chamber
consisting of a homogeneous, combustible mixture of gases for
filling the vehicle occupant restraint, said combustible mixture of
gases including an ignitable fuel gas and being a fuel gas lean
mixture; igniter means which ignites the combustible mixture of
gases in said chamber and forms an occupant restraint inflating gas
from said combustible mixture of gases, said occupant restraint
inflating gas comprising the ignited combustible mixture of gases;
and directing means for directing said occupant restraint inflating
gas, which comprises the ignited combustible mixture of gases, from
said chamber to said vehicle occupant restraint to inflate said
vehicle occupant restraint.
41. An apparatus as defined in claim 40 wherein said igniter means
forms an occupant restraint inflating gas consisting of the ignited
combustible mixture of gases.
42. A method of inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said method
comprising: providing a mixture of gases consisting of a
homogeneous, combustible mixture of gases in a chamber in a
container, said combustible mixture of gases being for inflating
the vehicle occupant restraint, said combustible mixture of gases
including an ignitable fuel gas an being a fuel gas lean mixture;
igniting the combustible mixture of gases to form an occupant
restraint inflating gas from said combustible mixture of gases and
comprising the ignited combustible mixture of gases; and directing
the occupant restraint inflating gas, which comprises the ignited
combustible mixture of gases, from the container to the vehicle
occupant restraint to inflate the vehicle occupant restraint.
43. A method as defined in claim 42 wherein said step of forming an
occupant restraint inflating gas includes forming an occupant
restraint inflating gas consisting of the ignited combustible
mixture of gases.
44. An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said
apparatus comprising: first and second separate containers for
containing gas; a fuel gas in said first container; an oxidizer gas
in said second container; a containing means for receiving said
fuel gas and said oxidizer gas from said first and second separate
containers when said fuel gas and said oxidizer gas are released
from said first and second containers; means for releasing said
fuel gas and said oxidizer gas from said first and second
containers for flow into said containing means and providing a
combustible mixture of gases .Iadd.in .Iaddend.said containing
means; igniter means for igniting the combustible mixture of gases
in said containing means; and directing means for directing the
ignited combustible mixture of gases from said containing means to
said vehicle occupant restraint to inflate the vehicle occupant
restraint.
45. A method of inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said method
comprising: providing first and second separate containers for
containing gas; storing a fuel gas in said first container; storing
an oxidizer gas in said second container; providing a containing
means for receiving said fuel gas and said oxidizer gas from said
first and second separate containers when said fuel gas and said
oxidizer gas are released from said first and second containers;
releasing said fuel gas and said oxidizer gas from said first and
second containers for flow into said containing means and providing
a combustible mixture of gases in said containing means; igniting
the combustible mixture of gases in said containing means; and
directing the ignited combustible mixture of gases from said
containing means to said vehicle occupant restraint to inflate the
vehicle occupant restraint.
46. An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said
apparatus comprising: first means defining a first chamber for
containing a first gas; second means defining a second chamber for
containing a second gas; a first gas in said first chamber; a
second gas comprising a combustible mixture of gases in said second
chamber; means for releasing at different times the first and
second gases for flow from said first and second chambers at said
different times; igniter means for igniting said combustible
mixture of gases; and directing means for directing said first gas
and said ignited combustible mixture of gases into the vehicle
occupant restraint.
47. A method of inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said method
comprising the steps of: storing a first gas in a first chamber;
storing a second gas in a second chamber, said second gas
comprising a combustible mixture of gases; releasing at different
times the first and second gases for flow from said first and
second chambers at said different times; igniting said combustible
mixture of gases; and directing said first gas and said ignited
combustible mixture of gases into the vehicle occupant
restraint.
48. An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said
apparatus comprising: first means defining a first chamber for
containing a first gas; second means defining a second chamber for
containing a second gas; a first gas in said first chamber; a
second gas comprising a combustible mixture of gases in said second
chamber; first actuatable opener means, for when actuated, opening
said first chamber to enable said first gas to flow therefrom;
second actuatable opener means separate from said first actuatable
opener means for opening said second chamber to enable said second
gas to flow therefrom; igniter means for igniting said combustible
mixture of gases; and directing means for directing said first gas
into the vehicle occupant restraint and for directing the ignited
combustible mixture of gases into the vehicle occupant
restraint.
49. An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said
apparatus comprising: first means defining a first chamber for
containing a first gas; second means defining a second chamber,
larger than said first chamber, for containing a second gas; a
first gas in said first chamber; a second gas comprising a
combustible mixture of gases in said second larger chamber;
actuatable means for, when actuated, enabling said first and second
gases to flow from said first and second chambers; igniter means
for igniting said combustible mixture of gases; and directing means
for directing said first gas into the vehicle occupant restraint
and for directing the ignited combustible mixture of gases into the
vehicle occupant restraint. .Iadd.
50. An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said
apparatus comprising: a container structure defining a combustion
chamber, said combustion chamber being bounded by container walls
including a non-rupturable tank wall and a rupturable closure wall,
said closure wall releasing said gas to exit said combustion
chamber upon rupturing of said closure wall; a combustion mixture
of gases stored in said container structure, said mixture of gases
including a fuel gas, an oxidizer gas, and an inert gas; igniter
means for igniting and heating said stored fuel gas inside said
combustion chamber upon the occurrence of a vehicle collision, said
fuel gas, when ignited, heating said combustible mixture of gases;
and directing means for directing inflation gas from said container
structure toward the vehicle occupant restraint to inflate the
restraint..Iaddend..Iadd.
51. An apparatus as defined in claim 50 wherein said fuel gas is
selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and gaseous
hydrocarbons..Iaddend..Iadd.
52. An apparatus as defined in claim 50 wherein said fuel gas is
stored inside said combustion chamber..Iaddend..Iadd.
53. An apparatus as defined in claim 52 wherein said combustion
chamber stores a combustible mixture of gases comprising said fuel
gas and an oxidizer gas..Iaddend..Iadd.
54. An apparatus as defined in claim 53 wherein said combustible
mixture of gases comprises a fuel lean mixture of said fuel gas and
said oxidizer gas..Iaddend..Iadd.
55. An apparatus as defined in claim 53 wherein said combustible
mixture of gases further includes an inert gas..Iaddend..Iadd.
56. An apparatus as defined in claim 53 wherein said combustible
mixture of gases comprises about 10-14 molar percent of said fuel
gas, about 15-25 molar percent of said oxidizer gas, and about
61-75 molar percent of an inert gas..Iaddend..Iadd.
57. An apparatus as defined in claim 50 wherein said fuel gas is
stored outside said combustible chamber..Iaddend..Iadd.
58. An apparatus as defined in claim 57 wherein said container
structure further defines a compartment which is separated from
said combustion chamber by another rupturable closure wall, said
compartment containing an oxidizer gas..Iaddend..Iadd.
59. An apparatus as defined in claim 58 wherein said compartment
further contains said fuel gas..Iaddend..Iadd.
60. An apparatus as defined in claim 50 further comprising an
oxidizer gas stored in said container structure separately from
said fuel gas, said container structure including means for
rupturing to allow said oxidizer gas to mix with said fuel gas to
form a combustible mixture of gases upon the occurrence of a
vehicle collision..Iaddend..Iadd.
61. An apparatus as defined in claim 60 further comprising an inert
gas stored in said container structure separately from said fuel
gas and said oxidizer gas..Iaddend..Iadd.
62. An apparatus as defined in claim 61 wherein said rupturable
means allows said inert gas to mix with said oxidizer gas whereby
warm inflation gas is formed upon heating of said inert gas with
heat of combustion created by burning of said fuel gas in a
combustible mixture with said oxidizer gas..Iaddend..Iadd.
63. An apparatus as defined in claim 62 wherein said rupturable
means allows said inert gas to mix with said fuel gas before said
fuel gas is ignited..Iaddend..Iadd.
64. An apparatus as defined in claim 50 wherein said igniter means
comprises means for igniting said fuel gas by transmitting energy
from an energy source to said fuel gas through an imperforate wall
portion of said container structure..Iaddend..Iadd.
65. An apparatus as defined in claim 50 wherein said igniter means
includes means for igniting said fuel gas by spewing incandescent
materials into said fuel gas from an elongate combustible means for
generating said incandescent materials..Iaddend..Iadd.
66. A method of inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said method
comprising the steps of: storing inflation gas in a container
structure having a combustion chamber with an outlet opening and a
rupturable closure member blocking said outlet opening, the
inflation gas comprising a combustible mixture of gases including a
fuel gas, an inert gas, and an oxidizer gas for supporting
combustion of the fuel gas; igniting the mixture of gases inside
the combustion chamber to provide heat of combustion created by
burning of the fuel gas, the mixture of gases, when ignited,
inflating the vehicle occupant restraint; forming warm inflation
gas by heating the inflation gas in the container structure with
the heat of combustion; rupturing the closure member; and directing
the warm inflation gas from the container structure toward the
vehicle occupant restraint to inflate the
restraint..Iaddend..Iadd.
67. A method as defined in claim 66 wherein said step of storing
said inflation gas comprises the step of storing said fuel gas and
said oxidizer gas separately from each other, said step of forming
said warm inflation gas comprising the step of mixing said fuel gas
and said oxidizer gas to form a combustible mixture of gases upon
the occurrence of a vehicle collision..Iaddend..Iadd.
68. A method as defined in claim 66 wherein said inflation gas
further comprises an inert gas, said step of forming said warm
inflation gas including heating said inert gas..Iaddend..Iadd.
69. A method as defined in claim 68 wherein said fuel gas and said
inert gas are stored separately from each other..Iaddend..Iadd.
70. A method as defined in claim 68 wherein said oxidizer gas and
said inert gas are stored separately from each
other..Iaddend..Iadd.
71. A method as defined in claim 68 wherein said fuel gas, said
oxidizer gas and said inert gas are stored separately from each
other..Iaddend..Iadd.
72. A method as defined in claim 66 wherein said step of igniting
said fuel gas comprises the step of transmitting energy from an
energy source to said fuel gas through an imperforate wall portion
of said container structure..Iaddend..Iadd.
73. A method as defined in claim 66 wherein said step of igniting
said fuel gas comprises the step of spewing incandescent materials
into said fuel gas from an elongate combustible means for
generating said incandescent materials..Iaddend..Iadd.
74. An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said
apparatus comprising: a container structure; a mixture of gases
stored in said container structure, said stored mixture of gases
comprising a combustible mixture of ignitable fuel gas, an inert
gas and an oxidizer gas; means for igniting said fuel gas, said
fuel gas, when ignited, heating said combustible mixture of gases;
and directing means for directing gases from said container
structure toward the vehicle occupant restraint to inflate the
restraint..Iaddend..Iadd.
75. An apparatus as defined in claim 74 wherein said directing
means directs occupant restraint inflating gas from said container
structure to the vehicle occupant restraint to inflate the
restraint, said occupant restraint inflating gas consisting of said
ignited combustible mixture..Iaddend..Iadd.
76. An apparatus as defined in claim 74 wherein said stored mixture
of gases consists of said combustible mixture..Iaddend..Iadd.
77. An apparatus as defined in claim 74 wherein said fuel gas
comprises about 10-14 molar percent of said combustible mixture,
said oxidizer gas comprises about 15 to 25 molar percent of said
combustible mixture, and said inert gas comprises about 61-75 molar
percent of said combustible mixture..Iaddend..Iadd.
78. An apparatus as defined in claim 74 wherein said combustible
mixture comprises a fuel lean mixture of said fuel gas and said
oxidizer gas..Iaddend..Iadd.
79. An apparatus as defined in claim 74 wherein said fuel gas is
selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and gaseous
hydrocarbons..Iaddend..Iadd.
80. An apparatus as defined in claim 74 wherein said igniter means
includes an elongate heat source which extends from one end portion
of said container structure through a central portion of said
container structure..Iaddend..Iadd.
81. An apparatus as defined in claim 80 wherein said container
structure has a longitudinal central axis, said elongate heat
source being disposed on said longitudinal central
axis..Iaddend..Iadd.
82. An apparatus as defined in claim 74 wherein said igniter means
includes an elongate core disposed in a frangible sheath in said
container structure, and further includes means for initiating
burning of said core with a resultant shattering of said sheath and
spewing of incandescent reaction products into said combustible
mixture along the length of said elongate core..Iaddend..Iadd.
83. An apparatus as defined in claim 74 wherein said container
structure has an imperforate wall portion, said igniter means
including a source of energy disposed adjacent to a first side of
said imperforate wall portion, said igniter means further including
actuatable means disposed adjacent to a second side of said
imperforate wall portion and actuatable due to energy transmitted
through said imperforate wall portion to effect ignition of said
combustible mixture..Iaddend..Iadd.
84. An apparatus as defined in claim 83 wherein said source of
energy comprises a first ignitable charge adjacent to said first
side of said imperforate wall portion, said actuatable means
comprising a second ignitable charge disposed adjacent to said
second side of said imperforate wall portion..Iaddend..Iadd.
85. An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said
apparatus comprising: a first chamber; a fuel gas stored in said
first chamber; a second chamber separated from said first chamber;
an oxidizer gas stored in said second chamber, said fuel gas and
said oxidizer gas being released for flow into a containing means;
and means for causing said stored fuel gas to mix with said
oxidizer gas and to ignite producing products of combustion, the
mixture of gases in the containing means being ignited, the mixture
of gases being directed into the vehicle occupant restraint to
inflate the vehicle occupant restraint..Iaddend..Iadd.
86. An apparatus as defined in claim 85 wherein said first and
second chambers are respectively defined by first and second
containers which are separated from each other..Iaddend..Iadd.
87. An apparatus as defined in claim 85 wherein said stored fuel
comprises a fuel gas..Iaddend..Iadd.
88. An apparatus as defined in claim 87 further comprising
containing means for receiving said fuel gas and said stored
oxidizer gas from said first and second chambers to provide a
combustible mixture of gases in said containing means, and an
igniter for igniting said combustible mixture of gases in said
containing means to produce said products of
combustion..Iaddend..Iadd.
89. An apparatus as defined in claim 88 wherein said containing
means stores an inert gas..Iaddend..Iadd.
90. An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said
apparatus comprising: a container structure; a combustible mixture
of gases in said container structure, said mixture of gases
including a fuel gas, an inert gas, and an oxidizer gas for
supporting combustion of said fuel gas, said fuel gas being
selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and gaseous
hydrocarbons; means for igniting said mixture of gases to heat said
gases to form occupant restraint inflating gas, said occupant
restraint inflating gas comprising the ignited combustible mixture
of gases, said fuel gas, when ignited, heating said combustible
mixture of gases; and directing means for directing said occupant
restraint inflating gas toward the vehicle occupant restraint to
inflate said vehicle occupant restraint..Iaddend..Iadd.
91. An apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant
restraint, said apparatus comprising: a container storing inflation
gas for inflating the restraint, said stored inflation gas
consisting of a combustible mixture of gases comprising a fuel gas,
an inert gas, and an oxidizer gas; igniter means for igniting said
combustible mixture of gases upon the occurrence of a vehicle
collision, said fuel gas, when ignited, heating said mixture of
gases; and directing means for directing said inflation gas from
said container toward the restraint to inflate the
restraint..Iaddend..Iadd.
92. An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said
apparatus comprising: a container; a combustible mixture of gases
in said container, said mixture of gases comprising about 10 to 14
molar percent of fuel gas, about 15 to 25 molar percent of an
oxidizer gas and about 61-75 molar percent of an inert gas; means
for igniting said fuel gas, said fuel gas, when ignited, heating
said mixture of gases to form occupant restraint inflating gas; and
directing means for directing said occupant restraint inflating gas
from said container toward the vehicle occupant restraint to
inflate said vehicle occupant restraint..Iaddend..Iadd.
93. An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said
apparatus comprising: a container; a combustible mixture of gases
in said container, said combustible mixture of gases comprising a
fuel lean mixture of a fuel gas, an inert gas, and an oxidizer gas;
means for igniting said fuel gas, said fuel gas, when ignited,
heating said mixture of gases to form occupant restraint inflating
gas; and directing means for directing said occupant restraint
inflating gas from said container toward the vehicle occupant
restraint to inflate said vehicle occupant restraint, said
combustible mixture of gases being fuel lean such that said
occupant restraint inflating gas is substantially free of fuel gas
and includes remaining oxidizer gas..Iaddend..Iadd.
94. An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said
apparatus comprising: a container containing a combustible mixture
of gases including a fuel gas, an inert gas and an oxidizer gas,
said oxidizer gas being about 15-25 molar percent of said
combustible mixture of gases; igniter means for igniting said fuel
gas in said container, said fuel gas, when ignited, heating said
mixture of gases in said container; and directing means for
directing said gases from said container to the vehicle occupant
restraint to inflate the vehicle occupant
restraint..Iaddend..Iadd.
95. An apparatus as defined in claim 94 wherein said fuel gas is
about 10-14 molar percent of said combustible mixture of
gases..Iaddend..Iadd.
96. A method of inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said method
comprising the steps of: providing a combustible mixture of gases
in a container, the combustible mixture of gases including a fuel
gas, an inert gas and an oxidizer gas, the oxidizer gas being about
15-25 molar percent of the combustible mixture of gases; igniting
the mixture of gases in the container to heat the mixture of gases
in the container, the mixture of gases, when ignited, inflating the
vehicle occupant restraint; and directing the heating gases from
the container to the vehicle occupant restraint to inflate the
vehicle occupant restraint..Iaddend..Iadd.
97. A method as defined in claim 96 wherein said fuel gas is about
10-14 molar percent of said combustible mixture of
gases..Iaddend..Iadd.
98. A method of inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, said method
comprising the steps of: providing a combustible mixture of gases
in a container, the combustible mixture of gases including a fuel
gas, an inert gas, and an oxidizer gas, the oxidizer gas being
about 15-25 molar percent of the combustible mixture of gases;
providing a means separate from and independent of the combustible
mixture of gases for opening the container; opening the container
by the means separate from and independent of the combustible
mixture of gases; igniting the combustible mixture of gases to heat
the mixture of gases in the container, the mixture of gases, when
ignited, inflating the vehicle occupant restraint; and directing
the mixture of gases from the container to the vehicle occupant
restraint to inflate the vehicle occupant
restraint..Iaddend..Iadd.
99. A method as defined in claim 98 wherein said fuel gas is about
10-14 molar percent of said combustible mixture of gases..Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and improved apparatus for
inflating an inflatable device such as a vehicle occupant
restraint.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Known structures for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,806,153, 3,868,124 and 3,895,821. In
each of the structures disclosed in these patents, air, or other
gas, and solid gas generating material are stored in a container.
Upon the occurrence of a high rate of vehicle deceleration
indicative of a collision, the gas in the container is released to
inflate a vehicle occupant restraint which restrains a vehicle
occupant during the collision. Also, upon the occurrence of a high
rate of vehicle deceleration which is indicative of a vehicle
collision, the gas generating material is ignited. As the gas
generating material burns, it forms hot gases or vapors which heat
and mix with the stored gas, and the heated mixture of gases flows
into the occupant restraint.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a new and improved apparatus for
inflating an inflatable device such as a vehicle occupant
restraint. The apparatus includes a containing means for receiving
gases to provide a combustible mixture of the gases. The apparatus
also includes an igniter means for igniting the mixture of gases to
warm and increase the pressure of gas in the containing means. The
apparatus further includes a directing means which directs gas from
the containing means to the inflatable device.
Preferably, the mixture of gases includes an inert gas, a flammable
fuel gas and an oxidizer gas. The inert gas is preferably nitrogen
or argon or a mixture of nitrogen and argon. The fuel gas is
preferably hydrogen or methane or a mixture of hydrogen and methane
but may be any other flammable gas. The oxidizer gas is preferably
oxygen. Alternatively, the inert gas can be eliminated and a
combustible gas mixture that is very fuel lean could be used. A
small amount of an inert tracer gas such as helium may also be
added to assist in leak checking the apparatus.
The containing means may take a variety of different forms. In one
embodiment of the invention, the containing means is a single
container for containing the inert gas, the fuel gas, and the
oxidizer gas as a mixture of gases. Alternatively, the single
container may contain the very fuel lean combustible gas
mixture.
In another embodiment, a first container contains the fuel gas, a
second container contains the oxidizer gas, and the containing
means defines a combustion chamber which receives the fuel gas and
oxidizer gas and in which the mixture of gases is ignited. In this
embodiment the amount of oxidizer gas used is in excess of a
stoichiometric amount to support combustion of the fuel gas.
In accordance with the present invention, the rate of inflation of
the inflatable device can be controlled to provide a desired volume
of the inflatable device at a given time after ignition of the fuel
gas. The rate of inflation of and the pressure in the inflatable
device can be controlled by selecting the amount of fuel gas and
oxidizer gas to yield, a desired burning rate which in turn
determines the predetermined volumetric rate of flow of warm gas
into the inflatable device. Alternatively or additionally, the rate
of inflation can be controlled by flow control orifices or the like
through which the gas flows into the inflatable device. Another
technique for controlling the time required for inflation is to
change the number of locations in the containing means at which the
fuel gas is ignited.
An improved igniter means is provided for igniting a mixture of
gases. The igniter means is operable to transmit energy through an
imperforate wall portion of the containing means. The energy
transmitted through the imperforate wall portion of the containing
means effects ignition of ignitable material in the containing
means. Specifically, an ignitable charge located adjacent to an
outer side of the imperforate wall portion of the containing means
is ignitable to cause ignition of an ignitable charge which is
disposed adjacent to an inner side of the imperforate wall portion
of the containing means. In accordance with another feature of the
igniter means, an elongated core in a frangible sheath is disposed
in the containing means. The elongated core is ignited with a
resulting shattering of the sheath and spewing of incandescent
reaction products into the containing means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other features of the present invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present
invention relates from reading the following specification with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a third embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of part of a vehicle occupant safety
apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a graphic illustration of performance characteristics of
a typical vehicle occupant safety apparatus constructed in
accordance with the invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a fourth embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a fifth embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary schematic illustration of a
portion of the apparatus of FIG. 7; and
FIG. 9 is a sectional view, taken generally along the line 9--9 of
FIG. 8.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Embodiment I
The present invention may be embodied in a number of different
structures. As representative, FIG. 1 illustrates the present
invention as embodied in a vehicle occupant safety apparatus 10.
The vehicle occupant safety apparatus 10 includes an inflatable
vehicle occupant restraint 12 and apparatus for inflating the
vehicle occupant restraint.
Upon the occurrence of a high rate of vehicle deceleration which is
indicative of a vehicle collision, the vehicle occupant restraint
12 is inflated to restrain movement of an occupant of the vehicle.
The inflatable vehicle occupant restraint 12 is inflated into a
location in the vehicle between the occupant and certain parts of
the vehicle, such as the steering wheel, instrument panel or the
like, before the occupant moves relative to those parts and
forcibly strikes the parts during a vehicle collision. The inflated
vehicle occupant restraint 12 absorbs kinetic energy of the
occupant's movement and restrains the occupant's movement so that
the occupant does not forcibly strike parts of the vehicle. Such a
vehicle occupant restraint may be inflated by different gases.
Notwithstanding the gas used to inflate the vehicle occupant
restraint 12, the vehicle occupant restraint is commonly referred
to as an air bag.
The vehicle occupant restraint 12 is inflated by a flow of gas form
a container 14. The container 14 has a chamber 16 which holds a
mixture 18 of gases. The mixture 18 of gases preferably includes a
fuel gas, an oxidizer gas for supporting combustion of the fuel
gas, and an inert gas. The inert gas is preferably nitrogen, argon
or a mixture of nitrogen and argon. The oxidizer gas is preferably
oxygen. The fuel gas is preferably hydrogen, but may be methane, or
a mixture of hydrogen and methane which is a gaseous
hydrocarbon.
Alternatively, the mixture of gases in container 14 may be an
oxidizer gas and a fuel gas in amounts which provide a very fuel
lean mixture, .Iadd.i.e., .Iaddend.the amount of oxidizer gas
exceeds that amount required to support combustion of the fuel
gas.
The mixture 18 of gases in the container 14 readily combusts, when
ignited, but otherwise is not explosive. As such, the mixture 18 of
gases could have many different compositions. The fuel gas may be 2
to 16 molar percent of the mixture 18 of gases. The oxidizer gas
may be 7 to 98 molar percent of the mixture 18 of gases. The
balance is inert gas which may be 0 to 91 molar percent of the
mixture 18 of gases. Preferably, the mixture 18 of gases includes
10-14 molar percent hydrogen, 15-25 molar percent oxygen, and 61-75
molar percent inert gas.
The mixture 18 of gases in the container 14 is normally under
pressure. The pressure depends upon such factors as the volume of
the vehicle occupant restraint 12 to be inflated, the time
available for inflation, the inflation pressure desired, the volume
of the container for the mixture 18 of gases, and the percentage of
each of the gases in the mixture 18 of gases. Normally, the mixture
18 of gases in the container 14 may be at a pressure of 500 to
5,000 pounds per square inch (psi). Preferably, the mixture 18 of
gases in the container 14 is at a pressure of 1,000 to 3,000 psi.
However, the invention is applicable to any mixture of gases
regardless of pressure.
In one specific embodiment, the mixture 18 of gases is dry air and
hydrogen. The mixture of dry air and hydrogen may range from 86
molar percent air and 14 molar percent hydrogen to 92 molar percent
air and 8 molar percent hydrogen. However, it is presently
preferred to have a range from 90 molar percent air and 10 molar
percent hydrogen to 87 molar percent air and 13 molar percent
hydrogen.
Upon the occurrence of sudden vehicle deceleration, a deceleration
sensor 22, of any known and suitable construction, activates an
igniter 24 in the chamber 16 to ignite the fuel gas in the mixture
18 of gases. The combustion of the fuel gas is supported by the
oxidizer gas. As the fuel gas burns, the pressure in the chamber 16
rises due to warming of the gases by the heat of combustion created
by burning of the fuel gas and the formation of additional gases or
vapors produced by combustion of the fuel gas. After a
predetermined time, or when a predetermined pressure is reached in
the chamber 16, an end wall 28 of the container 14 bursts, and warm
gas flows into the vehicle occupant restraint 12 through a flow
controller orifice. As the gas flows into the vehicle occupant
restraint 12, the gas inflates the vehicle occupant restraint 12
into a predetermined position for restraining a vehicle
occupant.
If the amount of hydrogen is less than about 8 molar percent,
difficulty may be encountered in igniting the hydrogen. If the
amount of hydrogen is more than 14 molar percent, unacceptable
pressures and/or temperatures may be created in the vehicle
occupant restraint 12. Preferably, the fuel gas is included in the
mixture 18 of gases in an amount so that it is substantially
consumed by combustion in the container 14. The vehicle occupant
restraint 12 is thus inflated almost exclusively, in the case where
inert gas is used, by inert gas, combustion products and any
remaining oxidizer gas or, in the case where inert gas is not used,
by the remaining oxidizer gas and combustion products.
As the gas flows from the container 14 into the vehicle occupant
restraint 12, the gas expands and cools. In addition, air from the
environment around the safety apparatus 10 may be aspirated into
the vehicle occupant restraint 12 as the vehicle occupant restraint
is inflated. This aspirated air will also cool the gas in the
vehicle occupant restraint 12.
Since the fuel gas in the mixture 18 of gases burns to generate
heat which increases the pressure of the gas in the chamber 16, the
total volume of gas which must be stored in the container 14 to
inflate the vehicle occupant restraint 12 to a desired pressure is
minimized. Additionally, since combustion of the fuel gas produces
gaseous material, i.e., water vapor, instead of solid material,
there is no need for a particulate filter or the like.
The container 14 in the safety apparatus 10 is shown in greater
detail in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the container 14 comprises a
cylindrical tank 30. The tank 30 defines the chamber 16 containing
the mixture 18 of gases The tank 30 must be made of a material
impervious to the gases contained in the container. Therefore, the
tank 30 may be made of a suitable metal, such as steel or aluminum,
and may have a glass lining. A cylindrical gas flow diffuser 32
surrounds the tank 30. The diffuser 32 has a plurality of gas flow
openings 35.
An igniter housing 34 extends through an opening at one end of the
tank 30, and supports the igniter 24. The igniter 24 can be any one
of many known types of igniters. Thus, the igniter can be a spark
plug, flash bulb igniter (as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.
3,695,179), or a pyrotechnic igniter. The specific igniter 24 shown
in FIG. 4 is a known squib containing a pyrotechnic material which
is preferably zirconium potassium perchlorate. A single igniter, as
shown in FIG. 4, or a plurality of igniters can be used. The
percentage of fuel gas in the mixture 18 of gases may be varied to
facilitate ignition of the fuel gas by the igniter or igniters.
A cylindrical manifold 40 extends through an opening in the end of
the tank 30 opposite the igniter 24 and also extends through an
adjacent opening in the diffuser 32. A circular end wall 42 of the
manifold 40 located inside the tank 30 has a centrally located
control orifice 44. A cylindrical side wall 46 of the manifold 40
has a circumferentially extending array of gas flow openings 48
located between the tank 30 and the diffuser 32. The end wall 28,
shown schematically in FIG. 1, is a burst disk supported inside the
manifold 40 between the control orifice 44 and the gas flow
openings 48.
When the fuel gas in the mixture 18 of gases in the chamber 16 is
ignited by the igniter 24, combustion of the fuel gas generates
heat and gaseous products of combustion which increase the pressure
in the chamber 16. When the increasing pressure in the tank 30
reaches a predetermined level, the end wall 28 bursts. Pressurized
gas then flows from the chamber 16 through the manifold 40 to the
gas flow openings 35 in the diffuser 32, and through the gas flow
openings 35 into the vehicle occupant restraint 12.
FIG. 5 illustrates graphically the relationship between the
pressure in the chamber 16 and the volume of gas in the vehicle
occupant restraint 12 during operation of the vehicle occupant
safety apparatus 10. The pressure in the chamber 16 is represented
in FIG. 5 by the curve P. The scale for the curve P is shown on the
left side of FIG. 5. The volume of gas in the vehicle occupant
restraint 12 is represented in FIG. 5 by the curve V. The scale for
the curve V is shown on the right side of FIG. 5. At time T.sub.0,
the fuel gas in the mixture 18 of gases in the chamber 16 is
ignited, and the pressure in the chamber 16 begins to increase
above the storage pressure P.sub.s as a result of the combustion.
At time T.sub.1, the end wall 28 bursts and the pressurized gas
begins to flow into the vehicle occupant restraint 12. The volume
of gas in the vehicle occupant restraint 12 then begins to
increase, as indicated by the curve V. The pressure in the chamber
16 initially remains constant of continues to rise after the end
wall is opened since the combustion process continues to generate
heat and causes the gas mixture to expand at a rate faster than the
gas flows out through the orifice 44 into the vehicle occupant
restraint 12. As the combustion nears completion, the pressure in
the chamber 16 decreases as the pressurized gas moves from the
chamber 16 into the vehicle occupant restraint 12. As the pressure
in the chamber 16 decreases, the volume of gas in the vehicle
occupant restraint 12 increases until the vehicle occupant
restraint 12 is fully inflated for the purpose of restraining a
vehicle occupant.
FIG. 5 is merely representative of the operation of a vehicle
occupant restraint inflator in accordance with the present
invention. The curves shown in FIG. 5 can be modified in a number
of ways to tailor the volume versus time curves so that inflation
of the vehicle occupant restraint may be tailored for a specific
application for a specific vehicle. For example, the time to
inflate the vehicle occupant restraint 12 fully can be reduced by
increasing the fuel gas content of the mixture 18 of gases and/or
by increasing the oxidizer gas content. Additionally or
alternatively, the number of locations at which the fuel gas in the
mixture 18 of gases is ignited and/or the area of the control
orifice 44 can be increased. Further, combination of these changes
can be used to decrease the time to inflate the vehicle occupant
restraint 17. Conversely, the time to inflate the vehicle occupant
restraint 12 fully can be increased by, for example, decreasing the
fuel gas content and/or the oxidizer gas content of the mixture 18
of gases.
Embodiment I described above is the preferred embodiment of the
present invention. Below are descriptions of other embodiments of
the present invention which are alternative ways to practice the
invention.
Embodiment II
Since the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2 is
generally similar to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in
FIG. 1, similar numerals are utilized to designate similar
components, the suffix letter "a" is added to the numerals
designating the components of the embodiment of the invention
illustrated in FIG. 2 to avoid confusion.
A vehicle safety apparatus 10a (FIG. 2) includes an inflatable
vehicle occupant restraint 12a which is inflated by a flow of a gas
from a container 14a. The container 14a has a chamber 16a in which
a mixture 18a of gases is held. Like the mixture 18, the mixture
18a of gases includes a fuel gas, an oxidizer gas for supporting
combustion of the fuel gas, and inert gas. Alternatively, the
mixture 18a of gases may be a very fuel lean combustible gas
mixture of a fuel gas and an oxidizer gas. Also, the mixture 18a of
gases may be under pressure.
Upon the occurrence of a high rate of vehicle deceleration, a
deceleration sensor 22a activates an opener 60 to puncture
mechanically an end wall 28a of the container 14a. The opener 60
can comprise a piston which is moved against the end wall 28 by an
explosive charge. Preferably, at the same time, the deceleration
sensor 22a activates an igniter 24a to ignite the fuel gas in the
mixture 18a of gases. Thus, in the embodiment of the invention
illustrated in FIG. 2, the container 14a is opened by the opener 60
simultaneously with ignition of the fuel gas in the mixture 18a of
gases by the igniter 24a. Alternatively, the mixture of gases may
be ignited a short time after the puncturing of the end wall in
order to get a slightly "softer" of slower initial flow of gas into
the vehicle occupant restraint. Additionally, the mixture of gases
may be ignited prior to opening the end wall .[.28.].
.Iadd.28a.Iaddend.. As the fuel gas burns, the gas in the chamber
16a is heated. The heated gas flows from the chamber 16a through
the opening in the end wall 28a of the container 14a into the
vehicle component restraint 12a to inflate the vehicle occupant
restraint.
The mixture 18a of gases could have many different compositions.
The preferences for composition of the mixture 18a of gases are the
same as those described above concerning the mixture 18. In one
specific embodiment, the mixture 18a of gases includes dry air to
which approximately eleven molar percent hydrogen gas is added as
the fuel gas. Prior to opening of the container 16a by the opener
60 and ignition of the hydrogen gas in the mixture 18a of gases,
the mixture 18a of gases is held in the container 14a at a pressure
of approximately 2,000 psi. The preferences for storage pressure
for the mixture 18a of gases also are the same as those described
above concerning the mixture 18.
Embodiment III
A third embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3. Since
the components of this embodiment of the embodiments of the
invention illustrated in FIG. 1 and 2, similar numerals are
utilized to designate similar components, the suffix letter "b" is
associated with the numerals of FIG. 3 to avoid confusion.
A vehicle safety apparatus 10b (FIG. 3) includes a vehicle
component restraint 12b which is inflated by a flow of gas from a
container 14b to restrain movement of an occupant of a vehicle. The
container 14b includes an upper compartment 70 having an end wall
28b and a lower compartment 72. The upper and lower compartments 70
and 72 are separated from each other by an intermediate wall 74.
The upper compartment 70 contains a pressurized gas 78 which is not
combustible. The lower compartment 72 contains a pressurized
mixture 80 of gases. The mixture 80 of gases preferably contains a
fuel gas, an inert gas and an oxidizer gas for supporting
combustion of the fuel gas in a mixture with the inert gas.
Alternatively, the mixture 80 of gases may be an oxidizer gas and a
fuel gas in amounts which provide a very fuel lean mixture.
Upon the occurrence of sudden vehicle deceleration, a deceleration
sensor 22b activates an opener 60b to puncture the container end
wall 28b mechanically. Since the gas 78 in the upper compartment 70
is held under pressure, the gas 78 flows from the upper compartment
70 into the vehicle occupant restraint 12b when the end wall 28b is
punctured.
As the gas 78 flows from the upper compartment 70 into the vehicle
occupant restraint 12b, the pressure in the upper compartment 70 is
reduced. Consequently, the pressure differential between the
mixture 80 of gases in the lower compartment 72 and the gas 78 in
the upper compartment 70 increases. When a predetermined pressure
differential has been established between the gases in the upper
and lower compartments 70 and 72, the intermediate wall 74 bursts
to connect the lower compartment 72 in fluid communication with the
upper compartment 70. This results in the lower compartment 72
being connected in fluid communication with the vehicle occupant
restraint 12b through the upper compartment 70.
Bursting of the intermediate wall 74 by the pressure differential
is detected by a sensor 86. Alternatively, the sensor 86 may detect
that the wall 74 has deflected beyond a certain preset position.
Upon detecting that the intermediate wall 74 has burst or deflected
beyond a certain preset position, the sensor 86 activates an
igniter 88 to ignite the fuel gas in the mixture 80 of gases.
Ignition and the resulting burning of the fuel gas in the mixture
80 of gases heats the gas in the lower compartment 72. As the gas
in the lower compartment 72 is heated, the pressure in the lower
compartment 72 increases. Therefore, the rate of flow of gas
through the intermediate wall.[...]. 74 and the end wall 28b to the
vehicle occupant restraint 12b increases and the volume of gas
available for inflating the vehicle occupant restraint 12b
increases.
The upper compartment 70 may be filled with dry air at a pressure
of 2,000 psi. The mixture of gases in the lower compartment 72
could have many different composition at different pressures. The
lower compartment 72 may be filled with a mixture of gases at a
pressure of 2,000 psi. The mixture 80 of gases in the lower
compartment 72 may consist of 85 to 90 molar percent dry air and 10
to 15 molar percent hydrogen gas. It is contemplated that the upper
compartment 70 could be filled with nitrogen gas and the lower
compartment 72 could be filled with a mixture of nitrogen gas,
hydrogen gas, and an oxidizer gas. The mixture of gases in the
lower compartment 72 could also have any composition and/or storage
pressure described above concerning the mixture 18 of gases in the
embodiment of FIG. 1.
Although it is preferred to connect the lower compartment 72 in
fluid communication with the upper compartment 70 and the vehicle
occupant restraint 12b by rupturing the intermediate wall 74 when a
predetermined pressure differential is established between the
upper and lower compartments 70 and 72, the upper and lower
compartments 70 and 72 of the container 14b could be connected in
fluid communication in a different manner. For example, an opener,
similar to the opener 60b, could be provided to puncture the
intermediate wall 74 mechanically. Operation of the opener to
puncture the intermediate wall 74 and simultaneous operation of the
igniter 88 to ignite the fuel gas in the mixture 80 of gases would
take place at a predetermined time interval after the deceleration
sensor 22b detects the occurrence of sudden vehicle
deceleration.
Embodiment IV
A fourth embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6. In
this embodiment, hydrogen is stored under pressure in a container
100, and oxygen is stored under pressure in a container 101.
Container 100 has an outlet 102 in communication with a combustion
chamber 104 defined by a containing means 106. The container 101
also has an outlet 108 in communication with the combustion chamber
104.
The outlet 102 has a flow control orifice 110 and a burst disk 112.
When the burst disk 112 opens, hydrogen flows into the combustion
chamber 104 of the containing means 106. The flow of hydrogen is
controlled, in part, by the area of the flow control orifice 110.
The outlet 108 has a flow control orifice 114 and a burst disk 116.
When the burst disc 116 opens, oxygen flows into the combustion
chamber 104 of the containing means 106. The flow of oxygen is
controlled, in part, by the area of the flow control orifice 114.
Thus, when the burst disks 112, 116 open, the containing means 106
receives gases, i.e., hydrogen and oxygen, to provide a combustible
mixture of hydrogen and oxygen.
A suitable igniter 130 is associated with the containing means 106.
The igniter 130, when actuated, ignites the mixture of gases in the
combustion chamber 104 of the containing means 106 to increase the
pressure and warm the gas in the combustion chamber 104. The gas is
directed from the combustion chamber 104 through a flow control
orifice 131 and an outlet conduit 132 into the inflatable vehicle
occupant restraint 134. The flow control orifice 131 in part
controls the gas flow rate to the inflatable occupant restraint and
the pressure in the combustion chamber 104. The inflatable vehicle
occupant restraint 134 may be as described above in embodiment
I.
A suitable opener device 140 is associated with the burst disk 112.
When the opener device 140 is actuated, the burst disk 112 is
opened. Also, a suitable opener device 142 is associated with burst
disk 116. When the opener device 142 is actuated, the burst disk
116 is opened.
The opener devices 140, 142 are actuated by a vehicle deceleration
sensor sensing rapid vehicle deceleration as indicative of a
collision. As a result, the hydrogen and oxygen flow into and mix
together in combustion chamber 104. The vehicle deceleration sensor
also actuates the igniter 130 which, in turn, ignites the mixture
of hydrogen and oxygen in the combustion chamber 104. Ignition of
the mixture of gases in the combustion chamber 104 warms the gas
and increases the pressure of the gas in the combustion chamber
104. The gas then flows into the vehicle occupant restraint
134.
The amount of hydrogen and oxygen which are stored in containers
100, 101 may vary. It is desired that the amount of hydrogen in the
combustion chamber 104 is approximately 10 molar percent of the
total of the hydrogen and oxygen in the combustion chamber 104 and
the amount of oxygen in the combustion chamber 104 is approximately
90 molar percent of the total of the hydrogen and oxygen in the
combustion chamber 104. This provides oxygen substantially in
excess of that needed to support combustion of the hydrogen. Thus,
the vehicle occupant restraint is inflated by the oxygen and
products of combustion of the mixture of gas in the combustion
chamber 104. The products of combustion include water vapor.
Embodiment V
A fifth embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8
and 9. Since the components of this embodiment of the invention are
generally similar to the components of the embodiment of the
invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, similar numerals will be
utilized to designate similar components, the suffix letter "c" is
associated with the numerals of FIGS. 7-9 to avoid confusion.
A vehicle safety apparatus 10c (FIG. 7) includes a vehicle occupant
restraint (not shown) which is inflated by a flow of gas from a
container 14c. The container 14c has a chamber 16c which holds a
mixture 18c of gases. The mixture 18c of gases preferably includes
a fuel gas, an oxidizer gas for supporting combustion of the fuel
gas, and an inert gas. Alternatively, the mixture 18c of gases in
the container 14c may be an oxidizer gas and a fuel gas in amounts
which provide a very fuel lean mixture, i.e., the amount of
oxidizer gas exceeds the amount required to support combustion of
the fuel gas.
The mixture 18c of gases in the container 14c combusts, when
ignited, but otherwise is not explosive. The mixture 18c of gases
in the container 14c is normally under pressure. The mixture 18c of
gases has the same composition as the mixture 18 of gases described
in conjunction with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in
FIGS. 1-4.
Upon the occurrence of sudden vehicle deceleration, a deceleration
sensor (not shown), of any known and suitable construction,
transmits a signal over conductors 150 and 152 to activate an
igniter 24c. Activation of the igniter 24c ignites the fuel gas in
the mixture 18c of gases. The combustion of the fuel gas in the
mixture 18c is supported by the oxidizer gas. As the fuel gas
burns, the pressure in the chamber 16c rises due to heat supplied
by the igniter 24c and by the burning of the fuel gas.
When a predetermined pressure is reached in the chamber 16c, or
after a predetermined time, a burst disk (not shown) in a burst
disk assembly 156, bursts and warm gas flows into the vehicle
occupant restraint through one or more flow controlling orifices.
As the gas flows into the vehicle occupant restraint, the gas
inflates the vehicle occupant restraint into a predetermined
position for restraining a vehicle occupant
In accordance with a feature of this embodiment of the invention,
the igniter 24c is operable to transmit energy through an
imperforate wall portion 160 (FIG. 8) of the container 14c to
effect ignition of the mixture 18c of gases in the container 14c.
The igniter 24c includes an ignitable outer charge 164 disposed
adjacent to an importance outer side surface 166 of the wall
portion 160. The outer charge 164 is enclosed by a cylindrical
metal housing 170 which is welded to the imperforate outer side 166
of the wall portion 160. The outer charge 164 engages the
imperforate outer side 166 of the wall portion 160.
An ignitable inner charge 174 is disposed in engagement with an
imperforate inner side 176 of the wall portion 160. The inner
charge 174 is enclosed in a cylindrical metal housing 178 which is
welded to the imperforate inner side 176 of the wall portion 160. A
circular sealing disk 186 blocks exposure of the inner charge 174
to the mixture of gases in the chamber 18c.
In one specific embodiment of the invention, the ignitable outer
charge 164 may be RDX (Royal Danish Explosive). However, HMX (Her
Majesty's Explosive) could be utilized if desired. The outer charge
164 and inner charge 174 both have a cylindrical configuration with
a diameter of about 0.100 inches.
In the specific illustrated embodiments of the invention, the inner
charge 174 is in two sections, a cylindrical outer section 180 and
a cylindrical inner section 182. The outer section 180 is made of
pentaerythritol tetranitrate. The inner section 182 is made of
boron potassium nitrate (BKNO.sub.3). In this specific embodiment
of the invention, the cylinder 14c is formed of 304 stainless steel
vacuum arc remelt. The portion 160 of the cylinder wall between the
outer charge 164 and the inner charge 174 has a thickness of about
0.085 inches.
The igniter 24c also includes an elongated ignition line 192. The
ignition line 193 has an end portion 194 disposed adjacent to the
inner charge 174 and sealing disk 186. The end portion 194 (FIG. 8)
of the ignition line 192 is telescopically mounted in the housing
178 so that the end of the ignition line 192 is in abutting
engagement with the sealing disk 186 and is closely adjacent to the
inner charge 174. The ignition line 192 has a longitudinal central
axis which is coincident with a longitudinal central axis of the
container 14c. The ignition line 192 extends from the housing 178
through a central portion of the container 14c toward a right (as
viewed in FIG. 7) end portion of the container. Thus, the ignition
line 192 has an end portion 196 (FIG. 7) disposed adjacent to the
burst disk assembly 156.
Although the end portion 196 of the ignition line 192 is shown in
FIG. 7 as being unsupported, a support could be provided on the
inner side of the burst disk assembly 156 or the side wall of the
container 14c. Also, if desired, the ignition line 192 could be
offset to one side of the central axis of the container 14c.
The ignition line 192 (FIG. 8) includes a cylindrical sheath 202.
The sheath 202 is fabricated of a frangible material such as
plastic, ceramic, or a composite material. An elongated core 204 is
disposed within the sheath 202. The core 204 is formed of
non-detonative, ignitive material and has a high heat of
combustion.
The core 204 is formed in three cylindrical strands 206, 208, and
210 (FIG. 9) which are enclosed by an imperforate cylindrical side
wall of the sheath 202. The strands 206, 208 and 210 include
longitudinally extending support elements 214 coated with a
non-detonative ignitive mixture of powdered fuel, oxidant and a
suitable binder. The support elements 214 are fabricated of a
material such as glass fibers, metal or a polymeric material.
The area bounded by the sheath 202 is larger than the transverse
cross-sectional area of the core 204. Therefore, there are spaces
220 between the core strands 206, 208, 210 and the sheath 202 and
between the core strands themselves. An adherent powdery ignition
layer 222, composed of the same material as the strands 206, 208,
210, is disposed on the inner side of the sheath 202.
The ignition line 192 is commercially available from Explosive
Technology in Fairfield, Calif. and is known as ITLX. Although the
ignition line 192 has been disclosed as having a cylindrical sheath
202 and a core 204 formed of three strands 206, 208 and 210, it is
contemplated that the ignition line 192 could have many different
constructions, such as those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,220,087,
issued Sep. 7, 1980 and entitled "Linear Ignition Fuse".
Upon the occurrence of sudden vehicle deceleration, the
deceleration sensor (not shown) transmits a signal over the lines
150 and 152 to effect ignition of the outer charge 164. Ignition of
the outer charge 164 results in vibration of the imperforate wall
portion 160 of the container 14c. The force transmitted by
vibration of the wall portion 160 between the charges 164 and 174
causes ignition of the section 180 of the inner charge 174. The
ignites the charge section 182. Ignition of the charge sections 180
and 182 of the inner charge 174 destroys the sealing disk 186 and
ignites the core 204 at the end portion 194 of the ignition line
192.
Upon ignition of the core 204, the ignition reaction is propagated
at a very high speed, on the order of 1,000-5,000 meters per
second, along the ignition line 192. As the reaction travels along
the ignition line 192, the sheath 202 is shattered. Shattering the
sheath 202 results to small, incandescent particles of reaction
products being radically projected from the ignition line 192.
Heat provided by the ignition of the ignition line 192 quickly
heats the gas immediately adjacent to the surface of the sheath 202
to a temperature of approximately 1,000.degree. F. This ignites the
combustible mixture 18c of gases in the chamber 16c. In addition,
the small, incandescent particles of reaction products projected
from the ignition line 192 as the sheath 202 is shattered are
effective to ignite the mixture 18c of combustible gases at
locations speed from the ignition line.
Thus, the ignition line 192 performs the dual functions of heating
the mixture 18c of gases in the container 14c and of igniting the
mixture of gases. Since the ignition line 192 adds a substantial
amount of heat to the mixture 18c of gases, a lower amount of the
fuel gas is required than would be the case if a different type of
igniter was utilized.
From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the
art will perceive applications, improvements, changes and
modifications to the present invention. For example, the gas in the
container 101 (FIG. 6) might include an inert gas, such as
nitrogen, as well as oxygen. In an alternative to the FIG. 6
embodiment, an inert gas might be stored under pressure in a
separate container similar to the container 100 and 101. The
apparatus of the present invention may also be used for inflating
devices other than an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint known
as an air bag. For example, the apparatus of the present invention
may be used to inflate an inflatable vehicle seat belt, a raft, an
escape chute, etc. Such applications, improvements, changes and
modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be
covered by the appended claims.
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