US3653684A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pressure vessel valve assembly
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1970-06-18
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Granted: 1972-04-04
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Expires: 1990-06-18
Abstract
Abstract A pressure vessel for an inflatable restraint cushion contains superatmospheric fluid. The vessel opens to an annular passageway which in turn opens radially for communication with the cushion adjacent a closed end thereof. The passageway is sealed intermediate its ends by a rupturable main diaphragm. A slidable piston is located within the passageway adjacent the pressure vessel and is normally held against movement by a shearable pin carried by the piston and fitting within openings in the wall of the passageway. The piston is not sealed to the passageway so that both faces of the piston are thus subjected to the pressure of the fluid. A rupturable auxiliary diaphragm closes an opening which communicates the one portion of the passageway between the piston and main diaphragm with the atmosphere. An acceleration responsive sensor is mounted on the passageway and, upon receiving an acceleration pulse of predetermined amplitude and time, releases an operator to rupture the auxiliary diaphragm and vent the one portion of the passageway to atmosphere. The differential pressure drives the piston along the passageway and through the main diaphragm to rupture this diaphragm and communicate the cushion with the pressure fluid for inflation thereof. A metal plug at the closed end of the passageway is engaged by the piston to arrest its movement.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy D Plumer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:50
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/26; B60R21/268; B60R21/33; F; F16; F16K; F16K13/00; F16K13/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0753
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A pressure vessel valve assembly comprising, in combination, a pressure vessel communicating with an inflatable restraint cushion, a rupturable diaphragm blocking communication of the vessel with the inflatable cushion, a supply of fluid at super atmospheric pressure contained within the pressure vessel, diaphragm rupturing piston means located in predetermined relationship to the diaphragm, means equally applying the pressure fluid to opposite faces of the piston means, means for applying a differential pressure to the opposite faces of piston means in response to the pressure vessel receiving an acceleration pulse of predetermined amplitude and time to drive the piston means through the diaphragm and rupture the diaphragm to release the pressure fluid and inflate the inflatable cushion, and means for arresting the piston means upon rupture of the diaphragm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A pressure vessel valve assembly comprising, in combination, a pressure vessel communicating with an inflatable restraint cushion, a rupturable diaphragm blocking communication of the vessel with the inflatable cushion, a supply of fluid at super atmospheric pressure contained within the pressure vessel, diaphragm rupturing piston means located in predetermined relationship to the diaphragm, means equally applying the pressure fluid to opposite faces of the piston means, means for applying a differential pressure to the opposite faces of piston means in response to the pressure vessel receiving an acceleration pulse of predetermined amplitude and time to drive the piston means through the diaphragm and rupture the diaphragm to release the pressure fluid and inflate the inflatable cushion, and means for arresting the piston means upon rupture of the diaphragm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
127 words
A pressure vessel valve assembly comprising, in combination, a pressure vessel, a passageway communicating therewith and with an inflatable restraint cushion, a rupturable diaphragm blocking communication of the passageway with the inflatable cushion, a supply of fluid at super atmospheric pressure contained within the pressure vessel and passageway, a diaphragm rupturing piston located within the passageway in predetermined relationship to the diaphragm, means for communicating the portion of the passageway between the piston and the diaphragm to ambient atmospheric pressure in response to the pressure vessel receiving an acceleration pulse of predetermined amplitude and time to drive the piston through the diaphragm and rupture the diaphragm to release the pressure fluid and inflate the inflatable cushion, and means for arresting the piston upon rupture of the diaphragm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
127 words
A pressure vessel valve assembly comprising, in combination, a pressure vessel, a passageway communicating therewith and with an inflatable restraint cushion, a rupturable diaphragm blocking communication of the passageway with the inflatable cushion, a supply of fluid at super atmospheric pressure contained within the pressure vessel and passageway, a diaphragm rupturing piston located within the passageway in predetermined relationship to the diaphragm, means for communicating the portion of the passageway between the piston and the diaphragm to ambient atmospheric pressure in response to the pressure vessel receiving an acceleration pulse of predetermined amplitude and time to drive the piston through the diaphragm and rupture the diaphragm to release the pressure fluid and inflate the inflatable cushion, and means for arresting the piston upon rupture of the diaphragm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
152 words
A pressure vessel valve assembly comprising, in combination, a pressure vessel, an annular passageway communicating therewith and with an inflatable restraint cushion, a rupturable diaphragm blocking communication of the passageway with the inflatable cushion, a supply of fluid at super atmospheric pressure contained within the pressure vessel and passageway, an annular piston located within the passageway and having diaphragm rupturing means on one face thereof located in predetermined relationship to the diaphragm, means for communicating the portion of the passageway between the one face of the piston and the diaphragm to ambient atmospheric pressure in response to the pressure vessel receiving an acceleration pulse of predetermined amplitude and time, the resultant differential pressure between the piston faces driving the piston and diaphragm rupturing means throuGh the diaphragm to rupture the diaphragm and release the pressure fluid to inflate the inflatable cushion, and means for arresting the piston upon rupture of the diaphragm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
152 words
A pressure vessel valve assembly comprising, in combination, a pressure vessel, an annular passageway communicating therewith and with an inflatable restraint cushion, a rupturable diaphragm blocking communication of the passageway with the inflatable cushion, a supply of fluid at super atmospheric pressure contained within the pressure vessel and passageway, an annular piston located within the passageway and having diaphragm rupturing means on one face thereof located in predetermined relationship to the diaphragm, means for communicating the portion of the passageway between the one face of the piston and the diaphragm to ambient atmospheric pressure in response to the pressure vessel receiving an acceleration pulse of predetermined amplitude and time, the resultant differential pressure between the piston faces driving the piston and diaphragm rupturing means throuGh the diaphragm to rupture the diaphragm and release the pressure fluid to inflate the inflatable cushion, and means for arresting the piston upon rupture of the diaphragm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
177 words
A pressure vessel valve assembly comprising, in combination, a pressure vessel, having an annular passageway communicating therewith and with an inflatable restraint cushion, a rupturable diaphragm blocking communication of the passageway with the inflatable cushion, a supply of fluid at super atmospheric pressure contained within the pressure vessel and passageway, an annular piston located within the passageway and having diaphragm rupturing means on one face thereof, shearable means on the piston engageable with the passageway to locate the piston in predetermined relationship to the diaphragm, rupturable means blocking communication of the portion of the passageway between the one face of the piston and the diaphragm to ambient atmospheric pressure, means rupturing the rupturable means in response to the pressure vessel receiving an acceleration pulse of predetermined amplitude and time, the resultant differential pressure between the piston faces shearing the shearable means and driving the piston and diaphragm rupturing means through the diaphragm to rupture the diaphragm and release the pressure fluid to inflate the inflatable cushion, and means for arresting the piston upon rupture of the diaphragm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
177 words
A pressure vessel valve assembly comprising, in combination, a pressure vessel, having an annular passageway communicating therewith and with an inflatable restraint cushion, a rupturable diaphragm blocking communication of the passageway with the inflatable cushion, a supply of fluid at super atmospheric pressure contained within the pressure vessel and passageway, an annular piston located within the passageway and having diaphragm rupturing means on one face thereof, shearable means on the piston engageable with the passageway to locate the piston in predetermined relationship to the diaphragm, rupturable means blocking communication of the portion of the passageway between the one face of the piston and the diaphragm to ambient atmospheric pressure, means rupturing the rupturable means in response to the pressure vessel receiving an acceleration pulse of predetermined amplitude and time, the resultant differential pressure between the piston faces shearing the shearable means and driving the piston and diaphragm rupturing means through the diaphragm to rupture the diaphragm and release the pressure fluid to inflate the inflatable cushion, and means for arresting the piston upon rupture of the diaphragm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
191 words
A pressure vessel valve assembly comprising, in combination, a pressure vessel, an annular passageway communicating axially therewith and radially with an inflatable restraint cushion, a rupturable diaphragm locking communication of the passageway with the inflatable cushion, a supply of fluid at super atmospheric pressure contained within the pressure vessel and passageway, an annular piston located within the passageway and having a tapered one face, shearable means on the piston engageable with the passageway to locate the tapered face in predetermined relationship to the diaphragm, a second rupturable diaphragm blocking communication of the portion of the passageway between the one face of the piston and the first diaphragm to ambient atmospheric pressure, means rupturing the second diaphragm in response to the pressure vessel receiving an acceleration pulse of predetermined amplitude and time, the resultant differential pressure between the piston faces shearing the shearable means driving the tapered face of the piston through the first diaphragm to rupture the first diaphragm and release the pressure fluid to inflate the inflatable cushion, and energy absorbing means engageable by the tapered face of the piston for arresting the piston upon rupture of the first diaphragm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
191 words
A pressure vessel valve assembly comprising, in combination, a pressure vessel, an annular passageway communicating axially therewith and radially with an inflatable restraint cushion, a rupturable diaphragm locking communication of the passageway with the inflatable cushion, a supply of fluid at super atmospheric pressure contained within the pressure vessel and passageway, an annular piston located within the passageway and having a tapered one face, shearable means on the piston engageable with the passageway to locate the tapered face in predetermined relationship to the diaphragm, a second rupturable diaphragm blocking communication of the portion of the passageway between the one face of the piston and the first diaphragm to ambient atmospheric pressure, means rupturing the second diaphragm in response to the pressure vessel receiving an acceleration pulse of predetermined amplitude and time, the resultant differential pressure between the piston faces shearing the shearable means driving the tapered face of the piston through the first diaphragm to rupture the first diaphragm and release the pressure fluid to inflate the inflatable cushion, and energy absorbing means engageable by the tapered face of the piston for arresting the piston upon rupture of the first diaphragm.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-04 | 1975-10-04 | 1976-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-04 | 1979-10-04 | 1980-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-04 | 1983-10-04 | 1984-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |