US3813112A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle shock absorption system and high-pressure gas producing device therefor
Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
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Filing: 1972-03-21
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Granted: 1974-05-28
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Expires: 1992-03-21
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle shock absorption system includes an inflatable casing which is inflated by a pressure-gas producing device when an accident-sensing device indicates that a collision is about to take place. The high-pressure fluid source comprises means for generating high-pressure gases rapidly and for directing them into the casing for inflating it. The gas generating device includes a housing in which there is located an ignitable charge having a rapid combustion rate which is ignited by an accidentsensing device to generate combustion gases which are directed first into association with a solid coolant and then through one or more nozzles for inflating one or more inflatable casings or bags which are adapted to hold a passenger against impact when a collision is likely to occur.
Inventors
- 👤 G Hermann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:27
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/20; B60R21/203; B60R21/26; B60R21/264; B60R21/2644; F; F42; F42B; F42B3/00; F42B3/04; B60R2021/26029
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
In a shock absorbing system including an inflatable casing for holding and supporting a vehicle occupant against impact in an impending collision, the improvement comprising a generator for producing gas under pressure to inflate the casing including a generator housing having an interior gas generating chamber with at least one discharge nozzle having axially adjacent convergent and divergent walls and a discharge adapted to be connected to the casing to be filled, an ignitable rocket propellant charge in said housing having a rapid combustion speed, means for igniting said charge to generate high-pressure combustion gases in said housing for flow through said nozzle to the casing to inflate the casing, and a solid coolant associated with said housing having a surface located in the path of flow of the gases over which the gases flow for cooling the gases which are generated, said generator housing including a ring-shaped gas generating chamber, said housing having a central core with a recess accommodating said ignition means, and overload bores defined in said core from said recess accommodating said ignition means and extending into said gas generating chamber, said combustion charge comprising a burled disc charge, the overload bores leading to the inner surface of said charge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
In a shock absorbing system including an inflatable casing for holding and supporting a vehicle occupant against impact in an impending collision, the improvement comprising a generator for producing gas under pressure to inflate the casing including a generator housing having an interior gas generating chamber with at least one discharge nozzle having axially adjacent convergent and divergent walls and a discharge adapted to be connected to the casing to be filled, an ignitable rocket propellant charge in said housing having a rapid combustion speed, means for igniting said charge to generate high-pressure combustion gases in said housing for flow through said nozzle to the casing to inflate the casing, and a solid coolant associated with said housing having a surface located in the path of flow of the gases over which the gases flow for cooling the gases which are generated, said generator housing including a ring-shaped gas generating chamber, said housing having a central core with a recess accommodating said ignition means, and overload bores defined in said core from said recess accommodating said ignition means and extending into said gas generating chamber, said combustion charge comprising a burled disc charge, the overload bores leading to the inner surface of said charge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
207 words
In a shock absorbing system including an inflatable casing for holding and supporting a vehicle occupant against impact in an impending collision, the improvement comprising a generator for producing gas under pressure to inflate the casing including a generator housing having an interior gas generating chamber with at least one discharge nozzle having axially adjacent convergent and divergent walls and a discharge adapted to be connected to the casing to be filled, an ignitable rocket propellant charge in said housing having a rapid combustion speed, means for igniting said charge to generate high-pressure combustion gases in said housing for flow through said nozzle to the casing to inflate the casing, and a solid coolant associated with said housing having a surface located in the path of flow of the gases over which the gases flow for cooling the gases which are generated, said generator housing including a ring-shaped gas generating chamber, said housing having a central core with a recess accommodating said ignition means, and overload bores defined in said core from said recess accOmmodating said ignition means and extending into said gas generating chamber, wherein said charge comprises a burled helical coil charge, the overload bores leading to the fact of said charge facing said nozzle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
207 words
In a shock absorbing system including an inflatable casing for holding and supporting a vehicle occupant against impact in an impending collision, the improvement comprising a generator for producing gas under pressure to inflate the casing including a generator housing having an interior gas generating chamber with at least one discharge nozzle having axially adjacent convergent and divergent walls and a discharge adapted to be connected to the casing to be filled, an ignitable rocket propellant charge in said housing having a rapid combustion speed, means for igniting said charge to generate high-pressure combustion gases in said housing for flow through said nozzle to the casing to inflate the casing, and a solid coolant associated with said housing having a surface located in the path of flow of the gases over which the gases flow for cooling the gases which are generated, said generator housing including a ring-shaped gas generating chamber, said housing having a central core with a recess accommodating said ignition means, and overload bores defined in said core from said recess accOmmodating said ignition means and extending into said gas generating chamber, wherein said charge comprises a burled helical coil charge, the overload bores leading to the fact of said charge facing said nozzle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
170 words
In a shock absorbing system including an inflatable casing for holding and supporting a vehicle occupant against impact in an impending collision, the improvement comprising a generator for producing gas under pressure to inflate the casing including a generator housing having an interior gas generating chamber with at least one discharge nozzle having axially adjacent convergent and divergent walls and a discharge adapted to be connected to the casing to be filled, an ignitable rocket propellant charge in said housing having a rapid combustion speed, means for igniting said charge to generate high-pressure combustion gases in said housing for flow through said nozzle to the casing to inflate the casing, and a solid coolant associated with said housing having a surface located in the path of flow of the gases over which the gases flow for cooling the gases which are generated, wherein said housing includes an end wall having said discharge nozzle, said end wall having an interior recess, said coolant being located within said recess facing said charge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
170 words
In a shock absorbing system including an inflatable casing for holding and supporting a vehicle occupant against impact in an impending collision, the improvement comprising a generator for producing gas under pressure to inflate the casing including a generator housing having an interior gas generating chamber with at least one discharge nozzle having axially adjacent convergent and divergent walls and a discharge adapted to be connected to the casing to be filled, an ignitable rocket propellant charge in said housing having a rapid combustion speed, means for igniting said charge to generate high-pressure combustion gases in said housing for flow through said nozzle to the casing to inflate the casing, and a solid coolant associated with said housing having a surface located in the path of flow of the gases over which the gases flow for cooling the gases which are generated, wherein said housing includes an end wall having said discharge nozzle, said end wall having an interior recess, said coolant being located within said recess facing said charge.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
197 words
A device for generating high-pressure gases particularly for use in inflating a shock absorption system casing, comprising a housing having a discharge end wall adapted to be connected to the casing with at least one nozzle therein with convergent and divergent walls for the discharge of gases which are generated, a solid charge inside said housing of an ignitable material having a high combustion rate, an ignition charge in said housing for igniting said solid charge, and a solid coolant carrier in said housing opposite to said charge in a position to be contacted on its surface by the gases which are generated as they flow through said thrust nozzle, said housing including a central core having a recess defining an igniting charge compartment, the space around said core and between said core in the outer walls of said housing defining an annular solid charge combustion chamber, a solid charge positioning in said combustion chamber, passage means defined between said ignition charge chamber and said combustion charge chamber, and an ignition charge in said ignition charge chamber, said housing wall having said thrust nozzle having an interior recess and said solid coolant being accommodated within said recess.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
197 words
A device for generating high-pressure gases particularly for use in inflating a shock absorption system casing, comprising a housing having a discharge end wall adapted to be connected to the casing with at least one nozzle therein with convergent and divergent walls for the discharge of gases which are generated, a solid charge inside said housing of an ignitable material having a high combustion rate, an ignition charge in said housing for igniting said solid charge, and a solid coolant carrier in said housing opposite to said charge in a position to be contacted on its surface by the gases which are generated as they flow through said thrust nozzle, said housing including a central core having a recess defining an igniting charge compartment, the space around said core and between said core in the outer walls of said housing defining an annular solid charge combustion chamber, a solid charge positioning in said combustion chamber, passage means defined between said ignition charge chamber and said combustion charge chamber, and an ignition charge in said ignition charge chamber, said housing wall having said thrust nozzle having an interior recess and said solid coolant being accommodated within said recess.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
A device for generating high-pressure gases, according to claim 4, including a distributor plate in said combustion chamber between said solid coolant and said solid charge and having a passage means defined therethrough for directing the gases which are generated by ignition of said solid charge into associated with said coolant before they have moved out through said thrust nozzle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device for generating high-pressure gases, according to claim 5, including a plurality of thrust nozzles defined in said end wall of said housing.
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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) | 1977-05-27 | 1977-11-26 | 1978-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-27 | 1981-11-26 | 1982-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-27 | 1985-11-26 | 1986-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |