Method and apparatus for generating gaseous mixtures for inflatable devices

Claim 2

Apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, comprising: means having first and second interconnected zones for containing fluid inflation media under pressure; a container for holding a charge of primary fluid inflation media under pressure within said first zone; a control assembly for housing a pyrotechnic charge; means forming part of said control assembly for igniting said pyrotechnic charge to generate high temperature secondary fluid inflation media; means for introducing said secondary fluid media to both said first and second zones to form a first fluid mixture in said first zone having one proportion of secondary to primary fluid media, and a second fluid mixture in said second zone incuding the first fluid mixture having a greater proportion of secondary to primary fluid media, said introducing means including a diffuser tube having one end in communication with said control assembly for receiving the high temperature secondary fluid inflation media and also in communication with said second zone, the other end of said diffuser tube extending inwardly of said container and having a plurality of orifices positioned around its circumference to allow fluid within the tube to pass into said container; and means for introducing said second fluid mixture to said inflatable device.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the interconnection between said zones comprises a conduit to conduct the passage of fluid from one zone to the other.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said diffuser tube is in fluid flow communication with said conduit, and a first pressure-sensitive element normally sealing said conduit and having a pressure surface in fluid flow communication with said second zone, said first element being adapted to burst when the pressure within said second zone reaches a first predetermined value to release the second fluid mixture.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means for introducing said high temperature secondary fluid to said second zone includes an orifice former between said second zone and the pyrotechnic charge, said conduit having an outlet passage extending from said second zone to provide fluid flow communication with the inflatable device.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising means forming a second outlet passage from said first zone, a second pressure-sensitive element normally sealing said second outlet passage and having a pressure surface in fluid flow communication with the primary fluid of said first zone and, said second element being adapted to burst when the pressure within said first zone reaches a second predetermined value greater than said first value, and means communicating with said second outlet passage to enable the primary fluid to vent when said second element bursts.

Claim 7

Apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, comprising: an enclosure having first and second interconnected but separately defined zones for containing fluid inflation media under pressure; a charge of primary fluid inflation media within said first zone; a control assembly mounted on said enclosure and having a chamber containing a pyrotechnic charge; means forming part of said control assembly for igniting said pyrotechnic charge to generate high temperature secondary fluid inflation media; means substantially enveloping said pyrotechnic charGe for retaining within said chamber thermal energy generated by ignition of said charge; means for introducing said secondary fluid media to said first and second zones to form a first fluid mixture in said first zone having one proportion of secondary to primary fluid media, and a second fluid mixture in said second zone having a greater proportion of secondary to primary fluid media; and means for introducing said second fluid mixture to said inflatable device.

Claim 8

Apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, comprising: an enclosure having first and second interconnected but separately defined zones for containing fluid inflation media under pressure; a charge of primary fluid inflation media within said first zone; a control assembly mounted on said enclosure and having a chamber containing a pyrotechnic charge; means forming part of said control assembly for igniting said pyrotechnic charge to generate high temperature secondary fluid inflation media; means substantially enveloping said pyrotechnic charGe for retaining within said chamber thermal energy generated by ignition of said charge; means for introducing said secondary fluid media to said first and second zones to form a first fluid mixture in said first zone having one proportion of secondary to primary fluid media, and a second fluid mixture in said second zone having a greater proportion of secondary to primary fluid media; and means for introducing said second fluid mixture to said inflatable device.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said enveloping means comprises at least a first substantially cylindrical heat shield within said chamber and surrounding a major portion of the surface area of said pyrotechnic charge.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said heat shield is corrugated.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said enveloping means further comprises a second substantially cylindrical heat shield member positioned between said corrugated shield and the internal walls of said chamber.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said enveloping means comprises a heat-resistant resilient material coating one end of said chamber, and having a substantially planar inner surface engaging the corresponding end of said pyrotechnic charge.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said resilient material comprises silicone rubber.

Claim 16

Apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, comprising: means for containing a charge of primary fluid inflation media within a first zone; means defining a second zone including means for interconnecting said first and second zones, a control assembly containing a pyrotechnic charge; said control assembly including means for igniting said pyrotechnic charge to produce a high temperature secondary fluid inflation media; an outlet conduit communicating with said second zone and including a rupturable pressure responsive device therein for normally blocking discharge of fluid from said outlet conduit, and means for introducing said secondary fluid media to both said first and second zones at all times that said secondary fluid is being produced to form a first fluid mixture in said first zone having one proportion of secondary to primary fluid media, the first mixture being conveyed by said interconnecting means to form a second fluid mixture in said second zone having a greater proportion of secondary to primary fluid media, said pressure responsive means being ruptured in response to the fluid present in said second zone at a predetermined pressure to permit discharge of the second fluid mixture from said outlet conduit; and means for introducing said second fluid mixture to said inflatable device.

Claim 17

Apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, comprising: means for containing a charge of primary fluid inflation media within a first zone; means defining a second zone including means for interconnecting said first and second zones, a control assembly containing a pyrotechnic charge; said control assembly including means for igniting said pyrotechnic charge to produce a high temperature secondary fluid inflation media; an outlet conduit communicating with said second zone and including a rupturable pressure responsive device therein for normally blocking discharge of fluid from said outlet conduit, and means for introducing said secondary fluid media to both said first and second zones at all times that said secondary fluid is being produced to form a first fluid mixture in said first zone having one proportion of secondary to primary fluid media, the first mixture being conveyed by said interconnecting means to form a second fluid mixture in said second zone having a greater proportion of secondary to primary fluid media, said pressure responsive means being ruptured in response to the fluid present in said second zone at a predetermined pressure to permit discharge of the second fluid mixture from said outlet conduit; and means for introducing said second fluid mixture to said inflatable device.