US3856181A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflator
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1973-06-25
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1993-06-25
Abstract
Abstract An inflator of the augmented type includes a pressure vessel having an outlet opening to an occupant restraint system and a combustion chamber containing a gas generating charge of propellant and having an outlet opening to the pressure vessel. A rupturable seal closes the pressure vessel outlet. A pressure deflectable and rupturable seal closes the outlet of the combustion chamber. A rod has one end fixed to the pressure vessel seal and the other end fixed to the combustion chamber seal to rigidly interconnect these members to each other. When the pressure vessel is filled, the pressure of the fluid seats the deflectable seal on the combustion chamber to correspond the spacing of the seals to the length of the rod. By fixedly interconnecting the seals, the pressure of the fluid on one seal tending to rupture it in one direction is resisted by the pressure of the fluid on the other tending to rupture it in the other direction.
Inventors
- 👤 R Merrell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:18
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/26; B60R21/268; B60R21/272; B01; B01J; B01J7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
An inflator comprising, in combination, a pressure vessel containing pressure fluid and having an outlet for communicating the inflator with an occupant restraint cushion, first closure means closing the outlet, a combustion chamber containing a charge of propellant for generating gas and having an outlet for communicating the combustion chamber with the pressure vessel, second closure means closing the chamber outlet, the first and second closure means being rupturable in directions opposite of each other under the pressure of the fluid within the pressure vessel, rigid elongate means, means mounting the rigid means to each closure means whereby each closure means under the pressure of the fluid within the vessel exerts a force on the other closure means in a direction opposite its rupturable direction, and means for adjusting one of the mounting means to correspond the spacing of the first and second closure means to the length of the rigid elongate means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
An inflator comprising, in combination, a pressure vessel containing pressure fluid and having an outlet for communicating the inflator with an occupant restraint cushion, first closure means closing the outlet, a combustion chamber containing a charge of propellant for generating gas and having an outlet for communicating the combustion chamber with the pressure vessel, second closure means closing the chamber outlet, the first and second closure means being rupturable in directions opposite of each other under the pressure of the fluid within the pressure vessel, rigid elongate means, means mounting the rigid means to each closure means whereby each closure means under the pressure of the fluid within the vessel exerts a force on the other closure means in a direction opposite its rupturable direction, and means for adjusting one of the mounting means to correspond the spacing of the first and second closure means to the length of the rigid elongate means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
174 words
An inflator comprising, in combination, a pressure vessel containing pressure fluid and having an outlet for communicating the inflator with an occupant restraint cushion, a rupturable closure closing the outlet, a combustion chamber containing a charge of propellant for generating gas and having an outlet for communicating the combustion chamber with the pressure vessel, closure means closing the chamber outlet and including a pressure deflectable and rupturable portion, the closure being rupturable in one direction under the pressure of the fluid within the pressure vessel and the pressure deflectable portion being deflectable and rupturable in an opposite direction under the pressure of the fluid within the pressure vessel, and rigid elongate means interconnecting the closure and the deflectable portion of the closure means, the closure and the deflectable portion under the pressure of the fluid within the vessel each exerting a force on the other in a direction opposite its rupturable direction, the deflection of the deflectable portion corresponding the length of the elongate means to the spacing of the closure and deflectable portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
174 words
An inflator comprising, in combination, a pressure vessel containing pressure fluid and having an outlet for communicating the inflator with an occupant restraint cushion, a rupturable closure closing the outlet, a combustion chamber containing a charge of propellant for generating gas and having an outlet for communicating the combustion chamber with the pressure vessel, closure means closing the chamber outlet and including a pressure deflectable and rupturable portion, the closure being rupturable in one direction under the pressure of the fluid within the pressure vessel and the pressure deflectable portion being deflectable and rupturable in an opposite direction under the pressure of the fluid within the pressure vessel, and rigid elongate means interconnecting the closure and the deflectable portion of the closure means, the closure and the deflectable portion under the pressure of the fluid within the vessel each exerting a force on the other in a direction opposite its rupturable direction, the deflection of the deflectable portion corresponding the length of the elongate means to the spacing of the closure and deflectable portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
110 words
An inflator comprising, in combination, a pressure vessel containing pressure fluid, a combustion chamber containing a charge of propellant for generating gas and having an outlet for communicating the combustion chamber with the pressure vessel, closure means closing the chamber outlet, and including a pressure deflectable portion, and rigid elongate means interconnecting a portion of the pressure vessel and the pressure deflectable portion to support the pressure deflectable portion against rupture under the pressure of the fluid within the vessel, the pressure defLectable portion deflecting under the pressure of the fluid to correspond the length of the elongate means to the spacing between the deflectable portion and pressure vessel portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
110 words
An inflator comprising, in combination, a pressure vessel containing pressure fluid, a combustion chamber containing a charge of propellant for generating gas and having an outlet for communicating the combustion chamber with the pressure vessel, closure means closing the chamber outlet, and including a pressure deflectable portion, and rigid elongate means interconnecting a portion of the pressure vessel and the pressure deflectable portion to support the pressure deflectable portion against rupture under the pressure of the fluid within the vessel, the pressure defLectable portion deflecting under the pressure of the fluid to correspond the length of the elongate means to the spacing between the deflectable portion and pressure vessel portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
118 words
An inflator comprising, in combination, a pressure vessel containing pressure fluid and having an outlet portion for communicating the inflator with an occupant restraint cushion, rupturable closure means closing the outlet, rigid elongate means, first means mounting one end of the rigid elongate means to the outlet portion of the pressure vessel, second means mounting the other end of the rigid elongate means to another portion of the pressure vessel, one of said mounting means including means for adjusting the rigid elongate means relative to a respective portion of the pressure vessel under the pressure of the fluid within the pressure vessel for corresponding the spacing of the mounting means to the length of the rigid elongate means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
118 words
An inflator comprising, in combination, a pressure vessel containing pressure fluid and having an outlet portion for communicating the inflator with an occupant restraint cushion, rupturable closure means closing the outlet, rigid elongate means, first means mounting one end of the rigid elongate means to the outlet portion of the pressure vessel, second means mounting the other end of the rigid elongate means to another portion of the pressure vessel, one of said mounting means including means for adjusting the rigid elongate means relative to a respective portion of the pressure vessel under the pressure of the fluid within the pressure vessel for corresponding the spacing of the mounting means to the length of the rigid elongate means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |