US3905515A — Two-stage, pressure augmented inflator assembly

Claim 1

Independent Claim 458 words

In an inflator assembly of the type including container means for storing a gas under pressure, said container means having an outlet passage extending therethrough; openable means for sealing said outlet passage to prevent gas flow from said container means through said outlet passage; enclosure means in said container means for storing means for augmenting the pressure of said stored gas; and means for igniting said pressure augmenting means and simultaneously opening said sealing means to permit said gas to flow from said container means through said outlet passage, the improvement comprising wherein: said pressure augmenting means comprises first and second means for separately and independently augmenting the pressure of said stored gas; said igniting means comprises first and second means for separately igniting said first and second pressure augmenting means, respectively; said openable means for sealing said outlet passage comprises an elongated, generally cylindrical valve housing, one end of said housing extending partially through said outlet passage in said container means and being sealed thereto, said housing having an elongated chamber therein for communicating with said outlet passage, said housing having a first radial passage extending therethrrough, in a central portion thereof, and a second radial passage extending therethrough, in the other end thereof with a slidable shuttle valve means positioned within said chamber in said valve housing, one end of said valve means being sealed to said one end of said housing, between said first passage and said outlet passage, for preventing fluid communication therebetween, the other end of said valve means blocking said second passage through said valve housing; means are provided for connecting one end of said enclosure means to said other end of said valve housing; said enclosure means having a first chamber in said one end thereof in fluid communication with said chamber in said valve housing with said first pressure augmenting means being positioned within said first chamber in said enclosure means, whereby said pressure generated by said first augmenting means is directed against said other end of said valve means to cause breakage of said seal and movement of said valve means toward said one end of said valve housing thereby opening said second passage and permitting fluid communicating between said container means and said outlet passage via said first passage; and wherein said enclosure means has a second chamber in the other end thereof, said second pressure augmenting means being positioned within said second chamber in said enclosure means, with said other end of said second enclosure means having at least a third passage extending therethrough and rupturable diaphragm means for sealing said third passage in said other end of said enclosure means for preventing sympathetic ignition of said second augmenting means upon ignition of said first augmenting means.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 458 words

In an inflator assembly of the type including container means for storing a gas under pressure, said container means having an outlet passage extending therethrough; openable means for sealing said outlet passage to prevent gas flow from said container means through said outlet passage; enclosure means in said container means for storing means for augmenting the pressure of said stored gas; and means for igniting said pressure augmenting means and simultaneously opening said sealing means to permit said gas to flow from said container means through said outlet passage, the improvement comprising wherein: said pressure augmenting means comprises first and second means for separately and independently augmenting the pressure of said stored gas; said igniting means comprises first and second means for separately igniting said first and second pressure augmenting means, respectively; said openable means for sealing said outlet passage comprises an elongated, generally cylindrical valve housing, one end of said housing extending partially through said outlet passage in said container means and being sealed thereto, said housing having an elongated chamber therein for communicating with said outlet passage, said housing having a first radial passage extending therethrrough, in a central portion thereof, and a second radial passage extending therethrough, in the other end thereof with a slidable shuttle valve means positioned within said chamber in said valve housing, one end of said valve means being sealed to said one end of said housing, between said first passage and said outlet passage, for preventing fluid communication therebetween, the other end of said valve means blocking said second passage through said valve housing; means are provided for connecting one end of said enclosure means to said other end of said valve housing; said enclosure means having a first chamber in said one end thereof in fluid communication with said chamber in said valve housing with said first pressure augmenting means being positioned within said first chamber in said enclosure means, whereby said pressure generated by said first augmenting means is directed against said other end of said valve means to cause breakage of said seal and movement of said valve means toward said one end of said valve housing thereby opening said second passage and permitting fluid communicating between said container means and said outlet passage via said first passage; and wherein said enclosure means has a second chamber in the other end thereof, said second pressure augmenting means being positioned within said second chamber in said enclosure means, with said other end of said second enclosure means having at least a third passage extending therethrough and rupturable diaphragm means for sealing said third passage in said other end of said enclosure means for preventing sympathetic ignition of said second augmenting means upon ignition of said first augmenting means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 71 words

In an inflator assembly according to claim 1, the improvement further comprising: one way check valve means extending through said enclosure means, from said second chamber therein to said first chamber therein, for automatically igniting said first pressure augmenting means from the combustion products generated by said second pressure augmenting means but preventing ignition of said second pressure augmenting means from the combustion products generated by said first pressure augmenting means.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 380 words

An inflator assembly comprising: container means for storing a gas under pressure, said container means having an outlet passage extending therethrough; openable means for sealing said outlet passage to prevent gas flow from said container means through said outlet passage; first and second enclosure means for storing pressure augmenting means, each of said enclosure means having at least one end positioned in said container means; first and second ignitable means positioned within said first and second enclosure means, respectively, for generating heat and/or gas to increase the pressure of said stored gas; first and second means for separately igniting said first and second generating means, respectively; an elongated, generally cylindrical valve housing, one end of said housing extending partially through said outlet passage in said container means and being sealed thereto, said housing having an elongated chamber therein for communicating with said outlet passage, said housing having a first radial passage extending therethrough, adjacent a central portion thereof, and a second radial passage extending therethrough, adjacent the other end thereof; said openable sealing means comprising a slidable shuttle valve means positioned within said chamber in said valve housing, one end of said valve means being sealed to said one end of said housing, between said first passage and said outlet passage, for normally preventing fluid communication therebetween, the other end of said valve means normally blocking said second passage through said valve housing; means for connecting said one end of said first enclosure means to said other end of said valve housing for fluid communication therebetween whereby said heat and/or gas generated by said first generating means is directed against said other end of said valve means to cause breaking of said seal and movement of said valve means toward said one end of said housing thereby opening said second passage and permitting fluid communication between said container means and said outlet passage via said first passage; means for connecting the other end of said second enclosure means to the other end of said first enclosure means; and one way check valve means for automatically igniting said first generating means from the heat and/or gas generated by said second generating means but preventing ignition of said second generating means from the heat and/or gas generated by said first generating means.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 380 words

An inflator assembly comprising: container means for storing a gas under pressure, said container means having an outlet passage extending therethrough; openable means for sealing said outlet passage to prevent gas flow from said container means through said outlet passage; first and second enclosure means for storing pressure augmenting means, each of said enclosure means having at least one end positioned in said container means; first and second ignitable means positioned within said first and second enclosure means, respectively, for generating heat and/or gas to increase the pressure of said stored gas; first and second means for separately igniting said first and second generating means, respectively; an elongated, generally cylindrical valve housing, one end of said housing extending partially through said outlet passage in said container means and being sealed thereto, said housing having an elongated chamber therein for communicating with said outlet passage, said housing having a first radial passage extending therethrough, adjacent a central portion thereof, and a second radial passage extending therethrough, adjacent the other end thereof; said openable sealing means comprising a slidable shuttle valve means positioned within said chamber in said valve housing, one end of said valve means being sealed to said one end of said housing, between said first passage and said outlet passage, for normally preventing fluid communication therebetween, the other end of said valve means normally blocking said second passage through said valve housing; means for connecting said one end of said first enclosure means to said other end of said valve housing for fluid communication therebetween whereby said heat and/or gas generated by said first generating means is directed against said other end of said valve means to cause breaking of said seal and movement of said valve means toward said one end of said housing thereby opening said second passage and permitting fluid communication between said container means and said outlet passage via said first passage; means for connecting the other end of said second enclosure means to the other end of said first enclosure means; and one way check valve means for automatically igniting said first generating means from the heat and/or gas generated by said second generating means but preventing ignition of said second generating means from the heat and/or gas generated by said first generating means.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 387 words

An inflator assembly comprising: container means for storing a gas under pressure, said container means having an outlet passage extending therethrough; openable means for sealing said outlet passage to prevent gas flow from said container means through said outlet passage; first and second enclosure means for storing pressure augmenting means, each of said enclosure means having at least one end positioned in said container means; first and second ignitable means positioned within said first and second enclosure means, respectively, for generating heat and/or gas to increase the pressure of said stored gas; first and second means for separately igniting said first and second generating means, respectively; an elongated, generally cylindrical valve housing, one end of said housing extending partially through said outlet passage in said container means and being sealed thereto, said housing having an elongated chamber therein for communicating with said outlet passage, said housing having a first radial passage extending therethrough, adjacent a central portion thereof, and a second radial passage extending therethrough, adjacent the other end thereof; said openable sealing means comprising a slidable shuttle valve means positioned within said chamber in said valve housing, one end of said valve means being sealed to said one end of said housing, between said first passage and said outlet passage, for normally preventing fluid communication therebetween, the other end of said valve means normally blocking said second passage through said valve housing; means for connecting said one end of said first enclosure means to said other end of said valve housing for fluid communication therebetween whereby said heat and/or gas generated by said first generating means is directed against said other end of said valve means to cause breaking of said seal and movement of said valve means toward said one end of said housing thereby opening said second passage and permitting fluid communication between said container means and said outlet passage via said first passage; means for connecting the other end of said second enclosure means to the other end of said first enclosure means, said one end of said second enclosure means having at least a third passage extending therethrough; and rupturable diaphragm means for sealing said third passage in said one end of said second enclosure means for preventing sympathetic ignition of said second generating means upon ignition of said first generating means.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 387 words

An inflator assembly comprising: container means for storing a gas under pressure, said container means having an outlet passage extending therethrough; openable means for sealing said outlet passage to prevent gas flow from said container means through said outlet passage; first and second enclosure means for storing pressure augmenting means, each of said enclosure means having at least one end positioned in said container means; first and second ignitable means positioned within said first and second enclosure means, respectively, for generating heat and/or gas to increase the pressure of said stored gas; first and second means for separately igniting said first and second generating means, respectively; an elongated, generally cylindrical valve housing, one end of said housing extending partially through said outlet passage in said container means and being sealed thereto, said housing having an elongated chamber therein for communicating with said outlet passage, said housing having a first radial passage extending therethrough, adjacent a central portion thereof, and a second radial passage extending therethrough, adjacent the other end thereof; said openable sealing means comprising a slidable shuttle valve means positioned within said chamber in said valve housing, one end of said valve means being sealed to said one end of said housing, between said first passage and said outlet passage, for normally preventing fluid communication therebetween, the other end of said valve means normally blocking said second passage through said valve housing; means for connecting said one end of said first enclosure means to said other end of said valve housing for fluid communication therebetween whereby said heat and/or gas generated by said first generating means is directed against said other end of said valve means to cause breaking of said seal and movement of said valve means toward said one end of said housing thereby opening said second passage and permitting fluid communication between said container means and said outlet passage via said first passage; means for connecting the other end of said second enclosure means to the other end of said first enclosure means, said one end of said second enclosure means having at least a third passage extending therethrough; and rupturable diaphragm means for sealing said third passage in said one end of said second enclosure means for preventing sympathetic ignition of said second generating means upon ignition of said first generating means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 41 words

An inflator assembly according to claim 4 further comprising: a plurality of said second and third passages, the number and size of said passages being selected on the basis of the desired rate of increase of pressure in said container means.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 369 words

An inflator assembly comprising: container means for storing a gas under pressure, said container means having an opening extending therethrough adjacent one end thereof; an elongated, generally cylindrical valve housing positioned within said container means, one end of said valve housing extending partially into said opening in said container means and being sealed thereto, said housing having an elongated chamber therein in fluid communication with said opening in said container means, said housing having a first radial passage therethrough, adjacent a central portion thereof, and a second radial passage therethrough, adjacent the other end thereof; slidable shuttle valve means positioned within said chamber in said valve housing, one end of said valve means being sealed to said one end of said housing, between said first passage and said opening in said container means for preventing fluid communication therebetween, thereby preventing gas flow from said container means, the other end of said valve means blocking said second passage through said valve housing; a second elongated, generally cylindrical housing positioned within said container means, one end of said second housing being connected to said other end of said valve housing, said second housing having a chamber in said one end thereof in fluid communication with said chamber in said valve housing; ignitable means positioned within said chamber in said second housing for augmenting the pressure of said stored gas within said container means; explodable squib means positioned within said second housing, adjacent said pressure augmenting means, for ignition thereof, the pressure generated by said augmenting means being directed against said other end of said valve means To cause breaking of said seal and movement of said valve means toward said one end of said valve housing; and said valve housing including means for stopping said movement of said valve means with the other end thereof between said first and second passages whereby the combustion products of said pressure augmenting means pass via said second passage in said valve housing into said container means to augment the pressure of the gas therein and said stored gas passes out of said container means through said first passage, around said one end of said valve means, and through said opening in said container means.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 369 words

An inflator assembly comprising: container means for storing a gas under pressure, said container means having an opening extending therethrough adjacent one end thereof; an elongated, generally cylindrical valve housing positioned within said container means, one end of said valve housing extending partially into said opening in said container means and being sealed thereto, said housing having an elongated chamber therein in fluid communication with said opening in said container means, said housing having a first radial passage therethrough, adjacent a central portion thereof, and a second radial passage therethrough, adjacent the other end thereof; slidable shuttle valve means positioned within said chamber in said valve housing, one end of said valve means being sealed to said one end of said housing, between said first passage and said opening in said container means for preventing fluid communication therebetween, thereby preventing gas flow from said container means, the other end of said valve means blocking said second passage through said valve housing; a second elongated, generally cylindrical housing positioned within said container means, one end of said second housing being connected to said other end of said valve housing, said second housing having a chamber in said one end thereof in fluid communication with said chamber in said valve housing; ignitable means positioned within said chamber in said second housing for augmenting the pressure of said stored gas within said container means; explodable squib means positioned within said second housing, adjacent said pressure augmenting means, for ignition thereof, the pressure generated by said augmenting means being directed against said other end of said valve means To cause breaking of said seal and movement of said valve means toward said one end of said valve housing; and said valve housing including means for stopping said movement of said valve means with the other end thereof between said first and second passages whereby the combustion products of said pressure augmenting means pass via said second passage in said valve housing into said container means to augment the pressure of the gas therein and said stored gas passes out of said container means through said first passage, around said one end of said valve means, and through said opening in said container means.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 79 words

An inflator assembly according to claim 6 wherein the inside diameter of said valve housing at said one end thereof is smaller than the inside diameter at the other end thereof, wherein the outside diameters of said ends of said valve means are approximately equal to the adjacent inside diameters of said valve housing, and wherein said means for stopping said movement of said valve means comprises a shoulder between said areas of different diameters in said valve housing.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 42 words

An inflator assembly according to claim 6 wherein said valve means is sealed to said one end of said housing by welding or brazing the periphery of said one end of said valve means to the inner surface of said valve housing.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 49 words

An inflator assembly according to claim 6 wherein said valve housing has a plurality of said first radial passages therethrough, adjacent said central portion thereof, the number and size of said first passages being selected to determine the rate of escape of said stored gas from said container means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 44 words

An inflator assembly according to claim 6 wherein said valve housing has a plurality of said second radial passages therethrough, adjacent said other end thereof, the number and size of said second passages determining the rate of increase of pressure in said container means.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 43 words

An inflator assembly according to claim 6 wherein said valve means is sealed to said one end of said housing by undercutting the area between the periphery of said one end of said valve means and the inner surface of said valve housing.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 419 words

In an inflator assembly of the type utilizing a high pressure gas vessel having an interiorally-disposed elongated subassembly carried in cantilever support from the vessel outlet with the subassembly having a first position closing the vessel outlet and a second position opening the vessel to gas flow therefrom, said elongated subassembly having an axially-extending cylindrical chamber opening into the vessel outlet, with a radial port through the chamber wall connecting the chamber interior to the vessel space surrounding the subassembly and with a pressuremovable valve member within the cylindrical chamber closing the vessel to gas flow in said first position and with a pressure augmenting means carried by the subassembly in a compartment in fluid communication with the unsupported end of the cylindrical chamber and means for igniting the pressure augmenting means to move the valve member to said second position, thus opening the vessel and cylindrical chamber to gas flow, wherein the improvement comprises: the cylindrical chamber of the elongated subassembly being provided with a first radial port adjacent the supported end of said subassembly and a longitudinally-spaced, second radial port adjacent the unsupported end of said cylindrical chamber; the pressure-movable valve in said first position having a first end in sealed closure with the supported end of the cylindrical chamber, spaced outwardly from the first radial port, and a second end of slightly less diameter than the cylindrical chamber, closing the second radial port in the first position of the valve with a longitudinally-extending central portion of reduced dimension connecting the first and second ends of the valve, said reduced dimension central portion together with the interior surfaces of the two valve ends defining a void within the cylindrical chamber whicH void connects to the vessel space surrounding the subassembly via the first port; and a blocking means for stopping the valve in its outward movement to its second position, where the second end of the valve is positioned between the first and second radial ports and wherein the seal of the first end of the valve is broken and said first end is moved outwardly into its second position, whereby the combustion product of the pressure augmenting means passes via said second radial passage into the chamber interior surrounding the subassembly to augment the pressure of the gas therein and the stored gas passes out of the vessel through the first radial passage into the cylindrical chamber and thence, around the unsealed said one end of the valve means to the exterior of the inflator assembly.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 419 words

In an inflator assembly of the type utilizing a high pressure gas vessel having an interiorally-disposed elongated subassembly carried in cantilever support from the vessel outlet with the subassembly having a first position closing the vessel outlet and a second position opening the vessel to gas flow therefrom, said elongated subassembly having an axially-extending cylindrical chamber opening into the vessel outlet, with a radial port through the chamber wall connecting the chamber interior to the vessel space surrounding the subassembly and with a pressuremovable valve member within the cylindrical chamber closing the vessel to gas flow in said first position and with a pressure augmenting means carried by the subassembly in a compartment in fluid communication with the unsupported end of the cylindrical chamber and means for igniting the pressure augmenting means to move the valve member to said second position, thus opening the vessel and cylindrical chamber to gas flow, wherein the improvement comprises: the cylindrical chamber of the elongated subassembly being provided with a first radial port adjacent the supported end of said subassembly and a longitudinally-spaced, second radial port adjacent the unsupported end of said cylindrical chamber; the pressure-movable valve in said first position having a first end in sealed closure with the supported end of the cylindrical chamber, spaced outwardly from the first radial port, and a second end of slightly less diameter than the cylindrical chamber, closing the second radial port in the first position of the valve with a longitudinally-extending central portion of reduced dimension connecting the first and second ends of the valve, said reduced dimension central portion together with the interior surfaces of the two valve ends defining a void within the cylindrical chamber whicH void connects to the vessel space surrounding the subassembly via the first port; and a blocking means for stopping the valve in its outward movement to its second position, where the second end of the valve is positioned between the first and second radial ports and wherein the seal of the first end of the valve is broken and said first end is moved outwardly into its second position, whereby the combustion product of the pressure augmenting means passes via said second radial passage into the chamber interior surrounding the subassembly to augment the pressure of the gas therein and the stored gas passes out of the vessel through the first radial passage into the cylindrical chamber and thence, around the unsealed said one end of the valve means to the exterior of the inflator assembly.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 125 words

An inflator assembly in accordance with claim 12 wherein the pressure augmenting means comprises a first augmenting segment and a second augmenting segment which two segments are respectively housed in a first section and a spaced second section of the compartment at the unsupported end of the elongated subassembly with the first section of the compartment being in fluid communication with the unsupported end of the cylindrical chamber and the second section of the compartment having an outwardly opening third port into the vessel interior with a rupturable diaphragm sealing the third port to forestall sympathetic ignition of the second augmenting segment upon ignition of said first augmenting segment, and a first and second means permitting separate ignition of said first and second augmenting segments.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 52 words

An inflator assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein there is a plurality of both the second and third ports, the number and size of said ports being selected on the basis of the desired rate of increase of pressure in the vessel with ignition of the first and second augmenting segments.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 69 words

An inflator assembly in accordance with claim 13 having a passageway connecting the two sections of the pressure augmenting compartment, with a one-way check valve being provided in the connecting passageway permitting automatically ignition of the first augmenting segment from the heat and/or gas generated by said second augmenting segment but preventing ignition of said second augmenting segment from the heat and/or gas generated by said first augmenting segment.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 49 words

An inflator assembly in accordance with claim 12 wherein there is provided a plurality of the second radial ports, the number and size of said openings being selected on the basis of the desired rate of increase of pressure in the vessel with ignition of the pressure augmenting means.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 41 words

An inflator assembly in accordance with claim 12 wherein there is provided a plurality of the first radial ports, the number and size of said ports being selected to determine the rate of escape of the stored gas from said vessel.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 42 words

An inflator assembly according to claim 12 wherein the first end of the pressure-movable valve in said first position is sealed by welding or brazing the periphery of said first end of the valve to the inner surface of the cylindrical chamber.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1978-09-15	1979-03-17	1979-09-16	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1982-09-15	1983-03-17	1983-09-16	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1986-09-15	1987-03-17	1987-09-16	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Two-stage, pressure augmented inflator assembly

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