US4890860A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wafer grain gas generator
Assignee: Autoliv ASP Inc
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Filing: 1988-01-13
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Granted: 1990-01-02
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Expires: 2008-01-13
Abstract
Abstract A gas generator for automobile gas bags and the like includes a grain wherein a plurality of wafers of combustible gas generating material is arranged in a side by side array and a plurality of meshed cushion members is disposed in alternating relation between the wafers and compressed between the wafers in order to provide improved burn surface neutrality for more uniform inflator gas flow and better utilization of the gas generant, increased retention of solid residue in the combustion chamber for reduced plugging of the gas filters and cleaner inflation gas, a higher volumetric loading fraction so that the size and weight of the inflator may be reduced, and structural suspension of each individual wafer between the adjacent compressed cushion members to reduce breakage and damage of the wafers during the many years the inflator may remain in an automobile.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred E. Schneiter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:47
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/26; B60R21/264; B60R21/2644; B01; B01J; B01J7/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49428; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49863
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A gas generator comprising a combustion chamber means, a plurality of wafers of combustible gas generating material disposed within said combustion chamber means and spaced from each other and arranged in a side by side array, a plurality of meshed cushion members disposed in alternating relation between said wafers and compressed between said wafers, means for igniting said wafers, and means for routing generated gas from said combustion chamber means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
A gas generator comprising a combustion chamber means, a plurality of wafers of combustible gas generating material disposed within said combustion chamber means and spaced from each other and arranged in a side by side array, a plurality of meshed cushion members disposed in alternating relation between said wafers and compressed between said wafers, means for igniting said wafers, and means for routing generated gas from said combustion chamber means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
A gas generator according to claim 1 wherein said combustion chamber means is elongate and has an inner diameter, said igniting means includes an igniter tube which extends longitudinally through said combustion chamber means and is disposed generally concentric therewith and which has an outer diameter, said wafers and said cushion members have the shapes of washers through which said igniter tube is inserted, and each said wafer has an outer diameter equal substantially to said combustion chamber means inner diameter and a central hole diameter equal substantially to said igniter tube outer diameter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A gas generator according to claim 1 wherein said wafers and said cushion members are sized such that the volumetric loading density of said combustion chamber means is at least about 65 percent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A gas generator according to claim 1 wherein said cushion members are composed of screen wire.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A gas generator according to claim 4 wherein said screen wire has a size in the range of about 20 to 50 mesh.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A gas generator according to claim 4 wherein each said cushion member has a wave configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A gas generator according to cushion members have a thickness which about 1.5 and 5 times the thickness of the unwaved screen wire.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A gas generator according to cushion members have a thickness which about 1.5 and 5 times the thickness of the unwaved screen wire.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A gas generator according to claim 7 further comprising a retainer means for compressing said array of wafers and cushion members to structurally suspend each said wafer between compressed respective ones of said cushion members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
94 words
A gas generator according to claim 8 wherein said combustion chamber means is elongate and has an inner diameter, said igniting means includes an igniter tube which extends longitudinally through said combustion chamber means and is disposed generally concentric therewith and which has an outer diameter, said wafers and said cushion members have the shapes of washers through which said igniter tube is inserted, and each said wafer has an outer diameter equal substantially to said combustion chamber means inner diameter and a central hold diameter equal substantially to said igniter tube outer diameter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A gas generator according to claim 9 wherein said wafers and said cushion members are sized such that the volumetric loading density is at least about 65 percent.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of assembling a plurality of wafers of combustible gas generating material within a gas generator combustion chamber comprising: a. disposing the wafers in the combustion chamber in a spaced side-by-side array; b. disposing meshed cushion members in alternating relation between the wafers; and c. compressing the array of wafers and cushion members to structurally suspend the wafers spaced from each other between the cushion members.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of assembling a plurality of wafers of combustible gas generating material within a gas generator combustion chamber comprising: a. disposing the wafers in the combustion chamber in a spaced side-by-side array; b. disposing meshed cushion members in alternating relation between the wafers; and c. compressing the array of wafers and cushion members to structurally suspend the wafers spaced from each other between the cushion members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
85 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the combustion chamber is elongate and an igniter tube extends longitudinally through and is generally concentric with the combustion chamber, the method further comprising forming the wafers and cushion members in the shape of washers and disposing them in the combustion chamber with the igniter tube inserted therethrough, and sizing the wafers to have an outer diameter equal substantially to the combustion chamber inner diameter and a central hole diameter equal substantially to the igniter tube outer diameter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 11 further comprising sizing the wafers and cushion members to provide a combustion chamber volumetric loading density of at least about 65 percent.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 11 further comprising composing the cushion members out of screen wire having a size in the range of about 20 to 50 mesh.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 11 further comprising composing the cushion members out of screen wire.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 15 further comprising forming the screen wire in a wavy configuration such that the cushion members have a thickness which is between about 1.5 and 5 times the thickness of the unformed screen wire.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 15 further comprising forming the screen wire in a wavy configuration.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
85 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the combustion chamber is elongate and an igniter tube extends longitudinally through and is generally concentric with the combustion chamber, the method further comprising forming the wafers and cushion members in the shape of washers and disposing them in the combustion chamber with the igniter tube inserted therethrough, and sizing the wafers to have an outer diameter equal substantially to the combustion chamber inner diameter and a central hole diameter equal substantially to the igniter tube outer diameter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 18 further comprising sizing the wafers and cushion members to provide a combustion chamber volumetric loading density of at least about 65 percent.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
72 words
An automobile gas bag inflator comprising a combustion chamber means, a plurality of wafers of combustible gas generating material disposed within said combustion chamber means and spaced from each other and arranged in a side by side array, a plurality of meshed cushion members disposed in alternating relation between said wafers and compressed between said wafers, means for igniting said wafers, and means for routing generated gas from said combustion chamber means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
72 words
An automobile gas bag inflator comprising a combustion chamber means, a plurality of wafers of combustible gas generating material disposed within said combustion chamber means and spaced from each other and arranged in a side by side array, a plurality of meshed cushion members disposed in alternating relation between said wafers and compressed between said wafers, means for igniting said wafers, and means for routing generated gas from said combustion chamber means.
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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) | 1993-01-01 | 1993-07-03 | 1994-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-01 | 1997-07-03 | 1998-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-01 | 2001-07-03 | 2002-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |