US5230532A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint
Assignee: ZF Passive Safety Systems US Inc
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Filing: 1992-03-20
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Granted: 1993-07-27
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Expires: 2012-03-20
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for inflating an inflatable device includes a container for containing gas in a chamber. The apparatus also includes a combustible metallic wire in the chamber and an igniter for igniting the combustible metallic wire. The gas in the chamber is warmed and increased in pressure by combustion of the combustible metallic wire. The warmed and pressurized gas is directed to the inflatable device to inflate the inflatable device.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack L. Blumenthal
- 👤 Peter Staudhammer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/26; B60R21/268; B60R21/272
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
An apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, said apparatus comprising: containing means for containing gas in a chamber; combustible means for warming and increasing the pressure of gas in said chamber, said combustible means including a combustible metallic strip and gas comprising oxygen in said chamber; igniter means for igniting said combustible metallic strip; and directing means for directing the gas from said containing means to the inflatable device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
69 words
An apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, said apparatus comprising: containing means for containing gas in a chamber; combustible means for warming and increasing the pressure of gas in said chamber, said combustible means including a combustible metallic strip and gas comprising oxygen in said chamber; igniter means for igniting said combustible metallic strip; and directing means for directing the gas from said containing means to the inflatable device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said inflatable device is an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said combustible metallic strip is at least partially in the form of wire.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said combustible metallic strip is at least partially in the form of shredded foil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said combustible metallic strip comprises wire formed of zirconium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said combustible metallic strip comprises wire formed of aluminum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said combustible metallic strip is distributed substantially uniformly throughout said chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said combustible metallic strip is distributed in selected parts of said chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said combustible metallic strip is distributed in said chamber in an ordered manner.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said combustible metallic strip is distributed in said chamber in an unordered manner.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said combustible metallic strip has a total length which is longer than the greatest distance across the interior of said chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said combustible metallic strip is formed substantially of a metallic material which is combustible in said gas in said chamber at a temperature below the boiling point of said metallic material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said igniter means includes means for directing electric current through said combustible metallic strip.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said means for directing electric current includes a pair of electrically conductive elements spaced from each other in said chamber, said combustible metal strip extending from one of said elements to the other of said elements to conduct electric current from said one element to said other element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said combustible metallic strip has a plurality of sections extending between said electrically conductive elements to define a plurality of parallel circuit paths extending between said electrically conductive elements.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said igniter means includes means for igniting a portion of said combustible metallic strip for combustion to proceed from said portion along the length of said strip.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said igniter means includes means for igniting said combustible metallic strip at a plurality of locations spaced apart along the length of said strip.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said igniter means comprises a pyrotechnic material and means for igniting said pyrotechnic material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said inflatable device is an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint, and said igniter means comprises means for detecting a predetermined rate of deceleration of a vehicle and means for igniting said combustible metallic strip in response to detection of said predetermined rate of deceleration.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said containing means releases the gas from said chamber when the pressure of the gas is increased to a predetermined level by said combustible means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said containing means includes a sealed container having a wall means for rupturing under said predetermined level of pressure.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said directing means comprises a filter for filtering the gas directed to the inflatable device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said gas in said chamber comprises pressurized air.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said gas in said chamber comprises pressurized air enriched with oxygen.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said gas in said chamber comprises pressurized air depleted in oxygen
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said gas in said chamber comprises a mixture of oxygen, nitrogen and argon.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said gas in said chamber comprises a mixture of oxygen, nitrogen, argon and other gases to modify combustion rate and heat release.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said containing means contains gas, said containing means releasing said gas from said chamber when the pressure of said gas is increased to a predetermined level by said combustible means, the quantity, initial pressure and composition of said gas being predetermined to yield a predetermined rate of release of said gas from said chamber.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said containing means contains gas, said containing means releasing said gas from said chamber when the pressure of said gas is increased to a predetermined level by said combustible means, the quantity, surface area and geometry of said combustible metallic strip being predetermined to yield a predetermined rate of release of said gas from said chamber.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said containing means contains gas, said containing means releasing said gas from said chamber when the pressure of said gas is increased to a predetermined level by said combustible means, the location of said combustible metallic strip in said chamber being predetermined to yield a predetermined rate of release of said gas from said chamber.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
72 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said containing means contains gas, said containing means releasing said gas from said chamber when the pressure of said gas is increased to a predetermined level by said combustible means, said igniter means igniting said combustible metallic strip by electrically heating said combustible metallic strip at a rate which is predetermined to yield a predetermined rate of release of said gas from said chamber.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said containing means contains gas, said containing means releasing said gas from said chamber when the pressure of said gas is increased to a predetermined level by said combustible means, said igniter means including a pyrotechnic igniter of a size which is predetermined to yield a predetermined rate of release of said gas from said chamber.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
79 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said containing means contains gas, said containing means releasing said gas from said chamber when the pressure of said gas is increased to a predetermined level by said combustible means, said igniter means igniting said combustible metallic strip at one or more ignition zones on said strip, the number, location and extent of said ignition zones being predetermined to yield a predetermined rate of release of said gas from said chamber.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
77 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said containing means contains gas, said containing means releasing said gas from said chamber when the pressure of said gas is increased to a predetermined level by said combustible means, said directing means including flow passages leading from said chamber to the inflatable device, the cross-sectional area, length and geometry of said flow passages being predetermined to yield a predetermined rate of release of said gas from said chamber.
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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) | 1996-07-26 | 1997-01-25 | 1997-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-26 | 2001-01-25 | 2001-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-26 | 2005-01-25 | 2005-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |