US5501487A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Driver side all mechanical inflator for airbag systems
Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Inc
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Filing: 1995-02-01
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Granted: 1996-03-26
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Expires: 2015-02-01
Abstract
Abstract An inflator for inflating air bags has a housing for holding a self-sufficient initiator, i.e. an initiator containing a crash sensor and a small explosive charge set off by the sensor. The housing also includes a gas generating material set off by the small charge and filters for filtering the gases. The filters and gas generator material are separated by a choke plate. Advantageously, a portion of the housing is arranged to secure the initiator while the choke plate is securely clamped between two housing members.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis A. Trevillyan
- 👤 Jeffrey L. Parrish
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:43
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/26; B60R21/264; B60R21/2644; B60R21/33
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
An inflator comprising: a first and a second housing member cooperating when attached to form a housing having a central tubular chamber and an outer annular chamber disposed around said tubular chamber; a choke plate captured by and supported between said first and second housing members to divide said outer chamber into a first portion and a second portion; one of said first and second members including an inner cylindrical and an outer cylindrical wall with said choke plate extending between said inner and outer cylindrical walls; a gas generating material disposed in said first portion; filtering means disposed in said second portion for filtering gases from said material, said filtering means including a tubular filter member; and a baffle disposed adjacent to said filter member, said baffle being tubular and extending in an axial direction between said first member and said choke plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
An inflator comprising: a first and a second housing member cooperating when attached to form a housing having a central tubular chamber and an outer annular chamber disposed around said tubular chamber; a choke plate captured by and supported between said first and second housing members to divide said outer chamber into a first portion and a second portion; one of said first and second members including an inner cylindrical and an outer cylindrical wall with said choke plate extending between said inner and outer cylindrical walls; a gas generating material disposed in said first portion; filtering means disposed in said second portion for filtering gases from said material, said filtering means including a tubular filter member; and a baffle disposed adjacent to said filter member, said baffle being tubular and extending in an axial direction between said first member and said choke plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The inflator of claim 1 wherein said choke plate is perforated to provide a path for gases from said inflator material to said filtering means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The inflator of claim 1 wherein said baffle supports said choke plate between said inner and said outer walls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The inflator of claim 1 further comprising enhancer means for enhancing a gas charge, said enhancing means being disposed within said inner cylindrical wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
187 words
A gas inflator for air bags comprising: a first and a second housing member, said members cooperating to define a housing having an inner chamber and an outer chamber, each of said members having an inner and an outer wall supported on a circular plate, the walls of one of said members defining an inner and an outer support surface and the other of said members having a contact surface; a choke plate extending between said support surfaces and clamped between said outer support surface and said contact surface to partition said outer chamber into a first and a second portion, said second portion being formed with exit holes through which inflating gases exit; an initiator disposed in said inner chamber; gas generator means disposed in said first portion to form said inflating gases; and filtering means disposed in said second portion to filter said inflating gases, said filtering means including a fine filter disposed adjacent to said exit holes, said filtering means further including a slag filter disposed radially inward of said fine filter, said slag filter including a cylindrical baffle disposed coaxially within said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
187 words
A gas inflator for air bags comprising: a first and a second housing member, said members cooperating to define a housing having an inner chamber and an outer chamber, each of said members having an inner and an outer wall supported on a circular plate, the walls of one of said members defining an inner and an outer support surface and the other of said members having a contact surface; a choke plate extending between said support surfaces and clamped between said outer support surface and said contact surface to partition said outer chamber into a first and a second portion, said second portion being formed with exit holes through which inflating gases exit; an initiator disposed in said inner chamber; gas generator means disposed in said first portion to form said inflating gases; and filtering means disposed in said second portion to filter said inflating gases, said filtering means including a fine filter disposed adjacent to said exit holes, said filtering means further including a slag filter disposed radially inward of said fine filter, said slag filter including a cylindrical baffle disposed coaxially within said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
10 words
The inflator of claim 5 wherein said baffle is perforated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The inflator of claim 5 wherein said baffle extends from said first member to said choke plate to support said choke plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The inflator of claim 5 wherein said inner walls and said outer walls are threadedly coupled to each other to form said housing.
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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) | 1999-03-26 | 1999-09-25 | 2000-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-03-26 | 2003-09-25 | 2004-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-03-26 | 2007-09-25 | 2008-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |