US5683104A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combustion moderation in an airbag inflator
Assignee: Autoliv ASP Inc
•
Filing: 1996-03-22
•
Granted: 1997-11-04
•
Expires: 2016-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A device and method are provided for appropriately and desirably moderating the combustion of a fluid fuel and oxidant combination. The combustion rate moderator of the invention is a solid form which includes an array of holes wherein the fluid fuel and oxidant combination is housed and burned.
Inventors
- 👤 Bradley W. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 05:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/26; B60R21/264
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
43 words
A gas generating device containing a fluid fuel and oxidant combination and housing a combustion rate moderator, said moderator comprising: a solid form which includes an array of holes wherein the fluid fuel and oxidant combination is housed and burned within said holes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
43 words
A gas generating device containing a fluid fuel and oxidant combination and housing a combustion rate moderator, said moderator comprising: a solid form which includes an array of holes wherein the fluid fuel and oxidant combination is housed and burned within said holes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The gas generating device of claim 1 wherein the fluid fuel and oxidant combination comprises a fluid monopropellant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The gas generating device of claim 2 wherein the fluid monopropellant is at least partially liquid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The gas generating device of claim 2 wherein the fluid monopropellant comprises an aqueous solution of hydroxyl ammonium nitrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The gas generating device of claim 2 wherein the fluid monopropellant comprises an aqueous solution of triethanol ammonium nitrate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The gas generating device of claim 2 wherein the fluid monopropellant is at least partially gaseous.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The gas generating device of claim 1 wherein the fluid fuel and oxidant combination comprises a finely divided solid mixture of fuel and oxidizer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The gas generating device of claim 1 wherein the fluid fuel and oxidant combination comprises nitrous oxide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The gas generating device of claim 1 wherein with the fluid fuel and oxidant combination there is included a coolant.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The gas generating device of claim 9 wherein the coolant is carbon dioxide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The gas generating device of claim 1 wherein the fluid fuel and oxidant combination substantially fills the holes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The gas generating device of claim 1 wherein the moderator is elongated and includes at least one longitudinally extending hole.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The gas generating device of claim 12 wherein the array of holes includes a plurality of parallel longitudinally extending holes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The gas generating device of claim 1 wherein said combustion rate moderator is formed via extrusion fabrication.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The gas generating device of claim 14 wherein said combustion rate moderator is formed from aluminum.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The gas generating device of claim 14 wherein said combustion rate moderator is formed from ceramic.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The gas generating device of claim 1 wherein said combustion rate moderator remains intact while the fluid fuel and oxidant combination is burned.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
An airbag inflator gas generating device containing a fluid fuel and oxidant combination and housing a combustion rate moderator comprising: a solid form which includes an array of holes wherein the fluid fuel and oxidant combination is housed and burned.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
An airbag inflator gas generating device containing a fluid fuel and oxidant combination and housing a combustion rate moderator comprising: a solid form which includes an array of holes wherein the fluid fuel and oxidant combination is housed and burned.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
99 words
A gas generating apparatus comprising: a hollow housing containing a combustion rate moderator having a solid form which includes an array of extending holes wherein is housed a fluid fuel and oxidant combination; an initiator device to initiate the combustion of the fluid fuel and oxidant combination housed within the holes of the combustion rate moderator, the fluid fuel and oxidant being burned within the holes to form gas; and at least one exit orifice whereby at least a portion of the gas formed upon the combustion of the fluid fuel and oxidant combination is released from said housing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
99 words
A gas generating apparatus comprising: a hollow housing containing a combustion rate moderator having a solid form which includes an array of extending holes wherein is housed a fluid fuel and oxidant combination; an initiator device to initiate the combustion of the fluid fuel and oxidant combination housed within the holes of the combustion rate moderator, the fluid fuel and oxidant being burned within the holes to form gas; and at least one exit orifice whereby at least a portion of the gas formed upon the combustion of the fluid fuel and oxidant combination is released from said housing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
An airbag inflator comprising the gas generating apparatus of claim 19 wherein at least a portion of the gas formed upon the combustion of the fluid fuel and oxidant combination is released from said housing through said at least one exit orifice to inflate an airbag.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The gas generating apparatus of claim 19 wherein the fluid fuel and oxidant combination comprises a fluid monopropellant.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The gas generating apparatus of claim 21 wherein the fluid monopropellant is at least partially liquid.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The gas generating apparatus of claim 21 wherein the fluid monopropellant comprises an aqueous solution of hydroxyl ammonium nitrate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The gas generating apparatus of claim 21 wherein the fluid monopropellant comprises an aqueous solution of triethanol ammonium nitrate.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The gas generating apparatus of claim 21 wherein the fluid monopropellant is at least partially gaseous.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The gas generating apparatus of claim 19 wherein the fluid fuel and oxidant combination comprises a finely divided solid mixture of fuel and oxidizer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The gas generating apparatus of claim 19 wherein the fluid fuel and oxidant combination comprises nitrous oxide.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The gas generating apparatus of claim 19 wherein with the fluid fuel and oxidant combination there is included a coolant.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The gas generating apparatus of claim 28 wherein the coolant is carbon dioxide.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The gas generating apparatus of claim 20 wherein the fluid fuel and oxidant combination substantially fills the holes.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
The gas generating apparatus of claim 20 wherein the moderator is elongated and includes at least one longitudinally extending hole.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
The gas generating apparatus of claim 31 wherein the array of holes includes a plurality of parallel longitudinally extending holes.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
The gas generating apparatus of claim 19 wherein the combustion rate moderator is formed via extrusion fabrication.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
The gas generating apparatus of claim 33 wherein the combustion rate moderator is formed from aluminum.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The gas generating apparatus of claim 33 wherein the combustion rate moderator is formed from ceramic.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
The gas generating apparatus of claim 19 wherein the moderator remains intact while the fluid fuel and oxidant combination is burned.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
54 words
A method for moderating the combustion of a fluid fuel and oxidant combination in a gas generating device, said method comprising the step of: burning the fluid fuel and oxidant combination while contained within an array of extending holes of a combustion rate moderator contained within a hollow housing of the gas generating device.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
54 words
A method for moderating the combustion of a fluid fuel and oxidant combination in a gas generating device, said method comprising the step of: burning the fluid fuel and oxidant combination while contained within an array of extending holes of a combustion rate moderator contained within a hollow housing of the gas generating device.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the gas generating device is an airbag inflator.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the fluid fuel and oxidant combination comprises a fluid monopropellant.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 39 wherein the fluid monopropellant is at least partially liquid.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 39 wherein the fluid monopropellant comprises an aqueous solution of hydroxyl ammonium nitrate.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 39 wherein the fluid monopropellant comprises an aqueous solution of triethanol ammonium nitrate.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 39 wherein the fluid monopropellant is at least partially gaseous.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the fluid fuel and oxidant combination comprises a finely divided solid mixture of fuel and oxidizer.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the fluid fuel and oxidant combination comprises nitrous oxide.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 37 wherein a coolant is included with the fluid fuel and oxidant combination to cool the products of the combustion of the fluid fuel and oxidant combination.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 46 wherein the coolant is carbon dioxide.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the fluid fuel and oxidant combination substantially fills the holes.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the moderator remains intact while the fluid fuel and oxidant combination is burned.
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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) | 2000-11-03 | 2001-05-05 | 2001-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-11-03 | 2005-05-05 | 2005-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-11-03 | 2009-05-05 | 2009-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |