US5979935A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for sensing gas pressure inside an inflator
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
•
Filing: 1997-12-05
•
Granted: 1999-11-09
•
Expires: 2017-12-05
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) and an inflator (20) for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device. The inflator (20) has a wall (32) defining a chamber (40) in the inflator. Inflation fluid is stored at a predetermined pressure in the chamber (40). The apparatus (10) further comprises a first device (102) for generating electrical energy. The first device (102) is located in the chamber (40). A second device (106, 108) senses a change in the predetermined pressure and transmits a signal indicative of the change in the predetermined pressure through the wall (32). The second device (106, 108) is located inside the chamber (40) and is electrically connected to the first device (102). A third device (122, 124) senses the signal. The third device (122, 124) is located outside of the chamber (40).
Inventors
- 👤 Roy D. Van Wynsberghe
- 👤 Bryan W. Shirk
- 👤 Timothy A. Swann
- 👤 Thomas H. Deming
- 👤 Jess A. Cuevas
- 👤 Ahmad K. Al-Amin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 05:47
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/26; B60R21/268
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus comprising: an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; an inflator for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflator having at least one wall defining a chamber in said inflator; inflation fluid stored at a predetermined pressure in said chamber; first means for generating electrical energy, said first means being located in said chamber; second means for sensing a change in said predetermined pressure and for transmitting a signal indicative of said change in said predetermined pressure through said at least one wall, said second means being located inside said chamber and being electrically connected with said first means; and third means for sensing said signal, said third means being located outside of said chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus comprising: an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device; an inflator for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflator having at least one wall defining a chamber in said inflator; inflation fluid stored at a predetermined pressure in said chamber; first means for generating electrical energy, said first means being located in said chamber; second means for sensing a change in said predetermined pressure and for transmitting a signal indicative of said change in said predetermined pressure through said at least one wall, said second means being located inside said chamber and being electrically connected with said first means; and third means for sensing said signal, said third means being located outside of said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first means generates electrical energy in response to vehicle vibration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second means inside said chamber comprises a signal generator for transmitting said signal through the material of said at least one wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said signal generator comprises a radio frequency transmitter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said signal generator comprises an ultrasonic wave generator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said second means inside said chamber further comprises means for storing electrical energy generated by said first means and means for sensing inflation fluid pressure in said chamber and for controlling operation of said signal generator in accordance with said sensed inflation fluid pressure, said means for sensing inflation fluid pressure in said chamber and for controlling operation of said signal generator being electrically connected with said means for storing electrical energy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said first means for generating electrical energy comprises a piezoelectric accelerometer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for storing energy comprises at least one capacitor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for sensing inflation fluid pressure in said chamber and for controlling operation of said signal generator comprises a pressure transducer.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
111 words
A method comprising the steps of: providing an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and an inflator for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflator having at least one wall defining a chamber in said inflator; storing an inflation fluid at a predetermined pressure in said chamber; locating in said chamber first means for generating electrical energy; locating in said chamber second means for sensing a change in said predetermined pressure and for transmitting a signal indicative of said change in said predetermined pressure through said at least one wall, operatively coupling said second means to said first means; and locating outside said chamber third means for sensing said signal.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
111 words
A method comprising the steps of: providing an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device and an inflator for inflating said inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflator having at least one wall defining a chamber in said inflator; storing an inflation fluid at a predetermined pressure in said chamber; locating in said chamber first means for generating electrical energy; locating in said chamber second means for sensing a change in said predetermined pressure and for transmitting a signal indicative of said change in said predetermined pressure through said at least one wall, operatively coupling said second means to said first means; and locating outside said chamber third means for sensing said signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as defined in claim 10 further comprising the step of: generating electrical energy in said chamber in response to vehicle vibration.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as defined in claim 11 further comprising the step of: locating in said chamber fourth means for storing electrical energy generated by said first means, said fourth means being operatively coupled to said first means and to said second means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for sensing gas pressure in an inflator for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said method comprising the steps of: providing the inflator with at least one wall defining a chamber in the inflator; storing inflation fluid at a predetermined pressure in said chamber; generating electrical energy in said chamber; supplying said electrical energy to means for sensing inflation fluid pressure in said chamber; sensing a change in said predetermined pressure of said inflation fluid in said chamber using said means for sensing inflation fluid pressure; creating a signal indicative of said change in said predetermined pressure of said inflation fluid; supplying said signal to means for transmitting said signal through said at least one wall; and receiving said signal outside said chamber using means for receiving a signal.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for sensing gas pressure in an inflator for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said method comprising the steps of: providing the inflator with at least one wall defining a chamber in the inflator; storing inflation fluid at a predetermined pressure in said chamber; generating electrical energy in said chamber; supplying said electrical energy to means for sensing inflation fluid pressure in said chamber; sensing a change in said predetermined pressure of said inflation fluid in said chamber using said means for sensing inflation fluid pressure; creating a signal indicative of said change in said predetermined pressure of said inflation fluid; supplying said signal to means for transmitting said signal through said at least one wall; and receiving said signal outside said chamber using means for receiving a signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as defined in claim 13 wherein said step of generating electrical energy comprises generating electrical energy in response to vehicle vibration.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as defined in claim 14 further comprising the step of: storing in said chamber said electrical energy generated in said chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3869143A
Cited
US4049935A
Cited
US4504761A
Cited
US4458173A
Cited
US5076607A
Cited
US5347870A
Cited
US5619997A
Cited
US5799972A
Cited
US5869745A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-08 | 2003-05-10 | 2003-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-08 | 2007-05-10 | 2007-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-08 | 2011-05-10 | 2011-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |