초록 ▼

A hybrid inflator and method of inflating airbags include a pressure vessel which utilizes a solid propellant, a liquid fuel and a compressed oxidizing gas to produce an inflator gas for inflating devices such as airbags. The solid propellant vaporizes and superheats the liquid fuel, thus raising it

A hybrid inflator and method of inflating airbags include a pressure vessel which utilizes a solid propellant, a liquid fuel and a compressed oxidizing gas to produce an inflator gas for inflating devices such as airbags. The solid propellant vaporizes and superheats the liquid fuel, thus raising it above its autoignition temperature. When put in contact with the compressed oxidizing gas the liquid fuel ignites. The thus-ignited liquid fuel and compressed gas rupture a burst disk in the inflator to release the inflator gas for inflation purposes.

대표청구항 ▼

A hybrid inflator comprising: a) a pressure vessel forming a chamber; b) an igniter mounted to said pressure vessel; c) a solid propellant contained within said pressure vessel to be ignited by said igniter; d) a liquid fuel stored in said pressure vessel so as to be pressurized by ignition of said

A hybrid inflator comprising: a) a pressure vessel forming a chamber; b) an igniter mounted to said pressure vessel; c) a solid propellant contained within said pressure vessel to be ignited by said igniter; d) a liquid fuel stored in said pressure vessel so as to be pressurized by ignition of said solid propellant; e) a first mixing chamber within said pressure vessel for receiving said liquid fuel and products of combustion of said solid propellant, said products of combustion vaporizing and superheating said liquid fuel; f) a second chamber within said pressure vessel storing a compressed oxidizing gas, said second chamber in communication with said first mixing chamber so that said vaporized and superheating liquid fuel is ignited when contacting said compressed oxidizing gas to form an inflator gas; and g) a burst disk-containing outlet in said pressure vessel to release said inflator gas from said second chamber.