초록 ▼

An apparatus and method for inflating a vehicular inflatable device adaptable to a variety of fuels and oxidants wherein a fluid fuel is burned to produce hot gas, with the hot gas undergoing a reversal in direction of flow and mixing with stored, pressurized gas to produce inflation gas containing

An apparatus and method for inflating a vehicular inflatable device adaptable to a variety of fuels and oxidants wherein a fluid fuel is burned to produce hot gas, with the hot gas undergoing a reversal in direction of flow and mixing with stored, pressurized gas to produce inflation gas containing little or no particulate.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, said apparatus comprising:a housing containing at least one fuel in the form of a fluid and at least one oxidant, said housing including a first chamber wherein the at least one fuel and the at least one oxidant are burned

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, said apparatus comprising:a housing containing at least one fuel in the form of a fluid and at least one oxidant, said housing including a first chamber wherein the at least one fuel and the at least one oxidant are burned to produce combustion products including hot combustion gas, said first chamber adapted to open when a predetermined increase in pressure within said first chamber is realized, whereby at least a portion of the hot combustion gas is expelled from said first chamber in a first direction,initiator means for initiating the burning of the at least one fuel and at least one oxidant in said first chamber,said housing also including a second chamber containing a supply of pressurized stored gas, said second chamber having at least one outlet opening with sealing means normally closing said at least one outlet opening and being in fluid communication with said first chamber upon the opening of said first chamber with the hot combustion gas expelled from said first chamber mixing with the pressurized stored gas to produce inflation gas free of solid particulate material, said sealing means normally closing said at least one outlet opening adapted to open when a predetermined increase in pressure within said second chamber is realized after the hot combustion gas expelled from said first chamber mixes with the pressurized stored gas to produce the inflation gas, whereby at least a portion of the inflation gas is expelled from said second chamber in a second direction, andwherein the inflation gas is expelled from said second chamber in a counterflow manner in relation to the hot combustion gas expelled from said first chamber.