초록 ▼

To achieve a reduced inflation rate of an airbag in a vehicle occupant restraint apparatus, an airbag inflator is provided with a seal ring acting, in response to initial pressurization by a pyrotechnic initiator, to open injection ports, such that liquid propellant may be regeneratively pumped by a

To achieve a reduced inflation rate of an airbag in a vehicle occupant restraint apparatus, an airbag inflator is provided with a seal ring acting, in response to initial pressurization by a pyrotechnic initiator, to open injection ports, such that liquid propellant may be regeneratively pumped by a piston from a reservoir into a combustion chamber for combustion. The resulting combustion gases flow through a series of swirl chambers to increase residence time and through a plenum chamber where the combustion gases are cooled. The combustion gases exit the plenum chamber as an airbag inflation gas.

대표청구항 ▼

[ In the claims:] [1.] An airbag inflator comprising:a casing having a vent for fluid communication with an airbag;a cylinder provided in the casing;a piston slidably received in the cylinder, the piston including:a piston head defining, to a rearward side, a reservoir containing a liquid propellant

[ In the claims:] [1.] An airbag inflator comprising:a casing having a vent for fluid communication with an airbag;a cylinder provided in the casing;a piston slidably received in the cylinder, the piston including:a piston head defining, to a rearward side, a reservoir containing a liquid propellant, and, to a forward side, a combustion chamber in fluid communication with the housing vent, andinjection ports extending through the piston head between the reservoir and the combustion chamber;a seal ring slidably received in the cylinder and having a surface area exposed to the reservoir, the seal ring normally blocking the injection ports; andan inflation initiator operable, in response to a vehicle collision, to pressurize the reservoir and to drive the seal ring forwardly to unblock the injection ports, such that liquid propellant may flow into the combustion chamber for ignition and generation of combustion gases that flow through the vent to inflate the airbag.