초록 ▼

A hybrid inflator including a torus-shaped stored gas housings and a central housing assembly extending through a central portion thereof. An activation assembly is disposed at one end of the central housing assembly. A diffuser assembly is located at its opposite end. The central housing assembly h

A hybrid inflator including a torus-shaped stored gas housings and a central housing assembly extending through a central portion thereof. An activation assembly is disposed at one end of the central housing assembly. A diffuser assembly is located at its opposite end. The central housing assembly has a gas generator containing a propellant. The stored gas housing contains a pressurized medium that is used with the ignited propellant to provide gases to an inflatable. When the propellant is ignited, the force of the generated gas opens a closure disk adjacent to the diffuser assembly.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An inflator for an inflatable safety system including an inflatable bag, comprising:a first housing that is generally torus-shaped, said first housing having a first end and a second end;a second housing assembly interconnected with said first housing, said second housing

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An inflator for an inflatable safety system including an inflatable bag, comprising:a first housing that is generally torus-shaped, said first housing having a first end and a second end;a second housing assembly interconnected with said first housing, said second housing assembly comprising first and third chambers, said first housing being disposed about said second housing assembly;a second chamber defined between said first housing and said second housing assembly;a first port on said second housing assembly interconnecting said first chamber and said second chamber, wherein said first chamber and said second chamber are in constant fluid communication;a second port on said second housing assembly interconnecting said second chamber and said third chamber, wherein said second chamber and said third chamber are in constant fluid communication;a gas-generating material disposed within said first chamber;a pressurized medium contained within said first, second and third chambers;an outlet to the inflatable bag located adjacent said second end of said first housing;a closure disk disposed between said third chamber and said second end of said first housing and in which said closure disk is rupturable after said gas-generating material is ignited;an activation assembly located adjacent said first end of said first housing for igniting said gas-generating material; andmeans for substantially preventing direct fluid communication between said first and third chambers when gases are generated upon ignition of said gas-generating material and in which substantially all said gases are forced to flow from said first chamber then into said second chamber, and then into said third chamber, wherein said gas-generating material is disposed between said means for substantially preventing and said first end of said first housing and in which, upon activation of said gas-generating material, said closure disk opens due substantially to fluid pressure acting directly on said closure disk.