초록 ▼

An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (40) includes a housing (12) and a container (50) mounted in the housing. A quantity of helium gas (52) is stored under pressure in the container (50). The apparatus (10) includes means (58) for opening the container (5

An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (40) includes a housing (12) and a container (50) mounted in the housing. A quantity of helium gas (52) is stored under pressure in the container (50). The apparatus (10) includes means (58) for opening the container (50) to enable flow of helium gas (52) out of the container into the housing (12). The housing (12) has wall portions (14, 16, 18, 20) for directing helium gas (52) flowing from the container (50) through an outlet (26) of the housing into the inflatable device (40) to inflate the inflatable device. The housing (12) has at least one aspiration opening (30, 32) for aspirating ambient air into the housing due to the flow of helium gas (52) to mix with the helium gas during flow of helium gas from the container (50) into the inflatable device (40). Preferably, the apparatus (10) includes a converging-diverging nozzle (70) which is connected with the container (50) and through which gas (52) flows from the container prior to mixing with ambient air in the housing (12).

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:a housing;a container in said housing;a quantity of gas stored under pressure in said container; andmeans for opening said container to enable flow of gas out of said conta

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:a housing;a container in said housing;a quantity of gas stored under pressure in said container; andmeans for opening said container to enable flow of gas out of said container into said housing;said housing having wall portions to direct gas flowing from said container through an outlet of said housing into the inflatable device to inflate the inflatable device;said housing having at least one aspiration opening through which ambient air is aspirated into said housing due to the flow of said gas to mix with said gas during flow of said gas from said container into the inflatable device; anda converging-diverging nozzle in fluid communication with said container to direct flow of said gas from said container through said nozzle prior to mixing with ambient air in said housing, said converging-diverging nozzle being located in said housing.