초록 ▼

An inflator (12) includes structure (40, 50, 82) defining a chamber (130). First and second passages ( 92 and 116) extend through the structure (40, 50, 82). A burst disk (120) closes the first passage (116). A valve housing (142) is received in the second passage (92) and defines a fill passage (1

An inflator (12) includes structure (40, 50, 82) defining a chamber (130). First and second passages ( 92 and 116) extend through the structure (40, 50, 82). A burst disk (120) closes the first passage (116). A valve housing (142) is received in the second passage (92) and defines a fill passage (154). A fluid (186) is stored under pressure in the chamber (130). An igniter (70) is actuatable for opening the burst disk (120) for enabling the fluid (186) to flow out of the chamber (130) through the first passage (116). A valve member (144) enables flow of the fluid (186) through the fill passage (154) of the valve housing (142) into the chamber (130) and prevents flow out of the chamber (130) through the fill passage (154).

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. An inflator comprising: a tubular body portion having axially spaced first and second ends, an igniter endcap secured to the first end of the tubular body portion and a diffuser endcap secured to the second end of the tubular body portion, the tubular body portion, the

The invention claimed is: 1. An inflator comprising: a tubular body portion having axially spaced first and second ends, an igniter endcap secured to the first end of the tubular body portion and a diffuser endcap secured to the second end of the tubular body portion, the tubular body portion, the igniter endcap, and the diffuser endcap collectively defining a fluid chamber, first and second passages extending through the diffuser endcap; a burst disk closing the first passage in the diffuser endcap; a fluid stored under pressure in the fluid chamber; an igniter supported by the igniter endcap and spaced axially away from the burst disk, the igniter being actuatable for opening the burst disk for enabling fluid to flow out of the fluid chamber through the first passage, a fill valve having a valve housing and a valve member that is movable relative to the valve housing, the valve housing being received in the second passage of the diffuser endcap and defining a fill passage for enabling fluid flow into the fluid chamber, the valve member, when located in a first position relative to the valve housing, enabling the flow of the fluid through the fill passage into the fluid chamber, the valve member, when located in a second position relative to the valve housing, preventing fluid flow out of the fluid chamber through the fill passage, the second passage extending radially, through the diffuser endcap, relative to a longitudinal axis of the tubular body portion of the inflator, the valve housing extending through the second passage such that the fill passage extends generally perpendicular relative to an extent of the first passage that extends through the diffuser endcap. 2. The inflator of claim 1 wherein the fluid is a combustible gas mixture that is ignitable for providing inflation fluid, the igniter, upon actuation, igniting the combustible gas mixture. 3. The inflator of claim 1 further including a plug for sealing the fill passage of the valve housing, the plug being spaced away from the valve member in a direction outward of the fluid chamber. 4. The inflator of claim 1 wherein a third passage extends through the igniter endcap, a rupturable isolation disk closing the third passage and preventing flow of the fluid out of the fluid chamber through the third passage, combustion products generated from actuation of the igniter rupturing the isolation disk and entering the fluid chamber through the third passage to heat the fluid in the fluid chamber. 5. The inflator of claim 1 wherein the valve housing defines a valve chamber, a plurality of fingers having inwardly bent end portions defining the valve chamber, the valve member located in the valve chamber and movable toward the inwardly bent end portions of the fingers for enabling the flow of fluid into the fluid chamber of the inflator. 6. An inflator comprising: structure defining a fluid chamber, first and second passages extending through the structure to the fluid chamber; a fluid stored under pressure in the fluid chamber; a device closing the first passage and being actuatable for enabling fluid to flow out of the fluid chamber through the first passage; and a fill valve having a valve housing, a valve member, and a plug member, the valve housing received in the second passage and defining a fill passage, the valve housing including a plurality of fingers having inwardly bent end portions, the fingers defining a valve chamber in which the valve member is located, the valve member when located in a first position in the valve chamber, adjacent the end portions of the fingers, enabling flow of the fluid through the fill passage of the valve housing into the fluid chamber, the valve member when located in a second position in the valve chamber preventing the flow of fluid out of the fluid chamber through the fill passage, the plug member sealing the fill passage of the valve housing after the fluid is introduced into the fluid chamber through the fill passage, the plug member being spaced away from the valve member outward of the fluid chamber. 7. The inflator of claim 6 wherein a portion of the plug member is located in the fill passage of the valve housing. 8. The inflator of claim 6 wherein the fluid is a combustible gas mixture that is ignitable for providing inflation fluid, the inflator also including an igniter that is actuatable for igniting the combustible gas mixture. 9. The inflator of claim 6 wherein the fluid chamber extends axially along a longitudinal axis, the valve housing extending radially into the structure relative to the longitudinally axis and defining the fill passage as radially extending. 10. The inflator of claim 6 wherein the valve housing of the fill valve includes an outer portion, the outer portion forming the widest part of the valve housing and including a surface that leads to the fill passage, the plug member including a first portion that is located in the fill passage and a second portion that abuts the surface of the outer portion. 11. The inflator of claim 6 wherein the fill passage of the fill valve includes first and second tapered portions, a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion interposed between the first and second tapered portions, the valve member being located in the first tapered portion when in the second position for preventing the flow of fluid out of the fluid chamber through the fill passage, the plug member being located in the second tapered portion and in the large diameter portion of the fill passage when the plug member seals the fill passage.