초록 ▼

A multi-chamber gas generating system (10) has a housing (12) with openings (24) formed in a wall thereof. A gas-tight internal divider (42) separates the housing into two chambers (80, 80'). A first gas generating sub-assembly (100) incorporating a baffle system is positioned in the first chamber (

A multi-chamber gas generating system (10) has a housing (12) with openings (24) formed in a wall thereof. A gas-tight internal divider (42) separates the housing into two chambers (80, 80'). A first gas generating sub-assembly (100) incorporating a baffle system is positioned in the first chamber (100). The sub-assembly (100) includes a first tubular member (44) and a second tubular member (52) positioned within the first member. The first and second members have openings (49, 54) formed therein to enable fluid communication between a combustion chamber of the sub-assembly and the housing openings (24). The first sub-assembly openings (49, 54) are axially displaced from the housing openings (24) such that combustion products flow in opposing first and second axial directions between the first sub-assembly combustion chamber and the housing openings. A second sub-assembly (100') of substantially identical construction is positioned in the housing second chamber (80').

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A multi-chamber gas generating system comprising: an elongated housing including a housing wall; a divider secured within an interior of the housing to separate the interior of the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber, the divider forming a gas-tight barrier betw

What is claimed is: 1. A multi-chamber gas generating system comprising: an elongated housing including a housing wall; a divider secured within an interior of the housing to separate the interior of the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber, the divider forming a gas-tight barrier between the chambers, at least one opening formed in the housing wall to enable fluid communication between the first chamber and an exterior of the housing; at least one opening formed in the housing wall to enable fluid communication between the second chamber and the exterior of the housing; a first tubular member positioned within the first housing chamber, the first tubular member having at least one opening formed therein to enable fluid communication between an interior of the first tubular member and the at least one opening formed in the housing wall enabling fluid communication between the first chamber and the housing exterior; a second tubular member positioned within the first tubular member, the second tubular member including at least one opening formed therein to enable fluid communication between an interior of the second tubular member and the at least one opening formed in the first tubular member, the at least one housing wall opening enabling fluid communication between the first chamber and the housing exterior being axially displaced from the at least one opening in the first tubular member such that combustion products flow in one of a first axial direction and a second axial direction between the at least one opening in the first tubular member and the at least one housing wall opening, the at least one opening in the first tubular member being axially displaced from the at least one opening in the second tubular member such that combustion products flow in the other one of the first axial direction and the second axial direction between the at least one opening in the second tubular member and the at least one opening in the first tubular member, the second axial direction being substantially opposite from the first axial direction; a third tubular member positioned within the second housing chamber, the third tubular member having at least one opening formed therein to enable fluid communication between an interior of the third tubular member and the at least one opening formed in the housing wall enabling fluid communication between the second chamber and the housing exterior; a fourth tubular member positioned within the third tubular member, the fourth tubular member including at least one opening formed therein to enable fluid communication between an interior of the fourth tubular member and the at least one opening formed in the third tubular member, the at least one housing wall opening enabling fluid communication between the second chamber and the housing exterior being axially displaced from the at least one opening in the third tubular member such that combustion products flow in one of the first axial direction and the second axial direction between the at least one opening in the third tubular member and the at least one housing wall opening, the at least one opening in the third tubular member being axially displaced from the at least one opening in the fourth tubular member such that combustion products flow in the other one of the first axial direction and the second axial direction between the at least one opening in the fourth tubular member and the at least one opening in the third tubular member, the first and second tubular members being positioned within the first chamber, and the third and fourth tubular members being positioned within the second chamber. 2. The gas generating system of claim 1 wherein the first tubular member includes a base portion positioned proximate the divider, the at least one second tubular member opening is formed in an end portion of the second tubular member, and wherein the end portion of the second tubular member is positioned adjacent the first tubular member base portion. 3. The gas generating system of claim 1 further comprising a cooling element positioned between the at least one second tubular member opening and the at least one first tubular member opening for cooling combustion products flowing therebetween. 4. The gas generating system of claim of claim 3 wherein the cooling element comprises a metallic mesh filter. 5. The gas generating system of claim 1 further comprising a tubular inner member positioned within the second tubular member, the tubular inner member including at least one opening formed therein to enable fluid communication between an interior of the tubular inner member and the at least one opening formed in the second tubular member. 6. The gas generating system of claim 5 further comprising a gas generant composition positioned between the second tubular member and the tubular inner member. 7. The gas generating system of claim 5 further comprising an ignition compound positioned within the tubular inner member. 8. A vehicle occupant protection system comprising an airbag system including an airbag and a gas generating system according to claim 1 coupled to the airbag so as to enable fluid communication with the airbag upon activation of the airbag system. 9. The vehicle occupant protection system of claim 8 further comprising a crash event sensor in communication with a known crash sensor algorithm for signaling activation of the airbag system. 10. The vehicle occupant protection system of claim 8 further comprising a safety belt assembly including at least one safety belt. 11. The multiple chamber gas generating system of claim 1 wherein gases generated within the first chamber flow in the first axial direction and then in the second axial direction, and wherein gases generated within the second chamber flow in the second axial direction and then in the first axial direction. 12. A multi-chamber gas generating system comprising: an elongated housing including a housing wall; a divider secured within the interior of the housing to separate the interior of the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber, the divider forming a gas-tight barrier between the chambers; at least one opening formed in the housing wall to enable fluid communication between the first chamber and an exterior of the housing; at least one opening formed in the housing wall to enable fluid communication between the second chamber and the exterior of the housing; a first sub-assembly positionable within the first chamber, the first sub-assembly including a first tubular member having at least one opening formed therein to enable fluid communication between an interior of the first tubular member and the at least one opening formed in the housing wall enabling fluid communication between the first chamber and the housing exterior; a second tubular member positioned within the first tubular member, the second tubular member including at least one opening formed therein to enable fluid communication between an interior of the second tubular member and the at least one opening formed in the first tubular member, a tubular inner member positioned within the second tubular member, the inner tubular member including at least one opening formed therein to enable fluid communication between an interior of the inner tubular member and the at least one opening formed in the second tubular member; a permeable gas cooling element positionable between the at least one second tubular member opening and the at least one first tubular member opening; a gas generant composition positioned between the second tubular member and the inner tubular member; an ignition compound positioned within the inner tubular member; a second sub-assembly positionable within the second chamber, the second sub-assembly including a third tubular member positioned within the interior of the housing, the third tubular member having at least one opening formed therein to enable fluid communication between an interior of the third tubular member and the at least one opening formed in the housing wall enabling fluid communication between the second chamber and the housing exterior; a fourth tubular member positioned within the third tubular member, the fourth tubular member including at least one opening formed therein to enable fluid communication between an interior of the fourth tubular member and the at least one opening formed in the third tubular member, another tubular inner member positioned within the fourth tubular member, the other inner tubular member including at least one opening formed therein to enable fluid communication between an interior of the other inner tubular member and the at least one opening formed in the fourth tubular member; a permeable gas cooling element positionable between the at least one fourth tubular member opening and the at least one third tubular member opening; a gas generant composition positioned between the fourth tubular member and the other inner tubular member; an ignition compound positioned within the other inner tubular member; the first sub-assembly having a first orientation with respect to the divider, the second sub-assembly having a second orientation with respect to the divider, the second orientation being inverted, with respect to the divider, from the first orientation. 13. The gas generating system of claim 12 wherein the at least one housing wall opening enabling fluid communication between the first chamber and the housing exterior is axially displaced from the at least one opening in the first tubular member such that combustion products flow in a first axial direction between the at least one opening in the first tubular member and the at least one housing wall opening enabling fluid communication between the first chamber and the housing exterior; the at least one opening in the first tubular member is axially displaced from the at least one opening in the second tubular member such that combustion products flow in a second axial direction between the at least one opening in the second tubular member and the at least one opening in the first tubular member; the at least one housing wall opening enabling fluid communication between the second chamber and the housing exterior is axially displaced from the at least one opening in the third tubular member such that combustion products flow in the second axial direction between the at least one opening in the third tubular member and the at least one housing wall opening enabling fluid communication between the second chamber and the housing exterior; and the at least one opening in the third tubular member is axially displaced from the at least one opening in the fourth tubular member such that combustion products flow in the first axial direction between the at least one opening in the fourth tubular member and the at least one opening in the third tubular member, the second axial direction being substantially opposite from the first axial direction. 14. A multiple chamber gas generating system comprising: a first subassembly containing a first tubular member, a second tubular member positioned within said first tubular member, a first propellant chamber within the second tubular member, and a first initiator assembly in operable communication with said first propellant chamber for initiating combustion of a gas generant positioned within said first propellant chamber, said gas generating system also including a second subassembly containing a third tubular member, a fourth tubular member positioned within said third tubular member, a second propellant chamber within the fourth tubular member, and a second initiator assembly in operable communication with said second propellant chamber for initiating combustion of a gas generant positioned within said second propellant chamber, wherein said first and second tubular members combine to produce axial flow of gases initially in one of a first direction and a second direction substantially opposite the first direction, and subsequently in the other one of the first direction and the second direction, upon activation of said first propellant chamber, wherein said third and fourth tubular members combine to produce axial flow of eases initially in one of the first direction and the second direction, and subsequently in the other one of the first direction and the second direction, upon activation of said second propellant chamber, and wherein said first and second subassemblies are substantially identical in design and are coaxially positioned within said gas generating system. 15. The multiple chamber gas generating system of claim 14 further comprising a first cooling element located radially outwardly of said first propellant chamber. 16. The multiple chamber gas generating system of claim 15 wherein said first cooling element is a baffle assembly formed by a plurality of concentric tubular members. 17. The multiple chamber gas generating system of claim 15 further comprising a second cooling element located radially outwardly of said second propellant chamber.