초록 ▼

A new type of inflator that may be used to inflate an airbag is disclosed. The inflator will have a longitudinal axis, a first chamber, and a filter. The filter may be positioned outside of the first chamber. A first quantity of gas generant is positioned within the first chamber. A first strainer h

A new type of inflator that may be used to inflate an airbag is disclosed. The inflator will have a longitudinal axis, a first chamber, and a filter. The filter may be positioned outside of the first chamber. A first quantity of gas generant is positioned within the first chamber. A first strainer having a plurality of gas flow holes is also positioned within the first chamber. The first quantity of gas generant is located exterior of the strainer. Upon combustion of the first quantity of gas generant produces a first quantity of gas that flows towards the longitudinal axis while passing through the gas flow holes, enters the filter, and then flows away from the longitudinal axis while passing through the filter.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. An inflator having a longitudinal axis, the inflator comprising: a first chamber comprising a first quantity of gas generant; a redirecting portion disposed within the first chamber; a first strainer comprising a plurality of gas flow holes, the first strainer being pos

The invention claimed is: 1. An inflator having a longitudinal axis, the inflator comprising: a first chamber comprising a first quantity of gas generant; a redirecting portion disposed within the first chamber; a first strainer comprising a plurality of gas flow holes, the first strainer being positioned within the first chamber, wherein the first quantity of gas generant being located exterior of the strainer; and a filter positioned outside of the first chamber, wherein an igniter gas produced by the ignition of a pyrotechnic charge is redirected by the redirecting portion to the exterior of the gas generant causing combustion of the first quantity of gas generant producing a first quantity of gas that flows towards the longitudinal axis through the gas flow holes, enters the filter, and then flows away from the longitudinal axis through the filter. 2. An inflator as in claim 1 wherein after the first quantity of gas flows through the filter, the gas exits the inflator through one or more exit ports. 3. An inflator as in claim 1 wherein a burst disk is positioned between the first chamber and the filter. 4. An inflator as in claim 1 wherein the combustion of the first quantity of gas generant occurs exterior to the first strainer. 5. An inflator as in claim 1 further comprising a first initiator that is attached to the first chamber. 6. An inflator as in claim 1 further comprising a second chamber, wherein the first chamber is positioned at a first end of the inflator and the second chamber is positioned at a second end of the inflator. 7. An inflator as in claim 6 wherein the second chamber comprises a second quantity of gas generant and a second strainer, wherein the second strainer comprises a plurality of gas flow holes, the second supply of gas generant being located exterior of the second strainer; and wherein combustion of the second quantity of gas generant produces a second quantity of gas that flows towards the longitudinal axis through the gas flow holes in the second strainer, enters the filter, and then flows away from the longitudinal axis through the filter. 8. An inflator as in claim 7 wherein the combustion of the first quantity of gas generant occurs exterior of the first strainer and ignition of the second quantity of gas generant occurs exterior of the second strainer. 9. An inflator as in claim 7 wherein both the first quantity of gas generant and the second quantity of gas generant comprise wafers. 10. An inflator as in claim 6 further comprising a second initiator that is attached to the second chamber. 11. An inflator as in claim 6, further comprising a second burst disk that seals the second chamber. 12. An inflator as in claim 1 further comprising an external area that is external of the first quantity of gas generant. 13. An inflator having a longitudinal axis, the inflator comprising: a first chamber comprising a first quantity of gas generant; an initiator having a pyrotechnic charge; a redirecting portion disposed within the first chamber; and a first strainer comprising one or more gas flow holes, the first quantity of gas generant being located exterior of the first strainer; wherein activation of the initiator causes an igniter gas to contact the redirecting portion and to be redirected to the exterior of the gas generant causing combustion of the first quantity of gas generant that occurs exterior of the first strainer and produces a first quantity of gas that flows towards the longitudinal axis while passing through the gas flow holes, exits the first chamber, and then flows away from the longitudinal axis as it exits the inflator. 14. An inflator as in claim 13 further comprising a second chamber, the second chamber having a second quantity of gas generant and a second strainer, the second quantity of gas generant being located exterior of the second strainer, wherein combustion of the second quantity of gas generant occurs exterior of the second strainer and produces a second quantity of gas that flows towards the longitudinal axis while passing through one or more gas flow holes in the second strainer, exits the second chamber, and then flows away from the longitudinal axis as it exits the inflator. 15. An inflator as in claim 14 wherein the first quantity of gas generant and the second quantity of gas generant comprise wafers. 16. A method deploying an inflator having a longitudinal axis, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining an inflator, the inflator comprising: a first chamber comprising a first quantity of gas generant; a redirecting portion disposed within the first chamber; a first strainer comprising a plurality of gas flow holes, the first strainer being positioned within the first chamber, first quantity of gas generant is located exterior of the first strainer; and a filter positioned outside of the first chamber; directing an igniter gas exiting an initiator via the redirecting portion to the exterior of the gas generant; combusting the first quantity of gas generant to produce a first quantity of gas, wherein combustion of the first quantity of gas generant occurs exterior to the first strainer; venting the first quantity of gas by having the gas flow towards the longitudinal axis while passing through the gas flow holes, enter the filter, and then flow away from the longitudinal axis as it passes through the filter and exits the inflator. 17. A method as in claim 16 wherein the inflator further comprises a second chamber, wherein the first chamber is positioned at a first end of the filter and the second chamber is positioned at a second end of the filter, the second chamber comprising a second supply of gas generant and a second strainer that includes a plurality of gas flow holes, wherein the second quantity of gas generant is located exterior of the second strainer. 18. A method as in claim 17 further comprising the step of combusting the second quantity of gas generant to produce a second quantity of gas, wherein the second quantity of gas flows towards the longitudinal axis as it passes through the gas flow holes in the second strainer, enters the filter, and then flows away from the longitudinal axis as it passes through the filter and exits the inflator. 19. A method as in claim 18 wherein the second quantity of gas mixes with the first quantity of gas in the filter.