Compact multi-level output hybrid gas generator

Abstract

A multi-level gas inflator for an air bag or other safety device, comprising an elongated pressure vessel having a primary gas generant portion with a first open end and a secondary gas generant portion with a second open end. The primary gas generant portion has a primary ignition device and primary gas generating energetics disposed therein. The primary ignition device is mounted on and closes the pressure vessel at the first open end thereof. The secondary gas generant portion has a secondary ignition device and secondary gas generating energetics disposed therein. The secondary ignition device is mounted on and closes the pressure vessel at the second open end thereof. A suitable gas under a predetermined pressure is present in the primary and secondary gas generant portions. One or more dividers or divider walls are disposed within the midportion of the pressure vessel to separate the primary and secondary gas generant portions. The pressure vessel has a primary exit orifice in the midportion thereof that is in communication with the primary gas generant portion, and a secondary exit orifice in the midportion thereof that is in communication with the secondary gas generant portion. A primary rupture disk is disposed over the primary exit orifice, and a secondary rupture disk is disposed over the secondary exit orifice. A diffuser is mounted on and surrounds the pressure vessel midportion and the primary and secondary exit orifices. The diffuser is in communication with the air bag for the inflation thereof. The inflator can be easily converted to a single level output inflator by omitting the secondary ignition device and the secondary gas generating energetics.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to an inflator or gas generator for airbags or other safety equipment, in particular, to a small hybrid gas generator with multi-stage output, which can be selected at different speeds and levels Airbags or other types of safety devices can be deployed or deployed at different output levels based on different sensor inputs. Background technique [0002] Recently, there has been a need to control the speed and amount of inflation or to control the movement of safety devices such as air bag restraint systems according to variable factors such as number of passengers, location, use of seat belts and the speed of the vehicle at the moment of collision. [0003] For optimum occupant protection, air bag inflators need to have different output levels. For example, when a high-speed collision occurs with a large person who is not wearing a seat belt, the airbag needs to inflate at full speed to provide the best protection. When...

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Problems solved by technology

However, this device is more complex than that described in US Patent No. 3,773,353

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