Gas Generator Guiding Sleeve and Baffle Plate for Slag Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas generators for vehicle safety systems face challenges in efficiently filtering and cooling hot gases produced during pyrotechnic combustion, as existing wire mesh or wire cloth filters are heavy, inefficient, and can deteriorate combustion reactions due to high flow rates and rapid temperature changes.
Innovation Solution
A pyrotechnical tube gas generator design featuring a guiding sleeve and baffle plate with deflection sections that direct gas flow through an annular discharge chamber, optimizing filtering and cooling without the need for massive wire mesh filters, allowing for efficient slag separation and gas purification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If wire meshes or wire fabrics are used to cool and filter hot gases, then cooling and filtering function is achieved, but the mass of the gas generator increases and combustion reactions are deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cooling function from the filtering function by introducing separate cooling channels through the combustion chamber wall, allowing cooling to occur independently without requiring massive wire mesh filters. This separates the thermal management function from the particulate filtration function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cooling gas as an intermediary substance that flows through channels in the combustion chamber wall to absorb heat from the hot combustion gases. This mediator enables efficient heat transfer without requiring direct contact between the hot gases and large mass cooling structures.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If wire fabrics or expanded metal layers are used for filtration, then slag residues are separated, but the separating rate for solids is extremely low due to high flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the filtration process into multiple stages: primary filtration through a filter element, secondary separation in a separation chamber, and final filtration through an outlet filter. This multi-stage approach increases the overall separating rate for solids by handling different particle sizes and concentrations at different stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a radial flow component in the separation chamber, moving particles from axial flow to radial flow. This dimensional change in flow pattern enhances particle separation efficiency by utilizing centrifugal forces and extending the residence time of particles in the separation zone.
3Temperature
If massive filter components are used for cooling, then gas temperature is rapidly lowered, but combustion reactions are deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary cooling by introducing cooling gas through channels in the combustion chamber wall before the hot gases exit the combustion chamber. This preliminary action reduces the temperature of the combustion chamber structure and the adjacent hot gases, preventing excessive temperature rise that would deteriorate combustion reactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic cooling by introducing a cooling gas (typically inert gas) through channels in the combustion chamber wall. The pressurized cooling gas flows through these channels, absorbing heat from the combustion chamber structure and adjacent hot gases, providing efficient cooling without mechanical contact.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional filters are used, then gas filtering is achieved, but material costs and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different filter structures at different locations: a filter element at the combustion chamber outlet for primary filtration, and a smaller outlet filter at the gas outlet for final purification. This localized approach provides adequate gas purification while minimizing the total weight of filter components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous filter materials with optimized pore sizes and distributions to achieve effective particle separation with minimal material mass. The porous structure provides large surface area for filtration while maintaining low weight, allowing gas purification without the need for massive filter components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances filtering and cooling efficiency while reducing material costs and weight, improving gas generator performance by directing gas flow to optimize slag deposition and gas purification, leading to improved gas quality and reduced propellant usage.
Implementation Method 1
deflecting parts of the gas or the gas flow at a baffle plate into a substantially opposite direction
Implementation Method 2
hot gases are formed which are cooled in the gas generators usually by flowing through wire meshes or wire fabrics
Implementation Method 3
by the afore-mentioned components slag residues or solids that are forming during combustion are filtered and separated from the hot gases
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a gas generator (10), particularly a pyrotechnical tube gas generator, with an axial longitudinal direction (L), comprising an ignition unit (20), a combustion chamber (30) axially mounted downstream from the ignition unit (20) and comprising a combustion chamber bottom (35) forming a combustion chamber outlet (36), and a filter chamber (70) that is axially mounted downstream of the combustion chamber (30). According to the invention, at least one guiding sleeve (50) and a front-side baffle plate (80) are formed in the filter chamber, a first end (51) of the guiding sleeve (50), on the side of the combustion chamber, being axially mounted downstream from the combustion chamber bottom (35), and a second end (53) of the guiding sleeve (50) being associated with the baffle plate (80), a first deflection section being formed on the baffle plate (80) and the guiding sleeve (50) which allows a gas flow to an outer side of the guiding sleeve (50) into an annular first discharge chamber (75).