HYBRID INFLATOR WITH STAGED INFLATION CAPABILITY

• Main Authors: OCKER, KLAUS F, BISHOP, ROBERT J, RENFROE, DONALD W, FRANTOM, RICHARD L, BROWN, ROY G, KREMER, ROBERT M, ROSS, JAMES
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 01.02.1999
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: AMMUNITION; BLASTING; EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION; HEATING; LIGHTING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES IN GENERAL; VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISEPROVIDED FOR; WEAPONS

An inflator comprising: a pressure vessel (10) for storing a quantity of stored inflation gas under pressure. The pressure vessel comprising a first burst disk (46) and a seal disk (310) both for selectively sealing same. The inflator (10) including a gas release mechanism (52, 300) for permitting the controlled, staged release of the inflation gas at determinable inflation rates. The gas release mechanism includes: a first pyrotechnic device, positioned outside of the pressure vessel and spaced from the first burst disk (46), including a piston (72) moved into a disk piercing position to rupture the first burst disk (46) in response to the buildup of pressure caused burning of a first quantity of propellant material (218). The bursting of the first burst disk permits the inflation gas to initially flow out of the pressure vessel at a determinable cold inflation rate, the piston thereafter provides a conduit to communicate the products of combustion of the burning propellent to the pressure means so as to increase the temperature of the inflation gas therein and thereby increase the rate of egress of the gas. The inflator (10) also includes a second pyrotechnic mechanism (300), positioned outside of the pressure vessel and spaced from the seal disk (310), for providing, when activated, additional products of combustion arising from burning of a second quantity of propellent material, the products of combustion opening the seal disk (310) and thereafter entering the pressure vessel to heat the inflation gas therein and thereby elevate the rate of egress of the inflation gas above the rate achievable by the first pyrotechnic device.