Dual-flow inflator

• Main Author: RINK KARL K
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 01.07.2008
• Subjects: PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES IN GENERAL; VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISEPROVIDED FOR

A stored gas inflator ( 10 ) comprising a pressure vessel ( 12 ) for storing a pressurized medium therein. The pressure vessel ( 12 ) has a wall ( 14 ) defining an interior of the vessel. A gas flow conduit ( 26 ) extends through the interior of the pressure vessel ( 12 ). The conduit ( 26 ) has a first portion extending from the interior of the vessel ( 12 ) through a first portion of the wall ( 14 ) to an exterior of the vessel, and a second portion extending from the interior of the vessel through a second portion of the wall ( 14 ) to the exterior of the vessel. Rupturable barriers ( 40 ) are formed along a portion of the conduit ( 26 ) that extends through the interior of the vessel, for separating an interior of the conduit ( 26 ) from the interior of the pressure vessel ( 12 ) prior to activation of the inflator ( 10 ). The barriers ( 40 ) are rupturable upon activation of the inflator ( 10 ) to enable fluid communication between the interior of the conduit ( 26 ) and the interior of the pressure vessel ( 12 ). This permits the pressurized inflation medium to flow from the pressure vessel ( 12 ) into the conduit ( 26 ) and out of the conduit in opposing directions into one or more associated airbag(s) or other inflatable element(s). Use of multiple gas flow paths from the inflator ( 10 ) permits a greater quantity of gas to flow relatively rapidly from the inflator ( 10 ).