Inflator
US6164695A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 8, 1999 |
| Grant date | Dec 26, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 8, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R21/268
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An inflator (10) for providing inflation fluid to inflate an inflatable device includes a container (12) containing a stored pressurized gas. The container (12) has a primary chamber (24) and a secondary chamber (26). The container (12) has a wall (32) separating the primary and secondary chambers (24, 26). An orifice (34) communicates the primary chamber (24) with the secondary chamber (26). The container (12) has an outlet passage (42) communicating with the secondary chamber (26). The flow area of the outlet passage (42) is greater than the flow area of the orifice (34). A member (46) has a first condition blocking flow through the outlet passage (42) and a second condition permitting flow through the outlet passage. An initiator (52) causes the member (46) to assume the second condition so as to permit flow from the secondary chamber (26) through the outlet passage (42) and create a pressure differential between the primary and secondary chambers (24, 26) acting on the wall (32). The pressure differential ruptures the wall (32).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.