The present invention relates to an arrangement for filling a flexible container with gas essentially instantaneously upon the occurrence of powerful retardation forces, wherein the gas-filled container functions as a force-absorbing cushion for protection against injury. The arrangement includes a gas-filled high-pressure vessel, a conduit which connects the pressure vessel to the container, a mechanical opening device for opening the connection between the vessel and the container upon the occurrence of a retardation force which exceeds a smallest value, and a retardation meter. The arrangement is characterized in that the vessel is filled with a gas which exhibits a reversed Joule-Thomson effect.
The present invention relates to an apparatus (2) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in the event of sudden vehicle deceleration. The apparatus (2) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (4) and an inflator (10, 110) having a chamber (42, 142). A stored inflation fluid (44, 144) for inflating the restraint (4) is disposed in the chamber (42, 142). A device for controlling flow of the inflation fluid (44, 144) from the chamber (42, 142) to the restraint (4) is provided. The device includes a member (40, 200) which has a first mechanical strength when no electric current is applied to the member and a second mechanical strength lower than the first mechanical strength when electric current is applied to the member.
A gas generator for deploying and inflating an impact cushion of a passenger restraint system, with a gas generator housing, which has at least one seal, for holding a propellant for generating the required quantity of inflating gas for the impact cushion. The required amount of inflating gas is generated exclusively with water that vaporizes virtually instantaneously, when an emergency occurs, i.e., when the restraint system is activated. When the restraint system is activated, the required vaporization is brought about by depressurization of the heated water, which is contained in a closed pressure chamber.
The invention provides apparatus for inflating an inflatable safety restraint cushion and associated methods for producing an inflation gas for inflating an inflatable safety restraint cushion which rely, at least in part, on Joule-Thomson heating.
An apparatus (10) helps to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable into a position between a vehicle part (16) and a vehicle occupant. The apparatus (10) also includes an inflation fluid source (24) that provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflation fluid source (24) contains a stored inflation fluid (118) consisting essentially of 65-95% helium gas and 5-35% nitrogen gas stored under pressure.
An apparatus for deploying an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) includes a container (26) with a closed storage chamber (28) containing a combustible mixture of gases. The apparatus (10) further includes first and second initiators (18, 20). The first initiator (18), when actuated, first opens the storage chamber and then ignites the combustible mixture of gases. The second initiator (20), when actuated, also ignites the combustible mixture of gases. The first and second initiators (18, 20) are actuated in a selected one of a plurality of differing stages which correspond to a plurality of differing deployment conditions.
