Gas generating system with pressure regulator

Abstract

A gas generating system is provided including a housing and a divider for dividing an interior of the housing into a first interior portion and a second interior portion. The divider defines a fluid flow path therethrough enabling fluid communication from the first interior portion to the second interior portion. A valve mechanism is operatively coupled to the divider for constricting the fluid flow path responsive to a pressure within the first interior portion, thereby enabling the pressure within the first interior portion to be maintained within a predetermined range. A vehicle occupant protection system including the gas generating system is also disclosed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a gas generating system in accordance with the present invention prior to system activation;

FIG. 2 is a magnified cross-sectional side view of a portion of the gas generating system of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3-5 show various stages of operation of the gas generating system of FIGS. 1 and 2 upon activation;

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the gas generating system of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 shows another alternative embodiment of the gas generating system of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows yet another alternative embodiment of the gas generating system of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of an exemplary vehicle occupant restraint system including a pressure regulation mechanism in accordance with the present invention.

Claims

1. A gas generating system comprising: a housing;a divider for dividing an interior of the housing into a first interior portion and a second interior portion, the divider defining a fluid flow path therethrough enabling fluid communication from the first interior portion to the second interior portion; anda valve mechanism operatively coupled to the divider for constricting the fluid flow path responsive to a pressure within the first interior portion, whereby the pressure within the first interior portion is maintained at a value within a predetermined range.

2. A flow control system for regulating a flow of fluid out of an enclosure responsive to a pressure within the enclosure, the flow control system comprising: a fluid flow path enabling fluid communication between an interior of the enclosure and an exterior of the enclosure;a valve mechanism in operative communication with the fluid flow path for constricting the fluid flow path responsive to the pressure within the enclosure, whereby the pressure within the enclosure is maintained at a value within a predetermined range.

3. The flow control system of claim 2 further including a divider for dividing an interior of the enclosure from an exterior of the enclosure, the divider defining the fluid flow path therein, and wherein the valve mechanism comprises: a piston slidably engaged with the divider so as to enable fluid communication between the piston and the enclosure interior;a closure member coupled to the piston so as to move in conjunction therewith; anda spring member operatively coupled to the closure member for exerting a force on the closure member,whereby a first force exerted on the piston in a first direction due to the pressure within the enclosure interior is opposed by a second force responsive to the first force, the second force being exerted on the closure member by the spring member in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction.

4. The flow control system of claim 3 wherein, when the pressure within the enclosure interior is at a value within the predetermined range, the first force is substantially equal to the second force.

5. The flow control system of claim 4 wherein, when the pressure within the enclosure interior is at a value within the predetermined range, the first force is equal to about 221 N and the pressure within the enclosure interior is equal to about 31 Mpa.

6. The flow control system of claim 3 wherein the closure member is coupled to the divider so as to constrict the fluid flow path through the divider responsive to a sum of the first and second forces acting on the closure member.

7. The flow control system of claim 3 wherein the divider has a projection extending therefrom, the projection containing at least one hole formed therein to enable fluid communication between the enclosure interior and the exterior of the enclosure upon activation of the flow control system, and wherein the closure member comprises a sleeve slidably mounted on the projection so as to adjustably constrict the at least one hole responsive to the pressure within the enclosure interior.

8. The flow control system of claim 7 wherein the projection is adjustably connected to the divider.

9. The flow control system of claim 8 wherein the connection between the projection and the divider is a threaded connection.

10. The flow control system of claim 6 further comprising a stop member for restricting motion of the closure member.

11. The flow control system of claim 3 wherein a degree of constriction of the fluid flow path is inversely proportional to the pressure within the enclosure.

12. A vehicle occupant protection system comprising a gas generating system incorporating a flow control system for regulating a flow of fluid out of an enclosure responsive to a pressure within the enclosure, the flow control system containing: a fluid flow path enabling fluid communication between an interior of the enclosure and an exterior of the enclosure; anda valve mechanism in operative communication with the fluid flow path for constricting the fluid flow path responsive to the pressure within the enclosure, whereby the pressure within the enclosure is maintained at a value within a predetermined range.

13. A gas generating system incorporating a flow control system in accordance with claim 2.

14. The flow control system of claim 2 further including a divider for dividing an interior of the enclosure from an exterior of the enclosure, the divider defining the fluid flow path therein, and wherein the valve mechanism comprises: a closure member slidably engaged with the divider so as to enable fluid communication between the closure member and the enclosure interior; anda spring member operatively coupled to the closure member for exerting a force on the closure member,whereby a first force exerted on the closure member in a first direction due to the pressure within the enclosure interior is opposed by a second force responsive to the first force, the second force being exerted on the closure member by the spring member in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction.

15. The flow control system of claim 14 wherein the divider has a projection extending therefrom, the projection containing at least one hole formed therein to enable fluid communication between the enclosure interior and the exterior of the enclosure, and wherein the closure member comprises a sleeve slidably mounted on the projection so as to adjustably constrict the at least one hole responsive to the pressure within the enclosure interior.

16. The flow control system of claim of claim 15 wherein a portion of the at least one hole enables fluid communication between the enclosure interior and the exterior of the enclosure prior to activation of the flow control system.

17. The flow control system of claim 15 wherein the projection is adjustably connected to the divider.

18. The flow control system of claim 7 wherein the sleeve includes at least one gas-exit orifice formed therein.