CN1153723A - Fluid fueled inflator with flow reversal - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and method for inflating a vehicular inflatable device adaptable to a variety of fuels and oxidants wherein a fluid fuel is burned to produce hot gas, with the hot gas undergoing a reversal in direction of flow and mixing with stored, pressurized gas to produce inflation gas containing little or no particulate.

Description

The confession of commutation of can flowing has the fluid charging blower of fuel

The present invention relates generally to inflatable safety bundle protecting system, be specifically related to be commonly called a kind of device of charging blower, this charging blower is to be used for an inflatable equipment, for example is used in an inflatable vehicle occupant safety bundle in this system and protects device and put on the air.

In the inflator device that has disclosed many kinds of patterns in the art, they are used for the tank dome of an inflatable safety bundle protecting system is put on the air.There is a kind of pattern inflator device to comprise the past selectively tank dome inflation of pressure gas that utilization is deposited in a large number.In order under a kind of suitable flow velocity a representative type tank dome to be inflated, a kind of like this equipment of pattern requires to store the gas of suitable high pressure, quite big volume usually.Because high pressure, gas storage locular wall want cooresponding thickness to improve intensity usually.Big volume and heavy wall combine and have just caused quite heavy charging blower design.In addition, must invent and a kind ofly be used for impelling stored-gas to be discharged into the technology of tank dome.

The inflator device of another kind of pattern is from a kind of combustible gas generating material, and for example a kind of pyrotechnics obtains source of the gas.This material produces a large amount of enough to the gas filed gas of tank dome when lighting.Usually, this gas generating material can produce various combustion combustion products of not wishing to want, and comprises various solid particulate materials.The removal of this solid particulate materials (for example by in charging blower or a filtering installation is installed on every side) has unnecessarily increased the charging blower design and machining complexity also may increase relevant therewith expense.

In addition, the gaseous emission temperature of these inflator device can change between about 500 °F (260 ℃) and 1200 °F (649 ℃) usually, this depends on many factors that connect each other, for example, comprise desired charging blower performance level and in charging blower the form and the capacity of used generation gas.Thereby the tank dome that is used in combination with this inflator device normally can anti-this hi-heat material be made or with described material coated with a kind of.For example, a kind of tank dome made from nylon fiber, in order to prevent because of being exposed to burning under such high temperature, can to make like this is that the tank dome material of described nylon fiber is to have the retaining cloth of neoprene latex to be arranged on the tank dome position of red-hot gas initial impact with the neoprene latex coated or with one or more coated.As can estimating, the cost that the tank dome of production so ad hoc or preparation is made usually and produced is higher.

In addition, when the inflatable safety bundle protecting system of vehicle is designed to be can work suitably in the face of the condition of a broad range time more satisfactoryly, the design performance of these inflator device is to environmental conditions, and particularly temperature traverse may be responsive especially.For example, in low-down temperature, for example-40 the temperature of (40 ℃) time work may influence the performance of various cast charges, contains the tank dome pressure that charging blower produced that can obtain the fixed qty cast charge thereby reduced by one.

In the inflator device of the third pattern, the charge air conditioning of tank dome is that the compound by the burning of the pressure gas that is stored and a kind of gas generating material forms.The inflator device of this pattern is commonly called a kind of expansion gas type or hybrid-type charging blower.Above-mentioned hybrid inflator has some shortcomings.For example, this class design-calculated inflator device will produce a kind of gas with a kind of higher particulate component usually.

Various special-purpose inflator device and assembly system have been proposed in prior art.US Patent the 5th, 263 has been introduced a kind of assembly system for No. 740, and wherein holding two kinds of compositions in a single chamber is a kind of inflation (expansion) gas and a kind of first kind of combustible material, and this combustible material is then lighted indoor.

In a single chamber, hold a kind of inflation (expansion) gas becomes branch to produce production and store with two kinds of a kind of combustible materials difficulty.For example, the concentration gradient of these compositions (rate of change), be initially or all may be increased in to finish in the time that wait for to start when equipment makes the combustible material slave unit be discharged into the trend of tank dome before lighting, increase the relative populations that is discharged into imperfect combustion product in the tank dome simultaneously.

In addition, some gas generators (for example, store a kind of fuel and a kind of oxidizer in single chamber in it) no matter in making still storage process, under certain extreme case, all may light (being spontaneous combustion) automatically and then be subjected to may with the danger with pass.

Moreover when the gas mixture that produces from so single supply chamber assembly generally can be in a quite high temperature, this class design just may produce the above-mentioned same or similar shortcoming that interrelates with high temperature discharge.

In addition, because the rapid rising of the pressure and temperature relevant with combustible material miscellany inflator device with holding a kind of oxidizer usually, the suitable and desired control of this class inflator device and operation may be difficulties and/or complicated.

So just need and require to improve the tank dome charging blower finally to overcome above-mentioned shortcoming.Specifically, need with a lower temperature and have the N/R residues of combustion particularly the low concentration of particulate material tank dome inflation is provided.Also needing a kind of pluralities of fuel, oxidizer and stored-gas used works and design and inflator device simple in structure effectively.In addition, also need a kind of charging blower design that a kind of charge air conditioning/combustible material miscellany N/R is lighted possibility automatically that reduces or eliminates.Moreover, also need to provide to contain to be not more than the oxygen that is limited quantity and the tank dome charge air conditioning of moisture content, avoid relevant with it problem thus or these problems are reduced to minimum limit.In addition, also need when inflation, to make the flammable miscellany N/R introducing amount that enters tank dome be reduced to minimum degree or avoid fully.

In addition, also need a kind of charging blower assembly design that bigger design is provided reliably and makes alerting ability.

In addition, also need a kind of charging blower assembly that bigger flexibility of operation is provided, makes the particular inflator that is designed better to satisfy specific inflation needs in concrete vehicle is used to design.In addition, also need to have the charging blower of simpler, easy and lower cost trim designs.Moreover, need a kind of provide to take place to improve between gas and stored-gas contact and mix, the charging blower assembly that for example produces the transfer of heat of improvement between them designs.Also need and be beneficial to, for example combine and the charging blower assembly of entire combination with a low pressure detecting device.

The present invention can fill up in prior art the some blank aspect these.

Catalogue of the present invention provide a kind of being used for to the gas filed modifying device of an inflatable appliance.

Specific purposes of the present invention are to overcome one or more the problems referred to above.

Catalogue of the present invention passable is used for the gas filed specific device of an inflatable appliance is realized by one at least in part.This device comprises a housing of being made up of one first Room and one second Room.First indoor, at least a have the fuel of fluid form and the burning of at least a oxidizer comprises red-hot burning gases with generation a residues of combustion.First Room is suitable for opening when portion within it realizes predetermined pressure excess, and the red-hot burning gases of at least a portion are discharged from first Room.

This device also comprises the ignition device that the fuel that is used to make the first indoor at least a fluid form and the burning of at least a oxidizer are ignited.

A supply source through the stored-gas of supercharging is contained in second Room of housing.Open when making high-temperature fuel gas discharge with the generation charge air conditioning from first Room that is mixed with supercharging storage gas in first Room, second Room is communicated with the first Room fluid.Second Room is suitable for discharging from first Room that is mixed with supercharging and stores gas to open during at the second indoor realization set pressure increment after producing charge air conditioning when high-temperature fuel gas, and the charge air conditioning of at least a portion is discharged from second Room on a second direction thus.

Prior art fail to provide as desired have many Design freedom and alerting abilitys, described Design freedom and alerting ability are in order to help to design a kind of special charging blower, to satisfy the needs of the various specific charge air conditioninies that particular vehicle uses.In addition, prior art can not provide a kind of like this charging blower, and this charging blower has reduced the complexity that designs and assemble and had such performance that can obviously not influence charging blower by the integraty that contacts between generation gas and the stored-gas and mix nocuously that requires.

Yet as described herein like that the present invention can produce simplification, that be modified and/or transformable operation, the safety that has improved simultaneously.

The present invention comprises that further one is used for the gas filed device of inflatable appliance, and this device comprises a tubular shell that contains the elongation of first Room and second Room.

Specifically, this housing comprises first and second end sections, and this first end part is closed by one first end capping, and the second end part is closed by one second end capping.

First Room is to form by a wall part ground and along at least the first section of the second end capping at least.The fuel of at least a fluid form and at least a oxidizer contain the residues of combustion of high-temperature fuel gas with generation in first Indoor Combustion.Having the fuel of fluid form and the fuel of oxidizer has improved at the first indoor temperature and pressure, and first Room is suitable for opening when portion within it realizes predetermined pressure excess, and the high-temperature fuel gas of at least a portion is to discharge from first Room with first section opposite direction of the second end capping thus.

This device also comprises and is used to ignite at the fuel of the first indoor at least a fluid form and the ignition device of at least a oxidizer.

Second Room of housing is second section along the second end capping at least.Second Room comprise at least one on second section of the second end capping discharge orifice and the sealing arrangement of closing at least one discharge orifice is under normal conditions arranged.Second Room is contained the supply source of a supercharging stored-gas and is communicated with the first Room fluid when opening in first Room.High-temperature fuel gas of discharging from first Room and supercharging stored-gas are mixed to produce the charge air conditioning that does not have solid particulate materials substantially.The mixed of high-temperature fuel gas and supercharging stored-gas improved at the second indoor temperature and pressure, and second chamber sealing device is suitable for when opening with the generation charge air conditioning during at the predetermined pressure excess of the second indoor realization in the mixed back of high-temperature fuel gas of discharging from first Room and supercharging stored-gas.When second chamber sealing device was opened, at least a portion charge air conditioning was to discharge from second Room by at least one discharge orifice.

This device also comprises the guiding device that is used for the second Room inclusion that is discharged from is guided into inflatable appliance.

The present invention also comprises a kind of being used for the gas filed method of inflatable safety equipment on vehicle.This method comprises the following steps:

Make the fuel combustion that in first sealed chamber, has at least a oxidizer and at least a fluid form contain the residues of combustion of high-temperature fuel gas, improve thus at the first indoor temperature and pressure with generation;

When at the predetermined pressure excess of the first indoor realization, open first Room, contain the second indoor of a supercharging stored-gas supply source so that at least a portion high-temperature fuel gas is entered from first Room;

Indoor that the high-temperature fuel gas and the supercharging stored-gas of being discharged is mixed to produce charge air conditioning, this mixed raising at the second indoor temperature and pressure second; And

When at the predetermined pressure excess of the second indoor realization, open second Room, inflatable safety equipment is inflated so that charge air conditioning is discharged from second Room;

Wherein, the high-temperature fuel gas of discharging from first Room is with mixed in the second indoor supercharging stored-gas, producing charge air conditioning, discharging first Room and discharging the conversion of experience direction between second Room.

As used herein, so-called chamber or volume are that " no combustion oxidant " should be understood to mean indoor oxidizer volume enough less, promptly in the whole pressure and temperature scope that is stood in the process of this indoor store fluid fuel, the heat (because the chemical reaction degree is not equal to zero concerning all temperature) that is discharged by chemical reaction is less than the heat that is dispersed in the external environment.It can be considered to, because the degree of this chemical reaction (the therefore heat that is discharged when reaction) is to depend on oxidant concentration and temperature, therefore by the oxidizer quantity that suitably is controlled at indoor initial existence the heat that is discharged is reduced to a minimum.

This term " equivalence ratio " (Φ) is used in the relevant combustion process usually.Equivalence ratio is defined as the actual fuel and the ratio (F/O) of oxidizer _ADivided by the ratio (F/O) of stoichoimetry fuel with oxidizer _sThe ratio of gained: Φ=(F/O) _A/ (F/O) _s) (reaction of a kind of stechiometry is a kind of uniqueness reaction that is defined as a kind of like this reaction, and promptly all reactants all are consumed and are transformed into the product of its stable form in this reaction.For example, in the burning of a kind of hydrocarbon fuel and oxygen, a kind of stechiometry reaction is a kind of like this reaction, and promptly wherein reactant fully is consumed and is transformed into fully by carbon dioxide (CO ₂) and water vapour (H ₂O) product of Zu Chenging.On the contrary, in resultant, have the reaction that carbonic oxide (CO) neither be desirable if contain a kind of reaction of same reaction thing because CO can with O ₂Reaction is to constitute a kind of resultant CO more stable than CO that be considered to ₂Generally, for given temperature and pressure condition, fuel and oxidizer miscellany just are only flammable in a particular range of equivalence ratio.

Term " adverse current " is corresponding to widely used this term in combustion science as used in this, it is that two kinds of expressions bundle (for example gas) overwhelming majority that flows is basic along identical axis, but flows along two of this same axis opposite directions.

As used in this, when being or produce the charge air conditioning of " no particulate matter " what is called be used for to the gas filed a kind of charging blower of an inflatable appliance or similarly device should be understood to mean a kind of like this device, promptly for this device, after the combustion combustion, generally be not more than about 20% of original combustible material and give over to and comprise the residual solid that floats over aerial solid.

By the following detailed description in conjunction with appended claims and accompanying drawing, other purpose and advantage will be conspicuous for those persons skilled in the art.

Fig. 1 be to each figure of 4 be the generalized section that the confession of alternate embodiments more of the present invention has the fluid charging blower of fuel partly to simplify;

Each figure of Fig. 5 A, 5B and 5C is used in the rough schematic view that a confession of the present invention has the interior alternative ignition devices of fluid charging blower of fuel;

Fig. 6 is the generalized section that the part of the confession of a counter-flow of one embodiment of the invention fluid charging blower that fuel is arranged is simplified;

Fig. 7 and 8 is respectively along the line 7-7 of Fig. 6 and the cutaway view of 8-8;

Fig. 9 and 10 is the cutaway views along the alternate embodiment of the present invention of the line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Figure 11 is the generalized section that the part of the confession of the counter-flow of Fig. 6 fluid charging blower that fuel is arranged is simplified, and this charging blower is through revising the cutoff port with the upstream of the gas discharge hole that comprises the stored-gas chamber that is located at charging blower;

But Figure 12 is the fluid charging blower that the confession of a counter-flow of the present invention's one alternate embodiment has fuel, is similar to the generalized section of the part simplification of Fig. 6; Wherein the gas discharge hole of first Room of charging blower or combustion chamber when normality be by one moment inverted plate be closed.

The generalized section that the part that is similar to Fig. 6 of the fluid charging blower that but Figure 13 is the confession of a counter-flow of the present invention's one alternate embodiment fuel is simplified; Wherein first Room of charging blower or fuel chambers by indentation or other cracks are arranged so that the gas of the first indoor formation with in second Room or the indoor contained gaseous fluid of stored-gas be communicated with.

At first please see Figure 1, one is used for the safety of vehicle occupant bundle is protected device shown in the figure, and for example the confession that puts on the air of tank dome has the fluid charging blower assembly 10 of fuel.Be appreciated that, the present invention described below has the general applicability to the tank dome assembly of various forms or variety of way, these tank dome assemblies comprise the collision tank dome of driver side, passenger side and car side, they are used for power actuated vehicle, for example motor van, light-duty truck, and automobile particularly.

Charging blower assembly 10 comprises a pressure container 12, and this pressure container 12 comprises that one is charged into and be supercharged to common supply chamber 14 at 2000 to 4000 pounds/sq in pressure with a kind of as argon or nitrogen unreactable gas.

This chamber 14 is general cylindrical housing 16 formation with an elongation, and this shell 16 has one first end 20 and one second end 22 respectively.First end 20 is partly closed by a whole shoulder part 24.One diffuser assembly 26 is attached on shell first end 20 hermetically by the weld seam 27 of circumference.One fuel chambers assembly 30 is attached on shell second end 22 hermetically by the weld seam 31 of circumference.

Described diffuser assembly 26 comprises that one has a cap 34 and a bottom 36 to form the general cylindrical jacket 32 of a diffuser chamber 40.Each comprises separately an osed top first end 42a and 42b and second an end 44a and a 44b who opens wide separately respectively diffuser assembly cap 34 and bottom 36.Diffuser assembly cap 34 comprises that being used for a plurality of and osed top that inflator assemblies gives a tank dome assembly (not shown) with the inflator gas branch covers the adjacent perforate 46 of the first end 42a.Diffuser assembly bottom 36 comprises in addition and is used for the charge air conditioning from supply chamber 14 is fed the adjacent perforate 48 of the first end 42b at the bottom of a plurality of and osed top in the diffuser chamber 40.

Diffuser assembly cap 34 and bottom 36 is by its second end that opens wide, and promptly end 44a and 44b are aligned respectively, and second end is by containment member, for example the closure by being pressed over rupture disk 50 on second end.The rupture disk 50 of diffuser assembly links with cap 34 and its bottom 36 of diffuser assembly respectively hermetically by means of the circumferential weld on its periphery 51.When static state, dish 50 is used for the inclusion of supply chamber 14 is separated mutually with tank dome.

Combustion-chamber assembly 30 comprises a cap 54 and bottom 56 that forms a combustion chamber 60.In combustion chamber 60, store one or more fluid fuel and one or more oxidizer, to form a flammable compound.This point of the present invention is one or more fuel and one or more the mutual direct contact of oxidizer and with quite high pressure (for example actually, about 500 to 2500 pounds/sq in (3.4 to 17.2MPa) is mixed, pressure is more satisfactory usually to be greater than 1200 pounds/sq in (8.3MPa), even more ideally be, between 1600 and 2100 pounds/sq in (11 to 14.5MPa).In the time of in gas is stored in supply chamber 14, gas is stored in the combustion chamber 60 with quite high pressure, this helps making the oad of charging blower to be reduced to minimum degree and can to make the ignition delay time decreased to minimum degree, inflator assemblies can produce higher and performance faster thus, and can be as producing fuel and burn more completely by improving temperature thereby improving speed of response.In addition, a kind of like this charging blower assembly causes the minimizing of incomplete combustion product discharging or does not have.

Combustion chamber cap 54 comprises a cover 62, and it forms a sidewall 64 together with the dome 66 that is bonded by a lid shoulder connecting portion 68.Combustion chamber dome 66 comprises a hole, is called gas discharge hole 70 at this.Be by the sealing member sealing under gas discharge hole 70 normalities, for example by means of a rupture disk 72 that links by circumferential weld 73 on dish 72 peripheries and 66 sealings of combustion chamber dome.

The internal pressure that combustion chamber dome 66 is produced when generally being designed to withstand flammable miscellany burning in combustion chamber 60.When static state, dish is used to make gas storage chamber 14 to maintain a kind of sealing state.

Combustion chamber bottom 56 comprises a base ring 74, and it has by end shoulder connecting portion 78 and is linked to bottom 76.End shoulder connecting portion 78 is linked to bottom 76.End shoulder connecting portion 78 provides a pair of circumferential weld 79 1 positions as the device with respect to combustion chamber bottom, combustion chamber cover 62 location 56 simultaneously, and combustion-chamber assembly bottom 56 is attached on the combustion chamber cap 54 hermetically thus.

Bottom 76 comprises a perforate 80 thereon, passes the ignition device 82 in this hole (being illustrated in more detail for example) as being attached at hermetically in the combustion chamber 60 with frit seal weld seam 83, folding or that other is suitable.

In use, for example when detecting collision, an electric signal is addressed to ignition device 82.As will being described in more detail below, ignition device will ignite with selected suitable method and be contained in fluid fuel and oxidant mixture in the combustion chamber 60.The high-temperature gas that is produced when combustible mixture burns causes in combustion chamber 60 pressure being raise rapidly.When the gaseous tension in combustion chamber 60 surpassed the structure holding capacity of rupture disk 72, dish just broke or other allow high-temperature gas to enter in the supply chamber 14 by gas discharge hole 70.Portion is used for inflation bundle protection unit, for example air gas of a tank dome air with generation from the high-temperature fuel gas and the pressurization gas in being separately stored in supply chamber 14 of combustion chamber 60 discharges are mixed mutually within it.Can recognize, fill with the unreactable gas that stores and add combustion gas and can produce the simple fuel gas temperature of a kind of ratio low and side production (for example, CO, NO _x, H ₂O etc.) charge air conditioning that concentration is little.

When the gaseous tension in supply chamber 14 surpassed the structure holding capacity of rupture disk 50, dish broke and allows charge air conditioning by diffuser bottom 36 and enter diffuser cover portion 34, thereby this charge air conditioning is discharged in the tank dome assembly by perforate 46.

Can use fluid fuel in such device to comprise combustion gas, the steam of many kinds, by the solid and liquid particle and the droplet that are segmented, when under selected state (or combine separately or with one or more unreactable gas) in the proper ratio with one or more suitable oxidizers uses to form a kind of flammable compound.

This class fluid fuel comprises hydrogen and hydrocarbon-based fuel, for example hydro-carbon and the hydro-carbon fuel of deriving.For example, this hydrocarbon fuel comprises hydrocarbon fuels, especially C formation cycloalkanes, alkene and hydrocarbon system parabolic hydrocarbon ₁-C ₄The fuel of parabolic hydrocarbon.Actually can be applied to suitable fuel of the present invention and comprise, for example gasoline, kerosene and octane.In addition, the fuel that hydro-carbon is derived for example constitutes various ethanol, ether and ester class, particularly those for example contain four or be less than four carbon atom and, especially, the fuel that uses the hydro-carbon of alcohol such as ethanol and propyl alcohol to derive can be advantageously utilised among the present invention.

Generally, be suitable for solid fuel that the quilt of the actual use of the present invention segments must contain enough energy and reactive with the stored-gas in the heating volume with desired speed to the inflation of inflation bundle protection unit, can be unfavorable large scale and there is not inflator device.In addition, fuel can produce the fuel Products that is not more than acceptable level quantity, for example CO, NO, HCN or NH ideally ₃, for example these residues of combustions are poisonous when sufficiently high concentration or become deletrious.

The solid fuel that is applicable to the segmentation of practical application of the present invention can comprise one or more different pulvis or dust, and for example they are:

A) carbonaceous material, for example coal and coal product (for example, coal stone, bituminous coal, ub-bituminous coal etc. for example have various volatile ingredients), active carbon, bituminite dust and coke;

B) cotton, timber and peat (for example various cellulosic materials comprise, for example: cellulose acetate, methylcellulose, ethyl cellulose and cellulose nitrate, and timber and paper scrap);

C) food reinforced (for example flour, starch and grain powder)

D) plastics, rubber and resin (for example epoxy resin, polyester and polyethylene); And

E) metal and metal alloy compositions (for example, aluminium, magnesium, titanium etc., for example powder, scrap metal and/or smear metal is with the form of pure substance or cmpd).

It will be appreciated that this fuel if necessary, can remain in the form of chemical combination of liquid, steam and its water of various different components.

In addition, can recognize also that the segmentation solid fuel that is suitable for practical application of the present invention can comprise the particulate matter of different size and shape usually.Yet in general, the solid fuel grain size of this segmentation changes between about 5 to 500 microns usually, and more satisfactory be in about 10 to 125 microns scope, its average particle size is in 10 to 40 microns scope.In fact, Xi Fen solid fuel can produce burning rapidly and completely ideally like this, thereby reduces or even can cancel by the needs of corresponding charging blower assembly design to the particle filtration.

The use of segmentation solid fuel produces the advantage of various processing.For example, this class solid fuel is compared with gaseous state or liquid fuel at least and can be simplified that shipment will be shown and to be convenient to be stored in a suitable fuel storage indoor.This convenience aspect shipment also causes the reduction of manufacturing cost.

Can recognize, this fuel, especially for example the derivant of the hydro-carbon of the hydro-carbon of liquid and liquid (for example ethanol) can comprise having and limits the ratiometric material and for example think the water that is not fuel under the normality.This point is correct especially, and Here it is for these fuel water will separate fully and be actually under normal conditions and can not do not realize.In addition, the water of lesser amt occurs, for example less than about 10 percent by volumes, usually the existence about the water of 4 to 8 percent by volumes can help reducing charging blower assembly N/R spontaneous combustion possibility, and don't can influence the low-temperature properties of assembly significantly.

Can also recognize that various fuel if required, can be used to be mixed in together.This point is correct especially, and promptly to these fuel, for example the butane of the commercial trade mark fully separately especially can not be realized under normal conditions to it.For example, already used fuel mixture comprises: a) water of a kind of methyl alcohol that contains 80% the ethanol of having an appointment, 8-10% and 4-8% and remainder constitutes the crude alcohol mixture and the b of other various hydrocarbon materials) a kind ofly contain the propane of the butane, 2 to 6% (for example about 4%) of (for example about 95%) more than 90% of having an appointment and remainder constitutes the alkene miscellany of methane, ethane and other all micro-hydrocarbon materials.The ethanol that example is sex change of this class A fuel A, " special P M-4083; the anhydrous solvent of 200 standard degree (ANHYDROL SOLVENT SPECIAL PM-4083; 200Proof) ", this denatured ethyl alcohol is by associating carbide metal chemistry and the sale of plastics Co., Ltd, and it contains 85.8% ethanol, 13.3% methyl alcohol and 0.9% methyl isobutyl ketone.

In addition, this class A fuel A can down two or more fuel be heterogeneous is used in combination at different conditions (for example gaseous state, liquid state and solid-state).For example, employed fluid fuel can constitute a kind of combination or the miscellany of segmentation solid fuel, for example a kind of starch in ethanol in a kind of liquid fuel.Equally, this fluid fuel can constitute composite or the miscellany that keeps the close a kind of fuel gas that contacts with liquid fuel.For example, a kind of like this gaseous fuel (similar to remain on the mode of a kind of carbonated beverage in the container) under pressure state can be held with liquid fuel and contact.

Be applicable to that oxidizer of the present invention comprises various oxygen-containing gas, for example comprise the air of pure oxygen, air, dilution, and the dilution of oxygen and one or more gas chemical combination, for example nitrogen, carbon dioxide and combined as helium, argon, xenon unreactable gas.In fact, pure oxygen (O ₂) use owing to many reasons may be disadvantageous, these ground reasons comprise: 1, see with productive viewpoint, may there be operating difficulties in use like this, 2) such use may enlarge the difficulty of spontaneous combustion, 3) when with the fuel of suitable quantity (stoichiometric(al) or near stoichiometric(al), 0.8 when≤Φ≤1.2) making up, quite high flame temperature just may form (when being associated rising pressure with the design of this class charging blower especially usually) and 4) less than 0.8 equivalence ratio the time, excessive oxygen and carbonic oxide may produce worry.

In view of these, the mixed air of argon and oxygen may be comparatively desirable.Argon beneficially compares: 1) torpescence 2) inexpensive, 3) safety, and 4) carrying easily.A kind of so comparatively ideal relative quantity of various components of mixed air depends on that generally for example the charging blower geometric configuration reaches specific factors such as fuel used in charging blower.For example, contain the percent by volume oxygen of 50-65 and remainder be argon a kind of like this oxidizer mixed air can with contain ethanol-based fuel and combine that to use be favourable.

Can also recognize that these oxidizer miscellanys can use in conjunction with the air of lesser amt, for example, before oxidizer is added, can initially be present in and be filled with the indoor of oxidizer.

In addition, with regard to segmenting with regard to the various oxidizers that solid fuel is used in combination,, can believe that a kind of compound that adds concentrated oxygen when rising pressure is comparatively desirable although above-mentioned oxidizer can therewith use with a kind of.

It will be appreciated that so-called a kind of miscellany with " adding concentrated oxygen " is for a kind of miscellany with the airlike oxygen concentration of class.Like this, contain the miscellany of having an appointment and to be considered to the miscellany of " adding concentrated oxygen " at this greater than 21% oxygen.

In practical application of the present invention, this oxidizer miscellany that adds concentrated oxygen generally can have at the pressure in about 500 to 3000 pounds/sq in (about 3.54 to 20.7MPa) scope, and more satisfactory be in about 1000 to 2000 pounds/sq in (about 6.9 to 13.8MPa) scope.In addition, as mentioned above, oxygen can be mixed mutually with a kind of unreactable gas.In addition, use and a kind ofly contain 35 to 65% oxygen, 2 to 20% helium approximately and remaining part is formed the oxidizer miscellany of one or more unreactable gass (for example helium, argon and nitrogen), no matter be to have only a kind of or, may all be favourable with different relative quantities.The person skilled in the art can recognize that the quantity of the relative quantity of these components, especially helium can suitably change for specific charging blower design.For example, the oxidizer miscellany of a kind of about 60% oxygen, about 25% argon and about 15% helium can cause thermal behavior, and the improvement of cold performance and/or ignition delay performance helps the detection to equipment leakage simultaneously in manufacturing process.

Like this, the present invention allows the fuel range that uses very wide, can many kinds form (comprise gaseous state, liquid state and solid-state and their miscellany, comprise the heterogeneous cmpd of two or more fuel) and a variety of oxidizer material and the relative populations that also allows the fuel and the oxidizer material of range of use broad.

Generally, charging blower assembly of the present invention is more satisfactory to be in 0.4≤Φ≤1.6, preferably works in 0.5≤Φ≤0.8 equivalence ratio scope.

Fig. 2 and 3 illustrates that respectively the confession that is similar to above-mentioned charging blower assembly 10 has the fluid charging blower assembly 210 and 310 of fuel, its each a supply chamber (for example being respectively 214 and 314) is arranged, a diffuser assembly (for example, be respectively 226 and 326) and a combustion-chamber assembly (for example distinguishing 230 and 330).

Yet, for the fluid charging blower assembly 210 that fuel arranged with 310 with charging blower 10 different being, following explanation in more detail like that, each charging blower assembly 210 and 310 comprises the fluid fuel storage member that the fluid fuel of a no combustion oxidant of storage separates, for example they can be required to be convenient to long term storage, for example can store 10 to 15 years or more than 15 years.

Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, combustion chamber 230 for the fluid charging blower assembly 210 that fuel is arranged, remove and comprise identical combustion-chamber assembly cap and bottom, promptly outside 254 and 256, also comprise an annular cylinder shape wall 284, the annular cylinder shape wall has one first end and one second end (being respectively 285 and 286), and forms a fuel chambers 287.Wall 284 is connected in the fuel chambers 260 hermetically by a weld seam 283a in bottom perforate 280.First end 285 is under normal conditions by rupture disk 288 osed tops, and this rupture disk is to combine with first end hermetically with circumferential weld 283b of its periphery.One ignition device 282 is connected on second end 286 hermetically by a weld seam 283c.Fluid fuel is stored in the fuel chambers 287, separates with the oxidizer that is stored in the combustion chamber.

When so total member was worked, for example when detecting primary collision (or impact), an electric signal was addressed to ignition device 282.In so total member, ignition device is more satisfactory can be a kind of pyrotechnics pattern.

Comparatively describe in detail like that as following, the firework type ignition device can: 1) energy that helps providing enough is exported so that fuel breaks with the spacer assembly that oxidizer separates; 2) fuel is scattered rightly and vaporize; With 3) provide and be enough to light the waste heat that forms fuel and oxidizer miscellany.

This inflator device is when receiving a suitable electric signal, and the high-temperature exhaust air that will contain particle of just fighting is discharged in the fuel storage cell 287.Then, the temperature and pressure that is stored in fuel in the fuel storage cell 287 just improves.

When for example pressure and/or heat surpassed the structure holding capacity of rupture disk 288, dish 288 just broke and red-hot fuel is entered in the combustion chamber 260 by first end 285.In combustion chamber 260, red-hot fuel and oxidizer are mixed and light and burn under the temperature and pressure that raises.

When gaseous tension in the combustion chamber 260 surpassed the structure holding capacity of rupture disk 272, dish just broke and makes high-temperature gas by gas discharge hole 270 and enter in the supply chamber 214.In supply chamber, the high-temperature fuel gas of discharging from combustion chamber 260 and storage and supply chamber 214 interior pressurization gas mix and are used for inflatable appliance with generation, for example the gas filed charge air conditioning of tank dome.

When gaseous tension in supply chamber 214 surpassed the structure holding capacity of rupture disk 250, dish broke and makes charge air conditioning by diffuser bottom 236 and enter diffuser cover portion 234, thereby allows this charge air conditioning to enter in the total member of tank dome by perforate 246.

Fig. 3 illustrates the fluid charging blower assembly that a kind of confession has fuel, and wherein fluid fuel is stored in the fluid fuel storage member of separating that does not have combustion oxidant of the present invention's one alternate embodiment.

For the fluid charging blower assembly 310 that fuel is arranged, be to be similar to above-mentioned charging blower assembly 210 as shown in Figure 3, and not comprising one for example by a rupture disk leak free fixation wall fuel storage part, it comprises an air bag 390 that is contained in fuel chambers 360 interior rupturable flexible walls near ignition device 382.

As shown in the figure, air bag 390 can be fitted in the annular cylinder shape wall 384 that one first end and second end (being respectively 385 and 386) arranged.Be similar to the assembly 210 of Fig. 2, wall 384 is fixed in the combustion chamber 360 hermetically by the weld seam 383a in bottom perforate 380.Similarly, an ignition device 382 is fixed on second end 386 hermetically by a weld seam 383c.Yet when the exhaust side of fuel air bag 390 and ignition device 382 was adjacent to be fitted in the annular opening of wall 384, first end 385 can remain on opening.

Air bag 390 is more satisfactory to be to make to prevent fuel mixed with the oxidizer N/R that is stored in adjacent or on every side the combustion chamber 360 with a kind of material that is enough to not see through toward the fluid fuel that stores within it.Reach the above-mentioned use via a fuel air bag in this assembly, fluid fuel can be stored under the situation of no combustion oxidant.

When this assembly used, for example when collision detection (impact), an electric signal was addressed to ignition device 382.In this assembly, the more satisfactory also a kind of pyrotechnics pattern of ignition device.In addition in this assembly, the ignition device of firework type can: 1) help the energy that provides enough, for example, thermal output is so that the flexible wall balloon rupture, 2) suitably be dispersed in fuel in the combustion chamber, and 3) provide enough waste heat to light formation fuel and the miscellany of oxidizer.

This ignition device, when receiving a kind of suitable electric signal, can put and fight, can on the surface of adjacent fuel air bag, discharge a kind of high-temperature gas that contains particle, thereby cause puncturing of air bag 390 and open, then the fuel that therefrom flows out mixes mutually with oxidizer in being stored in combustion chamber 360.Here it is, because the output of the energy of ignition device, fuel is sprayed in the oxidizer and evaporation.Then, waste heat and provide an actv. ignition source from the radiation particle of ignition device ejection.The miscellany of fuel and oxidizer is just lighted then and is burnt.

When adopting the foregoing description, the high-temperature gas that is produced when flammable miscellany burning causes that in combustion chamber 360 pressure raises rapidly, and then high-temperature gas by gas discharge hole 370 and enter in the supply chamber 314.In supply chamber, the high-temperature combustion gas of discharging from combustion chamber 360 be stored in mixed generation of pressurization gas in the supply chamber 314 and be used for, the gas filed charge air conditioning of tank dome for example inflatable appliance in the similar mode of the mode that is illustrated with Fig. 1 and 2 illustrated embodiment just.

Can recognize, because before the air bag in putting combustion chamber, for example suitably filled the air inlet capsule with fuel before adding oxidizer in the combustion chamber, and then fill into combustion chamber with pressure selected with oxidizer, this process that charges into just becomes quite safe and easy.

It is also to be understood that the charging blower assembly design that similarly contains the fuel air bag can be used in requirement or wish that fuel and oxidizer need only some application scenarios that short-term is separated.For example, loading that this flexible wall air bag that contains fuel can interrelate in the manufacturing with this class charging blower assembly and/or sealing are (for example, welding) operation, the loading and the sealing that for example are embedded with the oxidant chamber that contains the fuel air bag can be used to keep fuel and oxidizer separately.Load like this and/or sealing after just can no longer need or require to remain on this separating between fuel and the oxidizer.Can recognize, the structure integrity of general bag material does not need very to emphasize, and only require or need fuel and oxidizer that the material of for example making air bag only need be enough to not ooze to fuel to prevent the mixed of N/R suitable short-term than the separating of short-term.

Generally, the fluid fuel that is applicable to this assembly (fluid fuel is to be stored in the storage member of no combustion oxidant therein) can be identical with those above-mentioned fuel, and comprise various gaseous states as described below, two or more heterogeneous compositions of the fuel through the gas of liquefaction, liquid, finely-divided solid and its.

As mentioned above, for the oad that reduces the charging blower assembly and make performance reach standard, oxidizer stores with quite high pressure.Then, with regard to the use of fuel gas, what possibility was more satisfactory is that fuel gas is with same with the oxidizer pressure store, and the pressure in for example almost equal general range is stored.Can recognize, because the general enough energy of pilot burner supply that rely on of charging blower assembly design of the present invention fracture, burn or break with the separation barrier that is implemented between fuel and the oxidizer, for example rupture disk or fuel gas cyst wall breaks, therefore, store that fuel gas and oxidizer just avoid when isobaric need be thicker or than the separation barrier of hard intensity, if and require to stand over a long time big pressure differential words when barrier, then require barrier thicker or bigger intensity arranged.Because major part can normally liquefy under so quite high pressure by getable gaseous fuel, the comparatively ideal gaseous fuel that is used in the assembly of the present invention comprises hydrogen and methane, and fluid fuel is to be stored in the storage member of a no fuel oxidizer in assembly of the present invention.

For gaseous fuel through liquefaction, the liquid phase expansion characteristics that a factor will considering when selecting a kind of suitable fuel is this material.In general, burning can ambient temperature selected and that the fuel storage part can sufficiently be filled to for designing requirement improve, for example when height to 230 (110 ℃) temperature for abnormal storage, the fuel storage part can not reach a kind of state of the complete full of liquid of storage member.Because a kind of like this storage member full of liquid almost completely, then for example when a pilot burner is imported heat and quality in addition, the liquid in storage member will have little or without any can be for the volume that expands.Like this, because this additional heat and the input of quality, the pressure in storage member will improve and produce the fracture of dividing element ideally or break.In fact, the dividing element that is used in this respect of the present invention needs enough firmly and is durable for example to withstand by common relevant with environmental condition change and by the storage of its generation, the fatigue that expansion and compression were produced of material in storage unit.

It will be appreciated that, the design increment of ambient temperature (for example, the highest design environment temperature can be higher or low), and the intensity of corresponding dividing element can suitably change to satisfy the needs of application-specific.For example, at least be in some charging blower assembly designs, may wish that the fuel storage element will charge into enough fuel, so that the fuel storage element can reach such state, when this state, storage unit is in lower design maximum ambient temperature, be filled with liquid when for example, being lower than about 230 °F (110 ℃) fully.

The gas through liquefaction that is used for practical application of the present invention can comprise miscellany that ethane, propane, butane are different with these and other suitable gas.

The relevant use of liquid fuel in these designs, wherein fuel stores dividually with oxidizer, liquid fuel, for example above relevant for specified those of assembly, comprise that ethanol can be used, fuel and oxidizer are to store with a kind of state mixed or that do not separate in these assemblies.

The confession that Fig. 4 illustrates another alternate embodiment of the present invention has the fluid charging blower assembly 410 of fuel.

For there being the fluid charging blower assembly 410 of fuel to be similar to above-mentioned charging blower assembly 10, it comprises a supply chamber 414, a diffuser assembly 426 and a combustion-chamber assembly 430.

Yet described confession has the fluid charging blower assembly 410 of fuel, with the difference of charging blower assembly 10, as following detailed description the in detail, is that assembly 410 comprises and utilizes a postcombustion source.

Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, though combustion-chamber assembly 430 also comprises similar combustion-chamber assembly cap and bottom 454 and 456 respectively, thereby but also include the cylindrical shape ring wall 484 that first end 485 and second end 486 form a postcombustion source supply chamber 492, the most close therein ignition device 482 places store or hold the material 493 that the postcombustion source replenishes usually, and the discharge section of it and ignition device is adjacent.

By a weld seam 483a at bottom perforate 480 places wall 484 is installed in the combustion chamber 460 hermetically.First end 485 comprises that material 493 that the postcombustion source is filled in help remains on a chamber lip 495 in the chamber 492.An ignition device 482 is installed on second end 486 hermetically by a weld seam 483c, for example below in more detail explanation like that.

In the use of such assembly, for example when detecting primary collision, an electric signal is addressed to burning device 482.Ignition device 482, thus then make additional fuel source material with postcombustion be discharged into combustion chamber 460 be stored in fuel wherein and oxidizer is mixed forms a kind of flammable miscellany.Also but as lighting miscellany, this then charging blower assembly will be similar to above-mentioned charging blower assembly 10 and work like that in the output of ignition device 482.

In fact, be that have when exposure is heated can release hydrogen or the ability of a kind of hydrocarbon-based fuel or miscellany at the general characteristic of the postcombustion source material of the actual use of the present invention.The suitable postcombustion source material that is actually used among the present invention generally is a solid, thereby helps shipment and storage.Suitable aftercombustion source material can comprise one or more metal hydride and cellulosic material, for example cellulose acetate, methylcellulose, ethyl cellulose and cellulose nitrate.A kind of comparatively ideal metal hydride of using is a lithium hydride.

In the design of this class assembly, the postcombustion source material is stored in this wise, even it near or arrange or tight heap adjacent to the means of ignition loosely, thereby directly be exposed to the discharge product that takes place or produce by means of ignition, comprise in the heat.

Yet, if be understood that the requirement of postcombustion source material can be stored in the most close ignition device 482 shown in Fig. 4 ' ' the such compartment of a flexible wall container 497 in.Owing to adopt above-mentioned fuel airbag design, the flexible wall shell that uses a kind of usefulness can prevent that sealing infiltration and the material that can burn are quite easily made can help the shipment of postcombustion source material or make shipment reduce to minimum limit, especially for those postcombustion source materials, for example various metal hydride to water sensitive.

Because hydrogen exists with suitable ratio with under selected state, thereby a kind of hydrocarbon fuel and oxidizer miscellany can be generally flame velocity by higher flame temperature and increasing cause more perfect burning, use the aftercombustion source material that a kind of for example alkene is put the metal hydride of hydrogen can in the charging blower assembly, produce a kind of lower pollutant substance discharging that has, the charging blower assembly of for example lower uncomplete combustion product discharging, and owing to the flame velocity that is enhanced can reduce the expansion more rapidly that time before gas begins to flow into tank dome produces tank dome.

Adopt this class postcombustion source material, unless fuel be with it by a kind of other source, for example energy of pilot burner output contact or stand a kind of varying environment, otherwise can not releasable a kind of so restrained state when normality be stored.Because this class supplementary material can provide the effective ratio to the desired fuel of charging blower assembly, be required that the relative quantity that is stored in fuel in the combustion chamber in the mode that contains the oxidizer miscellany just can reduce significantly, then can also make some problems (for example spontaneous combustion) relevant obtain ideally to reduce with this class A fuel A/oxidizer miscellany long term storage.Thereby, in storage process, use in this wise and comprise a kind of postcombustion source material in fuel and this class charging blower assembly that oxidizer can mix mutually to help to guarantee that this fuel one oxidant mixture can store considerable time safely.

It should be understood that the sealing arrangement that is applied among the present invention can comprise pressure sensitive device and pressure-independent device, for example depend on the such mechanical device in a kind of projectile that realization dish for example breaks.And establishment of component can comprise one or more pressure-sensitive sealing arrangement and/or one or more pressure-independent sealing arrangement.

For example, when using a kind of sealing arrangement that is used for the combustion chamber prrassure sensitivity, during a kind of rupture disk of for example being designed to break when a selected pressure, the fluid fuel in combustion chamber and the burning of oxidizer just make at indoor pressure and raise.When combustion chamber prrassure surpassed the fracture pressure of dish, dish made the perforate of residues of combustion by forming with regard to breaking.

Similarly, when using a kind of presser sensor sealing arrangement that is used for sealed storage chamber (for example in diffuser assembly) outlet, during for example a kind of rupture disk that is designed to when a selected pressure, to break, the high-temperature fuel gas of discharge with also caused raising to produce charge air conditioning the mixed of indoor supercharging stored-gas at indoor pressure.When chamber pressure surpasses the fracture pressure of dish, dish with regard to breaking so that from the charge air conditioning of chamber by and inflate to inflatable safety equipment.

All to be that their expressions of sketch are for example known for everyone in present technique can be used for confession of the present invention the ignition device (being respectively 582a, 582b and 582c) that substitutes on the fluid charging blower of fuel is arranged each figure of Fig. 5 A, 5B and 5C.

Drawing and burn device 582a, as shown in Fig. 5 A, is a kind of pyrotechnic pilot burner, and as we all know, it comprises that a plug attaching parts 501a, a combination hub 502a, a plug body 503 and a pyrotechnics contain the 504a of gunpowder portion.

In a kind of so common use of pyrotechnics pilot burner, when receiving a suitable electrical signal, electric current by be contained in pilot burner in a little lead contacting of pyrotechnics gunpowder.Make the reaction of pyrotechnics gunpowder by the heat that electric current produced by lead.This reaction makes heat and radiation particle arrange peripherad environment.

Can also recognize, in a kind of pyrotechnic pilot burner, if necessary, can for example light the pyrotechnics gunpowder with the device that substitutes by the firing unit of a machinery.

Ignition device 582b, shown in Fig. 5 B, be a kind of spark discharge formula device for igniting, as we all know, it comprises a plug attaching parts 501b, a combination hub 502b, a plug body 503b and is spaced from each other the first electrode 505b and the second electrode 506b with the spark spacing 507b that forms.

In a kind of like this spark discharge formula pilot burner, when receiving a suitable electric signal, just between device two electrodes, apply a high potential.To the energy of a specified rate, discharge will produce between electrode gap.In fact, this certain quantity of energy will depend on the multiple factor that has electrode relevant: for example material of the characteristics of surrounding environment, structure and geometric configuration thereof.The ionized gas or the plasma gas of the high-energy that forms, high-temperature, formation region of discharge are passed to surrounding environment with energy effectively, thereby light flammable miscellany.

Ignition device 582c, shown in Fig. 5 c, be a kind of heater element formula pilot burner, as we all know, the isolated first electrode 505c and the second electrode 506c that it comprises a plug attaching parts 501c, a combination hub 502c, a plug body 503c, is linked together by a wire guide rob 508c.

In a kind of so common use of heater element pilot burner, when receiving a suitable electrical signal, electric current by with the wire element of surrounding environment direct contact.In general, such pilot burner designs to such an extent that make lead hang on the body that ignites usually or directly is arranged on the pilot burner.Electric current by lead generates heat lead rapidly, and according to can make the lead evaporation as factors such as conductor size and patterns.Like this, energy just promptly passes to the media material on every side that flammable miscellany is lighted.

As mentioned above, an aspect of of the present present invention comprises that above-mentioned confession has an embodiment of the fluid charging blower of fuel, and wherein the gas flow direction of high temperature generation is commutated in the inflation body.Usually, a kind of like this inflator device is to utilize a kind of fuel that is stored with the form of fluid, for example above-mentioned and a kind of liquid fuel oxidizer separate storage.

At first please see Figure 6 to 8, a fluid charging blower assembly that is used for the gas filed confession of flowing commutation of a vehicle inflation bundle protection pad of Vehicular occupant side is had fuel of one embodiment of the invention shown in the figure, its total label is represented with 610.Though this mobile fluid fuel charging blower assembly capable of reversing of the present invention below is with reference to being used for automobile, comprise that a charging blower assembly of the passenger side tank dome assembly on transport trolley, light-duty truck and the speciality car is illustrated, but be appreciated that, this mobile confession capable of reversing has the fluid charging blower assembly of fuel also to have other pattern or kind tank dome assembly, comprises the applicability of the tank dome assembly of driver side and car side collision.As shown in Figure 6, charging blower assembly 610 is similar to above-mentioned charging blower assembly, it comprises a pressure container 612, this pressure container contains a supply chamber 614, and it is filled with a kind of unreactable gas, and for example argon gas or nitrogen also are pressurized to a pressure of 2000 to 4000 pounds/sq in scope usually.

Chamber 614 is to have the elongated tubular of one first end 620 and one second end 622 or general cylindrical shell 616 formation with one.First end 620 partly is closed by an end closed-wall that for example comprises a shoulder 624.Such shoulder can be attached on the housing 616, or as shown, forms continuous single piece with housing 616.Can see that so a kind of continuous single piece structure needing just to avoid several forms for example with a kind of welding manner of separate pieces connection or fixing to be installed.This single piece structure thereby can reduce manufacturing cost and for example by eliminating by the issuable leakage distance of assembly because of having improved reliability.

One pressure switch 626 is in a kind of mode known for everyone in prior art, for example use a kind of circumference welding manner (not shown) to be installed on the shoulder 624, this pressure switch is known, be commonly referred to a kind of low pressure sensor (" LPS "), can monitor that by it the gaseous tension in chamber 614 should make constant pressure drop to alarm under the set pressure to send to Vehicular occupant.Its particular content is quoted in the 5th, 296, No. 659 patents of the U.S. and in a kind of LPS pattern shown in Fig. 3 and 4, can use as needs.

Second end of the housing 622 is by an end closure member, as has and partly seal the shoulder 630 of one first medial surface 632 and second lateral surface 633.Such shoulder can be attached on the housing 616, or can form continuous single piece with housing 616 as shown.

As mentioned above, forming structure on a continuous single piece top has avoided to some form, for example with a kind of installation connection of separate pieces welding manner or the needs of fixing.This whole structure thus can reduce manufacturing cost and, for example improved reliability by eliminating the possible leakage paths that produces by assembly.

Shoulder 630 comprises a perforate 634 in addition, for example will describe in detail and have the ignition device 636 of a discharge end 638 to pass perforate at this by an O type circle 639 to be installed and fixed hermetically.

Be adjacent to form a diffuser assembly 640 with second side outwardly of shoulder 630, facing to chamber 614.Diffuser assembly or similar assembly are used for the inclusion of supply chamber 614 directly is discharged to a gas filled device that is associated (not shown).In a preferred embodiment as shown in the figure, diffuser assembly 640 is to be extended to form around second end 622 by cylindrical shell 616, it comprises that is basically parallel to the sidewall sections 642 that housing 616 extends, as shown in Figure 8, sidewall sections comprises 8 deflation hole 644a-h that form thereon so that charge air conditioning flows out assembly and enters corresponding tank dome (diagrammatic sketch shows).Diffuser assembly 640 also comprises a diapire sector 646 and a pilot burner supporting base 648.Diapire sector 646 combines the whole shoulder 630 of diffuser assembly sidewall sections 642 with housing 616.Pilot burner supporting base 648 is with ignition device 635 clampings or be bearing in the perforate 634.Be interpreted as, ignition device 635 can be affixed on the assembly by flange, welding or with other suitable method.

Among the embodiment shown in Figure 6, pilot burner supporting base 648 be around pilot burner device 635 by flange in perforate 634.Specifically, be to use through sheet metal bearing 648 bending or that bend to position on it ignition device 635 is pressed into the tram.If necessary, can be with O shape circle or other suitable sealing member (not shown) during as needs, be added between the adjacently situated surfaces of ignition device 635 and bearing 648, to prevent deletrious may the leakage in the charging blower working process.

Assembly 610 comprises one first or the general ringwise inwall 650 that are contained in the housing 616 and one second or general cup-shaped outer wall 652 in addition.Each annular wall 650 and 652 comprises an opening 650a and a 652a respectively.Cup-shaped wall 650 and 652 for example is being bonded or is being installed on the shoulder 630 on opening 650a and the 652a respectively along inside side 632.

Like this, cup-shaped inwall 650 just is positioned to form a chamber 654 hermetically round the discharge end of ignition device 638.Fuel chambers 654, be similar to the fuel chambers 287 of Fig. 2, the fuel storage that it allows one or more with fluid form therein, as mentioned above, the fuel that stores is that the oxidizer with burning usefulness separate or leaves, and oxidizer is more satisfactory to be to be stored in the outside that fuel stores up the chamber.For example, this fuel can be ideally with the solid particulate form of a kind of gas, liquid or segmentation.

654 one-tenth surrounding relation of cup-shaped outer wall 652 and fuel chambers thereby form a combustion chamber 656, and combustion chamber 654 is positioned in the combustion chamber 656 on center radially ideally.Because the layout of this radial center location can reduce the number of times that needs to aim at positioning action in making and producing, such being furnished with is beneficial to and reduces associated expense.

As shown in the figure, cup-shaped outer wall 652 comprises that one has the bottom 660 of a gas discharge hole 662.Be to use containment member under gas discharge hole 662 normalities, for example sealed that rupture disk is to combine hermetically by a circumferential weld (not shown) of drum 664 peripheries and combustion chamber wall 652 with a pressure-sensitive rupture disk 664.

As shown in Figure 7, rupture disk 664, if necessary, can be by on its outside face 667, being embedded an indentation 665 (being to represent among the figure) to weaken in advance with the form of a circular score line.Comprise and thisly weaken this class seal disc that structure helps better to guarantee corresponding assembly in advance and comprising under the identical service conditions under the situation of applied pressure, generally break or open in constant or predetermined mode.

As can being clear that by consulting Fig. 7, shoulder 630 comprises in addition and is used to make charge air conditioning from a plurality of tap holes that supply chamber 614 feeds in the diffuser assemblies 640, is specially 4 tap hole 668a-d.Hole 668a-d uses containment member, for example sealed by pressure-sensitive rupture disk 670a-d, rupture disk for example is as combining hermetically by the first inside side 632 of a circumferential weld (not shown) with shoulder 630 in a kind of mode known in the prior art.Yet, be interpreted as, can adopt other combination or bonded assembly appropriate device and technology of substituting if necessary, for example available bonding or gummed.

Can be sure of that the tap hole that assembly includes more than 2 or 2 is particularly advantageous.For example, just in case one of tap hole is blocked or can not use because of certain reason, then the release of gas pressure that one or more other tap hole just can be remained valid, thereby avoid in charging blower, forming the possibility of excessive pressure.

Comprise that a plurality of tap holes have also increased the design-calculated alerting ability.For example, owing to adopt a plurality of tap holes, just one or more specific tap hole can be made different sizes suitably so that the gas of needed different amounts is flowed through them.

And, can utilize the tap hole of these different sizes to make different pressure influence to the unlatching of the related containment member of tap hole separately.For example, for constant by a layer thickness and have a containment member that the bursting material of several circular tap holes is formed, response pressure will change with the diameter in hole below.In this case, the unlatching of the large diameter hole that is provided with on the bursting material can take place when opening the low response pressure of low one of the required pressure of the smaller diameter bore that be provided with on the bursting material usually.

In addition, can design various rupture disk 670a-d (for example by material selection, thickness and intensity) particularly so that the pressure of different size applies and breaks or open thereon.Like this, the speed of discharging air storage chamber from the charge air conditioning area thereby the charge air conditioning of supply chamber discharge just can be catered to desired special inflation needs under the particular job condition.

For example, can utilize and be located at a dish that has low fracture pressure on the less tap hole and make a small amount of gas that early discharges help early stage tank dome to launch.This gas that early discharges is generally considered to be favourable, for example early begin because of discharging the expansion that can allow a tank dome that interrelates so morning/and stage time expand.

When such assembly used, for example when detecting a collision, an electric signal was addressed to ignition device 636.In such assembly, described ignition device is more satisfactory to be to have a kind of pyrotechnics pattern.

As this explanation other places describe in detail, the pyrotechnic ignition device can: 1) advantageously provide the enough energy output that dividing member that fuel and oxidizer are separated breaks, 2) scatter suitably and evaporate fuel in combustion chamber, and 3) enough fuel and the oxidizer miscellany of waste heat to light formation are provided.

A kind of like this ignition device when receiving a kind of suitable electric signal, is just lighted the exhaust that is full of particle and it is entered fuel storage cell 654.Then, the temperature and pressure that is stored in the fuel in the fuel storage cell 654 just improves.

When the gaseous tension in fuel storage cell 654 surpassed the structure holding capacity of fuel storage locular wall 650, wall just broke or high-temperature fuel is fed in the combustion chamber 656.In combustion chamber 656, hi-heat fuel and oxidizer mix, light and include with generation with the temperature and pressure burning that raises the residues of combustion of high-temperature fuel gas.

When the gaseous tension in combustion chamber 656 surpassed the structure holding capacity of rupture disk 664, dish broke or high-temperature gas is also generally entered in the supply chamber 614 on a first direction of the arrow representative of representing with J usually by gas discharge hole 662.Therefore, the high-temperature fuel gas of discharging from combustion chamber 656 be stored in supply chamber 614 in supercharging after gas mix mutually and be used for gas filled device, the gas filed charge air conditioning of tank dome for example with generation.As mentioned above, a kind ofly like this inflate assembly and do not have solid particulate materials.

Described supply chamber 614 is suitable for opening when the set pressure lift-off value in the realization chamber 614.Like this, in the embodiment of Fig. 6 to 8, when the high-temperature fuel gas of discharging from combustion chamber 656 with after gas in being stored in supply chamber 614 mixes mutually, gaseous tension in supply chamber 614 surpasses the structure holding capacity of rupture disk 670a to d, and dish just breaks or the charge air conditioning of at least a portion is entered in the diffuser assembly 640 by perforate 668a to d on a second direction of the arrow representative that indicates with K usually substantially.Since arrow K be basically along same axis but on a direction opposite with arrow J, or rather, at least flow through or the major part of the stream of the charge air conditioning by perforate 668a to d be basic along same axis but with by gas discharge hole 662 and enter on the opposite direction of the high-temperature gas of supply chamber 614 (for example, on direction, changing 180 ° basically).In fact, high-temperature gas that this mobile commutation in charging blower assembly of the present invention can improve in charging blower to be produced usually and the residence amount that stores mixed between wherein the pressure gas and increase the gas that produces, thereby the temperature homogeneity of improvement in the charge air conditioning of discharge air compressor assembly.

The charge air conditioning of discharging from supply chamber 614 then again by diffuser assembly 640, and is its deflation hole 644 specifically and enters tank dome assembly (not shown).

Can recognize that a kind of like this charging blower design is to rely on reverse flow, more accurate theory, charge air conditioning is with respect to the combustion gas reverse flow mode of discharging from combustion chamber 656 614 discharges from the chamber with common.

And this design-calculated charging blower has single-ended form, in this single-ended format, and the device that a confession of existence combustible material is lighted on the described same side of charging blower assembly and several tap holes of therefrom discharging for charge air conditioning.Therefore, the easier consideration of this design is installed on that end of the assembly relative with tap hole with described ignition device or is comprised a pressure-detecting device, for example a low pressure sensor or switch help supervision indoor in stored-gas, for example the pressure in the supply chamber 614 thus.

In addition, the charging blower assembly of so single-ended charging blower assembly and common opposite end, a charging blower assembly that for example has ignition device and discharge orifice on its opposite end is compared and will be simplified.For example, the charging blower assembly that welds with a comparable opposite end compares, and so single-ended charging blower assembly can be made with fewer purpose weld seam.

Fig. 9 and 10 is cutaway views of the basic of the present invention alternate embodiment identical with cutaway view shown in Figure 7.Specifically, Fig. 9 illustrate an identical charging blower assembly 610 of a basic and above-mentioned charging blower 610 ', it comprise a cylindrical shell 616 ', a shoulder 630 ', a cup-shaped outer wall 652 ' and one have an indentation 665 ' rupture disk 664 '.Yet, charging blower assembly 610 ' be included in shoulder 630 ' on 8 tap hole 668 ' a to h, rather than have 4 tap holes, and be utilize to become with described hole 668 ' a to h topped relation is provided with a single rupture disk element 670 ', and wherein be not rupture disk of each hole employing.

It will be appreciated that, adopt the mode of a single rupture disk element can help to make and design to a plurality of tap holes that are associated like this.For example, compare, adopt such once single rupture disk element can obtain the to break repeatability of improvement of characteristic with adopting several rupture disks separate accordingly.

Can recognize that this single rupture disk element can for example dead-soft steel or aluminium (when the needs) be made to produce needed in-use performance by common rupture disc material.

Figure 10 illustrate one with above-mentioned charging blower assembly 610 ' essentially identical charging blower assembly 610 ', it comprises the rupture disk 664 of a cylindrical shell 616 ", a shoulder 630 ", a cup-shaped outer wall 652 ", have indentation 665 " " an and rupture disk element 670 '.Yet charging blower assembly 610 ' be included in described shoulder 630 " to go up a ring exit circle 668 that forms " rather than have the almost circular tap hole that the son more than 2 or 2 forms earlier.Described rupture disk element 670 " is and ring exit circle 668 " to become topped relation ground to be provided with, and described rupture disk element comprise design can be when the predetermined work state (for example applying on it when forming gas via-hole thereon) at a pre-selected pressure break or suitably destroy a plurality of weakenings or indentation part 674 to allow charge air conditioning to pass through ".Can see that such assembly can help making, for example, described shoulder 630 " can be made simply with the uniform thickness that has a single ring exit circle that forms thereon.

Figure 11 illustrates the fluid charging blower assembly 710 that fuel is arranged with the essentially identical mobile confession capable of reversing of the illustrated capable of reversing mobile charging blower assembly of top just Fig. 6-8 610, and wherein identical parts is represented with same numeral.Yet, it is significantly different that charging blower assembly 710 has a direction and aforementioned assembly 610 at least: described assembly 710 comprises 4 cutoff ports 778 (having only wherein 2 is illustrated out), and they are to be set between the gas discharge hole 662 of (or from it) 4 tap holes 668 (having only wherein two illustrates) of stored-gas chamber 614 on the gas flow paths of 668 of gas discharge hole 662 and discharge orifices and combustion chamber 656.Specifically cutoff port 778 is to form around cup-shaped outer wall 652 and on an annular ring 780 of locating hermetically between wall 652 and the cylindrical shell 616.

Can recognize that several cutoff ports are set like this in the upstream of tap hole can provide some to use advantage.For example can be in the gas flow path zone of one or more tap hole for example because related sealing arrangement, for example a rupture disk is failed complete opening or make tap hole block or clog and blocked occasion is advantageously utilized this class charging blower assembly.Adopt this design-calculated charging blower and the gas that still provided to flow through the zone because the unlatching of one or more tap hole and greater than by the zone of flowing through that cutoff port provided, the charge air conditioning flow velocity that flows out from charging blower by described tap hole just can not be subjected to the influence of this obstruction of tap hole usually.

In addition, can see the particular case that the number of these cutoff ports and position and layout can be on demand and change the flow results that requires to obtain.In fact, usually requiring the basic occasion of gas flow distribution uniformly, a kind of like this assembly preferably include two or more more satisfactory be the cutoff port that substantially evenly separates with the adjacent segments discharge orifice.

Figure 12 illustrates the fluid charging blower assembly 810 that fuel is arranged once the 610 essentially identical mobile confessions capable of reversing of basic and capable of reversing mobile charging blower assembly that Fig. 6 to 8 is above-mentioned, and wherein same parts are with same label.Yet, it is significantly different with aforementioned assembly 610 on the one hand that charging blower assembly 810 has at least: assembly 810 comprises the rupture disk 884 of a commutation, for example a kind of like this rupture disk, it has a high pressure side and a low pressure side and is designed to be and can break in order to the static high pressure side of the sealing member of the closed gas discharge hole 662 of normality towards conduct period in work when static state.As shown in the figure, a kind of like this rupture disk of commutation can for example combine with combustion chamber wall 652 by a bearing 886 hermetically.

Have better repeatability owing to it is generally acknowledged the characteristic of breaking of commutation rupture disk than the rupture disk of standard, therefore adopt the design of the rupture disk of this class commutation can obtain more consistent performance.

Can also see, a bearing is set like this can improve performance reliability.For example, directly thin rupture disk is welded to that its result shows that it may be difficult finishing ideally on the thicker combustion chamber wall, and when charging blower is worked, can produce welding rather than the insecure of rupture disc material break.

The confession that Figure 13 illustrates the commutation of can flowing has the fluid of fuel to inflate assembly 910, it is with just embodiment Fig. 6-8 and 12 commutation of giving above-mentioned explanation charging blower assembly 610 that flows is basic identical respectively, but a gas discharge hole on combustion chamber is not to give osed top with a rupture disk 664 (Fig. 6-8) or a rupture disk 884 (Figure 12) that commutates, described assembly 910 comprises such combustion chamber wall 952, described combustion chamber wall 952 be optionally weaken in advance, indentation or for example, reduce the indentation of wall thickness and can rupture by being provided with one.Therefore, combustion chamber wall 952 is suitable for when reach a predetermined increment in combustion chamber 656 internal pressures so that the gas that forms in combustion chamber unlatching when contained gas phase fluid is communicated with in supply chamber.

It will be appreciated that this respect of the present invention is said on the condition widely at one can adopt by selectively weakening in advance, indentation or as need be implemented along the combustion chamber walles 952 that comprise 960 fractures along the bottom on the total length of wall.In fact, the privileged site of the pre-weakening of these selections etc. can selectedly must produce or be formed for from the needed zone of combustion chamber 656 rows to supply chamber 614.

Charging blower assembly of design-calculated can for example advantageously reduce and manufacturing and production cost related (for example, reducing needed number of packages order in addition) like this; Improve reliability (for example, eliminating one or more possible leakage paths) and simplify manufacturing (for example, reducing the number of times of connection or welding).

According to above-mentioned, can see having the fluid charging blower assembly of fuel passable in the flow confession of commutation of this explanation of the present invention, many advantages for example are provided, for example provide:

A), can allow a specific charging blower can more easily be designed to such an extent that satisfy specific inflation needs in specific vehicle is used thus better at big use alerting ability;

B) improve by gas that is produced and the gas contacts that produce or between them that are stored and mixed, the transfer of heat that for example produces the improvement between them also more helps the compact design of charging blower thus; And

C) a kind of can be simpler, easily and the design of the charging blower of assembling at low cost.

Can under the situation of this any element, part, step, parts or composition that does not specifically disclose, do not implemented in this present invention who is disclosed in illustrational mode.

Above-mentioned detailed description just provides for the purpose of understanding for clear, thereby can not understand from these explanations any unnecessary restriction is arranged, because modification within the scope of the present invention is apparent and obvious to those persons skilled in the art.With its consistently, the bar item of the common additional function (mean-plus-function) that occurs in claims is intended to not only comprise equivalent structures but also comprise equivalent configurations.For example, though nail and screw are to adopt periphery and the latter adopts helical surface that other part is fixed together may not think equivalent structure on this aspect at the former, in the fixing environment of part, nail and screw with regard to but equivalent configurations.

Claims (29)

1. one kind is used for the gas filed device of an inflatable appliance, and described device comprises:

One housing, it comprises one first Room, burn at the fuel of the described first indoor at least a fluid form and at least a oxidizer and to comprise the residues of combustion of combustion gas with generation, described first Room is suitable for opening when reaching a predetermined increment at the described first indoor pressure, and the high-temperature fuel gas of at least a portion is arranged on a first direction from described first Room;

Be used to light at the described first indoor at least a fuel and the ignition device of at least a oxidizer;

Described housing also comprises one second Room, the supercharging stored-gas of a delivery volume is contained in described second Room, described second Room is communicated with the described first Room fluid and makes the high-temperature fuel gas and the described supercharging stored-gas of discharging from described first Room mixed to produce charge air conditioning when open described first Room, described second Room is suitable for when in the mixed unlatching when making the described second indoor pressure reach a predetermined increment after producing charge air conditioning of high-temperature fuel gas of discharging from described first Room and supercharging stored-gas, at least a portion charge air conditioning is discharged from described second Room on a second direction thus, and

Wherein, described charge air conditioning is to discharge from described second Room in the mode of relative high-temperature gas adverse current of discharging from described first Room.

2. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, it also comprises the guiding device that is used for the second indoor contained thing that is discharged from is guided into inflatable appliance.

3. device as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, described first Room is to be formed by a wall at least in part, described wall has a pre-section that weakens, described pre-weakening section is suitable for losing efficacy when reaching a predetermined increment at the described first indoor pressure, and described thus first Room is opened and the high-temperature fuel gas of at least a portion is arranged on first direction from described first Room.

4. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described first Room comprises at least one gas discharge hole and has the sealing member that seals at least one gas discharge hole when normality.

5. device as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, described gas discharge hole sealing arrangement comprises a rupture disk.

6. device as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, described gas discharge hole sealing arrangement is made up of a commutation rupture disk.

7. device as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, described gas discharge hole sealing arrangement is made up of a dish, and described dish comprised when pressure applies on it and opening through helping in the service conditions of stipulating of weakening in advance.

8. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described second Room comprises at least two gas tap holes and has makes at least two gas tap hole osed top gas tap hole sealing members when normality.

9. device as claimed in claim 8 is characterized in that, described gas tap hole sealing member is pressure-sensitive.

10. device as claimed in claim 8 is characterized in that, described gas tap hole sealing member is made up of the rupture disk of opening in a minute, and described rupture disk is used for each of at least two gas tap holes.

11. device as claimed in claim 8 is characterized in that, described gas tap hole sealing member is made up of a single rupture disk element that is used for two gas tap holes at least.

12. device as claimed in claim 8 is characterized in that, described gas tap hole sealing arrangement is made up of a single rupture disk element that is used for all gas tap holes.

13. device as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that, first of described at least two tap holes is to be opened by selectivity than the low pressure of second response pressure of described at least two tap holes the time.

14. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, it comprises the low pressure detecting device of a supervision at the described second indoor pressure.

15. device as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, when opening in described first Room described first Room comprise a gas discharge hole and when opening in described second Room described second Room comprise at least two gas tap holes and between described gas discharge hole and gas tap hole, have a gas flow paths, described device also comprises at least two cutoff ports, and they are arranged between the gas discharge hole and gas tap hole on the gas flow paths.

16. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, it is described second in the heart indoor that described first Room radially is arranged in.

17. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the flow morphology of at least one fuel is a gaseous state.

18. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the flow morphology of at least a fuel is liquid.

19. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the flow morphology of at least a fuel is the particulate matter of segmentation.

20. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, it has single-ended form.

21. one kind is used for the gas filed device of inflatable appliance, described device comprises:

One elongated tubular housing, it has first end and the second end, and described first end seals by one first end capping, and described the second end seals by one second end capping;

Described housing comprises one first Room, and it is along one first section of the described at least second end capping and is formed by a wall at least in part; Wherein the burning of the fuel of at least a fluid form and at least a oxidizer includes the residues of combustion of high-temperature fuel gas with generation, having the fuel of fluid form and the burning of oxidizer makes in the described first indoor temperature and pressure raising, and described first Room is suitable for opening when reaching a predetermined increment at the described first indoor pressure, thus the high-temperature fuel gas of at least a portion with first section of the second end capping opposite direction on row from described first Room;

Be used for lighting at least a fuel of described first Room and the ignition device of at least a oxidizer;

Described housing also comprises second Room along at least one second end of the second end capping, described second Room comprises that at least one makes at least one tap hole osed top sealing arrangement at the tap hole on second section of the first end capping and when having in normality, described second Room is contained the supercharging stored-gas of a delivery volume and is communicated with the described first Room fluid when the unlatching of described first Room, the mixed charge air conditioning that does not have solid particulate materials with generation of high-temperature fuel gas of discharging and supercharging stored-gas from described first Room, high-temperature fuel gas and supercharging stored-gas are mixed have been improved at the described second indoor temperature and pressure, described second chamber sealing device is suitable for when opening to make after producing charge air conditioning when the described second indoor pressure reaches a predetermined increment in that high-temperature fuel gas of discharging from described first Room and supercharging stored-gas are mixed, and the charge air conditioning of at least a portion passes through at least one tap hole and discharges from described second Room thus; With

The second indoor contained thing that is used for being discharged from is guided the guiding device of inflatable appliance into.

22. device as claimed in claim 21 is characterized in that it has single-ended format.

23. device as claimed in claim 21 is characterized in that, described second Room is by meeting the boundary in the described first end capping at one end.

24. device as claimed in claim 23 is characterized in that, described second Room one end that is met the boundary by the described first end capping comprises the low pressure detecting device of a supervision at described second room pressure.

25. device as claimed in claim 24 is characterized in that, described low pressure detecting device is to be on the end of described device, and described ignition device is to be on the opposite end of described device.

26. one kind is used for the gas filed method of an inflatable safety device on vehicle be said method comprising the steps of:

The fuel and the burning of at least a oxidizer of at least a fluid form in one first sealed chamber are also made in the first indoor temperature and pressure raising thus with the residues of combustion that generation contains high-temperature fuel gas;

Described first Room is opened so that the high-temperature fuel gas of at least a portion enters the second indoor of the supercharging stored-gas that contains a delivery volume from described first Room;

Make the high-temperature fuel gas that is discharged from and mixed described mixed making at the second indoor temperature and pressure improved to produce charge air conditioning in the second indoor supercharging stored-gas, and

Second Room is opened so that charge air conditioning is discharged so that inflatable safety equipment is inflated from described second Room;

Wherein the high-temperature fuel gas of discharging and supercharging from described first Room store gas mixed with in the process experience of the described second indoor generation charge air conditioning in discharge first Room with discharge commutation between second Room.

27. method as claimed in claim 26 is characterized in that, the flow morphology of at least a fuel is a gaseous state.

28. method as claimed in claim 26 is characterized in that, the flow morphology of at least a fuel is liquid.

29. method as claimed in claim 26 is characterized in that, the fluidised form of at least a fuel is the particulate matter of segmentation.

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