JP4988670B2 - Combustion actuator with charge having oxidant and reductant separated from each other - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a combustion actuator having a function of moving parts by an inflatable structure or a piston. The ignition actuator according to the present invention is particularly suitable for inflating land vehicles to activate airbag-type safety devices, for example to aircraft for automatically opening and closing hatches, and for landing structures. Suitable for spacecraft.

  Several patent applications have been filed for combustion actuators.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a ram that travels in a damped manner and can be used in any type of energy absorbing device. The ram has a back pressure chamber integrated with the combustion gas generator, piston, combustion chamber and intermediate chamber, the back pressure chamber being contained between the combustion chamber and one end of the piston. It is. A duct connects the intermediate chamber to the back pressure chamber. The gas generated by the generator pressurizes the intermediate chamber in order to counteract the movement of the piston and thus dampen its travel.

  Patent Document 2 relates to a combustion actuator, and the combustion actuator includes a body, a piston, and a washer for holding the piston in the body. Depending on the initial position of the piston in the body, the actuator can apply a thrust force to the object by pushing the piston up from the body or release the mechanical part by pulling the piston back into the body.

  The combustion actuators disclosed in both documents are equipped with a powerful charge, which is pre-made and burns by the action of an unexpected event such as temperature rise, impact of falling objects or friction. Can be prepared to do.

  In the following description, the term “in storage position” corresponds to the non-actuated state of the actuator.

European Patent No. 550321 French patent application No. 282487

  The actuator according to the present invention comprises a separated powerful charge, the charge comprising a reducing material and an oxidizing fluid that are initially separated. In this way, in storage, a powerful charge provides a high degree of safety without reacting to unexpected external effects. Therefore, the actuator is suitable for land vehicles, aircrafts and spacecrafts that are not allowed to perform any sudden combustion that may cause inoperability or damage.

  The object of the present invention relates to a gas generating actuator comprising an ignition device and a powerful charge, said charge being made from a reducing material and an oxidizing fluid which are separated from each other. It is characterized by having. That is, no strong charge is formed in the storage state. Preferably, the reducing material is a solid.

  Advantageously, the reducing material is selected from polymethyl methacrylate, carry flex, artificial and natural resins, metals and waxes.

  In a first variant of the invention, the oxidizing fluid is a liquid.

  Advantageously, the oxidizing fluid is selected from oxygen, peroxide and hydroxylamine nitrate.

  In a second variant of the invention, the oxidizing fluid is a gas.

  Preferably, the oxidizing fluid is a gaseous mixture consisting mainly of oxygen.

  Preferably, the reducing material comprises a solid cylindrical block having at least one duct extending longitudinally therethrough.

  Advantageously, the reducing material has a central duct extending longitudinally through the reducing material, the central duct being at least three longitudinal grooves parallel to each other evenly distributed around the central duct Is provided.

  Advantageously, the block has seven ducts parallel to each other that run longitudinally through the block, with one of the ducts in the central position and the remaining six of the ducts evenly around the central duct Distributed and equidistant from the central duct.

  Preferably, the oxidant flow rate is controlled by an ignition valve and a regulating valve, both valves located between the oxygen reservoir and the reducing material. In operation, an electrical signal unlocks the ignition valve to release the oxidizing fluid so that the oxidizing fluid contacts and reacts with the reducing material, and the flow rate of the oxidizing fluid is controlled by a regulating valve. It is controlled.

  Preferably, the igniter comprises at least one ignition initiator and an ignitable booster charge, the igniter being positioned so that the gas generated by the booster charge heats the surface of the reducing material. ing.

  Advantageously, the oxidizing agent is brought into contact with the reducing material after the surface of the reducing material has been heated so that a pyrolysis reaction is triggered, and the generated gas is separated from the actuator by the outlet pipe. It is discharged outside. In other words, it is advantageous that the surface of the reducing material is preheated before the oxidizing agent contacts the reducing material to cause a pyrolysis reaction.

  Advantageously, the gas generated by the pyrolysis reaction between the reducing material and the oxidant is cooled by a parallel circuit comprising a cooling liquid. Preferably, the cooling liquid is ethanol.

  Preferably, the circuit comprises in succession an expansion chamber with a gas outlet pipe, a cooling liquid reservoir, and a connecting pipe, the connecting pipe connecting the cooling liquid reservoir and the outlet pipe, And it is attached to the ignition valve.

  Advantageously, the expansion chamber has a movable wall in contact with the cooling liquid and can be expanded by the action of gas generated by the pyrolysis reaction, thus allowing pressure to be applied to the cooling liquid. ing. Thus, when the ignition valve of the connecting pipe is opened, the pressurized cooling liquid flows through the pipe led to the outlet pipe.

  Preferably, the cooling liquid flowing through the connecting pipe is dispersed in the outlet pipe in the form of fine droplets. In this way, the dispersion of these droplets can be compared to that generated by a nebulizer for cooling the gas injected through the outlet pipe.

  In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the oxidant flow rate is controlled by a funnel nozzle, the nozzle being located between the oxidant reservoir and the reducing material.

  Advantageously, the gas generated by the pyrolysis reaction between the oxidant and the reducing material is directed towards a buffer space that is open to the ram with the piston. In this way, the gas generated by the pyrolysis reaction passes through the buffer volume and exerts pressure on the piston of the ram. The buffer volume is like a vacuum chamber when the ram fails in an accident and operates at a risk that could damage the actuator. Its volume is dimensioned to contain all the gas generated by the pyrolysis reaction.

  The actuator according to the invention has the advantage of being compact due to its self-controllability and its very simple structure. Thus, the actuator can be attached to any type of device or object that requires the function of such an actuator. In addition, actuators have many advantages associated with using powerful charge. That is, reliability based on ignition control, compactness based on the small size of the powerful charge, and a wide range of actions based on the variety of configurations available for these actuators.

  Two preferred embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to FIGS. 1-8.

  1 and 2 show a first preferred embodiment of an actuator 1 according to the present invention. The actuator 1 includes an oxygen reservoir 2, an ignition device 3, a reducing agent block 4 made of polymethyl methacrylate, a gas cooling circuit. 5. An exhaust device 6 for the gas and an inflatable structure 7 are provided. The oxygen reservoir 2 comprises a rigid bottle 8 containing pressurized oxygen, and the bottle 8 is provided with an oxygen exhaust duct. The exhaust duct 10 passes through the ignition device 3 in advance and the bottle 8 and the reducing agent block. 4 is possible. The exhaust duct 10 is formed of a rigid pipe including an ignition valve 11 and a control valve 12, and the ignition valve 11 is disposed on the upstream side of the control valve 12 with respect to the oxygen reservoir 2. The exhaust duct 10 has a bypass duct 13 that bypasses the control valve 12 to allow oxygen to pass through when the control valve 12 is closed in connection with the flow control function.

  In FIG. 3, the ignition device 3 includes two initiators 14, each of the initiators 14 is extended by a duct 15, and the duct 15 opens to the booster charge 16, and a part thereof is reduced by the reducing agent block 4. Are connected to a partitioned space 17. When the actuator 1 is in the operating phase, the space 17 acts as a pyrolysis chamber. Two initiators 14 are installed in the plug 18, and the plug 18 has a hollow central adapter 19, which is accommodated at one end of the exhaust duct 10 connected to the oxygen reservoir 2. It has become so. The plug 18 is screwed into one end of the hollow cylinder body 20, and a booster charge 16, a pyrolysis chamber 17, a reducing agent block 4, an expansion chamber 21 and a cooling liquid 22 are continuously connected to the cylinder body 20. In. The end of the hollow body 20 into which the plug 18 is screwed has a center hole 52. Therefore, when the plug 18 is screwed, the hollow central adapter 19 is continuous with the hole 52. In this way, the adapter 19 and the hole 52 communicate between the oxygen reservoir 2 and the reducing agent block 4, but nevertheless the communication is blocked by the booster charge 16. The expansion chamber 2 is provided with an outlet pipe 16 for the gas generated by the pyrolysis reaction between the reducing agent block 4 and oxygen. The actuator shown in FIG. 2 has such a compact shape that the exhaust duct 10 can include two elbows that are continuous in the same direction. Therefore, the oxygen reservoir 2, the exhaust duct 10, the hollow cylinder body 20, The overall formation formed by is a “U” shape.

  In FIG. 8 according to a preferred modified first embodiment, the reducing agent block 4 a has a cylindrical shape constituting a cylindrical central duct having nine linear longitudinal grooves 23. The grooves 23 each having a rectangular cross section are parallel to each other and regularly distributed around the central duct. The cross section of the duct has a star-shaped outline.

  In FIG. 9 according to the second preferred embodiment, the reducing agent block 4b has seven ducts parallel to each other passing through the reducing agent block 4b in the longitudinal direction. Located in the center, the remaining six ducts 25 are evenly arranged around the central duct 24 and are equidistant.

  In FIG. 4, the cooling circuit 5 includes a reservoir 22 of a cooling liquid such as ethanol, and a connection pipe that connects the reservoir 22 to a gas outlet pipe 26. The connecting pipe 27 is provided with an ignition valve 28, and starting from the end of the hollow cylindrical body 20 facing the end into which the plug 18 is screwed, the plug 18 comprises two ignition devices 14. Yes. The connection pipe 27 forms two continuous elbows in the same direction and opens to the gas outlet pipe 26. The expansion chamber 21 is delimited by a hollow cylindrical part 29 which is closed at one end by a flat disk 30 and open at the other end. Is housed in. In the stored state, the open end of the hollow cylindrical body 29 is in contact with the inner shoulder of the body 20, while the flat disk 30 is in contact with the cooling liquid 22. The expansion chamber 21 is partially delimited by the reducing agent block 4. The gas outlet pipe 26 includes at least one ignition valve 31 located upstream of the inflatable structure 7.

  The operation method of the actuator 1 of this preferred first embodiment according to the present invention is as follows.

  The electrical signal triggers the two initiators 14, and the combustion of the initiator burns the booster charge 16. Therefore, the generated gas occupies the pyrolysis chamber 17 and heats the surface of the reducing agent block 4. Furthermore, an electrical signal triggers an ignition valve 11 installed in the exhaust duct 10 of the oxygen reservoir 2 to release oxygen into the duct 10. Since the booster charge 16 has burned, it does not obstruct the passage of oxygen that comes into contact with the pre-heated reductant block 4. Subsequently, a thermal decomposition reaction occurs between oxygen and the reducing agent block 4. The hot gas generated by this reaction pressurizes the expansion chamber 21, and the expansion chamber 21 exerts a thrust force on the cooling liquid 22. The ignition valve 28 located at the connection pipe 27 is opened, so that the cooling liquid 22 is discharged from the pipe 27 by the action of the thrust force of the expansion chamber 21. The liquid 22 reaches the outlet pipe 26 in the form of fine droplets, and the droplets cool the hot gas discharged from the expansion chamber 21. The ignition valve 31 of the outlet pipe 26 is triggered to allow the cooled gas to flow out and flow into the inflatable structure 7.

  5 and 6 disclosing the actuator 100 of the second preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the actuator 100 includes stored oxygen 102, an igniter 103, a reducing agent block 104 made of polymethyl methacrylate, and a buffer space 140. And a ram 141 having a piston 142. The stored oxygen 102 is stored in a cylindrical part 105 having a flat disc at two ends. One of the two flat discs has a central hole that acts as a filling orifice, which is closed by a plug 106. The other flat disc is provided with a central orifice 107 closed by a breaker plate 108, said orifice 107 being composed of a cylindrical part which is extended by a conical part acting as a funnel-like nozzle. A part of the hollow cylindrical part 105 is screwed into a hollow cylindrical body 109, and the hollow cylindrical body 109 includes a reducing agent block 104 and an ignition device 103. In FIG. 7, the connecting portion between the part 15 and the body 106 is hermetically sealed between the outer surface of the part 105 and the inner surface of the body 106 by attaching two seals 110a and 110b. The part 105 is oriented in the body 109 such that the flat surface of the part 105 isolates the entire “reducing agent block + igniter” from the stored oxygen 102. The part 105 has a central orifice 107 closed by a breaking plate 108.

  The reducing agent block 104 is cylindrical and has a central duct with nine straight longitudinal grooves. An igniter 103 is housed in the central duct and includes an initiator 114 and a gas generating booster charge 106, the initiator 114 is electrically triggered, and the booster charge 116 is between two leaf springs. The gas generated by the combustion of the booster charge 116 is completely exhausted under predetermined conditions. The reducing agent block 104 is in contact with the inner shoulder of the hollow cylindrical body 109 to form a space 119 together with the body 109, and the space 119 communicates with the buffer space 140 through the outlet pipe 126. . The buffer space 140 is located in an elongated hollow cylindrical part 143 that includes an exit orifice 144 that connects the buffer space 140 to the ram 141, the piston 142 having an elongated rod 146. The rod 146 ends at the wide head 147.

  The operation method of the actuator of the second preferred embodiment according to the present invention is as follows. The electrical signal triggers the initiator 114 which causes the booster charge 116 to burn. The generated gas flows from the nozzle 118 to the inner surface of the reducing agent block 104 and destroys the breaking plate 108. Gas is generated in the thermal decomposition reaction between the oxidant and the reducing agent block 104, and the gas flows into the buffer space 140 through the outlet pipe 126, and flows out of the buffer space 140 through the outlet orifice 144. A pressure is applied to the piston 142 to move the ram.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a preferred embodiment of an actuator according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the actuator according to the present invention, which has a compact shape. FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the actuator ignition device and the embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a cooling circuit for an actuator according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second preferred embodiment of the actuator according to the present invention, which includes a ram. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the actuator according to the present invention, in which the ram is omitted. FIG. 7 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the ignition device and the reducing agent block in the second preferred embodiment of the actuator according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a reducing agent block material for an actuator according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the reducing agent block material of the actuator according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1,100 Actuator 2,102 Oxidizing fluid 3,103 Ignition device 4,104 Reducing material 11,28 Ignition valve 16,116 Charging

Claims (16)

In the gas generating actuator (1,100) comprising an ignition device (3,103) and a powerful charge:
The charge is made of a solid reducible material (4,104) and an oxidizing fluid (2,102) which are separated from each other;
The ignition device (3, 103) includes at least one ignition initiator (14, 114) and an ignitable booster charge (16, 116), and the ignition device (3, 103) includes the booster device. The gas generated by the drug (16, 116) is positioned to heat the surface of the solid reducing material (4, 104);
An actuator characterized by.   2. Actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that the reducing material (4, 104) is selected from polymethyl methacrylate, carry flex, artificial and natural resins, metals and waxes.   3. Actuator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the oxidizing fluid (2,102) is a liquid.   4. Actuator according to claim 3, characterized in that the oxidizing fluid (2,102) is selected from oxygen, peroxide and hydroxylamine nitrate.   3. Actuator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the oxidizing fluid (2,102) is a gas.   6. Actuator according to claim 5, characterized in that the oxidizing fluid (2,102) is a gas mixture mainly consisting of oxygen.   Actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reducing material (4, 104) consists of a solid cylindrical block having at least one duct extending longitudinally therethrough. .   The block (4a) has a central duct extending longitudinally through the block (4a), the central duct being at least three longitudinal grooves parallel to each other evenly distributed around the central duct The actuator according to claim 7, wherein (23) is provided.   The block (4b) has seven parallel ducts extending longitudinally through the block (4b), one of the ducts (24) being in a central position, and the remaining six of the ducts Actuator according to claim 7, characterized in that the two (25) are evenly distributed around the central duct and are equidistant from the central duct.   The flow rate of the oxidant is controlled by the ignition valve (11) and the regulating valve (12), and both valves (11, 12) are located between the oxygen reservoir (2) and the reducing material (4). The actuator according to claim 5, wherein the actuator is characterized in that:   The oxidizing agent (2,102) comes into contact with the reducing material (4,104) after the surface of the reducing material is heated so that a thermal decomposition reaction is caused, and has occurred 11. Actuator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that gas is discharged outside the actuator (1, 100) by an outlet pipe (26, 126).   The gas generated by the thermal decomposition reaction between the reducing material (4) and the oxidant (2) is cooled by a parallel circuit (5) provided with a cooling liquid (22). The actuator according to claim 11, wherein the actuator is characterized.   The circuit (5) comprises in series an expansion chamber (21) with a gas outlet pipe (26), a cooling liquid reservoir (22) and a connection pipe (27), the connection pipe ( Actuator according to claim 12, characterized in that 27) connects the cooling liquid reservoir (22) and the outlet pipe (26) and is attached to an ignition valve (28).   The expansion chamber (21) has a movable wall in contact with the cooling liquid (22) and is expandable by the action of the gas generated by the pyrolysis reaction, so that the cooling liquid (22) 14. Actuator according to claim 13, characterized in that pressure can be applied.   The flow rate of the oxidant (102) is controlled by a funnel nozzle (107), which is located between the oxidant reservoir (102) and the reducing material (104). The actuator according to any one of claims 5 to 9, or 11 to 14, characterized in that:   The gas generated by the pyrolysis reaction between the oxidant (102) and the reducing material (104) is a buffer space (open to a ram (141) with a piston (142). 140) Actuator according to claim 15, characterized in that it is guided towards 140).

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