US3539199A

US3539199A - Explosive opening of a fluid container

Info

Publication number: US3539199A
Application number: US669106A
Authority: US
Inventors: George A Ekstrom
Original assignee: Eaton Yale and Towne Inc
Current assignee: ZF Passive Safety Systems US Inc
Priority date: 1967-09-20
Filing date: 1967-09-20
Publication date: 1970-11-10
Anticipated expiration: 1987-11-10

Description

nited States Patent I Patented Inventor George A. Ekstrom Southlield, Michigan 669,106

Sept. 20, 1967 Nov. 10, 1970 Eaton Yale & Towne Inc. Cleveland, Ohio a corporation of Ohio Appl. No. Filed Assignee EXPLOSIVE OPENING OF A FLUID CONTAINER 9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl.'...... 280/150,

102/24 Int. Cl. B60r 21/00 Field of Search 280/ 1 50;

l02/24(HC). 49.5; 222/5: 60/26.1

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,248,072 4/ 1966 Schimmel 244/ 1 3,336,868 8/1967 Rush et a1. 102/24 3,429,583 2/1969 Martin et al. 280/150 Primary Examiner-Kenneth H. Betts Attorney-Yount, Flynn & Tarolli ABSTRACT: A fluid container stores fluid under pressure for operating a vehicle safety device in the form of an expansible confinement. The fluid container is opened to release the fluid for flow therefrom and to the confinement. An explosive means in cooperation with a means acting to oppose the explosive forces acting on the container effect opening of the container by a shearing action.

atented Nov. 10, 1970 3,539,199

INVENTOR. 650/?65 A. EKSTROM ATTORNEYS Patented Nov, 10, 1970 Sheet FIG .7

FIG .6

INVENTOR. 60R6 A. E/(STAOM ATTORNEYS I EXPLOSIVE OPENING OF A FLUID CONTAINER The present invention relates to an apparatus for releasing fluid under pressure from a container, and in particular relates to an apparatus including a fluid container which is opened by detonation of an explosive means to provide for fluid flow from the container.

An important object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved apparatus in which fluid under pressure in a container is released therefrom upon the formation of an opening therein and which opening is formed in a reliable, simple manner by a shearing action.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a'n'ew and improved apparatus in which fluid under pressure in a container is released by opening of the container by the cooperation of forces produced by detonation of an explosive means and means acting on the container to oppose the force produced by detonation of the explosive material.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved apparatus which includes a fluid container and means for opening the container to provide for flow of fluid from the container, and wherein the means for opening the container includes an explosive means for applying a force to a first area of the container and 'means acting on a second area of the container adjacent the first area and in, opposition to the force applied by the explosive means whereby as a result the container is sheared due to the effect of the forces acting thereon.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved apparatus wherein a fluid container is opened by a shearing action and wherein the container includes means located interiorly of the container for acting on a wall portion of the container, and means acting exteriorly of the container acting on an adjacent wall portion of the container and in an opposite direction the first means to effect a shearing of the wall portion of the container and opening of the container.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved apparatus, as noted in the next paragraph, wherein the means acting exteriorly and interiorly of the container comprises explosive means.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision embodiments of the resent invention made in conjunction with the accompanying drawing and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view with parts removed of a vehicle embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken approximately along the section line 2L2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken approximately along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional View of a portion of the container shown in FIG. 3 and illustrating the opening in the container produced by the arrangement of F IG, 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to H6. 3 and illustrating a further embodiment of the present invention;

FlG. 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of a still further embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 and illustrati'ng the opening of the container by the arrangement shown in FIG. 6.

The present invention relates to an improved means for explosively opening a fluid pressure container. The fluid when released from the container may be used to operate various devices. Preferably and as illustrated, the fluid when released operates a vehicle safety device in the form of an inflatable confinement. The safety device may be used in any type of vehicle, such as an airplane, automobile, or a truck.

Referring to the drawing, F l0. 1 discloses an apparatus 10 for storing and releasing fluid under pressure. In the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus 10 operates a vehicle safety apparatus 12. The safety apparatus 12 includes an inflatable confinement or bag 13 which has a collapsed condition in which the confinement 13 is located in a receptacle 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle 14 is formed in the dash of the vehicle. When collapsed, the confinement 13 is out of sight and is inflated when the vehicle encounters a crash condition and is shown inflated in FIG. 1. When inflated, the conflnement 13 restrains the occupant of the vehicle from impact ing forcefully against the structural part of the vehicle.

of a new and improved apparatus, as noted above, wherein the means acting exteriorly of the container comprises an explosive means and the means which acts interiorly of the container comprises a shear bar mounted interiorly of the c0ntaincr.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved apparatus wherein a fluid container is opened by a shearing action and wherein the shearing action is produced by an explosive means which encircles one end of the container and when detonated produces forces acting inwardly of the container, and wherein a member is located within the container and resists the action of the explosive means to effect a shearing of the container.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved apparatus which includes a fluid container and means for opening the container and wherein the means for opening the container includes an explosive means and a member which cooperates with the explosive means and wherein the explosive means is associated with one area of the container and the member is secured to an adjacent area of the container and wherein upon detonation of the explosive means, the portion of the container on which the member is located and the portion of the container on which the explo sive is mounted move relatively to effect opening of the container.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved apparatus, as noted in the preceding paragraph, wherein the member comprises a shear bar which acts to oppose the forces acting on the container'by the explosive thereby resulting in a shearing of the container.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates from the following description of preferred The confinement 13 is inflated by the apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 may be positioned within the confinement 13 and is suitably secured along one side of the receptacle 14, as shown in FIG. 1. The inflating apparatus 10, as shown in FIG. 2, includes a diffuser tube 20 and a fluid container 22 mounted within the diffuser tube 20 and concentrically with respect to the diffuser tube 20. The diffuser tube 20 is closed at each end by closure members 24, 26, which close at the left and right ends, respectively, of the diffuser tube 20, as viewed in FlG. 2. The closure members 24, 26 have

portions

28, 30 formed along the inner faces thereof and which extend axially toward one another when assembled in the ends of the diffuser tube 20. The

portions

28, 30 extend into and seal the ends of the container 22.

The fluid container 22 is illustrated as being generally cylindrically shaped and contains or stores fluid under pressure. When the vehicle encounters a crash condition which is sensed by suitable crash sensor means, such as disclosed in the copending US. Pat. application Ser. No. 562,289, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,414,292 assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the fluid container 22 is opened by an explosive means or member, indicated generally as 32. The opening of thecontainer 22 permits the fluid to escape therefrom to inflate the confinement 13.

The confinement 13 must be inflated rapidly so as to restrain movement of the occupant as a result of the force of the crash. Accordingly, the opening of the fluid container 22 must provide a fluid flow of sufficient volume to provide for inflating the confinement 13 within the prescribed time. if the opening in the container 22 is too small, the confinement 1.3

will not provide the necessary resistance to the occupants movement, and if the opening is too large, the rate of flow of fluid from the container may be so great that the flow would rupture the confinement 13.

The explosive means 32 which operates to open the container 22 may include any suitable type of explosive material.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, a so-called multidirectional sheet explosive strip material 34 is used. The multidirectional strip 34 is known commercially as Dupont Detasheet. It has been found that a satisfactory opening can be provided in the container 22 by using approximately a 6 inch strip of Detasheet which is a fraction of an inch thick and wide.

As stated heretofore, the Detasheet strip 34 is a mu]- tidirectional explosive and therefore the forces resulting from the explosion thereof act in different directions upon detonation. Consequently, when this type of explosive is used, it is desirable to employ a backup member, such as the backup member 36, illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, to contain and reflect the forces acting in directions different from that in which the work is to be done, that is, those forces which act away from the surface of the container 22 are directed by the backup member 36 toward the container 22.

The backup member 36 is a channel-shaped member which may be secured to the container 22 in overlying relation to the strip 34. This channel-shaped member 36 may be secured to the container 22 by any suitable means, such as a flat coil spring 38. The spring 38 is wrapped around the container 22 and backup member 36 and maintains the backup member 36 in position overlying the strip 34. The backup member 36 operates to contain the forces resulting from the explosion of.

the strip 34 and directs the forces to act against the surface of the container 22.

The explosive strip 34 is ignited by a detonator 40 forming a part of the explosive means 32. When the crash sensor of the vehicle is actuated, an electric circuit is completed to the detonator 40. The detonator 40 may be any suitable commercial type of detonator and when actuated by the flow of electric current therethrough, sets off the charge strip 34.

The opening of the container 22 is effected by the cooperation of the explosive means 32 and means which opposes the action of the explosive means. As shown in FIG. 3, the means opposing the action of the explosive strip 34 comprises an elongated shear bar 42. The shear bar 42 is secured to a wall portion of the container which is adjacent the wall portion of the container 22 against which the forces of the explosive 32 act. As shown in FIG. 3, the forces of the explosive strip 34 act against a portion 22a of the container 22 and the shear bar 42 is mounted on an area 22b which is immediately adjacent the area 220. The shear bar 42 acts on the area 22b in an opposite direction to the direction of the force applied by the explosive 34 to the area 22a. As a result, a shearing and permanent offsetting deformation of the wall portion of the container is effected.

The elongated shear bar 42 is arranged substantially parallel to the strip of explosive material 34 and may be welded or otherwise secured to the container 22. Moreover, the strip of explosive material 34 is offset circumferentially therefrom so as to act on the area 22a as is clear from FIG. 3. One edge of the explosive strip 34 is colinear with the one edge of the shear bar 42, as shown in FIG. 3.

The opening of the container provided by the construction shown in FIG. 3 is illustrated in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the portion 22a of the container is moved inwardly of the portion 22b of the container and as a result an opening 44 is provided in the wall of the container. Fluid in the container rushes from this opening 44 and flows into the confinement 13 to effect inflation of the confinement. The opening 44 in the container 22 is of sufficient size to permit release of the fluid from the container 22 to inflate the confinement 13 within the allotted time and at the required rate.

More specifically, the opening 44 in the container 22 permits fluid to flow into the outer diffuser tube 20. The diffuser tube has a plurality of circumferential slots 47 formed along a portion of the diffuser tube 20 opposite the location of the explosive means 32 on the container 22 and through which the fluid enters the confinement 13. The fluid escaping from the opening 44 impinges upon the solid side of the outer tube 20 and as a result some of the energy thereof is absorbed. Thereafter, the fluid flows through the slots 47 and into the confinement R3 at a rate such that the confinement I3 is inflated within the allotted time without rupturing of the confinement.

It should be apparent from the above, that applicant has provided a new and improved means of opening a fluid pressure container through the use of an explosive force and a means which acts on the container and resists the action of the explosive force. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the means which resists the action of the explosive force comprises the shear bar 42. Moreover, it should be apparent that the opening in the container may be provided by a shearing action, as described in connection with FIG. 3, where the explosive strip 34 is located on the inner side of the container 22 and acts on an inner portion of the container 22 and the shear bar 42 acts on the outside or exterior of the container 22. The force of the explosive acting on the wall of the container 22 and the resistance provided by the shear bar 42 will result in opening of the container 22.

The embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 5 operates in substantially the same manner as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, and similar reference numerals will be used to designate corresponding parts. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, an explosive means 32 in strip form is provided on the exterior of the container 22 and acts on the area 22a of the container. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, an explosive means 52 is arranged in the interior of the container and acts on area 22b of the container which is adjacent the area 22a. The explosive means 52 which is arranged on the interior of the fluid container 22 to act on the area 22b thereof, may be an explosive similar to the explosive means 32. The explosive means are sheet explosives and are illustrated schematically in FIG. 5.

The opening of the container 22, as shown in FIG. 5, is effected by the shearing of the wall of the container in much the same manner as described hereinabove in connection with FIG. 3. However, the forces provided for shearing the container are explosive forces which act in opposite directions as a result of simultaneous detonation of the explosive means 32, 52. When the explosive means 32, 52 are detonated, the force of detonation is applied to the adjacent areas 22a, 22b, respectively, of the container 22 in opposite directions and effect a shearing of the container 22 and an opening of the container 22. The explosive means 32, 52 are suitably detonated by commercially available detonators, and upon detonation provide opposing forces acting on the container 22.

In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, a fluid container is again sheared by the cooperating action of a means which acts on the interior of the container in opposition to explosive forces applied to the exterior of the container, in much the same manner as described hereinabove in connection with FIGS. 3 and 5. Accordingly, similar reference numerals will be used to designate corresponding parts.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the container 22 is closed at one end by a closure member 66 which has an axially extending portion 68 which extends inwardly into the fluid container 22. The axial extending portion 68 engages the interior of wall portion 22b of the container 22 for substantially the entire circumferential extent thereof. An explosive means '79 is wrapped around the exterior of the container 22 and is positioned thereon by a retaining member 74. The retaining member 74 positions the explosive means so that the forces resulting therefrom act against an area 22a of the container 22, which area is adjacent an area 22!) of the container 22. As a result, the detonation of the explosive 79 acts on the area 22a of the container forcing the area 2241 inwardly of the container. These forces are resisted or acted against by the portion 68 acting on the portion 22b of the container 22. As a result, the portion 22a of the container is forced inwardly of the container and a shearing of the end of the container 22 is effected to provide the opening 44 in the end of the container, as illustrated in FIG. 7. Fluid then rushes from the opening 44 inthe container 22 and into the confinement 113,

as described hereinabove, to effect inflation of the confinement l3 It should be apparent from the above that applicant has provided a new and improved construction for opening a fluid pressure container to provide a flow of fluid for inflation of a safety device in the form of an inflatable confinement on a vehicle.

I claim:

1. Apparatus comprising a container for fluid under pressure, means for opening said container to provide for fluid flow therefrom, said means including explosive means on said container for applying a force against said container upon detonation thereof, and a substantially nondeformable member of a relatively high density material mounted on said container and acting on said container in opposition to said force produced by said explosive means and cooperating with said explosive'means to effect shearing of said container and opening thereof to release the fluid in said container for flow therefrom.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said explosive means acts on a first area of said container, and said member for acting on said container in opposition to said force produced by said explosive means acts on a second area of said container immediately adjacent said first area to effect said shearing of said container.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said member for acting on said container comprises a member at one end of said container and projecting into said container, and said explosive means comprises an elongate strip explosive extending around said one end of said container so that upon detonation of said strip of explosive material said one end of said container is sheared.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said explosive means comprises a first strip of explosive material on the exterior of said container and said member for acting on said container comprises a second strip of explosive material secured interiorly of said container.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including an inflatable confinement having a contracted condition and an expanded condition and associated with said container to be inflated by the flow of fluid therefrom.

6. An apparatus comprising a container for fluid under pressure, means for opening said container to provide for fluid flow therefrom, said means including an elongated explosive strip secured to said container for applying a force against said container upon detonation thereof, and an elongated shear bar secured to said container for acting on said container in opposition to said force produced by said elongated explosive strip and cooperating with said elongated explosive strip to effect shearing of said container and opening thereof to release the fluid in said container for flow therefrom, said explosive strip and said shear bar being arranged in an offset relation on opposite sides of a wall portion of said container so that said explosive strip acts on a first area of said container and said shear bar acts on a second area of said container immediately adjacent said first area to effect said shearing of said container.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said explosive strip is located exteriorly of said container and said shear bar is located interiorly of said container.

8. Apparatus comprising container means for fluid under pressure, means for opening said container means to provide for fluid flow therefrom, said means including an elongated explosive strip secured to said container means which directs a force against a first area of said container means upon detonation, an elongate shear bar secured to said container means acting on a second area of said container means immediately adjacent said first area and in opposition to said force produced by said elongate explosive strip and cooperating with said elongated explosive strip to effect shearing of said container means and a permanent offsetting deformation of said areas to form an opening in said container means and thereby release fluid in said container means for flow therefrom, said explosive strip and said shear bar being arranged in an offset relation on opposite sides of a wall portion of said container means, and a confinement adapted to be mounted on a vehicle and associated with said fluid container means so as to be inflated by the flow of fluid from said container means 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said explosive strip is located exteriorly of said container means and said shear bar is located interiorly of said container means and effects a permanent inward deformation of said first area of said container means relative to said second area of said container means.