Gas generator with hybrid spring
View Patent ↗The present invention provides an inflator for an inflatable restraint system in an automobile, or more generally, a gas generator. The inflator includes an inflator body having a plurality of inflation apertures and defining a first combustion chamber wherein a first propellant charge is positioned. At least one annular spring containing a cushion is provided for maintaining the integrity of the shape of the propellant charge.
1. A gas generator comprising:
an inflator body having a first end and a second end, said inflator body defining a first chamber wherein a first propellant charge is positioned;
a first annular spring member positioned between said propellant charge and said second end for cushioning said propellant charge; and
a first cushion positioned within said annular spring member for cushioning of said propellant charge.
2. The inflator of claim 1 wherein said first cushion is a ceramic cushion.
3. The inflator of claim 1 wherein said inflator further comprises:
a second annular spring member positioned between said propellant charge and said first end for cushioning said propellant charge; and
a second cushion positioned within said annular spring member for cushioning of said propellant charge.
4. The inflator of claim 1 wherein said annular spring is a wave spring.
5. A gas generator comprising:
a housing;
a propellant charge within said housing;
an annular spring biased against said propellant charge for cushioning of said propellant charge, said annular spring defining an annular region; and
a cushion fixed within said annular region of said annular spring for further protection of said propellant charge.
6. The gas generator of claim 5 wherein said cushion is ceramic.
7. The gas generator of claim 5 wherein said spring is a wave spring.
8. A vehicle occupant protection system containing the gas generator of claim 1 .
9. A vehicle occupant protection system containing the gas generator of claim 5 .
10. A gas generator comprising:
an inflator body having a first end and a second end, said inflator body defining a first chamber wherein a first propellant charge is positioned;
a cup for containment of a composition;
a first annular spring member positioned between said propellant charge and said cup for cushioning said propellant charge; and
a first cushion positioned within said annular spring member for cushioning of said propellant charge.
11. The gas generator of claim 1 wherein the spring member and the cushion are unattached to any other element of the gas generator.
12. The gas generator of claim 1 further comprising a cup for containment of a composition, wherein the cup is positioned between the first cushion and the inflator body second end.
13. The gas generator of claim 1 further comprising a plate interposed between the spring and the propellant charge, wherein the plate has no openings formed therein.