Gas generator with supported sealing membrane
View Patent ↗An apparatus is provided for releasably blocking a flow of pressurized fluid through a housing. The apparatus includes a seal member having a rupturable portion, and a support structure configured for supporting the seal member along the rupturable portion so as to substantially prevent outward bulging of the rupturable portion.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a seal member including a base, a wall extending from a circumference of the base, and a flange extending from a circumference of the wall, the wall including a rupturable portion and a second wall portion extending between the rupturable portion and the base; and
a support structure for supporting the seal member adjacent the rupturable portion, wherein the second wall portion is spaced apart from the support structure.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the seal member extends along an axis, and wherein the support structure is positioned to substantially prevent outward bulging of the portion of the seal member in a direction substantially transverse to the axis.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the seal member extends along a passage formed in a housing, and wherein the support structure comprises a portion of the housing.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a third wall portion extending between the rupturable portion and the flange, and wherein the support structure is positioned for supporting the third wall portion.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the seal member is structured such that a pressure within a predetermined range acting on the seal member produces a deformation of the wall second portion toward the support structure sufficient to rupture the wall along the rupturable portion.
6. A source of pressurized fluid for actuating a fluid-actuatable element, comprising:
a container for storing the fluid under pressure; and
an apparatus in accordance with claim 1 operatively coupled to the container for releasably blocking a flow of pressurized fluid from the container.
7. A gas generating system, comprising:
a container for storing a fluid under pressure; and
an apparatus in accordance with claim 1 operatively coupled to the container for releasably blocking a flow of pressurized fluid from the container.
8. A vehicle occupant protection system including an apparatus in accordance with claim 1 .
9. An apparatus comprising:
a seal member including a rupturable portion; and
a support structure for supporting the seal member adjacent the rupturable portion along a first side thereof,
wherein the seal member is unsupported by the support structure adjacent the rupturable portion along a second side of the rupturable portion opposite the first side.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the support structure also supports the seal member along a part of the rupturable portion.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a third wall portion extending between the rupturable portion and the flange, and wherein the support structure is positioned for supporting the third wall portion.