Liquid-fueled, porous-piston-actuated, inflator for an airbag inflatable restraint system

摘要

An apparatus for inflating a vehicular inflatable device incorporates a porous piston that is used to compress a stored pressurized oxidant or oxidant and inert gas mixture, while simultaneously introducing a hot, atomized liquid fuel into the gas mixture. The liquid fuel stored in the piston is completely isolated from the oxidant gas, eliminating long-term storage concerns. The combination of elevated pressure and temperature in the stored gas chamber results in immediate and complete combustion of the liquid fuel, accompanied by a dramatic increase in stored gas pressure. A rupture disc and diffuser arrangement is used to control the flow of gases from the stored chamber into the vehicular inflatable device. The apparatus incorporates common fuels and oxidants, and does not produce any particulate matter. By proper selection of the various parameters related to the piston structure and the properties of the stored gas, the performance of the apparatus can be tailored to meet specific requirements. Potentially, the gas mixture may be stored at relatively low pressures.