Particulate removal in inflatable restraint system gas generators

摘要

An apparatus (10) for producing inflation gas for a vehicle occupant restraint includes a container (16) having a first chamber containing a pyrotechnic charge (54) and a second chamber (14) which may contain pressurised gas. The first chamber is closed by a solid metal plug (44) and a thin metal diaphragm (46) which covers an outlet nozzle (42). The second chamber has a constricting outlet orifice (32) covered by a rupturable second metal diaphragm (92) which leads to a diffuser unit with outlet apertures (94). An impingement filter (98) confronts the outlet nozzle (42) and hot gas from the first chamber impinges on the filter (98) where particulate material is deposited by condensation and entrapment. There is at least an approximately 180 DEG cumulative change in gas direction between the gas contacting the filter (98) and the passage of inflation gas into the diffuser.