Patent ID: 6068288
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: B60R,F15B,F16K

Abstract:
A dynamic control valve system adapted for controlling the inflation of an inflatable restraint of an inflatable restraint system for vehicles, the dynamic control valve system comprising:a container adapted for at least temporarily containing a fluid under high pressure;a control valve for supplying the high pressure fluid through the control valve to the inflatable restraint for inflating the inflatable restraint with the high pressure fluid, the control valve having a valve inlet adapted for connection in fluid communication with an outlet of the container and a valve outlet adapted for connection in fluid communication with an inlet of the inflatable restraint, the control valve including a valve member movable between at least a first position in which the control valve is substantially closed and a second position in which the control valve is substantially open, the valve member being maintained in at least the first position without mechanical bias;the control valve allowing the high pressure fluid to flow through the control valve to the inflatable restraint when the valve member is moved away from the first position toward the second position, the flow rate through the control valve increasing, thereby increasing the rate of flow of the high pressure fluid into the inflatable restraint, as the valve member is moved between the first position and the second position, and the flow rate through the control valve decreasing, thereby decreasing the rate of flow of the high pressure fluid into the inflatable restraint, as the valve member is moved between the second position and the first position.