Patent ID: 7878536
Filing Date: 2011-02-01
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A gas generator comprising: a housing having a mixing chamber; a pyrotechnic charge in said housing' a container in said housing having a liquid therein and an open end and a closed end, an end cap closing said open end and having a piston portion removably connected thereto and being movable within said liquid container to pressurize the liquid therein when said piston portion is separated from said end cap, said piston portion being positioned to be exposed to combustion gas from said pyrotechnic charge when it is ignited and being separable from said end cap when said combustion gas exceeds a predetermined pressure; said closed end of said liquid container having a weakened potion constructed to be opened when the pressure of the liquid in said container exceeds a predetermined pressure; said pyrotechnic charge and said weakened portion of said liquid container being in fluid communication with said mixing chamber; wherein when said pyrotechnic charge is ignited, the combustion gas therefrom enters said mixing chamber and also contacts said piston portion to separate it from said end cap when the combustion gas exceeds the predetermined pressure to move said piston portion inwardly within said liquid container to pressurize the liquid therein and open said weakened portion when the liquid pressure exceeds the predetermined pressure to enable liquid to flow from said liquid container into said mixing chamber wherein the liquid and combustion gas are mixed to vaporize the liquid and cool the combustion gas.