Patent ID: 6068292
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An apparatus for controlling flow of inflation gases, comprising:an inflator housing having a longitudinal extent;an initiator assembly connected to said inflator housing for use in igniting propellant;a gas generator having a length connected to said inflator housing for generating propellant gas, said gas generator having a first gas flow path and a second gas flow path, wherein said first gas flow path is substantially perpendicular to said length of said gas generator and said second gas flow path is downstream of said first gas flow path and is substantially parallel to said length of said gas generator;stored gas contained in at least said inflator housing;outlet means including an exit associated with said inflator housing for receiving the inflation gases;said outlet means including an afterburner member having a length and disposed in said inflator housing for delivering the inflation gases to said exit;means operatively associated with said gas generator for mixing the inflation gases, including at least one of the propellant gas and the stored gas, said means for mixing including an inner shroud having a length and located in said inflator housing outwardly of said afterburner member and with said inner shroud length extending along at least a portion of said length of said afterburner member, wherein the inflation gases move in a first direction outwardly of said inner shroud toward said exit and then in a second direction opposite said first direction, between said inner shroud and said afterburner member and so that the temperature of the inflation gases adjacent said outlet means is reduced; andoutlet closure means disposed in said afterburner member for blocking passage of the inflation gases until after said initiator assembly is activated, wherein said inner shroud extends a first distance from adjacent said outlet closure means towards said exit and extends a second distance from adjacent said outlet closure means towards said initiator assembly, with said first distance being greater than said second distance.