Patent ID: 6244623
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, the apparatus comprising:a first chamber containing an expandable fluid effective to provide a gaseous inflation medium to inflate the inflatable device;a chamber opener actuatable to produce a discharge effective to open the first chamber by non-mechanical means;a flow control element including at least one fluid flow conduit having a discharge end wherethrough at least a portion of the discharge from the chamber opener can be transmitted into chamber-opening communication with the first chamber;at least one first chamber entrance opening wherethrough the at least a portion of the discharge from the chamber opener can be directed by the at least one fluid flow conduit into the first chamber;at least one first chamber exit opening wherethrough at least a portion of the gaseous inflation medium can be discharged from the first chamber;a burst disk including a first sealing portion normally preventing flow into the first chamber through the at least one entrance opening and a second sealing portion normally preventing flow out of the first chamber through the at least one exit opening; anda diffuser assembly including at least one exit port for directing gaseous inflation medium discharged from the first chamber to the inflatable device.