Patent ID: 7267365

Claim:
An inflator for a vehicle occupant protection system, the inflator comprising: a cylindrical outer wall having a longitudinal axis and at least one opening formed therealong for enabling fluid communication between an interior of the inflator and an exterior of the inflator; a first inflation fluid source positioned within the outer wall; a baffle system fluidly interposed between the first inflation fluid source and the outer wall for conveying inflation fluid between the first inflation fluid source and the outer wall; at least one opening for enabling fluid communication between the first inflation fluid source and the baffle system; and at least one opening for enabling fluid communication between the baffle system and the outer wall, the at least one opening for enabling fluid communication between the first inflation fluid source and the baffle system being substantially radially aligned with the at least one opening for enabling fluid communication between an interior of the inflator and an exterior of the inflator, the at least one opening for enabling fluid communication between the baffle system and the outer wall being angularly spaced approximately 90° apart from the at least one opening for enabling fluid communication between the first inflation fluid source and the baffle system; wherein inflation fluid entering the baffle system from the first inflation fluid source is directed to the at least one opening for enabling fluid communication between the baffle system and the outer wall, wherein the at least one opening for enabling fluid communication between the first inflation fluid source and the baffle system, the at least one opening for enabling fluid communication between the baffle system and the outer wall, and the at least one opening for enabling fluid communication between the interior of the inflator and the exterior of the inflator are arranged such that inflation fluid conveyed through the baffle system from the first inflation fluid source to the outer wall flows through the baffle system in directions substantially parallel to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and through the baffle system alternately in directions substantially parallel to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and in directions substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.