US3767228A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflation time control for safety device
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1971-10-27
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Granted: 1973-10-23
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Expires: 1991-10-27
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for transmitting an electrical current from a power supply to a gas source during a time interval which varies in direct proportion to the ambient temperature within the portion of a vehicle in which the apparatus is disposed. A portion of the gas is released from the gas source upon receipt of the electrical pulse. Another portion of the gas is released from the gas source independently of the pulse. The released gas passes into a bag, which inflates during a time interval independent of the ambient temperature, thereby serving to protect occupants or other mobile objects within the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 D Lewis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 03:53
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/015; B60R21/02; B60R21/16; B60R21/26; B60R21/263; B60R2021/2633
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
Apparatus for transmitting an electrical current to a gas source disposed in a portion of a motor vehicle subject to impact, within a time interval which varies in direct proportion to the ambient temperature within said portion of the vehicle, comprising: a. a power source for supplying the electrical current; b. first circuit means for transmitting the current from the power source to a first portion of the gas source during a first fixed time interval; c. second circuit means for transmitting the current from the power source to a second portion of the gas source during a second variable time interval; d. impact detecting means for causing the current to pass through said first and second circuit means upon impact of the vehicle; and e. control means connected to the second circuit means and responsive to the ambient temperature, for varying the second time interval in direct proportion to the ambient temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
Apparatus for transmitting an electrical current to a gas source disposed in a portion of a motor vehicle subject to impact, within a time interval which varies in direct proportion to the ambient temperature within said portion of the vehicle, comprising: a. a power source for supplying the electrical current; b. first circuit means for transmitting the current from the power source to a first portion of the gas source during a first fixed time interval; c. second circuit means for transmitting the current from the power source to a second portion of the gas source during a second variable time interval; d. impact detecting means for causing the current to pass through said first and second circuit means upon impact of the vehicle; and e. control means connected to the second circuit means and responsive to the ambient temperature, for varying the second time interval in direct proportion to the ambient temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the control means comprises a resistance element connected to the second circuit means, and means for varying the resistance of the resistance element in direct proportion to the ambient temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein the resistance element is connected at one end to the second circuit means and the resistance of the resistance element is varied by means which comprise an electroconductive component connected to the power source, the electroconductive component being in continuous contact with the resistance element, and means for displacing the electroconductive component along the surface of the resistance element a variable distance from the end of the resistance element connected to the second circuit means, the distance varying in direct proportion to the ambient temperature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein the electroconductive component is displaced by means which comprise at least two thermally conductive members each having a different thermal coefficient of expansion, said thermally conductive members joined together to form a composite member, one end of the composite member being fixed and the other end of the composite member being connected to the electroconductive component, whereby the electroconductive component is deflected over at least a portion of the deflection characteristic curve of the composite member in proportion to an increase in the ambient temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein the composite member is in the form of a spiral.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein the control means comprises a resistance element connected to the second circuit means and having a positive temperature coefficient of resistance which varies in direct proportion to the ambient temperature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein the resistance element is a thermistor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 3 which has associated therewith an auxiliary power supply connected between said power source and each of said first and second circuit means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein the first and second circuit means include a firing circuit connected to the power source and to the impact detecting means, said firing circuit comprising means for Transmitting the electrical current from the power source or from the auxiliary power supply to the impact detecting means upon impact of the vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein the power source comprises the battery of the motor vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein the first and second circuit means having such a configuration that either the power source or the auxiliary power supply is capable of discharging through the firing circuit upon impact of the vehicle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein the auxiliary power supply comprises a capacitor, and the firing circuit includes the capacitor connected in parallel with the battery, and a diode connected between the battery and the capacitor and in series with the battery and the impact detecting means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the diode comprises redundant diodes connected in parallel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein the first portion of the gas source comprises an enclosed gas containing means filled with a pressurized gas and provided with an inlet and outlet means; and the second portion of the gas source comprises a gas generating material within an enclosed gas generating means, disposed adjacent to the gas containing means and separated therefrom by a pressure sensitive barrier.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein the gas source comprises a hollow housing, a plug removably mounted within the housing, said plug extending through a full thickness of the housing and into contact with a pressurized gas within the housing, an explosive charge located adjacent to the plug, and a resistance material structurally connected to the explosive charge and electrically connected to the first circuit means, for exploding the charge when the current flows through the resistance material, whereby the plug is removed from the housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein an outlet is provided in the housing by removal of the plug, said outlet being in communication with the pressurized gas and with an inflatable bag, whereby gas flows from within the housing through the outlet and into the inflatable bag.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein the first portion of the gas source includes a pressurized gas within the housing, and the second portion of the gas source includes a gas generating material disposed within the housing adjacent to the pressurized gas and separated therefrom by a pressure sensitive barrier.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein the second circuit means includes a transmission circuit, connected to the impact detecting means, said transmission circuit comprising a variable resistor in series with means for transmitting an electrical pulse to the second portion of the gas source.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein the electrical pulse is transmitted by means which include a unijunction transistor and a rectifier in series with the variable resistor and a second resistor with the second portion of the gas source, and a capacitor connected in parallel with the power source.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |