Patent attributes
An inflator for a vehicle occupant restraint system. The inflator includes a cylindrical outer wall having a longitudinal axis and a first opening formed therealong for enabling fluid communication between an interior of the inflator and an exterior of the inflator. A first inflation fluid source is positioned within the outer wall. A baffle system is 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, and for cooling the inflation fluid. A second opening enables fluid communication between the first inflation fluid source and the baffle system, and a third opening enables fluid communication between the baffle system and the outer wall. The first opening is substantially radially aligned with the second opening. An expanded metal mesh buffer may be positioned between within the baffle system. Openings enabling fluid communication between the baffle system and the exterior of the baffle system, any openings provided within the baffle system, and the opening enabling fluid communication between the interior and exterior of the inflator housing are cooperatively positioned to direct the flow of an inflation through the baffle system in directions substantially perpendicular to and/or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. Also disclosed is a vehicle occupant restraint system incorporating an inflator in accordance with the present invention.
