Pyrotechnic safety device and method of use

Abstract

A pyrotechnic safety device having a heat and flame resistant conduit coupled with a pyrotechnic device is provided. The conduit remains coupled to the pyrotechnic device during autoignition of the pyrotechnic device and dissipates the energy of a gas discharged by the pyrotechnic device as a consequence of the autoignition. Also disclosed is a method of preventing projectile movement of a pyrotechnic device comprising the steps of coupling together a pyrotechnic device and a heat and flame resistant conduit and allowing the conduit to dissipate the energy produced by a gas generated by the pyrotechnic device as a consequence of autoignition.

1 . A pyrotechnic safety device comprising: 
 a heat and flame resistant conduit,    the conduit being coupled with a pyrotechnic device.    
     
     
         2 . The pyrotechnic safety device of  claim 1  wherein the conduit comprises a tube.  
     
     
         3 . The pyrotechnic safety device of  claim 2  wherein the tube comprises hose.  
     
     
         4 . The pyrotechnic safety device of  claim 3  wherein the hose has a generally cylindrical cross section.  
     
     
         5 . The pyrotechnic safety device of  claim 1  wherein the conduit has a length of about four inches.  
     
     
         6 . The pyrotechnic safety device of  claim 1  wherein the conduit has a length greater than or equal to about four inches.  
     
     
         7 . The pyrotechnic safety device of  claim 1  wherein the conduit has a length greater than or equal to about twelve inches.  
     
     
         8 . The pyrotechnic safety device of  claim 1  wherein the conduit substantially retains its structural integrity when subjected to temperatures sufficient to cause an autoignition of the pyrotechnic device.  
     
     
         9 . The pyrotechnic safety device of  claim 8  wherein the autoignition causes the pyrotechnic device to discharge a gas and wherein the conduit remains coupled with the pyrotechnic device and dissipates a force produced by the discharging gas.  
     
     
         10 . The pyrotechnic safety device of  claim 9  wherein the conduit inhibits projectile movement of the pyrotechnic device caused by the discharging gas.  
     
     
         11 . The pyrotechnic safety device of  claim 1  wherein the conduit inhibits projectile movement of the pyrotechnic device when the pyrotechnic device is subjected to a bonfire test prescribed by regulation or convention.  
     
     
         12 . The pyrotechnic safety device of  claim 11  wherein the bonfire test is substantially as described in a document entitled The Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods Manual of Tests and Criteria extant in June 2004.  
     
     
         13 . The pyrotechnic safety device of  claim 12  wherein the conduit has a length greater than or equal to about four inches.  
     
     
         14 . The pyrotechnic safety device of  claim 12  wherein the conduit has a length greater than about eleven inches.  
     
     
         15 . The pyrotechnic safety device of  claim 9  wherein the conduit is fashioned out of rubber.  
     
     
         16 . The pyrotechnic safety device of  claim 9  wherein the conduit is fashioned out of silicon rubber.  
     
     
         17 . The pyrotechnic safety device of  claim 9  wherein the pyrotechnic device comprises an airbag inflator.  
     
     
         18 . The pyrotechnic safety device of  claim 17  wherein the conduit comprises an outer layer fashioned out of rubber and an inner layer fashioned out of fiberglass.  
     
     
         19 . The pyrotechnic safety device of  claim 18  further comprising a clamp that fits over the conduit and the output end of the airbag inflator, the clamp being adjustable to couple together the conduit and the airbag inflator.  
     
     
         20 . The pyrotechnic safety device of  claim 19  further comprising an airbag, the airbag having an input passageway in fluid communication with the airbag, the conduit configured to receive therein the input passageway of the airbag such that the inflator and the input passageway of the airbag are in fluid communication.  
     
     
         21 . The pyrotechnic safety device of  claim 20  wherein clamp couples together in fluid communication the inflator and the input passageway of the airbag.  
     
     
         22 . An pyrotechnic safety device comprising: 
 an airbag inflator,    a hose coupled with the airbag inflator, the hose being heat and flame resistant such that the hose substantially retains its structural integrity and remains in coupled with the airbag inflator in order to dissipate a force of a gas discharged by the airbag inflator when the pyrotechnic device is subjected to temperatures sufficient to cause an autoignition of the airbag inflator in order to inhibit projectile movement of the airbag inflator.    
     
     
         23 . The pyrotechnic safety device of  claim 22  wherein the hose has a length of greater than about eleven inches.  
     
     
         24 . The pyrotechnic safety device of  claim 22  further comprising an airbag having an input passageway in fluid communication with the airbag, the input passageway being in fluid communication with the airbag inflator when the input passageway is received within the hose.  
     
     
         25 . A method of preventing projectile movement of a pyrotechnic device comprising the steps of: 
 coupling together a pyrotechnic device and a heat and flame resistant conduit,    configuring the conduit to remain coupled with the pyrotechnic device when the pyrotechnic device is subjected to a heat source sufficient to cause autoignition of the pyrotechnic device,    allowing the conduit to dissipate the energy produced by a gas generated by the pyrotechnic device as a consequence of autoignition.