Gas Generating System

Abstract

A gas generating system includes a housing and a gas generant combustion chamber within the housing. A liquid coolant chamber is provided within the housing. A mixing chamber is positioned within the housing so as to enable fluid communication with the combustion chamber and the coolant chamber after activation of the gas generating system. A movable member is positioned within the housing in operative communication with the coolant chamber, such that movement of the movable member forces coolant from the coolant chamber directly into the mixing chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gas generating system comprising:
 a housing;   a gas generant combustion chamber within the housing;   a liquid coolant chamber within the housing;   a mixing chamber positioned within the housing so as to enable fluid communication with the combustion chamber and the coolant chamber after activation of the gas generating system; and   a movable member positioned within the housing in operative communication with the coolant chamber, such that movement of the movable member forces coolant from the coolant chamber directly into the mixing chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a conduit enabling fluid communication between the combustion chamber and the mixing chamber after activation of the gas generating system. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising a flow director in fluid communication with the conduit and structured to direct a flow of combustion products from the conduit into the mixing chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The gas generating system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 at least one opening enabling fluid communication between an interior of the housing and an exterior of the housing; and 
 a filter positioned between the mixing chamber and the at least one opening. 
 
     
     
         5 . An airbag system comprising a gas generating system in accordance with  claim 1 . 
     
     
         6 . A vehicle comprising an airbag system in accordance with  claim 5 . 
     
     
         7 . A vehicle including a gas generating system in accordance with  claim 1 . 
     
     
         8 . A gas generating system comprising:
 an outer housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;   a gas generant combustion chamber positioned within the housing;   a liquid coolant chamber positioned within the housing between the combustion chamber and the second end;   a mixing chamber formed between the coolant chamber and the second end and structured to receive combustion products flowing in a first direction from the combustion chamber;   a movable member positioned such that motion of the movable member in the first direction forces a coolant positioned in the coolant chamber in the first direction through an opening in the mixing chamber, and into the mixing chamber; and   a partition separating the coolant chamber from the mixing chamber, the partition including at least one first passage structured to enable a flow of coolant into the mixing chamber, and at least one second passage separate from the first passage and structured to enable a flow of combustion products into the mixing chamber.   
     
     
         9 . An airbag system comprising a gas generating system in accordance with  claim 8 . 
     
     
         10 . A vehicle comprising an airbag system in accordance with  claim 9 . 
     
     
         11 . A vehicle including a gas generating system in accordance with  claim 8 . 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8  further comprising a flow director in fluid communication with the combustion chamber and structured to direct a flow of combustion products received from the combustion chamber into the mixing chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The gas generating system of  claim 8  further comprising:
 at least one opening enabling fluid communication between an interior of the housing and an exterior of the housing; and 
 a filter positioned between the mixing chamber and the at least one opening.