1. An inflator for an airbag assembly for protecting a vehicle occupant from injury, the inflator comprising:
an exterior wall comprising an aperture;
a first gas source contained within a first chamber defined within the exterior wall, wherein, in response to receipt by the inflator of a first activation signal, the first gas source provides a gas that defines a first gas flow pathway that moves through the inflator and exits the inflator via the aperture; and
a filter module positioned in the first gas flow pathway, the filter module comprising:
a filter medium having plurality of holes sized such that, as the gas flows through the filter medium, particulate matter entrained in the gas is trapped in the filter medium; and
a baffle secured to the filter medium, the baffle comprising an impingement surface positioned such that the gas impinges against the impingement surface in a manner that causes redirection of the first gas flow pathway;
wherein the baffle is positioned such that the baffle is in contact with no component of the inflator outside the filter module.
2. The inflator of claim 1, wherein the inflator further comprises a second gas source contained within a second chamber defined within the exterior wall, wherein, in response to receipt by the inflator of a second activation signal, the second gas source provides gas that defines a second gas flow pathway that moves through the inflator and exits the inflator via the aperture.
3. The inflator of claim 2, wherein the filter module is positioned in the second gas flow pathway, wherein the impingement surface is substantially planar and is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first gas flow pathway where the gas impinges against the impingement surface, wherein redirection of the first gas flow prevents the first gas flow from flowing directly into the second chamber through the filter module.
4. The inflator of claim 1, wherein the inflator further comprises a second gas source contained within a second chamber defined within the exterior wall, wherein, in response to entry of the first gas flow into the second chamber, the second gas source provides gas that defines a second gas flow pathway that moves through the inflator and exits the inflator via the aperture.
5. The inflator of claim 4, wherein the impingement surface defines a generally frusto-conical shape having an axis oriented substantially parallel to the first gas flow pathway where the gas impinges against the impingement surface, wherein redirection of the first gas flow directs the first gas flow into the second chamber to facilitate initiation of gas provision by the second gas source.
6. The inflator of claim 1, wherein the filter medium comprises a generally tubular shape comprising an interior surface that defines an interior cavity within which the baffle resides, wherein the baffle comprises a circumferential region captured directly by the interior surface.
7. The inflator of claim 1, wherein the filter medium comprises a generally tubular shape comprising an interior surface that defines an interior cavity within which the baffle resides, wherein the filter module further comprises a bracket captured by the interior surface, wherein the baffle comprises a circumferential region that abuts the bracket such that the bracket supports the baffle.
8. The inflator of claim 1, wherein the filter medium comprises a generally tubular shape comprising an interior surface that defines an interior cavity within which the baffle resides, wherein the filter medium is formed of a plurality of wires woven together, wherein the filter module comprises a support structure formed of a plurality of support wires that are significantly thicker than the plurality of wires of the filter medium, wherein the baffle comprises a circumferential region that abuts the support structure such that the support structure supports the baffle.
9. The inflator of claim 1, wherein the filter medium comprises a generally tubular shape comprising an interior surface that defines an interior cavity within which the baffle resides, the interior surface having ends on either side of the baffle, wherein the interior surface is tapered such that the filter medium is thicker where it surrounds the baffle than at the ends of the interior surface.
10. A method of manufacturing an inflator, the method comprising:
providing an exterior wall comprising an aperture;
providing a first gas source;
positioning the first gas source within a first chamber defined within the exterior wall such that, in response to receipt by the inflator of a first activation signal, the first gas source provides a gas that defines a first gas flow pathway that moves through the inflator and exits the inflator via the aperture;
providing a filter module comprising a filter medium having plurality of holes, and a baffle secured to the filter medium, the baffle comprising an impingement surface; and
positioning the filter module in the first gas flow pathway such that, as the gas flows through the filter medium, particulate matter entrained in the gas is trapped in the filter medium and the gas impinges against the impingement surface in a manner that causes redirection of the first gas flow pathway;
wherein providing the filter module comprises securing the baffle to the filter medium prior to positioning of the filter module in the first gas flow pathway.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
providing a second gas source; and
positioning the second gas source within a second chamber defined within the exterior wall such that, in response to receipt by the inflator of a second activation signal, the second gas source provides gas that defines a second gas flow pathway that moves through the inflator and exits the inflator via the aperture.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the impingement surface is substantially planar, wherein positioning the filter module in the first gas flow pathway comprises positioning the filter module in the second gas flow pathway and orienting the impingement surface substantially perpendicular to the first gas flow pathway where the gas impinges against the impingement surface, wherein redirection of the first gas flow prevents the first gas flow from flowing directly into the second chamber through the filter module.
13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
providing a second gas source; and
positioning the second gas source within a second chamber defined within the exterior wall such that, in response to entry of the first gas flow into the second chamber, the second gas source provides gas that defines a second gas flow pathway that moves through the inflator and exits the inflator via the aperture.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the impingement surface defines a generally frusto-conical shape, wherein positioning the filter module in the first gas flow pathway comprises orienting an axis of the frusto-conical shape substantially parallel to the first gas flow pathway where the gas impinges against the impingement surface, wherein redirection of the first gas flow directs the first gas flow into the second chamber to facilitate initiation of gas provision by the second gas source.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein the filter medium comprises a generally tubular shape comprising an interior surface that defines an interior cavity, wherein the baffle comprises a circumferential region, wherein securing the baffle to the filter medium comprises directly capturing the circumferential region with the interior surface.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein the filter medium comprises a generally tubular shape comprising an interior surface that defines an interior cavity, wherein the baffle comprises a circumferential region, wherein the filter module further comprises a bracket, wherein securing the baffle to the filter medium comprises:
capturing the bracket with the interior surface; and
positioning the baffle such that the circumferential region abuts the bracket such that the bracket supports the baffle.
17. The method of claim 10, wherein the filter medium comprises a generally tubular shape comprising an interior surface that defines an interior cavity, wherein the filter medium is formed of a plurality of wires woven together, wherein the filter module comprises a support structure formed of a plurality of support wires that are significantly thicker than the plurality of wires of the filter medium, wherein the baffle comprises a circumferential region, wherein securing the baffle to the filter medium comprises:
capturing the support structure with the interior surface; and
positioning the baffle such that the circumferential region abuts the support structure such that the support structure supports the baffle.
18. An inflator for an airbag assembly for protecting a vehicle occupant from injury, the inflator comprising:
an exterior wall comprising an aperture;
a first gas source contained within a first chamber defined within the exterior wall, wherein, in response to receipt by the inflator of a first activation signal, the first gas source provides a gas that defines a first gas flow pathway that moves through the inflator and exits the inflator via the aperture;
a second gas source contained within a second chamber defined within the exterior wall; and
a filter module positioned in the first gas flow pathway, the filter module comprising:
a filter medium having plurality of holes sized such that, as the gas flows through the filter medium, particulate matter entrained in the gas is trapped in the filter medium; and
a baffle secured to the filter medium, the baffle comprising an impingement surface positioned such that the gas impinges against the impingement surface in a manner that causes redirection of the first gas flow pathway;
wherein the filter medium comprises a generally tubular shape comprising an interior surface that defines an interior cavity within which the baffle entirely resides.
19. The inflator of claim 18, wherein, in response to receipt by the inflator of a second activation signal, the second gas source provides gas that defines a second gas flow pathway that moves through the inflator and exits the inflator via the aperture, wherein the filter module is positioned in the second gas flow pathway, wherein the impingement surface is substantially planar and is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first gas flow pathway where the gas impinges against the impingement surface, wherein redirection of the first gas flow prevents the first gas flow from flowing directly into the second chamber through the filter module.
20. The inflator of claim 18, wherein, in response to entry of the first gas flow into the second chamber, the second gas source provides gas that defines a second gas flow pathway that moves through the inflator and exits the inflator via the aperture, wherein the impingement surface defines a generally frusto-conical shape having an axis oriented substantially parallel to the first gas flow pathway where the gas impinges against the impingement surface, wherein redirection of the first gas flow directs the first gas flow into the second chamber to facilitate initiation of gas provision by the second gas source.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A device for evaluating the dielectric behavior of a structure, comprising:
a distance sensor;
a shaft; and
a capacitive sensor.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the capacitive sensor is mounted to the shaft.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the distance sensor is mounted on the shaft.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the distance sensor is a short-range sonar.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a handheld device
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the distance sensor is mounted on a handle.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the shaft is electrically non-conductive.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein the material is a polyester impregnated with fiberglass.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the capacitive sensor is located on the tip of the shaft.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the capacitive sensor has a diameter between \xbc and \xbd inches and a length between \xbd and 1 inches.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein the capacitive sensor comprises a capacitive sensor plate.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein the capacitive sensor plate comprises a concentric ring.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein the concentric ring is broken.
14. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is grounded by an operator of the device or the structure.
15. A method of assessing a structure comprising the steps of introducing a hole into said structure and introducing the capacitive sensor of the device of claim 1.
16. A method of assessing a structure comprising the steps of introducing a hole into said structure and introducing the capacitive sensor of the device of claim 14.
17. A method for evaluating the dielectric behavior of a structure, comprising the steps of:
inserting a capacitive sensor into a structure;
determining a location of the capacitive sensor in the structure with a distance sensor;
measuring the discharge rate of the capacitive sensor in said structure; and
moving the capacitive sensor deeper into the structure while continuing to determine the location within the structure and measuring the discharge rate of the capacitive sensor.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the capacitive sensor and the distance sensor are components of a single device for evaluating the dielectric behavior of a structure.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the structure comprises wood.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the structure is selected from the group consisting of a utility pole, a piling, a beam, a board, and a timber.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein the discharge rate of the capacitive sensor indicates the dielectric behavior of the wood surrounding the capacitive sensor at a location within the structure.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the dielectric behavior of the structure indicates the condition of the wood at a location within the structure.
23. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of comparing the dielectric behavior of the wood surrounding the capacitive sensor at a location within the structure with the dielectric behavior of reference wood.
24. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of determining whether the dielectric behavior of the wood surrounding the capacitive sensor is different than the dielectric behavior of a reference wood.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein normal wood is indicated when the dielectric behavior of the wood surrounding the capacitive sensor is essentially the same as the dielectric behavior of the reference wood.
26. The method of claim 24, wherein damaged or decayed wood is indicated when the dielectric behavior of the wood surrounding the capacitive sensor is different than the dielectric behavior of the reference wood.
27. The method of claim 21, wherein the wood surrounding the capacitive sensor comprises the wood within 50 millimeters of the capacitive sensor.
28. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of inserting the capacitive sensor into the structure comprises inserting the capacitive structure into a hole in the wooden structure.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the hole in the wooden structure is bored by an operator of the capacitive sensor.
30. The method of claim 28, wherein the hole has a diameter of no greater than \xbd inches.
31. A method of profiling the condition of a wood structure comprising the steps of:
determining the dielectric behavior of wood at a plurality of locations within the wood structure;
determining the location of each determined dielectric behavior within the wood structure; and
comparing the dielectric behavior at a plurality of locations within the wood structure to a dielectric behavior of a reference wood to prepare a profile of the condition of the wood structure.