Filters (21) comprising a rolled expanded metal strip (13) are provided. The expanded metal strip (13) has an entrance zone (e.g., layer 1 and layer 2), a nozzle zone (e.g., layer 3), and, optionally, an exit zone (e.g., layers 4 and 5). The filter can also include an optional layer of woven wire mesh (e.g., layer 6). The filters have a thin wall (39) such that, in an embodiment, the ratio of the thickness (t) of the wall to the filter's outer diameter (OD) is less than or equal to 0.07, whereby the filter can weigh less and/or have a smaller envelope size than existing expanded metal filters. In an embodiment, the filter (21) can be used to filter and cool the gas stream produced by the rapid burning of the solid propellant (26) of an airbag inflator (157).
THIN-WALLED EXPANDED METAL FILTERS
2024-11-21
Patent
Electronic Resource
English