WO2002061385A1 - Device for testing pressure in a gas reservoir - Google Patents

Device for testing pressure in a gas reservoir Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002061385A1
WO2002061385A1 PCT/US2002/002113 US0202113W WO02061385A1 WO 2002061385 A1 WO2002061385 A1 WO 2002061385A1 US 0202113 W US0202113 W US 0202113W WO 02061385 A1 WO02061385 A1 WO 02061385A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
gas reservoir
oscillation
resonance frequency
transmitter
testing
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2002/002113
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Martin Specht
Original Assignee
Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. filed Critical Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
Publication of WO2002061385A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002061385A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01L—MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
    • G01L11/00—Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by means not provided for in group G01L7/00 or G01L9/00
    • G01L11/04—Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by means not provided for in group G01L7/00 or G01L9/00 by acoustic means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01L—MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
    • G01L11/00—Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by means not provided for in group G01L7/00 or G01L9/00
    • G01L11/04—Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by means not provided for in group G01L7/00 or G01L9/00 by acoustic means
    • G01L11/06—Ultrasonic means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
    • G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
    • G01M3/04—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point
    • G01M3/24—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic vibrations

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for testing the inflation pressure of a gas reservoir that is filled with a high-pressure gas, in particular an inert gas or an inert gas mixture to be used for inflating an airbag.
  • a high-pressure gas in particular an inert gas or an inert gas mixture to be used for inflating an airbag.
  • US 4 869 097 teaches measuring of the absolute pressure of a gas, for instance helium, contained in a gas reservoir, in particular a spherical gas reservoir.
  • An ultrasonic generator is placed on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir and ultrasonic waves are generated in a particular frequency range. These waves produce sympathetic oscillations of the gas in the reservoir, which are then measured. With the help of calibration curves, the pressure values of the gas contained in the reservoir are determined from the measured resonance frequencies.
  • a cold gas inflator filled with an inert gas, e.g. helium, for the inflation of an airbag installed in a motor vehicle is known from US 6 247 725.
  • a device for testing the internal pressure of a gas reservoir comprising: an oscillation transmitter that can be placed on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir; an oscillation sensor that can be placed on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir; and evaluation electronics comprising a comparator, connected to the oscillation sensor and a set value transmitter that indicates the resonance frequency measured under a set internal pressure, whereby the comparator compares the resonance frequency measured by the oscillation sensor with the resonance frequency indicated by the set value transmitter.
  • Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a device for testing the internal pressure of a gas reservoir associated with an airbag and a block connection diagram of the associated evaluation electronics.
  • Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of an alternative device for testing the inflation pressure of an airbag gas reservoir and a block connection diagram of the associated evaluation electronics.
  • Fig. 1 shows first embodiment of the invention having a gas reservoir 6 of a cold gas inflator for an airbag (not further represented) of a motor vehicle. It is understood that the present invention may also be employed with a hybrid inflator.
  • a testing device comprises an oscillation generator, formed of an oscillation transmitter 1 and a frequency generator 13, and an oscillation sensor 2 of an oscillation measuring device.
  • the oscillation transmitter 1 and the oscillation sensor 2 can be located with the help of tongs 5 at diametrically opposed locations on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir 6, if necessary under application of pressure.
  • oscillations of various frequencies are generated at the exterior surface of the filled gas reservoir within a particular frequency range, preferably in an acoustic or ultrasonic spectrum.
  • the vibrations pass through the wall of the gas reservoir and through the gas stored in the reservoir.
  • the resonance frequency is determined and measured.
  • the amplitudes of the vibrations measured by the oscillation sensor have a maximum at the resonance frequency.
  • the measured resonance frequency is compared with a frequency specific for the particular gas reservoir type. This preferably corresponds to the resonance frequency that was determined at the gas reservoir filled with the set gas pressure of the particular gas reservoir type. If the compared resonance frequencies coincide with one another, the airbag gas reservoir exhibits the required inflation pressure. If the measured resonance frequency differs from the resonance frequency of the set pressure beyond a permissible tolerance, this can be indicated by a corresponding signal transmitter or display device.
  • the gas reservoir can in this case be exchanged for a gas reservoir with sufficient inflation pressure.
  • the required comparison can be carried out with the help of simple evaluation electronics.
  • the resonance frequency corresponding to the set internal pressure can for instance be entered into a set value transmitter of the evaluation electronics.
  • Resonance frequency values corresponding to varying internal pressures and varying types of gas reservoir associated with an airbags can be given as a comparison.
  • the oscillation transmitter 1 is attached to a first arm 3 and the oscillation sensor 2 to a second arm 4 of the tongs 5 in an oscillation-decoupling manner.
  • a decoupling element 14 for instance, acting as an oscillation damper, can be foreseen.
  • the decoupling element 14 preferably comprises an elastic material, via which an oscillation transmission from the oscillation transmitter 1 and the oscillation sensor 2 onto the arms 3, 4 of the tongs can be avoided.
  • a temperature drift of the resonance frequency can be taken into account. This is achieved by taking into account, during the comparison, the temperature difference between the temperature at which the resonance frequency was measured inside the gas reservoirs at the set pressure and the temperature at which the air bag gas reservoir testing is carried out. This can be realized by measuring the temperature of the gas reservoir at the same time as measuring the resonance frequency, and by taking this into account during the comparison by the evaluation electronics.
  • a temperature-measuring device can also be provided on one of the two arms 3, 4, for instance second arm 4, by interposing the decoupling element 14.
  • the temperature-measuring device 11 measures the temperature of the gas reservoir 6.
  • the oscillation transmitter 1 and the temperature-measuring device 11 are connected to the evaluation electronics 9 for the completion of the measuring device.
  • the evaluation electronics 9 comprise a comparator 7, which is connected to the oscillation sensor 2 via (not further represented) converters, if necessary.
  • the evaluation electronics 9 have a set value transmitter 8, in which the resonance frequency that was measured in a gas reservoir 6 filled with a set pressure, is for instance contained or entered in a memory.
  • the evaluation electronics 9 furthermore comprise a temperature compensator 12, which is connected to the set value transmitter 8 and the temperature- measuring device 11.
  • the oscillation transmitter 1 During testing of the inflation state of the gas reservoir 6, the oscillation transmitter 1 generates at the exterior surface of the gas reservoir oscillations with frequencies which change within a particular frequency range, preferably in an acoustic or ultrasonic spectrum.
  • the resonance frequency is gauged, and compared in the comparator 7 with a resonance frequency, which refers to the particular gas reservoir type and preferably corresponds to the resonance frequency that was determined at the gas reservoir 6 filled with the set gas pressure of the particular gas reservoir type. If the compared resonance frequencies coincide with one another, the gas reservoir associated with an airbag exhibits the required internal pressure. If the measured resonance frequency differs from the resonance frequency of the set pressure beyond a permissible tolerance, this can be indicated by a corresponding signal transmitter or display device, and the gas reservoir can be exchanged for a gas reservoir with sufficient internal pressure.
  • a temperature-induced drift of the resonance frequency can be compensated for in the evaluation electronics 9 with the help of a temperature compensator 12. This is achieved by taking into account, during the comparison, the temperature difference between the temperature at which the resonance frequency was measured inside the gas reservoirs at the set pressure and the temperature at which the air bag gas reservoir testing is carried out. This can be realized by measuring the temperature of the gas reservoir at the same time as measuring the resonance frequency, and by taking this into account during the comparison by the evaluation electronics. Due to the temperature measuring by the measuring device 11 , the temperature difference between the temperature at which the resonance frequency was measured at the set pressure and the temperature of the gas reservoir 6 during the testing, can be established. With the help of the temperature compensator 12, the set value of the resonance frequency is then correspondingly corrected in the set value transmitter 8. A high level of precision is obtained in the comparison for the measuring of the actual pressure present in the gas reservoir 6 with the set value.
  • a signal transmitter 10 which is connected to the evaluation electronics 9, either acoustically, optically or via another display device.
  • the testing of the internal pressure can be carried out not only during a routine inspection of a motor vehicle in which the airbag and gas reservoir have been installed, but also du ring the assembly of the airbag device and its installation in the motor vehicle.
  • the generation of oscillations and the measurement of the frequencies of the generated oscillations can be carried out anywhere on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir. While in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 the generation and frequency measuring of the oscillations are carried out at diametrically opposed locations exterior surface of the gas reservoir, in the second embodiment shown in Fig. 2 the generation and frequency measuring of the oscillations are preferably carried out at locations on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir which are distanced from one another with respect to the longitudinal axis of the gas reservoir. In this second embodiment the oscillation transmitter and the oscillation sensor are advantageously integrated in a unit designed as a measuring head.
  • the arrangement of the oscillation transmitter and the oscillation sensor in this unit is preferably such that the oscillation transmitter and the oscillation sensor can be placed directly upon the exterior surface of the gas reservoir. In an advantageous manner, this is achieved such that the remaining components of the measuring head do not come into contact with the exterior surface of the gas reservoir.
  • the oscillation transmitter and the oscillation sensor can be pressed against the exterior surface of the gas reservoir with a particular pressure.
  • Fig. 2 shows a diagrammatic view of an alternative device for testing the inflation pressure of an airbag gas reservoir and a block connection diagram of the associated evaluation electronics.
  • a testing device is foreseen for measuring the inflation pressure of the airbag inflation gas, in particular an inert gas such as helium, argon or a mixture of these, held in readiness and under high pressure in the gas reservoir 6a.
  • An oscillation transmitter 1a is connected to a frequency generator 13a for the generation of oscillations in a particular frequency range.
  • the testing device comprises an oscillation sensor 2a, which measures frequencies of the oscillations generated by the oscillation transmitter 1a on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir.
  • the oscillation transmitter 1a and the oscillation sensor 2a are arranged in a unit 3a that forms a measuring head.
  • the oscillation transmitter and the oscillation sensor 2a can be placed upon the exterior surface of the gas reservoir 6a under application of a defined pressure.
  • the locations where the oscillation transmitter 1a and the oscillation sensor 2a are placed on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir 6a are axially distanced from one another.
  • the oscillation transmitter 1a and the oscillation sensor 2a are arranged in the unit 3a in such a manner that only their oscillation transmitting and oscillation sensing surfaces lie on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir. To this effect these surfaces extend beyond the unit 3a.
  • the oscillation sensor is arranged for oscillation-decoupling in the unit 3a in a decoupling element 14a acting as a damper.
  • the oscillation transmitter 1a is arranged in a non-damping guide 5a in the unit 3a.
  • a temperature-measuring device 11a in the form of a temperature probe is foreseen.
  • the temperature-measuring device 11a is integrated in the unit 3a designed as a measuring head, and together with the oscillation transmitter 1a and the oscillation sensor 2a is placed upon the exterior surface of the gas reservoir 6a.
  • the temperature-measuring device 11a can also, however, be placed on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir as a separate measuring device.
  • evaluation electronics 9a are foreseen. These comprise a comparator 7a, which is connected to the oscillation sensor 2a via (not further represented) transducers, if necessary.
  • the evaluation electronics 9a comprise a set value transmitter 8a, in which the resonance frequency, which was measured in a gas reservoir 6a filled with a set pressure, is entered in a memory.
  • the evaluation electronics 9a furthermore comprise a temperature compensator 12a, which is connected to the set value transmitter 8a and the temperature-measuring device 11a.
  • the oscillation transmitter 1a During the testing of the volume of gas in the gas reservoir 6a, the oscillation transmitter 1a generates oscillations at the exterior surface of the gas reservoir 6a with frequencies that change within a particular frequency range.
  • the frequency range is preferably in the acoustic or ultrasonic spectrum.
  • the oscillations generated on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir 6a by the oscillation transmitter 1a are measured by the oscillation sensor.
  • the oscillation sensor 2a can be designed such that it measures the frequencies of each generated oscillation and determines the resonance amplitude, which is significantly higher than the amplitudes of the other generated frequencies. From the position of the resonance maximum, the resonance frequency can be determined in a known manner.
  • the determining of the resonance frequency can be integrated in the oscillation sensor 2a or a not further represented resonance- determining device can be connected to the oscillation sensor 2a.
  • the thus determined resonance frequency is compared in the comparator 7a with a resonance frequency that was measured in the gas reservoir 6a at the set pressure.
  • a temperature-induced drift of the resonance frequency can be compensated for in the evaluation electronics 9a with the help of the temperature compensator 12a. Due to the temperature measuring by means of the temperature-measuring device 11a, the temperature difference between the temperature at which the resonance frequency was determined at the set pressure and the temperature of the gas reservoir 6a during the testing can be established. With the help of the temperature compensator 12a, the set value of the resonance frequency is then correspondingly corrected in the set value transmitter 8a. In this way a high level of precision is obtained when comparing the measurement of the actual pressure present in the gas reservoir 6a with the set pressure.
  • the compared resonance frequencies differ beyond the permissible tolerance, this can be indicated, for instance by means of a signal transmitter 10a, which is connected to the evaluation electronics 9a, either acoustically, optically or via another display device. If the measured resonance frequency lies within the permissible tolerance, this can also be indicated by another signal transmitter or by the signal transmitter 10a, whereby this signal differs from the signal indicating that the measured resonance frequency lies outside the permissible tolerance.
  • the measured resonance frequency and/or the inflation pressure corresponding to this resonance frequency in the gas reservoir 6a and/or the deviation of the inflation pressure from the set pressure can be indicated by a display device 4a, which is connected to the evaluation electronics 9a.

Abstract

A device for testing the inflation state of an cold gas inflator for an airbag has a gas reservoir (6, 6a) that is filled with gas at a high pressure, in particular an inert gas. Oscillations of frequencies varying within a particular frequency range are generated at an exterior surface the filled gas reservoir by an oscillation transmitter (1, 1a) and the resonance frequency is measured using an oscillation sensor (2, 2a). A comparator (7, 7a) compares the measured resonance frequency with a resonance frequency that was determined at the gas reservoir filled with the volume of gas.

Description

DEVICE FOR TESTING PRESSURE IN A GAS RESERVOIR
The invention relates to a device for testing the inflation pressure of a gas reservoir that is filled with a high-pressure gas, in particular an inert gas or an inert gas mixture to be used for inflating an airbag.
US 4 869 097 teaches measuring of the absolute pressure of a gas, for instance helium, contained in a gas reservoir, in particular a spherical gas reservoir. An ultrasonic generator is placed on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir and ultrasonic waves are generated in a particular frequency range. These waves produce sympathetic oscillations of the gas in the reservoir, which are then measured. With the help of calibration curves, the pressure values of the gas contained in the reservoir are determined from the measured resonance frequencies. Since a significant number of successive measurements are required to obtain the pressure values corresponding to a particular resonance frequency, the known method and the known device for testing the internal pressure of cold gas inflators for airbags, for instance during the inspection of a vehicle, in which the airbag and the cold gas inflators are installed, are not suitable. A cold gas inflator filled with an inert gas, e.g. helium, for the inflation of an airbag installed in a motor vehicle, is known from US 6 247 725.
There is provided in accordance with the present invention a device for testing the internal pressure of a gas reservoir comprising: an oscillation transmitter that can be placed on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir; an oscillation sensor that can be placed on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir; and evaluation electronics comprising a comparator, connected to the oscillation sensor and a set value transmitter that indicates the resonance frequency measured under a set internal pressure, whereby the comparator compares the resonance frequency measured by the oscillation sensor with the resonance frequency indicated by the set value transmitter. Brief Description of the Drawings
Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a device for testing the internal pressure of a gas reservoir associated with an airbag and a block connection diagram of the associated evaluation electronics.
Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of an alternative device for testing the inflation pressure of an airbag gas reservoir and a block connection diagram of the associated evaluation electronics.
Detailed Description of the Invention
Fig. 1 shows first embodiment of the invention having a gas reservoir 6 of a cold gas inflator for an airbag (not further represented) of a motor vehicle. It is understood that the present invention may also be employed with a hybrid inflator. For the measurement of the pressure of the airbag inflation gas, in particular an inert gas such as helium, argon or a mixture of these held in readiness and under high pressure in the gas reservoir, a testing device comprises an oscillation generator, formed of an oscillation transmitter 1 and a frequency generator 13, and an oscillation sensor 2 of an oscillation measuring device. In this first embodiment the oscillation transmitter 1 and the oscillation sensor 2 can be located with the help of tongs 5 at diametrically opposed locations on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir 6, if necessary under application of pressure.
For both of the embodiments described herein oscillations of various frequencies are generated at the exterior surface of the filled gas reservoir within a particular frequency range, preferably in an acoustic or ultrasonic spectrum. The vibrations pass through the wall of the gas reservoir and through the gas stored in the reservoir. By passing through the frequency range, the resonance frequency is determined and measured. The amplitudes of the vibrations measured by the oscillation sensor have a maximum at the resonance frequency. The measured resonance frequency is compared with a frequency specific for the particular gas reservoir type. This preferably corresponds to the resonance frequency that was determined at the gas reservoir filled with the set gas pressure of the particular gas reservoir type. If the compared resonance frequencies coincide with one another, the airbag gas reservoir exhibits the required inflation pressure. If the measured resonance frequency differs from the resonance frequency of the set pressure beyond a permissible tolerance, this can be indicated by a corresponding signal transmitter or display device. The gas reservoir can in this case be exchanged for a gas reservoir with sufficient inflation pressure.
The required comparison can be carried out with the help of simple evaluation electronics. The resonance frequency corresponding to the set internal pressure can for instance be entered into a set value transmitter of the evaluation electronics. Resonance frequency values corresponding to varying internal pressures and varying types of gas reservoir associated with an airbags can be given as a comparison. The oscillation transmitter 1 is attached to a first arm 3 and the oscillation sensor 2 to a second arm 4 of the tongs 5 in an oscillation-decoupling manner. For the oscillation decoupling, a decoupling element 14, for instance, acting as an oscillation damper, can be foreseen. The decoupling element 14 preferably comprises an elastic material, via which an oscillation transmission from the oscillation transmitter 1 and the oscillation sensor 2 onto the arms 3, 4 of the tongs can be avoided.
To increase the degree of accuracy of the comparison, a temperature drift of the resonance frequency can be taken into account. This is achieved by taking into account, during the comparison, the temperature difference between the temperature at which the resonance frequency was measured inside the gas reservoirs at the set pressure and the temperature at which the air bag gas reservoir testing is carried out. This can be realized by measuring the temperature of the gas reservoir at the same time as measuring the resonance frequency, and by taking this into account during the comparison by the evaluation electronics. A temperature-measuring device can also be provided on one of the two arms 3, 4, for instance second arm 4, by interposing the decoupling element 14. The temperature-measuring device 11 measures the temperature of the gas reservoir 6. The oscillation transmitter 1 and the temperature-measuring device 11 are connected to the evaluation electronics 9 for the completion of the measuring device. The evaluation electronics 9 comprise a comparator 7, which is connected to the oscillation sensor 2 via (not further represented) converters, if necessary. The evaluation electronics 9 have a set value transmitter 8, in which the resonance frequency that was measured in a gas reservoir 6 filled with a set pressure, is for instance contained or entered in a memory. The evaluation electronics 9 furthermore comprise a temperature compensator 12, which is connected to the set value transmitter 8 and the temperature- measuring device 11.
During testing of the inflation state of the gas reservoir 6, the oscillation transmitter 1 generates at the exterior surface of the gas reservoir oscillations with frequencies which change within a particular frequency range, preferably in an acoustic or ultrasonic spectrum.
Through the oscillation sensor 2 the resonance frequency is gauged, and compared in the comparator 7 with a resonance frequency, which refers to the particular gas reservoir type and preferably corresponds to the resonance frequency that was determined at the gas reservoir 6 filled with the set gas pressure of the particular gas reservoir type. If the compared resonance frequencies coincide with one another, the gas reservoir associated with an airbag exhibits the required internal pressure. If the measured resonance frequency differs from the resonance frequency of the set pressure beyond a permissible tolerance, this can be indicated by a corresponding signal transmitter or display device, and the gas reservoir can be exchanged for a gas reservoir with sufficient internal pressure.
To increase the accuracy of the comparison a temperature-induced drift of the resonance frequency can be compensated for in the evaluation electronics 9 with the help of a temperature compensator 12. This is achieved by taking into account, during the comparison, the temperature difference between the temperature at which the resonance frequency was measured inside the gas reservoirs at the set pressure and the temperature at which the air bag gas reservoir testing is carried out. This can be realized by measuring the temperature of the gas reservoir at the same time as measuring the resonance frequency, and by taking this into account during the comparison by the evaluation electronics. Due to the temperature measuring by the measuring device 11 , the temperature difference between the temperature at which the resonance frequency was measured at the set pressure and the temperature of the gas reservoir 6 during the testing, can be established. With the help of the temperature compensator 12, the set value of the resonance frequency is then correspondingly corrected in the set value transmitter 8. A high level of precision is obtained in the comparison for the measuring of the actual pressure present in the gas reservoir 6 with the set value.
If the compared resonance frequencies differ beyond the permissible tolerance, this can be indicated, for instance by a signal transmitter 10, which is connected to the evaluation electronics 9, either acoustically, optically or via another display device.
The testing of the internal pressure can be carried out not only during a routine inspection of a motor vehicle in which the airbag and gas reservoir have been installed, but also du ring the assembly of the airbag device and its installation in the motor vehicle.
The generation of oscillations and the measurement of the frequencies of the generated oscillations can be carried out anywhere on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir. While in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 the generation and frequency measuring of the oscillations are carried out at diametrically opposed locations exterior surface of the gas reservoir, in the second embodiment shown in Fig. 2 the generation and frequency measuring of the oscillations are preferably carried out at locations on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir which are distanced from one another with respect to the longitudinal axis of the gas reservoir. In this second embodiment the oscillation transmitter and the oscillation sensor are advantageously integrated in a unit designed as a measuring head. The arrangement of the oscillation transmitter and the oscillation sensor in this unit is preferably such that the oscillation transmitter and the oscillation sensor can be placed directly upon the exterior surface of the gas reservoir. In an advantageous manner, this is achieved such that the remaining components of the measuring head do not come into contact with the exterior surface of the gas reservoir. The oscillation transmitter and the oscillation sensor can be pressed against the exterior surface of the gas reservoir with a particular pressure.
Fig. 2 shows a diagrammatic view of an alternative device for testing the inflation pressure of an airbag gas reservoir and a block connection diagram of the associated evaluation electronics.
A gas reservoir 6a of a cold gas generator for an airbag (not further represented) of a motor vehicle. A testing device is foreseen for measuring the inflation pressure of the airbag inflation gas, in particular an inert gas such as helium, argon or a mixture of these, held in readiness and under high pressure in the gas reservoir 6a. An oscillation transmitter 1a is connected to a frequency generator 13a for the generation of oscillations in a particular frequency range. In addition, the testing device comprises an oscillation sensor 2a, which measures frequencies of the oscillations generated by the oscillation transmitter 1a on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir. The oscillation transmitter 1a and the oscillation sensor 2a are arranged in a unit 3a that forms a measuring head.
With the help of the unit 3a the oscillation transmitter and the oscillation sensor 2a can be placed upon the exterior surface of the gas reservoir 6a under application of a defined pressure. As shown in Fig. 2a, the locations where the oscillation transmitter 1a and the oscillation sensor 2a are placed on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir 6a are axially distanced from one another. The oscillation transmitter 1a and the oscillation sensor 2a are arranged in the unit 3a in such a manner that only their oscillation transmitting and oscillation sensing surfaces lie on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir. To this effect these surfaces extend beyond the unit 3a.
In this embodiment of the unit 3a, the oscillation sensor is arranged for oscillation-decoupling in the unit 3a in a decoupling element 14a acting as a damper. The oscillation transmitter 1a is arranged in a non-damping guide 5a in the unit 3a. In addition, a temperature-measuring device 11a in the form of a temperature probe is foreseen. In the shown embodiment, the temperature-measuring device 11a is integrated in the unit 3a designed as a measuring head, and together with the oscillation transmitter 1a and the oscillation sensor 2a is placed upon the exterior surface of the gas reservoir 6a. The temperature-measuring device 11a can also, however, be placed on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir as a separate measuring device.
For the evaluation of the measuring signals generated by the oscillation sensor 2a and the temperature-measuring device 11a, evaluation electronics 9a are foreseen. These comprise a comparator 7a, which is connected to the oscillation sensor 2a via (not further represented) transducers, if necessary. In addition, the evaluation electronics 9a comprise a set value transmitter 8a, in which the resonance frequency, which was measured in a gas reservoir 6a filled with a set pressure, is entered in a memory. The evaluation electronics 9a furthermore comprise a temperature compensator 12a, which is connected to the set value transmitter 8a and the temperature-measuring device 11a. During the testing of the volume of gas in the gas reservoir 6a, the oscillation transmitter 1a generates oscillations at the exterior surface of the gas reservoir 6a with frequencies that change within a particular frequency range. The frequency range is preferably in the acoustic or ultrasonic spectrum. The oscillations generated on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir 6a by the oscillation transmitter 1a are measured by the oscillation sensor. To this effect the oscillation sensor 2a can be designed such that it measures the frequencies of each generated oscillation and determines the resonance amplitude, which is significantly higher than the amplitudes of the other generated frequencies. From the position of the resonance maximum, the resonance frequency can be determined in a known manner. The determining of the resonance frequency can be integrated in the oscillation sensor 2a or a not further represented resonance- determining device can be connected to the oscillation sensor 2a.
The thus determined resonance frequency is compared in the comparator 7a with a resonance frequency that was measured in the gas reservoir 6a at the set pressure.
A temperature-induced drift of the resonance frequency can be compensated for in the evaluation electronics 9a with the help of the temperature compensator 12a. Due to the temperature measuring by means of the temperature-measuring device 11a, the temperature difference between the temperature at which the resonance frequency was determined at the set pressure and the temperature of the gas reservoir 6a during the testing can be established. With the help of the temperature compensator 12a, the set value of the resonance frequency is then correspondingly corrected in the set value transmitter 8a. In this way a high level of precision is obtained when comparing the measurement of the actual pressure present in the gas reservoir 6a with the set pressure.
If the compared resonance frequencies differ beyond the permissible tolerance, this can be indicated, for instance by means of a signal transmitter 10a, which is connected to the evaluation electronics 9a, either acoustically, optically or via another display device. If the measured resonance frequency lies within the permissible tolerance, this can also be indicated by another signal transmitter or by the signal transmitter 10a, whereby this signal differs from the signal indicating that the measured resonance frequency lies outside the permissible tolerance.
The measured resonance frequency and/or the inflation pressure corresponding to this resonance frequency in the gas reservoir 6a and/or the deviation of the inflation pressure from the set pressure can be indicated by a display device 4a, which is connected to the evaluation electronics 9a.

Claims

Claims:
1. A device for testing the internal pressure of a gas reservoir
6) comprising: an oscillation transmitter (1 , 1a) that can be placed on an exterior surface of the gas reservoir; an oscillation sensor (2, 2a) that can be placed on the exterior surface the gas reservoir; and evaluation electronics (9, 9a) comprising a comparator (7, 7a) connected to the oscillation sensor and a set value transmitter
(8, 8a) that indicates the resonance frequency measured under a set internal pressure, whereby the comparator compares the resonance frequency measured by the oscillation sensor with the resonance frequency indicated by the set value transmitter.
2. The device for testing the internal pressure of a gas reservoir according to claim 1 wherein a device that places the oscillation transmitter and the oscillation sensor against the gas reservoir is oscillation-decoupled by the oscillation transmitter and the oscillation sensor.
3. The device for testing the internal pressure of a gas reservoir according to claim 1 further comprising a temperature- measuring device (11 , 11a) that can be placed on the exterior surface the gas reservoir.
4. The device for testing the internal pressure of a gas reservoir according to claim 1 further comprising a display device (4a) that is connected to the evaluation electronics (9, 9a) for indicating the determined resonance frequency and/or the inflation pressure in the gas reservoir corresponding to the determined resonance frequency and/or the deviation of the inflation pressure from the set value.
5. The device for testing the internal pressure of a gas reservoir according to claim 1 further comprising a signal transmitter (10, 10a) connected to the evaluation electronics (9, 9a) for generating a signal when the determined resonance frequency deviates from the set value by exceeding a permissible tolerance and/or a generating a signal, if the determined resonance frequency lies within a permissible tolerance, whereby the two signals differ from each other.
6. The device for testing the internal pressure of a gas reservoir according to any of claims 1 through 5 wherein the oscillation transmitter (1 ) and the oscillation sensor (2) are arranged on arms (3, 4) of tongs (5), such that the oscillation sensor and the oscillation transmitter can be located against diametrical opposed locations on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir.
7. The device for testing the internal pressure of a gas reservoir according to any of claims 1 through 5 wherein the oscillation transmitter (1a) and the oscillation sensor (2a) are integrated in a unit designed as a measuring head (3a) such that the generation and frequency measuring of the oscillations are carried out at locations on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir that are distanced from one another with respect to a longitudinal axis of the gas reservoir.
PCT/US2002/002113 2001-01-30 2002-01-25 Device for testing pressure in a gas reservoir WO2002061385A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE10103974.3 2001-01-30
DE10103974A DE10103974B4 (en) 2001-01-30 2001-01-30 Device for testing the filling pressure of an airbag gas storage
DE10127634.6 2001-06-07
DE10127634A DE10127634A1 (en) 2001-01-30 2001-06-07 Method and device for checking the filling pressure of an airbag gas storage device

Publications (1)

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WO2002061385A1 true WO2002061385A1 (en) 2002-08-08

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DE (2) DE10103974B4 (en)
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Cited By (2)

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US20020184953A1 (en) 2002-12-12
DE10103974B4 (en) 2006-03-09
US6550335B2 (en) 2003-04-22
US6474142B2 (en) 2002-11-05
DE10103974A1 (en) 2002-08-22
US20020100315A1 (en) 2002-08-01

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