Hybrid air bag inflator

US5263740A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• TRW Limited · US

Inventors

• Stuart M. Frey · Bloomfield Hills, US
• Paul Headley · Mesa, US
• John H. Semchena · Royal Oak, US
• Richard J. Thompson · Ipswich, GB
• Ernst M. Faigle · Lapeer, US
• Gregory B. Grace · Gilbert, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 17, 1991
• Grant date: Nov 23, 1993
• Expiry date: Dec 17, 2011

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60G2202/45
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An inflator assembly for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint includes a container defining a chamber with a rupturable wall. The chamber contains a first ignitable material and gas. The gas is directed from the container to the inflatable vehicle occupant restraint when the rupturable wall of the chamber is ruptured. The assembly further includes an initiator for rupturing the rupturable wall of the chamber and for igniting the first ignitable material inside the chamber. The initiator includes a second ignitable material. The second ignitable material produces a pressure wave and emits products of combustion when it is ignited by the initiator. The rupturable wall of the chamber is located in the path of the pressure wave and is ruptured by the pressure wave. The first ignitable material inside the chamber is located in the path of the products of combustion emitted by the second ignitable material and is ignited by the products of combustion.