Air bag inflator

US5609360A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS INC. · US

Inventors

• Ernst M. Faigle · Lapeer, US
• Tracy S. Sparks · Lapeer, US
• Richard J. Thompson · Ipswich, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: May 22, 1995
• Grant date: Mar 11, 1997
• Expiry date: May 22, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R21/2644
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An air bag inflator (10) includes an ignitable gas generating material (50), an initiator (36) for igniting the gas generating material (50), and a tubular wall (100) defining a combustion chamber (54) containing the gas generating material (50). A plurality of gas flow openings (150) extend radially outward from the combustion chamber (54) through the tubular wall (100). A filter (102) extends circumferentially and axially over the tubular wall (100). The tubular wall (100) includes a structure (160) defining a space which provides plenum (170) extending radially outward from the gas flow openings (150) to the filter (102).