Inflator for an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device
US5736668A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 28, 1996 |
| Grant date | Apr 7, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 28, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF42B3/124
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An inflatable vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) includes combustible fluid (18) and a pair of electrodes (102,104). The electrodes (102,104) have a corresponding pair of surface portions (126,128) which are spaced from each other across an electrode gap (130). An ohmic heating element (120) bridges the gap (130) in an ignitable heat transferring relationship with the combustible fluid (18). The heating element (120) has a pair of opposite end portions (132,134) which are mounted on, and fixed to, the surface portions (126,128) of the electrodes (102,104). The surface portions (126,128) of the electrodes (102,104) have arcuate contours facing oppositely across the gap (130).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.