Gas generator free of pyrotechnics

US5857698A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co. KG · DE

Inventors

• Franz Fuerst · Dahme/Mark, DE
• Armin Stark · Dahme/Mark, DE
• Marc Winterhalder · Garching an der Alz, DE
• Siegfried Zeuner · Hersbruck, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 24, 1996
• Grant date: Jan 12, 1999
• Expiry date: Jun 24, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/1692
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A gas generator, in particular for vehicle passive restraint systems, is constructed without pyrotechnical components for gas production, gas release, or gas heating. The gas generator includes a compressed gas container having an opening that is releasably closed by a closure such as a burst diaphragm, and at least one electrical and/or magnetic device arranged to destroy or release the closure upon triggering. It is also possible to achieve gas heating without the use of pyrotechnical components by coupling electrical and/or magnetic energy from the electrical and/or magnetic device into the gas container and particularly into the gas contained therein.