Air bag inflator

US6010152A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• TRW Limited · US

Inventors

• Timothy A. Swann · Mesa, US
• Bryan W. Shirk · Mesa, US
• Dean M. Esterberg · Tempe, US
• Ahmad K. Al-Amin · Gilbert, US
• Roy D. Van Wynsberghe · Mesa, US
• Vincent J. Mramor · Chandler, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 31, 1998
• Grant date: Jan 4, 2000
• Expiry date: Mar 31, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R2021/2633
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (36) includes a container (12) defining a chamber (14) for storing a quantity of inflation fluid (78) under pressure. First and second outlet passages (60, 62) in the container (12) can each direct flow of fluid (78) out of the chamber (14) to the inflatable device (36) for inflating the inflatable device. The first outlet passage (60) has a first flow area. The second outlet passage (62) has a second flow area less than the flow area of the first outlet passage (60). A first burst disk (70) on the container (12) blocks the first outlet passage (60). A second burst disk (72) on the container (12) blocks the second outlet passage (62). The apparatus (10) includes means (80) for rupturing the first burst disk (70) to direct flow of fluid out of the chamber (14) through the first outlet passage (60) without rupturing the second burst disk (72). The apparatus (10) also includes means (82) for rupturing the second burst disk to direct flow of fluid out of the chamber through the second outlet passage (62) without rupturing the first burst disk.