Inflator for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device
US6116642A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 27, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 12, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 27, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R21/2644
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An actuatable inflator (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) includes a container (70) having a cup-shaped wall including a base portion (72) and a side wall portion (74). The container (70) is a one-piece structure. The base portion (72) and the side wall portion (74) at least partially define a combustion chamber (84) in the container (70). An ignitable material (110) in the combustion chamber (84), when ignited, rapidly increases the fluid pressure inside the combustion chamber. An electrically actuatable initiator (112) ignites the ignitable material (110). The base portion (72) of the cup-shaped wall includes a predefined rupture portion (90). The rupture portion (90) ruptures when the fluid pressure inside the combustion chamber (84) reaches a predetermined elevated fluid pressure level to form an orifice (120) through which the inflation fluid in the combustion chamber flows. The orifice (120) controls the rate at which the inflation fluid flows into the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.