Air bag inflator including plural burst disks

US6206414A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• TRW Limited · US
• TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS INC. · US

Inventors

• Fred J. Cook · Gilbert, US
• Kenneth K. Gudewich · Gilbert, US
• Tracy Lee Nelson · Overland Park, US
• Chad L. Greenlee · Gilbert, US
• Darrin L. Johnson · Fountain Hills, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 5, 1998
• Grant date: Mar 27, 2001
• Expiry date: Aug 5, 2018

Classification

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

Abstract

An air bag inflator (10) includes a container (12) defining a chamber (14), and inflation fluid (66) under pressure in the chamber. A first opening (41) in the container (12) enables fluid flow from the chamber (14) to an inflatable device (32). A first burst disk (60) extends across the first opening (41) and is rupturable in response to an increase in the pressure differential across the first burst disk to a level above a first predetermined pressure differential. The inflator (10) includes a first igniter (90) for, when actuated, increasing the pressure differential across the first burst disk (60) to a level above the first predetermined pressure differential to rupture the first burst disk. A second opening (43) in the container (12) enables fluid flow from the chamber (14) to the inflatable device (32). A second burst disk (62) extends across the second opening (43) and is rupturable in response to an increase in the pressure differential across the second burst disk to a second predetermined pressure differential greater than the first differential. The inflator (10) includes a second igniter (110) actuatable independently of the first igniter (90) for, when actuated, incre…