Inflator

US6217065A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• TRW Limited · US

Inventors

• Ahmad K. Al-Amin · Gilbert, US
• Timothy A. Swann · Mesa, US
• Bryan W. Shirk · Mesa, US
• Roy D. Van Wynsberghe · Mesa, US
• Eric C. Erike · Mesa, US
• Vincent J. Mramor · Chandler, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 10, 1999
• Grant date: Apr 17, 2001
• Expiry date: Aug 10, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/1714
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An inflator (10) for providing inflation fluid to inflate an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device includes a pressure vessel (12) defining a chamber (30) for inflation fluid. The pressure vessel (12) has a passage (48) for inflation fluid flow from the chamber (30). A burst disk (52) blocks fluid flow through the passage (48). A support (62) has a tubular portion (64) with a first end (67) spaced apart from the burst disk (52) prior to the inflation fluid entering the pressure vessel (12) and a second end (68) opposite the first end. The burst disk (52) deforms into contact with the first end (67) due to the pressure of the inflation fluid when the inflation fluid is disposed in the chamber (30). An actuatable igniter assembly (60) bursts the burst disk (52) to enable fluid to flow from the chamber (30) through the passage (48). The second end (68) of the tubular portion (64) engages the igniter assembly (60). An igniter retainer (78) has a tubular portion (82) aligned with the tubular portion (64) of the support (62). The igniter assembly (60) is located in the first and second tubular portions (64, 82) and retained in the position between the support (62) and the igniter…