Inflator

US6412811B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignees

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

Inventors

• Douglas P. Campbell · Metamora, US
• Ahmad K. Al-Amin · Gilbert, US
• Timothy A. Swann · Mesa, US
• Roy D. Van Wynsberghe · Mesa, US
• Jess A. Cuevas · Scottsdale, US
• Dean M. Esterberg · Tempe, US
• Bryan W. Shirk · Mesa, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 7, 2000
• Grant date: Jul 2, 2002
• Expiry date: Jun 7, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/1789
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The apparatus (10) includes an inflator (22) for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and for maintaining the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device in an inflated condition for at least five seconds. The inflator (22) contains a stored inflation fluid under pressure. The inflation fluid consists essentially of helium.