Gas generator for seat belt pretensioner

US6454306B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignees

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

Inventors

• Clare R. Cunningham · Mesa, US
• Keith Ball · San Jose, US
• Bryan W. Shirk · Mesa, US
• Sheldon R. Fifield, Jr. · Mesa, US
• Vincent J. Mramor · Chandler, US
• Brian R. Pitstick · Mesa, US
• Eric C. Erike · Mesa, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 1, 2000
• Grant date: Sep 24, 2002
• Expiry date: Aug 13, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R2021/26029
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for providing fluid under pressure for actuating a vehicle occupant protection device comprises an electrically actuatable initiator (80) having terminal pins (100). A hermetically sealed metal propellant container (130) contains a propellant (82) ignitable by the initiator (80) to produce fluid under pressure. The propellant container (130) is secured to the initiator (80) by crimping. The apparatus (10) also comprises a member (86) electrically insulating between the metal propellant container (130) and the terminal pins (100) of the initiator (80) to isolate the initiator electrically from the propellant container.