Air bag inflators

US6983955B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

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

Inventors

• Lee D. Bergerson · Willow View Lane, US
• Ivan L. Stonich · Hermosa Beach, US
• Douglas P. Campbell · Metamora, US
• Brian R. Pitstick · Mesa, US
• Paul A. Bowers · Traverse City, US
• Ernst M. Faigle · Lapeer, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 5, 2001
• Grant date: Jan 10, 2006
• Expiry date: Jan 21, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E60/50
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant includes an actuatable vehicle occupant protection device (12), and a microelectromechanical (MEMS) device (20) energizable to cause actuation of the protection device. In one embodiment, the MEMS device (20) is an energizable fluid source for emitting a primary fluid for actuating an inflatable protection device (12). The apparatus (10) may comprise a plurality of MEMS devices (20) individually actuatable to control inflation of the protection device.