Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.

Anthony E Troianello

Haim Goldberger

George V Gerber

A fast heat rise resistor comprising a substrate, a foil bridge on the surface of the substrate, the foil bridge having an elevated portion and a contact portion, the elevated portion above the substrate, the contact portion in contact with the substrate, a conductive layer attached to the contact portion of said foil bridge. The activation energy and/or response time is reduced as the foil bridge is suspended over the substrate. Another aspect of the invention include a method of manufacturing the foil bridge and application to autoignition vehicle airbags.

Method for manufacturing a fast heat rise resistor

Method of making an air bag

Fast heat rise resistor using resistive foil

Method for making a resistor using resistive foil

An device for use in an electro-pyrotechnic initiator comprises a header, a foil resistive strip, a substrate, and a current source. The substrate is mounted on the header. The foil resistive strip is mounted on the substrate. The energy source is connected to the resistive strip. When current flows through the resistive strip, the resistive strip generates enough heat to spark autoignition of a pyrotechnic material. The pyrotechnic material is in direct contact with the resistive strip. For an energy input of up to 115 microjoules, the resistive strip can cause autoignition in less than 25 microseconds. In a second embodiment, an electro-pyrotechnic initiator for use in a &ldquo;smart&rdquo; airbag system comprises a header, a foil resistive strip, a substrate, a current source connected to the resistive strip, and a control circuit. The control circuit is designed such that it will cause current to flow through the resistive strip when the circuit receives an appropriate signal. A ceramic capacitor can be used as an energy source for the resistive strip.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Ana, CA, United States of America

Anthony E Troianello