Oea, Inc.

Autoliv Aspinc.

Charles B Kafadar

Brian K Hamilton

Ron J Butt

Paul Harrington

Royce M Strickland, Jr

A gas generating apparatus for outputting a gas is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus is an inflator having a propellant for supplying inflation gas(es) to an inflatable located in a vehicle. A confining member is located adjacent to the propellant. A number of spaced holes are provided in the confining member, either before or after activation of the propellant. Inflation gas is received through the spaced holes for subsequent passage to the inflatable. In that regard, the inflation gas first passes through a chamber defined in a timing member that has metering orifices. Such orifices regulate the flow of the inflation gas to the inflatable. The confining member is able to withstand significant pressures without rupturing. Each of the confining member and the timing member is preferably made of a non-metallic material. The propellant includes a fuel-rich material and an oxidizer material, preferably ammonium nitrate.

Gas generating apparatus

An inflation apparatus that includes at least two inflators for selected use in inflating an air bag is disclosed. In one embodiment, the two inflators include a micro hybrid inflator and a pyrotechnic inflator. The micro hybrid inflator includes a pressurized medium having oxygen that contributes to the inflation gases that fill the inflatable. The pyrotechnic inflator is essentially free of any such stored gas. Both inflators include a fuel-rich gas generating material. In another embodiment, instead of a micro hybrid inflator, another pyrotechnic inflator is utilized that includes an oxygen-rich gas generating material. In still another embodiment, a fluid fuel acts as a source of oxygen for the fuel-rich gas generating material of the pyrotechnic inflator. When both inflators of the dual inflation apparatus are activated, the oxygen gas that is present is used in further combusting products of combustion from the pyrotechnic inflator having the fuel-rich gas generating material. Preferably, activation of each inflator depends upon whether the vehicle collision that results in air bag activation is low impact or high impact. In at least one embodiment, the two inflators can be affixed to a support assembly with a desired arrangement of the inflators to provide a low profile and reduced space usage by the inflation apparatus.

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Littleton, CO, United States of America

Charles B Kafadar