Bendix Atlantic Inflator Co.

Alliedsignal Inc.

Roy G Brown

Richard L Frantom

Robert J Bishop

Robert M Kremer

Klaus F Ocker

Donald W Renfroe

Teresa L Bazel

James Michael Rose

William E Rogerson

Charles D Woods

Richard K Robbins

David A Bilbrey

Richard Husband

Steven L Ludeke

William D Gaw, Jr

James Ross

Donald W Renfoe

A hybrid inflator (20) comprising: a pressure vessel (22) including a central member (24) closed at ends by a first (28) and a second closure member (30), one of the closure members including a passage means (70) for introducing pressurized inflation gas into the pressure vessel and the other of the closure members including a breakable disk (34) in communication with at least one exit port (40); a pyrotechnic container (80), within the pressure vessel, secured at one end to one of the closure members (28) and including a plurality of vent openings (90) thereabout, a first quantity of pyrotechnic material (100), located within the pyrotechnic container for providing, at a first controlled gas generation rate, the primary source of heating the inflation gas in the pressure vessel, a second quantity of pyrotechnic material (102) located at least partially within the first quantity of pyrotechnic material characterized by a gas generation rate greater than that of the gas generation rate of the first quantity of material, for producing products of combustion that ignite the first quantity of material and wherein a portion of these products of combustion directly heat the inflation gas, an initiator (104) for igniting the second quantity of pyrotechnic material.

Hybrid inflator

An air bag module (50) comprising an inflator (40) for generating inflation gas; an air bag (12) disposed about the inflator to receive the inflation gas exiting the inflator; a structure (52) for supporting at least the inflator. The inflator comprises: a pressure vessel (42) and a plurality of exit ports (16). The exit ports are arranged to render the inflator in a thrust neutral condition when the inflator is not attached to the structure. A plug (60) or plugs is provided for closing a designated set of exit ports to render the inflator in a non-thrust neutral condition when supported by the structure. Each plug is received in each of the designated exit ports and is preferably received though a portion of the structure such that if the inflator is removed from the structure each plug must also be removed, thereby opening all of previously closed exit ports and rendering the inflator in its thrust neutral condition once again.

Mounting of a thrust neutral inflator for air bag modules

An inflator comprising: a pressure vessel (10) for storing a quantity of stored inflation gas under pressure. The pressure vessel comprising a first burst disk (46) and a seal disk (310) both for selectively sealing same. The inflator (10) including a gas release mechanism (52, 300) for permitting the controlled, staged release of the inflation gas at determinable inflation rates. The gas release mechanism includes: a first pyrotechnic device, positioned outside of the pressure vessel and spaced from the first burst disk (46), including a piston (72) moved into a disk piercing position to rupture the first burst disk (46) in response to the buildup of pressure caused burning of a first quantity of propellant material (218). The bursting of the first burst disk permits the inflation gas to initially flow out of the pressure vessel at a determinable cold inflation rate, the piston thereafter provides a conduit to communicate the products of combustion of the burning propellent to the pressure means so as to increase the temperature of the inflation gas therein and thereby increase the rate of egress of the gas. The inflator (10) also includes a second pyrotechnic mechanism (300), positioned outside of the pressure vessel and spaced from the seal disk (310), for providing, when activated, additional products of combustion arising from burning of a second quantity of propellent material, the products of combustion opening the seal disk (310) and thereafter entering the pressure vessel to heat the inflation gas therein and thereby elevate the rate of egress of the inflation gas above the rate achievable by the first pyrotechnic device.

Hybrid inflator with staged inflation capability

A pressure switch (30) adapted to be placed within a pressurized chamber for generating a logical signal when the pressure within the chamber reduces to a determinable pressure P.sub.1. The pressure switch (30) comprises: a pressure vessel (32) sealed at one end (34) by a snap action diagram (40) and having an inner stop (42) and an outer stop (60, 62) respectively positioned on opposing sides of the diaphragm (40) for limiting diaphragm motion. The outer stop comprises: a first cylindrical portion (78), a first pair of parallel slots (80a, b) formed therein and a through bore (70, 72, 74) extending therethrough. A switch assembly is loosely mounted to the outer stop. The switch assembly (90) comprises an upper housing member (92), a lower housing member (94), first and second electrical contacts (96a, 96b) and a pin (98). The upper housing member (92) comprising a hollow cylindrical portion (100) adapted to be slid over first cylindrical portion including a second pair of opposing slots (113a, b), the first and second cylindrical portions (78, 100) are loosely secured together by a clip (150) fitted within the first and second pair of slots (80a,b; 112a,b) to eliminate compressive loading between the switch assembly and other components of the switch.

Temperature compensated low pressure switch for hybrid inflators

A device (20) for inflating an air bag (37) comprising: a pressure vessel (34) formed by a vessel part (22) and a generator body assembly (30). The generator body assembly is received within opposing openings (24, 26) in the vessel part (22) and secured thereto to provide a gas tight seal (28). The generator body assembly (30) includes: a first bore (38) to receive a quantity of propellant (150) and initiator assembly (120) to cause the propellant (150) to burn in response to a control signal indicative of a vehicle crash. Various passages are provided in the gas generator assembly and oriented to permit the products of combustion of the burning propellant to impinge on inner walls of the pressure vessel to reduce particulate emission.

Hybrid inflator for air bag

Growing community of inventors

Hot Springs, AR, United States of America

Roy G Brown