William McLeod

Title: William McLeod - Innovator in Vehicle Safety Technology

Introduction

William McLeod is a notable inventor based in Roseville, MI (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of vehicle safety technology. His innovative work focuses on enhancing the safety of vehicle occupant restraint systems.

Latest Patents

William McLeod holds a patent for an inflator assembly designed to inflate a vehicle occupant restraint. This inflator assembly includes a container that stores gas under pressure. A body of ignitable pyrotechnic material is disposed within the container. An igniter assembly is actuatable in response to being struck to ignite the body of pyrotechnic material. The actuator assembly is provided to release the stored gas from the container and to actuate the igniter assembly. This assembly includes a pyrotechnic that moves an actuator member to rupture a portion of the container and strike the igniter assembly. Upon actuation, the igniter assembly ignites the pyrotechnic material, which begins to burn. During the initial burning phase, an orifice plate restricts the flow of combustion products to promote the burning of the pyrotechnic material. As the burning continues, the flow of combustion products enlarges the size of the orifice in the orifice plate, reducing the restriction to the flow. The combustion products heat the gas in the container, increasing the fluid pressure.

Career Highlights

William McLeod is associated with TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., where he has contributed to advancements in safety technology. His work has been instrumental in developing systems that protect vehicle occupants during accidents.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, William has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Paul Wipasuramonton and James R. Hocking. These collaborations have fostered innovation and development in vehicle safety systems.

Conclusion

William McLeod's contributions to vehicle safety technology through his patent for an inflator assembly demonstrate his commitment to enhancing occupant protection. His work continues to influence the automotive safety industry.