The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 10, 1996
Filed:
Oct. 24, 1995
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
An apparatus (20, 320) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device comprises a container (22, 340) which defines a chamber (44, 348) for storing inflation fluid under pressure. The container (22, 340) has an opening (60, 360) through which the inflation fluid flows to inflate the protection device. A rupturable closure (102, 402) extends across the opening (60, 360) to block the flow of inflation fluid. A flow initiator (120, 322) is located in the chamber (44, 348) and is spaced from the closure (102, 402). The flow initiator (120, 322) comprises an ignition cup (122, 440) having a base section (142, 442) fixed to the container (22, 340). A movable section (146, 446) of the ignition cup (122, 440) is attached to the base section (142, 442) and is separable from the base section. The movable section (146, 446) has a vent (162, 464) which permits communication of the inflation fluid in the chamber (44, 348) with the interior of the ignition cup (122, 440). An ignitable propellant (168, 482) is located in the ignition cup (122, 440). An actuatable igniter (222, 520), upon actuation, ignites the propellant (168, 482) to produce combustion products (CP), including heat and pressure. The pressure acts on interior surfaces of the movable section (146, 446) to separate the movable section from the base section (142, 442) and propel the movable section to rupture the closure (102, 402).