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:
Sep. 30, 1997
Filed:
Feb. 28, 1996
Daniel D Whalen, Gilbert, AZ (US);
David L Geyer, Shelby Township, MI (US);
Gina H Simpson, Mesa, AZ (US);
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
An apparatus (20) for supplying inflation fluid for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device comprises an enclosure (22) having a chamber (66) partially defined by an end wall portion (28) of the enclosure. A gas generating material (80) is located within the chamber (66) and spaced a distance from the end wall portion (28). The gas generating material (80) is ignitable at a first temperature. Auto-ignition material (180) is located within the chamber (66). The auto-ignition material (180) is ignitable at a second temperature below the first temperature. The auto-ignition material (180), when ignited, ignites the gas generating material (80). A filter element (70) is disposed between the gas generating material and the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device. A resilient member (140) is located within the chamber (66). The resilient member (140) has (i) a first portion (144) between the end wall portion (28) and the gas generating material (80) for inhibiting movement of the gas generating material relative to the enclosure (22), and (ii) a second portion (146) providing a seal between the filter element (70) and the end wall portion, said first portion having a passage (176) for directing the products of combustion of the auto-ignition material (180) against the gas generating material.