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:
Jan. 20, 1998
Filed:
Feb. 28, 1996
Eric S Buchanan, North Ogden, UT (US);
Morton International, Inc., Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A hybrid adaptive airbag inflator with initially low pressure upon deployment. The inflator includes two separate chambers, each containing a quantity of stored inert gas. Each chamber additionally includes a heating device to heat the stored gas. To provide adaptive performance, one, or the other, or both of the heating devices may be fired, depending upon the severity of the collision. At least one of the chambers includes a quantity of gas generating material associated with a projectile. The heating device causes combustion of the gas generating material, which in turn causes the projectile to move and pierce a burst disc sealing the chamber. This permits the gas to exit the inflator before substantial heating of the stored gas, and thus at a lower pressure, to reduce the possibility of the cushion injuring the passenger.