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:
May. 29, 2001
Filed:
Jul. 26, 1999
Fred J. Cook, Gilbert, AZ (US);
Barry F. Shaffer, Mesa, AZ (US);
Darrin L. Johnson, Fountain Hills, AZ (US);
Edward F. Randell, Apache Junction, AZ (US);
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
An apparatus (,) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (,) comprises a container (,) defining a gas storage chamber (,), and inflation fluid (,) under pressure in the gas storage chamber. An opening (,) in the container (,) enables fluid flow from the gas storage chamber (,) to the inflatable device (,). A rupturable burst disk (,) extends across the opening (,). An assembly (,) in the gas storage chamber (,) is provided for producing combustion products for heating and pressurizing the inflation fluid (,). The assembly (,) includes a housing (,) and a separator (,) in the housing defining first and second chambers (,). A first pyrotechnic charge (,) in the first chamber (,) has a first burn rate. The housing (,) has first fluid outlets (,) for enabling flow of combustion products from the first chamber (,) to the gas storage chamber (,). A second pyrotechnic charge (,) in the second chamber (,) has a second burn rate less than the first burn rate. The housing (,) has second fluid outlets (,) for enabling flow of combustion products from the second chamber (,) to the gas storage chamber (,).