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:
Aug. 13, 2002
Filed:
Jan. 05, 2001
Timothy A. Swann, Mesa, AZ (US);
Ernst M. Faigle, Dryden, MI (US);
Paul A. Bowers, Ray, MI (US);
Ivan L. Stonich, Hermosa Beach, CA (US);
Brian R. Pitstick, Mesa, AZ (US);
Other;
Abstract
An apparatus ( ) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) comprises a housing ( ) and an inflation fluid source ( ) in the housing for, when actuated, providing fluid for inflating the protection device. An electrically actuatable initiator ( ) is connected with the housing ( ) for actuating the inflation fluid source ( ). The apparatus ( ) also comprises vehicle electric circuitry ( ) for actuating the initiator ( ) to actuate the inflation fluid source ( ) in response to sensing an occupant protection event for which inflation of the protection device ( ) is desired. A microelectromechanical system device (MEMS device) ( ) in the apparatus is electrically energizable to cause actuation of the inflation fluid source ( ). An autoignition mechanism ( ) responsive to an event other than an occupant protection event energizes the MEMS device to cause actuation of the inflation fluid source. The MEMS device ( ), when energized, generates heat for autoigniting the inflation fluid source ( ) or for deactivating a secondary inflation fluid source.