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:
Jul. 01, 2003
Filed:
Apr. 26, 2001
Lee D. Bergerson, Fountain Valley, CA (US);
Ivan L. Stonich, Hermosa Beach, CA (US);
Christopher C. Shih, Torrance, CA (US);
Timothy A. Swann, Mesa, AZ (US);
Brian R. Pitstick, Mesa, AZ (US);
Bryan W. Shirk, Mesa, AZ (US);
TRW Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
An initiator ( ) for actuating an inflation fluid source ( ) for an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) comprises a plurality of electrically energizable microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices ( ). In one embodiment, the MEMS devices ( ) are associated in a one to one relationship with chambers ( ) containing ignitable material ( ). Each one of the MEMS devices ( ), when energized, generates combustion products, including heat, for igniting the associated ignitable material ( ). At least one terminal pin ( ) is electrically connected with the plurality of MEMS devices ( ) for receiving an electric signal for energizing at least one of the MEMS devices.