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:
Mar. 09, 2004
Filed:
Apr. 10, 2001
Eric R. McFarland, Mesa, AZ (US);
Darin P. Mika, Mesa, AZ (US);
TRW Inc., Lyndhurst, OH (US);
Abstract
An inflator ( ) for inflating an inflatable device includes a housing ( ). A primary propellant ( ) in a primary chamber ( ) in the housing ( ) is ignitable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable device. A secondary propellant ( ) in a secondary chamber ( ) in the housing ( ) is ignitable to provide inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable device. The inflator (10) includes initiator means ( ) for selectively igniting either the primary propellant ( ) alone or both of the primary and secondary propellants ( ). The inflator ( ) also includes a secondary propellant cap ( ) for closing the secondary chamber ( ) and for maintaining the secondary propellant ( ) in the secondary chamber. The secondary propellant cap ( ) has a first position blocking flow of combustion products of the first propellant ( ) into the secondary chamber ( ) when only the primary propellant is ignited. The secondary propellant cap ( ) is movable by combustion products of the secondary propellant ( ) when ignited from the first position to a second position enabling flow of inflation fluid out of the secondary chamber ( ) to inflate the inflatable device.