Abstract: An inflator (10) comprises a housing (20) defining first and second combustion chambers (100, 120). A first inflation fluid source (140) in the first combustion chamber (100) is actuatable to effect flow of inflation fluid. A first initiator (112) in the housing (20), when energized, effects actuation of the first inflation fluid source (140). A second inflation fluid source (150) in the second combustion chamber (120) is actuatable to effect flow of inflation fluid. A second initiator (124) in the housing (20), when energized, effects actuation of the second inflation fluid source (150). The housing (20) deforms due to the pressure of inflation fluid in the housing upon actuation of one or both of the inflation fluid sources (140, 150). The housing (20), after deforming, has a fluid passage (90) for directing flow of inflation fluid out of the housing. The flow area of the fluid passage (90) varies in accordance with the pressure of inflation fluid in the housing (20).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) comprises an inflator housing (20) including first and second end walls (32, 62). An inflation fluid source (140) in the inflator housing (20) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid under pressure. An igniter assembly (80) in the inflator housing (20), for actuating the inflation fluid source (140), includes an igniter housing (82) located between the first and second end walls (62, 32) of the inflator housing and an igniter (92) located in the igniter housing. The first and second end walls (62, 32) of the inflator housing (20) move away from each other upon actuation of the inflation fluid source (140). The igniter housing (82) moves with the second end wall (62) away from the first end wall (32). The igniter assembly (80) further includes a cap (100) on the igniter housing (82) for closing an open end of the igniter housing.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes a housing (20) defining a generally ring-shaped propellant chamber (116) extending around an axis (50) of the inflator. The housing (20) has a fluid outlet (52) for directing flow of inflation fluid out of the housing to the inflatable device (14). The propellant chamber (116) has first and second axially spaced portions (158, 159). A quantity of ignitable propellant (140) is located in the first portion (158) of the propellant chamber (116) for, when ignited, producing inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable device (14). A heat sink (160) is located in the second portion (159) of the propellant chamber (116) for cooling inflation fluid flowing from the propellant chamber. The heat sink (160) has a generally conical configuration and acts between the propellant (140) and the housing (20) to limit movement of the propellant in the housing.

Abstract: An inflator (10) comprises a housing (20) defining first and second combustion chambers (100, 120). A first inflation fluid source (140) in the first combustion chamber (100) is actuatable to effect flow of inflation fluid. A first initiator (12) in the housing (20), when energized, effects actuation of the first inflation fluid source (140). A second inflation fluid source (150) in the second combustion chamber (120) is actuatable to effect flow of inflation fluid. A second initiator (124) in the housing (20), when energized, effects actuation of the second inflation fluid source (150). The housing (20) deforms due to the pressure of inflation fluid in the housing upon actuation of one or both of the inflation fluid sources (140, 150). The housing (20), after deforming, has a fluid passage (90) for directing flow of inflation fluid out of the housing. The flow area of the fluid passage (90) varies in accordance with the pressure of inflation fluid in the housing (20).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for providing inflation fluid for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes a housing (20) and an inflation fluid source (140) in the housing actuatable to provide inflation fluid under pressure. The housing (20) has a fluid passage (130) for directing flow of inflation fluid out of the housing (20) to the inflatable device (14). The housing (20) deforms due to the pressure of inflation fluid in the housing upon actuation of the inflation fluid source (140). The flow area of the fluid passage (130) increases due to deformation of the housing (20) and varies in accordance with the pressure of inflation fluid in the housing upon actuation of the inflation fluid source (140). The apparatus also includes a flow control member (180) defining a control passage (210) located between the inflation fluid source (140) and the fluid passage (130). The control passage (210) has a smaller flow area than the fluid passage (130).

Abstract: An inflator (10) comprises a housing (20) defining a combustion chamber (144). An inflation fluid source (152) in the combustion chamber (144) in the housing (20) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid under pressure. An initiator (94) is provided in the housing (20) for actuating the inflation fluid source (152). The housing (20) has a fluid passage (150) for directing flow of inflation fluid out of the housing. The housing (20) deforms due to the pressure of inflation fluid in the housing upon actuation of the inflation fluid source (152) by the initiator (94). The flow area of the fluid passage (150) increases due to deformation of the housing (20) and varies in accordance with the pressure of inflation fluid in the housing upon actuation of the inflation fluid source (152).

Abstract: An air bag inflator (10) includes a housing (20) and an inflation fluid source (140) in the housing actuatable to provide inflation fluid under pressure. The housing (20) is deformable due to the pressure of inflation fluid in the housing upon actuation of the inflation fluid source (140). The housing (20) has a fluid outlet (52) for directing flow of inflation fluid out of the housing. A control passage (160) is located between the inflation fluid source (140) and the fluid outlet (52). The control passage (160) has a smaller flow area than the fluid outlet (52). The inflator (10) further includes portions (84, 82, 110, 42) for causing substantially all inflation fluid flowing between the inflation fluid source (140) and the fluid outlet (52) to flow through the control passage (160). The flow area of the control passage (160) increases due to deformation of the housing (20).

Abstract: An inflator (10) for inflating an air bag (12) includes an outer housing (40). A hermetically sealed canister (90) containing disks (110) of gas generating material is located in the outer housing (40). The canister (90) also contains an annular auto ignition packet (150) containing an auto ignition material (164) having an ignition temperature below the ignition temperature of gas generating material in disks (110). The auto ignition packet (150) extends around a base (138) of an igniter (99). The auto ignition packet (150) is disposed adjacent to a lower end wall (46) of the inflator housing (10) opposite from an end wall across which the folded air bag extends. Consequently, the air bag does not insulate the auto ignition packet (150) from the interior of the vehicle in which the inflator is disposed.