Abstract: An apparatus (20) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (22) comprises a container (60) which defines a chamber (62) for storing gas for inflating the protection device. Fluid is in the chamber (62) and comprises a combustible fuel gas. The container (60) includes an inner housing (64) comprising an inner member (80) extending along an axis (A). The inner member (80) has a first surface portion defining the chamber (62). A second surface portion (180) of the inner member 80 defines at least a portion of the periphery of the inner member (80) extending along the axis (A). An outer housing (66) comprises an outer member (84) with a third surface portion (182) engaging and supporting the second surface portion (180) of the inner member (40) over its axial and circumferential extent. An igniter (100) ignites the fuel gas to create heat. An opening (220) in the outer housing (66) directs gas from the chamber (62) to inflate the protection device (22).

Abstract: An apparatus (24) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (22) comprises a container (40) which provides a source of inflation fluid. The container (40) has an opening (44) through which the fluid can flow to inflate the protection device (22). A support surface (84) is located adjacent the opening (44). A cavity (120) is located adjacent the support surface. A rupturable closure (100) extends across the opening (44) to block the flow of fluid through the opening. A weld (108) forms a fluid seal between the closure (100) and the support surface (84). A member (140) is located in the cavity (120) and has a first portion (144) engaging a surface defining the cavity to secure the member to the container (40). A second portion (142) of the member (140) engages the closure (100) to hold the closure against the support surface (84) of the container (40). The member (140) has an opening (146) through which fluid can flow when the closure (100) is ruptured.

Abstract: An air bag inflator (20) comprises a container (22) defining a chamber (42) for storing inflation fluid under pressure. The container (22) has an opening (44) through which the inflation fluid flows from the chamber (42) for inflating an air bag. An initiator (26, 226, 326, 426) includes a housing (84, 240, 328, 428) which contains an actuatable device (164). A closure (86, 242, 344, 464) forms a portion of the housing (84, 240, 328, 428) and is fixed to the container (22) to block the flow of inflation fluid from the chamber (42). The housing (84, 240, 328, 428) is rupturable in response to actuation of the actuatable device (164) and is rupturable in response to the pressure of the inflation fluid in the chamber (42) reaching a predetermined pressure when the actuatable device is unactuated.

Abstract: An air bag inflator (20, 200) comprises first and second tubes (24, 26, 204, 206) defining respective first and second chambers (44, 46, 244, 246) for storing inflation fluid under pressure. A manifold (22, 202) has a manifold passage (42, 222). Each of the first and second tubes (24, 26, 204, 206) is secured to the manifold (22, 202) with the first and second chambers (24, 26, 204, 206) in fluid communication with the manifold passage (42, 222). A diffuser housing (28, 208) is fixed to the manifold (22, 202) and defines a third chamber (104, 242) for fluid communication with the manifold passage (42, 222). Passages (106, 244) in the diffuser housing (28, 208) provide fluid communication between the third chamber (104, 242) and an air bag. A rupturable wall (142, 248) is fixed to the diffuser housing (28, 208) to block fluid communication of the third chamber (104, 242) with the manifold passage (42, 222).

Abstract: An inflator (10) includes a striker (20) movable into engagement with a burst disk (16) to rupture the burst disk and allow stored gas to flow from a container (14) through passage means (60-64) into an air bag (not shown). A piston (30) connected for movement with the striker (20) is disposed in a cylinder (80). An initiator (32), upon actuation, moves the piston (30) in the cylinder (80) to move the striker (20) into engagement with the burst disk (16). An end portion (154) of the striker (20) removes a portion (142) of the burst disk (16) which includes an area of intersection of score lines (132-138) on the burst disk. Combustion products of the initiator (32) flow into the cylinder (80). The combustion products flow through openings (180, 152) around the piston (30) and around the striker (20) into the passage means (60-64) prior to and after rupturing of the burst disk (16).

Abstract: An air bag inflator (20, 220, 420) comprises first and second coaxial tubes (22, 24, 222, 224, 422, 424) which define respective first and second chambers (62, 64, 262, 264, 462, 464). The tubes (22, 24, 222, 224, 422, 424) have terminal ends (42, 44, 242, 244). A weld securement (46, 246, 446) fixes the terminal ends (42, 44, 242, 244) of the tubes (22, 24, 222, 224, 422, 424) together so the chambers (62, 64, 262, 264, 462, 464) extend in opposite directions from the securement (46, 246, 446). The first chamber (62, 262, 462) contains inflation fluid under pressure. The second tube (64, 264, 464) has passages (82, 282, 482) for directing inflation fluid from the first chamber (62, 262, 462) into an air bag. A rupturable wall (66, 266, 466) blocks fluid communication between the first and second chambers (62, 64, 262, 264, 462, 464).

Abstract: The present invention resides in an improved inflator for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint (12) such as an air bag. The inflator has an igniter (40). The igniter (40) comprises a container (130) which contains an ignitable particulate output charge (152). The particulate output charge (152) is retained within the container and occupies only a portion of the container. The container (130) thus has a free volume (154) equal to about 25% to about 75% of the volume of the container. The output charge (152) has a burn time in the range of 5-100 milliseconds. The container has at least one orifice means (136) closed by a rupturable disk (138). The orifice means (136) has an orifice area which is sized to contain the output charge (152) within the container (130) until at least a substantial portion of the output charge ignites. This provides a low brisance ignition.