Jacketed Or Cartridge Gas Generator Patents (Class 102/530)
  • Patent number: 8276521
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas generator for an airbag module having a gas generator housing, in which a first chamber for receiving a propellant for igniting a main gas set in a second chamber, and an ignition device for the ignition of the propellant are provided. In order to simplify the production of the gas generator, the invention provides that the first chamber for receiving the propellant is limited by a pipe, on the first end of which the ignition device is disposed, and the second end of which reaches the gas generator housing at least approximately. The first and the second chamber are separated from each other such that no parts of the propellant may reach the second chamber via the second end of the pipe before the ignition of the propellant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Takata AG
    Inventors: Silvio Reichelt, Jiang Zhang, Vladimir Dolzhanskiy, Gerrit Von Breitenbach, Heiko Kratz
  • Publication number: 20120241562
    Abstract: A method comprises removing space debris having a relatively low ballistic coefficient by hastening orbital decay of the debris. A transient gaseous cloud is created at an altitude of at least 100 km above Earth. The cloud has a density sufficient to slow the debris so the debris falls into Earth's atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Michael J. Dunn
  • Publication number: 20120233900
    Abstract: Provided is a cartridge for an electrically-ignited simulated firearm and a simulated firearm using the cartridge remarkably similar to a real firearm and a cartridge used in a real firearm, wherein the simulated firearm emits a discharge sound similar to a real firearm, generates muzzle flash and smoke from a muzzle and is capable of loading and ejecting the cartridge, and the cartridge is safe and reusable. An inner member 120 that is slidable inside an outer case 110 of a cartridge 100 and loaded with powder is formed into a stepped cylindrical shape with a small diameter section capable of partially projecting from an opening 112 of the outer case 110, and has a front powder chamber 122 and a rear powder chamber 123 that communicate with each other via a fuse hole 124, a base member 130 is formed to fit in the outer case 110 via an insulating member 131, and an ignition member 140 is configured to be installed between the inner member 120 and the base member 130.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Kikuo Notomi
  • Publication number: 20120210905
    Abstract: The present invention provides a seal tape, a gas generator for a restraining apparatus using the seal tape, a method for manufacturing a gas generator. A seal tape closes, from the outside of the gas generator housing, a gas discharge port in a housing. The seal tape includes, a rupture portion for forming a door portion, and including a fragile portion and a rupture blocking potion at a tip of the fragile portion, a fixing support portion remaining attached to the housing, the door portion bounded by the rupture portion and the fixing support portion being adjusted such that the gas discharge port is entirely open in a case where the door portion is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Teppei HANANO, Shinichiro UKITA
  • Patent number: 8245639
    Abstract: An igniter fixing structure includes a plurality of igniter bodies having an ignition portion and an electroconductive pin, each of the igniter bodies being fixed, by a resin, to a peripheral edge of a port formed in a plate-like portion serving as a fixing object, the number of the port being the same as that of the plurality of the igniter bodies, and a single retainer as a support member for the plurality of igniter bodies. The retainer has a plurality of support portions each having a hole for passing the electroconductive pin therethrough and a connection plate portion that connects the plurality of support portions, at least the support portions are embedded in the resin in a state in which the electroconductive pin passes through the hole, and at least the connection plate portion is disposed to abut against the plate-like portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Katsuda, Mikio Yabuta
  • Publication number: 20120199036
    Abstract: A metal-sealing material-feedthrough for igniters includes: a base body including a feedthrough opening, a front side, and a back side, the base body configured such that a ratio of a thickness of the base body to a maximum dimension of the feedthrough opening vertical to an axis direction of the feedthrough opening is in a range of approximately 0.5 to 2.5, the base body having a thickness between 1.5 mm and 3.5 mm; a sealing material; and a metal pin which is located in the feedthrough opening, the thickness being such that the base body is deformed under compression, the deformation adding an additional force to the sealing material such that the metal-sealing material-feedthrough is configured for avoiding a relative movement of the sealing material between the front side and the back side in a direction toward the back side relative to an inside circumference of the feedthrough opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas Fink
  • Patent number: 8225719
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator for a restraining device of a vehicle, including: a housing being made of a resin, forming an outer shell container, having a plurality of gas discharge ports, an ignition device disposed inside the housing, a gas generating agent that is ignited and burned by activation of the ignition device, each of the gas discharge ports being formed in combination with each of a plurality of through holes of an annular plate member that is embedded in a circumferential wall surface of the housing and formed of a material selected from the group consisting of metals, ceramics, and carbon fiber, and the annular plate member being formed of an annular base plate including the plurality of through holes formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Katsuda, Mikio Yabuta
  • Publication number: 20120180692
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas generating agent composition containing pentaerythritol, perchlorate and a water-soluble polymeric binder agent. The gas generating agent composition may provide a gas generating agent excellent in heat resistance and anti-hygroscopicity. A gas generator which is loaded with the gas generating agent composition is preferably applicable as a gas generator for activating vehicle safety devices installed on the exterior of the vehicle. This may improve the reliability of vehicle safety devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: NIPPONKAYAKU KABUSHIKIKAISHA
    Inventors: Akitoshi Hironaka, Yuji Tomioku, Masahiro Kato, Eishi Sato
  • Publication number: 20120174815
    Abstract: A gas generator for a restraining apparatus includes a housing, an inner tube member within the housing, an ignition device on a bottom portion of the housing within the inner tube member, a solid gas generating agent in a combustion chamber, and an adsorbent separated from the solid gas generating agent and stored in a cup-shaped container. The container is provided such that a gap is formed between an opening portion of the container and a ceiling portion of the housing or a member in the housing, and a bottom portion side of the container is inserted such that at least a part of an outer circumferential wall surface of the container directly opposes an inner circumferential wall surface of the inner tube member. At activation, the container is moved by an impact and abuts against the ceiling portion of the housing or the member to close the opening portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Shinichiro UKITA, Teppei HANANO
  • Publication number: 20120146317
    Abstract: The invention relates, amongst other things, to an occupant protection device comprising a pyrotechnical gas generator (40). According to the invention it is provided that a safety valve (200) operating in a temperature-dependent manner and leading to the outside is connected to the gas generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Jochen Benz, Lars Mast, Jochen Lang, Christoph Pechhold, Robert Fleischmann
  • Publication number: 20120145030
    Abstract: A hybrid gas generator includes a high pressure gas cylinder and a gas release actuating device. The gas release actuating device includes a pyrotechnic gas cylinder, an igniting assembly, and a bursting disc. The pyrotechnic gas cylinder includes a guide ring securely disposed in the pyrotechnic gas cylinder to hermetically separate the space in the pyrotechnic gas cylinder into a gas releasing chamber and a firing chamber, a piercing plug fitted with the guide ring, where the gas releasing chamber is formed with at least a vent for releasing the gas stored in the high pressure gas cylinder, and the firing chamber may be provided with a gas producing medium to produce gas for driving the piercing plug when the igniting assembly is ignited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Dong Wang, Jianmei He, Junjie Li
  • Patent number: 8186425
    Abstract: A downhole propellant gas generator includes a propellant assembly that comprises a plurality of individual lengths of an energetic material packed in a selected configuration and at least one initiator. A method for creating a pressure pulse includes igniting an initiator, wherein the one or more initiators are packed with a plurality of individual lengths of an energetic material in a propellant assembly; igniting the plurality of individual lengths of the energetic material subsequent to the igniting of the one or more initiators. A method for stimulating a well includes disposing in the well a propellant gas generator having a propellant assembly that comprises a plurality of individual lengths of an energetic material, and at least one initiator packed among the plurality of individual lengths of the energetic material; igniting the at least one initiator, which in turn ignites the plurality of individual lengths of the energetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Moises Enrique Smart, Larry Grigar
  • Publication number: 20120125219
    Abstract: A gas generating system includes a housing, a quantity of gas generant material positioned within the housing, and a quantity of booster material positioned in the housing spaced apart from the gas generant. A movable first screen is positioned in the housing such that the booster material is on a first side of the screen and the gas generant material is on a second side of the screen opposite the first side of the screen. The screen is structured to enable fluid communication between the first and second sides of the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Brian A. Mayville, Dale E. Tauchen, Joshua D. VanHooser
  • Publication number: 20120125188
    Abstract: An extensible protection system, comprises a frame that can be deployed around a central tube of longitudinal axis, comprising two ends, a frame covering fabric, the frame having at least two pairs of rigid tubes, two rigid tubes of one pair, in a respective axial plane passing through the longitudinal axis, being articulated by one of their ends to a respective yoke, of which yokes one is secured to one of the ends of the central tube, and the other is secured to the other end of said central tube, the other free ends of the rigid tubes being able to move in the axial plane of the pair, one semirigid tube per pair of rigid tubes, in said axial plane of the pair, comprising at each of its ends a piston, each piston of a semirigid tube being able to slide fluidtightly in each one of the rigid tubes of the pair in order to form a pressurizing chamber in each of the rigid tubes, the protection system further comprising a device for pressurizing the chambers of the rigid tubes in order to cause the pistons to mov
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: TDA ARMEMENTS S.A.S
    Inventors: Thierry Bouet, Didier Larousse, Gilles Boucheron
  • Publication number: 20120118193
    Abstract: The present invention configures a gas generator (A) wherein, with regard to a plug assembly (2), a ring (22) is formed of insulative resin, electrode pins (21) are equipped midway with flange portions (21a), and these flange portions (21a) are integrally formed in a state embedded inside the ring (22), and, in addition, the diameter of the flange portions (21a) is made a larger diameter than the short sides of this opening portion (1a) of the holder (1), the sum of the sector angles (R) formed by the outer peripheral portions (21r) of the flange portions (21a) of the electrode pins (21) located outside the opening portion of the holder (1) and the electrode pins (21) is configured to be 180 degrees or greater, the flange portions (21a) of the electrode pins (21) are further made mutually non-contacting, and the minimum distance (D) between the electrode pins (21) and the periphery of the opening portion (1a) of the holder (1) through which these electrode pins (21) are inserted is made 0.5 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: SHOWA KINZOKU KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Sawada, Toshihiko Tamura, Masayuki Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 8176851
    Abstract: A gas generator including a cup filled with gas generant molded articles that generate gas by combustion, and an ignitor on which an ignition agent is disposed. Each gas generant molded article is formed of smokeless powders containing nitrocellulose as its major ingredient. Each gas generant molded article includes an explosive containing a fuel agent containing a guanidine derivative and/or a tetrazole derivative and an oxidizing agent containing a metal nitrate and/or perchlorate. Thus, it is possible to provide a gas generator by which the amount of CO gas generated in operation can be reduced and the combustion speed can easily be controlled, and to provide a pretensioner system provided with the gas generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryoi Kodama, Eishi Sato, Hirokazu Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8172262
    Abstract: An initiator housing assembly includes a preformed initiator receiving portion defining a first cavity and a body portion affixed to the receiving portion and defining a second cavity. An opening leading into the first cavity is positioned within the second cavity. An initiator assembly, as gas generating system, and a vehicle occupant protection system incorporating the initiator housing assembly are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian A. Mayville, Joshua D. VanHooser, Dale E. Tauchen
  • Publication number: 20120090493
    Abstract: An inflator (1) comprised of an inner case (19) and an outer case (28). The inflator (1) includes a combustion chamber located inside the inner case (19), a plurality of gas discharge ports (16) formed on the outer case (28), a gas outlet port (11) formed on an outer surface of the inner case (19) and a gas guide section that guides the inflation gas exited the gas outlet port (11) toward the gas discharge ports (16). The gas guide section includes between the outer case (28) and inner case (19) a guide wall (13a) provided with a guide plane that contacts with and redirects the inflation gas. The guide plane is formed into an arc face so as to swivel the inflation gas exited the gas outlet port (11) in a swirl or helical fashion, guide the inflation gas toward the gas discharge ports (16) and capture residuals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Takaki Fukuyama, Toru Ozaki, Hiroki Murase, Osamu Fukawatase, Yasushi Itou, Naoki Matsuda, Yusuke Komine, Tomoharu Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20120079959
    Abstract: A gas generator includes a housing body for housing a gas generating charge, a squib for igniting the gas generating charge and a holder section that holds the squib. The holder section includes a holder body made of metal and a molded section that is molded from synthetic resin and located between the holder body and the squib. The squib and the holder body are integrally molded with the molded section at molding of the molded section. The holder section includes a support section that protrudes inwardly to support an igniter of the squib. The support section is covered by the molded section all over the outer surface and has such a sectional contour as to taper toward the leading end as taken along an axial direction of the housing body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jianlin CHEN, Akimitsu TANAKA, Yoshitaka KASHITANI
  • Publication number: 20120079958
    Abstract: A gas generator includes a housing and a diffuser connected to the housing. The diffuser has a cup-like shape and includes an opening portion joined to the housing and a circumferential wall portion provided with gas discharge ports. A partition plate is attached to the opening between the housing and the diffuser for closing the opening. The diffuser has first and second tubular space portions therein communicating with each other, the first tubular space portion facing the partition plate, and the second tubular space portion communicating with the gas discharge ports. A step is formed between the first and second tubular space portions such that the inner diameter of the first tubular space portion is smaller than the inner diameter of the second tubular space portion, and a cross-sectional area of the second tubular space portion is smaller than the total opening area of the gas discharge ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventor: Masayuki NAKAYASU
  • Publication number: 20120073466
    Abstract: An auto/manual gas inflator incorporating a gas cylinder and an auto cap. A first indication mechanism is provided for indicating the status of the gas cylinder which is visible through a first window in the inflator housing and a second indication mechanism is provided for indicating the status of the auto cap through a second window in the inflator housing. The auto cap in one embodiment uses a dissolvable pill for automatic inflation. A manual activator, such as a lanyard assembly can be used for manual inflation. In either activation method, a pierce pin is moved upward to break the cylinder's seal and release the gas contained within the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Hudson Wang
  • Patent number: 8142726
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a chemical oxygen generator to produce cool oxygen gas comprising: a. a charge housing, b. a solid but porous charge contained in the said housing, the charge being made of a chemical mixture that generates oxygen upon decomposition and that will undergo a self-sustained exothermal decomposition after initiation, the said charge containing at most 3.0 wt. % of binder material, the said porous charge allows the generated oxygen to pass through the charge without damaging the virgin material and without creating volumetric burning, the said charge is mounted in the housing in such a way that the generated oxygen passes through the charge and under the pressure difference flows from the moving decomposition front towards the vent, c. an ignition device mounted at one end of the cartridge in such a way that it is capable to initiate a self-sustained decomposition of the charge at the charge surface adjacent to the initiator, d.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappeluk Onderzoek Tno
    Inventors: Alexandr Sergeevich Zharkov, Vladimir Alekseevich Shandakov, Leonid Alexandrovich Pilyugin, Ronald Peter van den Berg
  • Patent number: 8136452
    Abstract: In a gas generator of the invention, a closure member is disposed so as to be connected to an outer circumferential wall side along a circumferential edge thereof in a housing and to close an outlet port which is formed in a ceiling wall of the housing. Thin breakable portions adapted to be broken when a squib is activated are formed in the closure member so as to extend substantially radially from a center of the closure member in a rectilinear fashion. When the squib 19 is activated, the breakable portions are broken, whereby portions of the closure member 11 which lie between the breakable portions are individually made to be opened radially. A stopper portion is formed on a closure member side surface of the ceiling wall such that the opened door portions are brought into abutment therewith so that the opening angles of the door portions become less than 90° while ensuring an angle at which combustion gas is allowed to flow out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Asanuma, Kengo Nakashima
  • Publication number: 20120048137
    Abstract: A cylinder-shaped gas generator includes an elongated and circular cylindrical housing, a working gas generation chamber and a filter chamber provided within the housing, and an igniter. The working gas generation chamber mainly contains a dividing member and a granular gas generating agent. The dividing member has a circular cylindrical portion, a bottom portion and a hollow portion. The granular gas generating agent is stored in the portion of the working gas generation chamber excluding the hollow portion. The bottom portion of the dividing member is configured to have a tapered shape such that its outer shape is reduced in size in accordance with a decrease in the distance from the igniter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: NIPPON KAYAKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke Hagihara, Koichi Enami, Kouichi Nakamura, Koichi Sasamoto
  • Publication number: 20120042801
    Abstract: A cylinder-shaped gas generator includes a cylindrical housing, an igniter, a dividing member, and a gas generating agent. The dividing member includes a cylindrical portion, a bottom portion, a first communication hole, and a hollow portion. The gas generating agent is stored in a working gas generation chamber excluding the hollow portion. Assuming that the outer diameter of the housing is set at R1, the diameter of the working gas generation chamber is set at R2, the distance between the bottom portion and the edge of the first communication hole located closest to the bottom portion is set at L1 and the distance between the bottom portion and the end of the working gas generation chamber on the igniter side is set at L2, the conditions of 15 mm?R1?22 mm, L1?10 mm and 0.026?L2/R2?0.71 are satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: NIPPON KAYAKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichi Sasamoto, Daisuke Hagihara, Koichi Enami
  • Publication number: 20120037030
    Abstract: A small, lightweight, and inexpensive gas generator for an airbag device. The gas generator for an airbag device according to the present invention includes: a deployment activating initiator that accommodates a predetermined amount of ignition powder and is activated by an impact on a vehicle; a main gas generating agent that generates a main gas for inflating an airbag when burned; a main gas generation chamber that accommodates the main gas generating agent; a secondary gas generation chamber that is provided in an interior of the main gas generation chamber and accommodates the initiator; and a secondary gas generating agent accommodated in the secondary gas generation chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Yoji Tasaki, Mitsuharu Nakamura, Ryutaro Shiraishi, Koji Saiki, Jianlin Chen
  • Publication number: 20120038139
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pyrotechnic gas generator (10) for a car airbag (12), the generator including a pyrotechnic charge and a pyrotechnic initiator (28) situated in a combustion chamber (14) and suitable for being actuated by a first detection system (30) for detecting an imminent collision state and/or by a second detection system (32) for detecting an actual collision state. The pyrotechnic gas generator of the invention further includes a gas flow passage (16, 18) between said combustion chamber (14) and said airbag (12), and at least one valve (34) suitable for being moved from a first position in which it defines a first flow section to a second position in which it defines a second flow section greater than said first flow section, or vice versa. In particular, the valve (34) is arranged in such a manner as to define a greater flow section when the pyrotechnic initiator (28) is actuated by the first detection system (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: SME
    Inventors: Evrard Borg, Eric Laspesa, Jean-Paul Nadeau
  • Publication number: 20120031294
    Abstract: Provided is a gas generator which is reduced in weight and size while maintaining a sufficient strength as a pressure vessel. A gas generator (1) includes a housing (4) in a tubular shape having an opening (10) on at least one end thereof and a plug (12) inserted in the opening (10), so that an end portion (11) on the opening side is reduced in diameter and caulked in a caulking groove (13) of the plug (12), to thereby seal the opening (10), in which: the caulking groove (13) is a streak groove that extends along the periphery of the plug (12) and is rectangular in section; and the caulking groove (13) has at least one of side walls (14) forming the calking groove (13), the one side wall (14a) being closer to the center of the housing, which is orthogonal or sloped to the opening side, with respect to the axis (X) of the housing (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: NIPPONKAYAKU KABUSHIKIKAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi Aoyagi, Koichi Enami
  • Publication number: 20120024186
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator including: an igniter, a collar for holding the igniter, and a cup-shaped case fixed to the collar and charged inside with gas generating agent, the collar formed by a combination of a metallic portion and a resin portion which is integrated with the metallic portion, the collar being provided with an annular groove formed in an outer peripheral surface thereof, the cup-shaped case and the collar being fixed by fitting a bent portion, which is obtained by bending inward an end portion in an opening side of the cup-shaped case, to the annular groove, an annular space being formed by an inner wall surface of the bent portion and the collar, and being in communication with an inside of the cup-shaped case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Atsushi MITSUNABE, Shingo Oda
  • Patent number: 8096242
    Abstract: A squib includes a cup body and a closure plug for holding a plurality of electrode pins insulated from one another and closing the opening of the cup body, and further includes, in the cup body, ignition powder and an ASIC component formed by molding a resin around electric circuits including an ASIC and a capacitor, a heating element connected to the ASIC and located at the top of the resin molding of the ASIC component, and connection electrodes located at the bottom of the resin molding for connecting the ASIC to the electrode pins. The squib includes a cylindrical metal fixture having at the center of its top an opening of a size sufficient to expose the heating element and being fixed to the closure plug in a state covering the top circumferential periphery and side surface of the ASIC component and pushing the connection electrode of the ASIC component against the electrode pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Nipponkayaku Kabushikikaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Maeda, Hirotaka Mukunoki, Hideyuki Koike
  • Patent number: 8083259
    Abstract: A pyrotechnical actuator unit (10) for a vehicle safety system includes an outer housing (14) made of a plastic material accommodating a pyrotechnical igniter (12) that when activated breaks the outer housing. The outer housing (14) includes first and second plastic parts (18, 20) permanently connected with each other. A gas bag module may have such an actuator unit (10). A method of manufacturing a pyrotechnical actuator unit (10) including an outer housing (14) accommodating a pyrotechnical igniter (12) and made up of first and second housing parts (48, 50) includes: producing the first housing part (48) having a recess for the pyrotechnical igniter (12), inserting the pyrotechnical igniter (12) into the recess, and injection molding the second housing part (50) onto the pyrotechnical igniter (12) and onto a first end (34) of the first housing part (48) to essentially close a receiving space (24) for the pyrotechnical igniter (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Schönhuber, Ernst Enzmann, Hannes Nuiding
  • Patent number: 8074571
    Abstract: An apparatus including and igniter comprises: an igniter, an igniter collar for fixing the igniter, a cylindrical housing forming an outer shell, the igniter collar and the cylindrical housing being assembled by laminating a wall surface at one end of the igniter collar to a wall surface at one end of the cylindrical housing in the thickness direction, and being fixed to each other by crimping from the outside the laminated part thereof, wherein igniter collar and the cylindrical housing are laminated, an outer diameter of the laminated part being within ±10% of a reference outer diameter when an outer diameter of at least one of the igniter collar and cylindrical housing is the reference outer diameter, a thickness (h2) of an inner layer in the crimped laminated part being 1.5 times or more than a crimping depth (h1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Hirooka, Mikio Yabuta
  • Patent number: 8056477
    Abstract: An inflator assembly may include an inflator housing and an initiator attached to the inflator housing. A varistor may be associated with the initiator and may be spaced apart from a surface of the inflator housing to define a first spark gap between the varistor and the surface of the inflator housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: David Dean Hansen
  • Publication number: 20110265678
    Abstract: A gas generator includes an elongated cylindrical housing, a partition plate partitioning the space within the housing into a gas generating agent storing chamber and a filter chamber in the axial direction, and an igniter. A filter is made of a cylindrical member having a hollow portion extending in the axial direction of the housing. The partition plate includes an annular plate portion covering the end face of the filter closer to the gas generating agent storing chamber, a cylindrical portion continuously extending from the inner circumferential edge of the annular plate portion into the hollow portion of the filter to cover the inner circumferential surface of the filter closer to the end face, and a communication hole defined by the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion and providing communication between the gas generating agent storing chamber and the filter chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2009
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Sasamoto, Shinya Ueda, Koichi Enami, Satoshi Aoyagi, Tatsuro Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20110259233
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a cartridge includes a main explosive and an exploding foil initiator housed in a case. The exploding foil initiator includes metallic strips that are operable to initiate explosion of the main explosive in response to an electrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Plummer, Brady A. Plummer, Robert A. Bailey
  • Publication number: 20110259234
    Abstract: The present invention provides a filterless gas generator, including, a housing having closure shell, a diffuser shell including a gas discharge ports, and a flange portion, an inner tube member defining a combustion chamber in an outside thereof for accommodating a gas generating agent, the igniter attached to the closure shell such that the igniter projects inside from a hole formed in the bottom plate of the closure shell, the annular porous member having a plurality of holes which are smaller than the size of the gas generator, defining a space above the combustion chamber, a total opening area (A1) of the gas discharge ports being smaller than a total opening area (A2) of a gas pathway extending from the combustion chamber to the gas discharge ports (A1<A2) , and the space and the gas discharge path being communicated with each other by a communicating portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicants: DAICEL CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD., TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoharu Kobayashi, Naoki Matsuda, Osamu Fukawatase, Tomoko Kurata, Yuki Nonoyama, Tadashi Yamada, Toru Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8037823
    Abstract: A pyrotechnically powered actuator having a bellows that provides a force and stroke upon initiation is disclosed. The actuator includes a housing body with a first end and a second end. The bellows is coupled to the first end of the housing body. A cover is coupled to the second end of the housing body. An initiator is located within the housing body and includes a pyrotechnic material and a bridge element. The housing body, the bellows, and the cover define a hermetically sealed chamber. The bellows is compact, lightweight, and can withstand internal and external pressure at least as high as 3,000 psi. An exemplary embodiment includes a housing body that provides a compartment for adding supplemental pyrotechnic material. Further exemplary embodiments of the actuator include a chip initiator that requires less than 1 amp to function in less than 10 milliseconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company
    Inventors: Robert S. Ritchie, Steven David Nelson, Michael N. Diamond
  • Publication number: 20110239892
    Abstract: A filter device for filtering a gas flow is provided. The filter device having a wound or folded filter material web. It is provided that at least one end of the filter material web has or is connected to a section which is formed by a closed sheet metal section, wherein the closed sheet metal section has at least one recess for the inflow or outflow of gas into or out of the filter device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Gerrit VON BREITENBACH
  • Publication number: 20110239891
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator including: a housing having a gas discharge port and a first combustion chamber defined in the housing charged with a first gas generating agent, an ignition chamber cup defining an ignition chamber and a second combustion chamber cup defining a second combustion chamber being aligned at a distance in the radial direction, a first communication hole for communicating with the first combustion chamber being provided in a circumferential wall portion of the ignition chamber cup, a second communication hole, for communicating with the first combustion chamber being provided in a circumferential wall portion of the second combustion chamber cup, a cup-shaped cover member covering the second combustion chamber cup and closing the second communication hole, a disk-shaped retainer for retaining the first gas generating agent, being disposed in the housing and provided with a first opening and a second opening, the disk-shaped retainer being mounted by fitting the first
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Masayuki NAKAYASU
  • Patent number: 8028627
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas generator for an occupant protection system, particularly for an airbag module in a motor vehicle, having an outer housing, an interior space formed in the outer housing for receiving a gas generating substance, an outflow opening for discharging gas generated in the interior space out of the gas generator, and a flow connection between the interior space and the outflow opening. According to the invention, the cross section of the flow connection between the interior space and the outflow opening is designed to be temperature-dependently variable. Further, a method for influencing a gas flow in a gas generator is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventor: Jiang Zhang
  • Patent number: 8025012
    Abstract: An inflator according to this invention has a structure that an interior part of a housing is charged with a pressurized gas and a gas generating agent capable of generating a gas when combusted, wherein the pressurized gas formed only of an inert gas; a quantity of heat to be generated when the gas generating agent is combusted is set within a range of 6000 to 10000 J/g; and a molar ratio between the pressurized gas and the combustion gas generated by the combustion of the gas generating agent is set within a range of 20 to 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akimitsu Tanaka, Junichi Asanuma, Yuji Kuriyama
  • Publication number: 20110221176
    Abstract: A gas generator (10) comprises an outer housing, which has at least two housing parts (12), which are connected to each other, in the form of a diffuser bowl (14) with outflow openings (16) towards the outside and a cover (20) directly connected to the diffuser bowl (14). Inside the gas generator (10), at least one first and one second combustion chamber (30, 36) are provided, wherein the first combustion chamber (30) is delimited by an inner wall (32) and the second combustion chamber (36) is located within the space delimited by the diffuser bowl (14) and the cover (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Fabien Cristoforetti, Dleter Spitzenberger
  • Patent number: 8011302
    Abstract: The present invention related to a pyrotechnic gas generator intended for motor vehicle safety, comprising a sealed housing (1), which contains: —at least one combustion chamber (C) containing a pyrotechnic charge (3), the combustion of which is initiated by an initiator (2) associated with the chamber; —at least one plenum chamber (T) for receiving the gases generated by the combustion of the charge (3) for removing them to the exterior, via at least one discharge aperture (10) formed in said housing (1). It is characterized in that said housing (1) also contains means (R) for temporarily storing at least some of the combustion gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Xavier Abaziou
  • Patent number: 8011303
    Abstract: A gas generator includes, a housing defining a first combustion chamber and accommodating an enhancer chamber cup member, defining an enhancer chamber, and a combustion chamber cup member provided outside the enhancer chamber cup member and defining a second combustion chamber. The enhancer cup member accommodates a first gas generating agent ignited by a first ignition device, and has an enhancer hole for communicating the enhancer chamber with the first combustion chamber during activation. The combustion chamber cup member accommodates a second gas generating agent ignited by a second ignition device, and has a through-hole for communicating the second combustion chamber with the first combustion chamber during activation. A top plate of the enhancer chamber cup member is positioned higher than a top plate of the combustion chamber cup member, and the enhancer hole is positioned higher than the top plate of the combustion chamber cup member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Nakayasu, Noriaki Noma, Takeo Nikko
  • Patent number: 7987792
    Abstract: A gas generator has an igniter and a compressed gas container which contains a first filling gas and has an outflow opening that is closed by a first bursting diaphragm. Upon activation of the gas generator the igniter produces a shock wave which runs at least in part through the compressed gas container before destroying the first bursting diaphragm. The compressed gas container is filled with a mixture of the first filling gas and at least one second substance having a molar mass higher than that of helium, the proportion of the second substance being between 1 and 13 mole percent of the total filling quantity or reaching, at maximum, the total mass of the first filling gas, and the first filling gas being helium, hydrogen, or a mixture of the two gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Jung
  • Publication number: 20110179967
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator including a combustion chamber formed inside a housing having a gas discharge port, a disk-shaped gas generating agent stacked and loaded or a single tubular gas generating agent loaded in the combustion chamber in the axial direction of the housing, an igniter disposed inside the combustion chamber to enclose the igniter and fixed to a bottom surface of the housing by a fixing member, the fixing member including a fixing portion for the igniter and a plurality of elastic rod-like gas generating agent support portions extending in the radial direction of the housing from the fixing portion, the gas generating agent support portions abutting against a surface of the gas generating agent opposing the bottom surface of the housing, and the gas generating agent being pressed and fixed between the gas generating agent support portions and a top surface of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Masayuki YAMAZAKI, Naoki MATSUDA
  • Patent number: 7966920
    Abstract: Disclosed is an airbag deployment device that includes a containment vessel and a retention rack disposed within the containment vessel, wherein the retention rack comprises at least one container, and wherein at least one airbag pyrotechnic actuator may be placed within the at least one container and secured through utilization of at least one pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Lee Martin
  • Patent number: 7950693
    Abstract: A dual stage inflator device including a housing defining first and second chamber each containing a quantity of gas generant material ignitable to produce combustion products. A divider plate, separating the first chamber from the second chamber, is disposed and fixed within the housing. The divider plate includes an opening to allow gas flow communication from the second chamber to the first chamber. A removable plug element is normally disposed in the divider plate opening to prevent gas flow communication between the first chamber and the second chamber when in a static state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Jackson, Kevin R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110100247
    Abstract: An inflator (1) comprised of an inner case (19) and an outer case (28). The inflator (1) includes a combustion chamber located inside the inner case (19), a plurality of gas discharge ports (16) formed on the outer case (28), a gas outlet port (11) formed on an outer surface of the inner case (19) and a gas guide section that guides the inflation gas exited the gas outlet port (11) toward the gas discharge ports (16). The gas guide section includes between the outer case (28) and inner case (19) a guide wall (13a) provided with a guide plane that contacts with and redirects the inflation gas. The guide plane is formed into an arc face so as to swivel the inflation gas exited the gas outlet port (11) in a swirl or helical fashion, guide the inflation gas toward the gas discharge ports (16) and capture residuals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Takaki Fukuyama, Toru Ozaki, Hiroki Murase, Osamu Fukuwatase, Yasushi Itou, Naoki Matsuda, Yusuke Komine, Tomoharu Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20110088583
    Abstract: A base assembly for a gas generating system is provided. The base assembly includes a base and a retainer affixed to the base. In an alternative embodiment, the assembly includes an initiator molded to both the base and the retainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Richard W. Morgan, Eduardo L. Quioc