Abstract: An inflator (20) having a body (22) including a first combustion chamber (110) and a second combustion chamber (112) and a plurality of exit orifices (90); a quantity of first propellant (150) within the first combustion chamber and a quantity of second propellant (180) within the second combustion chamber (112), the second propellant producing inflation gas as it combusts; a separator (100) from the first combustion chamber into the second combustion chamber; the body (22) proximate the second combustion chamber (112) including a plurality of control orifices (90); a flow means (70) for causing inflation gas exiting the control orifices to flow through an arcuate path between the control orifices and the exit orifices (30); a heat sink (230) and (234) for changing the physical state of at least one gaseous component of the inflation gas to a liquid and a solid prior to this component exiting the exit orifices.

Abstract: A variable output inflator (20) for use in inflating an air bag or air cushion comprising: a pressure vessel (22) comprising a thin walled toroidal pressure vessel portion (23) and a cylindrical pressure vessel portion (60) circumscribed by, in physical contact and in fluid communication with the toroidal pressure vessel portion, the cylindrical pressure vessel portion including a rupturable disk (74) and at least one exit port (78) communicable with an air bag; a pyrotechnic member (200a,b) for heating stored inflation gas within the pressure vessel to a pressure level to rupture the rupturable disk, allowing heated inflation gas to exit and fill an adjacently attached air bag.

Abstract: An inflator and method of constructing the inflator comprising: a pressure vessel (22) in which inflation gas is stored; the pressure vessel including a first opening (114), pyrotechnic generator (42, 130) situated remote from the pressure vessel for generating products of to heat the inflation gas, a first burst disk (160, 150, 150') mounted to the pressure vessel to seal the first opening thereof after the pressure vessel has been charged to a determinable pressure with inflation gas and in communication with the pyrotechnic generator such that the products of combustion assist in the opening of the first burst disk.

Abstract: A hybrid inflator (20) comprising: a pressure vessel (22) including a central member (24) closed at ends by a first (28) and a second closure member (30), one of the closure members including a passage means (70) for introducing pressurized inflation gas into the pressure vessel and the other of the closure members including a breakable disk (34) in communication with at least one exit port (40); a pyrotechnic container (80), within the pressure vessel, secured at one end to one of the closure members (28) and including a plurality of vent openings (90) thereabout, a first quantity of pyrotechnic material (100), located within the pyrotechnic container for providing, at a first controlled gas generation rate, the primary source of heating the inflation gas in the pressure vessel, a second quantity of pyrotechnic material (102) located at least partially within the first quantity of pyrotechnic material characterized by a gas generation rate greater than that of the gas generation rate of the first quantity of

Abstract: A pressure indicating device (30) for providing an indication of the pressure that existed within a fluid filled pressure vessel (22) just prior to depressurization of the pressure vessel. The device comprises: a housing (102); a piston (130) for temporarily sealing an open end of the housing and outwardly movable in response to a pressure differential not less than a predetermined level generated subsequent to the depressurization of the pressure vessel; and a sheer disk (150) including a first part (160) attached to an end of the piston and a second part (162) attached to an end of the housing (102).

Abstract: An air bag module (50) comprising an inflator (40) for generating inflation gas; an air bag (12) disposed about the inflator to receive the inflation gas exiting the inflator; a structure (52) for supporting at least the inflator. The inflator comprises: a pressure vessel (42) and a plurality of exit ports (16). The exit ports are arranged to render the inflator in a thrust neutral condition when the inflator is not attached to the structure. A plug (60) or plugs is provided for closing a designated set of exit ports to render the inflator in a non-thrust neutral condition when supported by the structure. Each plug is received in each of the designated exit ports and is preferably received though a portion of the structure such that if the inflator is removed from the structure each plug must also be removed, thereby opening all of previously closed exit ports and rendering the inflator in its thrust neutral condition once again.

Abstract: A pressure switch (30) adapted to be placed within a pressurized chamber for generating a logical signal when the pressure within the chamber reduces to a determinable pressure P.sub.1. The pressure switch (30) comprises: a pressure vessel (32) sealed at one end (34) by a snap action diagram (40) and having an inner stop (42) and an outer stop (60, 62) respectively positioned on opposing sides of the diaphragm (40) for limiting diaphragm motion. The outer stop comprises: a first cylindrical portion (78), a first pair of parallel slots (80a, b) formed therein and a through bore (70, 72, 74) extending therethrough. A switch assembly is loosely mounted to the outer stop. The switch assembly (90) comprises an upper housing member (92), a lower housing member (94), first and second electrical contacts (96a, 96b) and a pin (98).

Abstract: An inflator (110) including: a pressure means (12, 14, 16, 20) for storing a quantity of stored inflation gas under pressure. The pressure means including a first burst disk (46) in communication with the stored inflation gas and preventing egress of the gas from the chamber and a hollow sliding piston (172) having at one end thereof cutting edges (174) for puncturing the first burst disk (46). A shear disk (180) having a stationary outer portion (187) and a central portion or second disk (186), central portion is secured to one end of the piston (172) opposite the cutting edges (174). The central portion is capable of separating from the outer portion and moving with the piston (172). A quantity of propellant material (218) is provided near the second burst disk (80) to produce gaseous combustion products when burned.

Abstract: A device (60) for inflating an air bag (36) adapted within a steering wheel comprising: a pressure vessel (66; 166; 210) formed of a length of narrow tubing for storing a quantity of inert gas under pressure and a rupturable disk (80) for enclosing a first end of the tubing; an activator or initiator such as a squib (120) responsive to a control signal indicative of a vehicular crash situation for opening the seal means to permit the pressurized gas to inflate the air bag and a manifold (50) for communicating released gas to an air bag.

Abstract: An inflator for an air cushion including a pressure vessel comprising a hollow sleeve for storing a quantity of inert gas such as Argon. One end of the sleeve is closed by a first pyrotechnic actuator assembly while the other end of the sleeve may include a closed end or another pyrotechnic actuator assembly. The pressure vessel is secured within a diffuser which directs inflation gases into the air cushion. The pressure vessel in cooperation with the diffuser defines various regions which assist in reducing the gas turbulence and heat transfer between the gas and the diffuser.