Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). An inflator (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (14). A conduit (360) delivers the inflation fluid from the inflator (24) to the protection device (14). The inflator (24) includes an outlet passage (302) and a conduit receiving portion (300) for receiving an end portion (364) of the conduit (360). The conduit receiving portion (300) includes a wall portion (320, 330) that encircles the outlet passage (302) and is spaced from the end portion (364) of the conduit (360) to help define an annular space (372, 374) between the wall portion and the end portion.

Abstract: An inflator (14) includes a structure (50, 70, 90) that helps define a chamber (42) from which inflation fluid flows. The structure (50, 70, 90) includes an end cap (90) having a side wall (92). A closure member (104) is rupturable to release inflation fluid from the chamber (42). An initiator (230) is actuatable to rupture the closure member (104). A filter retainer (170) includes a side wall (172) that defines a cavity (176). The side wall (172) of the filter retainer (170) includes a rim portion (196) that forms a terminal end of the side wall. A filter assembly (120) is positioned in the cavity (176) of the filter retainer (170). First segments (260) of the rim portion (196) are deformed to clamp the filter assembly (120) to the filter retainer (170). Non-deformed second segments (262) of the rim portion (196) engage an inner surface (264) of the side wall (92) of the end cap (90). The second segments (262) help position the end cap (90) and the filter retainer (170) coaxially with each other.

Abstract: An inflator (22) for providing inflation fluid () to inflate an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) includes a container (30) storing the inflation fluid under pressure. The container (30) has an outlet passage (80) through which the inflation fluid flows from the container. A rupturable closure member (92) fixed to the container (30) blocks flow of inflation fluid through the passage (80). A support (100) for the rupturable closure member (92) defines a chamber (110) adjacent the rupturable closure member (92). The rupturable closure member (92) has a first portion (122) deformed into the chamber (110) by the pressure of the inflation fluid and a second ring-shaped portion (124) encircling the first portion (122). An initiator (98) ruptures the closure member (92) when actuated by shearing the first portion (122) from the second portion (124).