Abstract: A hybrid inflator comprises an inflator housing which contains a pressurized medium and a gas generator. The gas generator comprises a gas generator housing, a propellant contained within the gas generator housing, a gas generator inlet port which fluidly interconnects the gas generator housing and the inflator housing, and a gas generator outlet port which fluidly interconnects the gas generator housing and the air/safety bag. The inflator also includes a propellant ignition assembly interconnected with the gas generator and a valve operatively associated with the gas generator inlet port. The valve substantially inhibits flow between the inflator housing and the gas generator housing through the gas generator inlet port until a pressure within the inflator housing exceeds a pressure within the gas generator housing by a predetermined degree after the propellant ignition assembly is activated.

Abstract: A hybrid inflator for an automotive inflatable safety system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the inflator includes a stored gas housing and a gas generator housing. Propellant grains are contained within the gas generator and an appropriate pressurized medium is contained within the stored gas housing. Generally, the pressurized medium flows through the gas generator or an extension thereof when exiting the inflator to the air/safety bag to enhance the mixing of the pressurized medium with the propellant gases. Moreover, a rapid pressurization of a region proximate the main closure disk is used such that fluid pressure acts directly on the disk to open the same and initiate flow to the air/safety bag.

Abstract: An ignition assembly in a motor vehicle inflatable safety system is provided, preferably to be used with a projectile. In one embodiment, the ignition assembly includes an actuation piston and an activator, such as a percussion primer(s) and an ignition material, which are separated by a retention pin. When a sufficient force is exerted on the actuation piston, the retention pin fails such that the actuation piston moves and impacts the percussion primer(s) to ignite the propellant within the gas generator. The resulting propellant gases are thereafter provided in a predetermined direction(s). Advantageously, a check valve-like device is employed to substantially reduce the flow of propellant gases in a direction other than the predetermined direction(s). The preferred projectile also includes a body that has a smaller dimension than the projectile piercing head when the projectile is used to separate a closure disk to release stored, pressurized gases in addition to activating the gas generator.

Abstract: A projectile for releasing a gas or other suitable fluid to initiate operation of an inflator in a motor vehicle inflatable safety system. In one embodiment, the projectile has a plurality of intersecting, concave, and inclined faces which taper to a point at the tip of the projectile. This projectile is positioned on the convex side of a dome-shaped disk which isolates the inflator from an expandable confinement. When a condition is detected requiring operation of the inflator, the projectile is freely propelled toward the disk to controllably separate the disk along lines coinciding with the edges defined by the intersecting faces of the projectile to reduce the potential for portions thereof breaking or tearing off and entering the flow from the inflator to the confinement.