Patents by Inventor David A. Bilbrey

David A. Bilbrey has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6213503
    Abstract: A multi-level output inflator for air bags or the like, comprising a center bulkhead, a primary gas generating unit connected at its inner end to one side of the bulkhead, and a secondary gas generating unit connected at its inner end to the opposite side of the bulkhead. The primary gas generating unit comprises a primary pressure vessel disposed adjacent to the bulkhead and in communication therewith, with an inert gas under pressure in the primary pressure vessel. The secondary gas generating unit comprises a secondary pressure vessel disposed adjacent to the bulkhead and in communication therewith, with an inert gas under pressure in the secondary pressure vessel. The bulkhead comprises a first opening therein in communication with the primary pressure vessel and a primary outlet port in communication with the first opening. A second opening is provided in the bulkhead with is in communication with the secondary pressure vessel and a secondary outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Atlantic Research Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Zimbrich, David A. Bilbrey, Charles D. Rodgers, Andrew C. Kohl, Donald W. Renfroe, Richard K. Robbins, Todd S. Carlson
  • Patent number: 5763817
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Bendix-Atlantic Inflator Company
    Inventors: Donald W. Renfroe, Michael G. Womack, Venny H. Sneed, David A. Bilbrey
  • Patent number: 5660412
    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
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Bendix-Atlantic Inflator Company
    Inventors: Donald Renfroe, Roy G. Brown, David A. Bilbrey, Richard L. Frantom, Steven L. Ludeke, Richard K. Robbins, Richard Husband, James Rose
  • Patent number: 5659295
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Bendix-Atlantic Inflator Company
    Inventors: Donald Renfroe, Steven L. Ludeke, James Rose, David A. Bilbrey