Patents by Inventor Detlef Last

Detlef Last 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: 11820321
    Abstract: A gas generator, such as for a safety device in vehicles, comprises a pressure chamber which is filled with compressed gas and which is closed off from an environment outside of the gas generator by a membrane. The compressed gas contains a gaseous oxidant which is composed predominantly of oxygen. The pressure chamber receives a solid fuel, wherein the compressed gas is in direct contact with the fuel before the gas generator is activated. When the gas generator is activated, an igniter separated pressure-tightly from the pressure chamber triggers a conversion of the gaseous oxidant with the solid fuel, with heat being generated. The fuel is in the form of a gas-permeable fuel body made up of one or more fibers, and the molar fraction of the gaseous oxidant in the compressed gas is at least 1.1 times the amount of oxidant required for a stoichiometric conversion of the gas-permeable fuel body. A module and a vehicle safety system comprise such a gas generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Airbag Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Detlef Last, Manfred Ramp, Rolf Ruckdeschel
  • Patent number: 11766988
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid gas generator (10) which comprises a compressed gas chamber (20) and an igniting unit (30), wherein the compressed gas chamber (20) is closed by a first igniter-side bursting membrane (21) and a second bursting membrane (22). According to the invention, a first, rapidly burning-off pyrotechnic agent (51) and a second pyrotechnic agent (52) burning off slowly in comparison to the first pyrotechnic agent (51) are located in the hybrid gas generator (10), wherein the second bursting membrane (22) is openable by positive pressure which can be generated in the compressed gas chamber (20) and the first pyrotechnic agent (51) is separated from the second pyrotechnic agent (52) in such a manner that the positive pressure in the compressed gas chamber (20) for opening the second bursting membrane (22) can be generated by the first pyrotechnic agent (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: TRW AIRBAG SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Jung, Sebastian Bierwirth, Johannes Ebner, Hans-Peter Neumayer, Martin Oberstarr, Daniel Hillmann, Uta Isenmann, Detlef Last
  • Publication number: 20230022931
    Abstract: A gas generator for a safety device in a vehicle includes a housing and a combustion chamber located inside the housing. A pyrotechnic propellant and at least one filling body are accommodated in the combustion chamber. The filling body is made of a melamine resin foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Dominik Asenkerschbaumer, Rolf Ruckdeschel, Bernd Weber, Detlef Last
  • Publication number: 20220105894
    Abstract: A gas generator, such as for a safety device in vehicles, comprises a pressure chamber which is filled with compressed gas and which is closed off from an environment of the gas generator by a membrane. The compressed gas contains a gaseous oxidant which is composed predominantly of oxygen. The pressure chamber receives a solid fuel, wherein the compressed gas is in direct contact with the fuel before the gas generator is activated. When the gas generator is activated, an igniter separated pressure-tightly from the pressure chamber triggers a conversion of the gaseous oxidant with the solid fuel, with heat being generated. The fuel is in the form of a gas-permeable fuel body made up of one or more fibers, and the molar fraction of the gaseous oxidant in the compressed gas is at least 1.1 times the amount of oxidant required for a stoichiometric conversion of the gas-permeable fuel body. A module and a vehicle safety system comprise such a gas generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: FZ Airbag Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Detlef Last, Manfred Ramp, Rolf Ruckdeschel
  • Patent number: 11273788
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas generator (10), particularly a pyrotechnical tube gas generator, with an axial longitudinal direction (L), comprising an ignition unit (20), a combustion chamber (30) axially mounted downstream from the ignition unit (20) and comprising a combustion chamber bottom (35) forming a combustion chamber outlet (36), and a filter chamber (70) that is axially mounted downstream of the combustion chamber (30). According to the invention, at least one guiding sleeve (50) and a front-side baffle plate (80) are formed in the filter chamber, a first end (51) of the guiding sleeve (50), on the side of the combustion chamber, being axially mounted downstream from the combustion chamber bottom (35), and a second end (53) of the guiding sleeve (50) being associated with the baffle plate (80), a first deflection section being formed on the baffle plate (80) and the guiding sleeve (50) which allows a gas flow to an outer side of the guiding sleeve (50) into an annular first discharge chamber (75).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: TRW AIRBAG SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Elmar Bendel, Anja Esau, Detlef Last, Christian Jung, Ning Wei
  • Publication number: 20210179011
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a gas generator comprising a housing, an igniter and a pyrotechnic charge via which gas for filling a gasbag can be provided, wherein the gas generator is free from stored pressurized gas in the idle state, characterized in that each possible diffusion path out of the internal chamber of the housing is sealed relative to the environment of the gas generator by means of a weld seam. The present disclosure also relates to a method for leak testing a pyrotechnic gas generator of this type, wherein, before the gas generator is welded against diffusion, a test amount of helium is introduced into the housing and, in a subsequent leak testing step, a measurement is carried out to determine whether helium is passing out of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: ZF Airbag Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Elmar Bendel, Detlef Last
  • Publication number: 20200139926
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas generator (10), particularly a pyrotechnical tube gas generator, with an axial longitudinal direction (L), comprising an ignition unit (20), a combustion chamber (30) axially mounted downstream from the ignition unit (20) and comprising a combustion chamber bottom (35) forming a combustion chamber outlet (36), and a filter chamber (70) that is axially mounted downstream of the combustion chamber (30). According to the invention, at least one guiding sleeve (50) and a front-side baffle plate (80) are formed in the filter chamber, a first end (51) of the guiding sleeve (50), on the side of the combustion chamber, being axially mounted downstream from the combustion chamber bottom (35), and a second end (53) of the guiding sleeve (50) being associated with the baffle plate (80), a first deflection section being formed on the baffle plate (80) and the guiding sleeve (50) which allows a gas flow to an outer side of the guiding sleeve (50) into an annular first discharge chamber (75).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Elmar Bendel, Anja Esau, Detlef Last, Christian Jung, Ning Wei
  • Publication number: 20190359166
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid gas generator (10) which comprises a compressed gas chamber (20) and an igniting unit (30), wherein the compressed gas chamber (20) is closed by a first igniter-side bursting membrane (21) and a second bursting membrane (22). According to the invention, a first, rapidly burning-off pyrotechnic agent (51) and a second pyrotechnic agent (52) burning off slowly in comparison to the first pyrotechnic agent (51) are located in the hybrid gas generator (10), wherein the second bursting membrane (22) is openable by positive pressure which can be generated in the compressed gas chamber (20) and the first pyrotechnic agent (51) is separated from the second pyrotechnic agent (52) in such a manner that the positive pressure in the compressed gas chamber (20) for opening the second bursting membrane (22) can be generated by the first pyrotechnic agent (51).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Christian Jung, Sebastian Bierwirth, Johannes Ebner, Hans-Peter Neumayer, Martin Oberstarr, Daniel Hillmann, Uta Isenmann, Detlef Last
  • Patent number: 10336289
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid inflator (10) comprising a combustion chamber (20) and a pressure gas tank (30), wherein in the idle state of the hybrid inflator (10) an outlet opening (31) of the pressure gas tank (30) is closed by a bursting element (32) which in the case of function of the hybrid inflator (10) can be destroyed by means of a penetration element (40), wherein a mixing chamber (70) is formed between the pressure gas tank (30) and the combustion chamber (20). In accordance with the invention, between the combustion chamber (20) and the mixing chamber (70) at least in portions a partition wall (80) having a combustion chamber side (81) and a mixing chamber side (82) is formed, wherein the partition wall (80) includes at least one combustion chamber opening (85) which in the idle state of the hybrid inflator (10) is closed by a cover (88) formed on the mixing chamber side (82) of the partition wall (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AIRBAG SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Ebner, Sebastian Bierwirth, Martin Oberstarr, Detlef Last
  • Patent number: 10207671
    Abstract: An inflator (10) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device. The inflator (10) includes a volume of stored gas and a propellant (52) that is ignitable to undergo a reaction that produces reaction products. The reaction products include heat and gas that mix with the stored gas to produce a mixture of inflation fluid. The inflator (10) is configured to discharge the inflation fluid to inflate the protection device. The propellant (52) comprises an open cell foam fuel propellant (140). The reaction includes a combustion reaction in which the foam fuel propellant (140) reacts with a gas oxidizer comprising oxygen to produce heat and gas reaction products that mix with the stored gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AIRBAG SYSTEMS GmbH
    Inventors: Detlef Last, Ruckdeschel Rolf
  • Patent number: 10173633
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid inflator (10) includes at least one combustion chamber (15) in which propellant charge is arranged and which has a discharge end (20), the propellant charge being formed of at least one propellant element (26), at least one igniting unit (12) by which the propellant charge can be ignited. The hybrid inflator (10) also includes at least one bursting element (14, 14?, 14?) which in the inactivated state of the hybrid inflator (10) delimits the combustion chamber (15) against a gas supply chamber (16) at the discharge end (20). The bursting element (14, 14?, 14?) and a restraint element (18, 18?, 18?) maintain the propellant charge in its position and/or the bursting element (14, 14?, 14?) and the propellant charge delimit a shock gas volume (SGV), wherein in the activated state of the hybrid inflator (10) the shock gas volume (SGV) acts on the bursting element (14, 14?, 14?) like a gas pressure spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Detlef Last, Lorenz Seidl, Rolf Ruckdeschel
  • Publication number: 20180141514
    Abstract: An inflator (10) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device. The inflator (10) includes a volume of stored gas and a propellant (52) that is ignitable to undergo a reaction that produces reaction products. The reaction products include heat and gas that mix with the stored gas to produce a mixture of inflation fluid. The inflator (10) is configured to discharge the inflation fluid to inflate the protection device. The propellant (52) comprises an open cell foam fuel propellant (140). The reaction includes a combustion reaction in which the foam fuel propellant (140) reacts with a gas oxidizer comprising oxygen to produce heat and gas reaction products that mix with the stored gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Detlef Last, Ruckdeschel Rolf
  • Publication number: 20170232923
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid inflator (10) comprising a combustion chamber (20) and a pressure gas tank (30), wherein in the idle state of the hybrid inflator (10) an outlet opening (31) of the pressure gas tank (30) is closed by a bursting element (32) which in the case of function of the hybrid inflator (10) can be destroyed by means of a penetration element (40), wherein a mixing chamber (70) is formed between the pressure gas tank (30) and the combustion chamber (20). In accordance with the invention, between the combustion chamber (20) and the mixing chamber (70) at least in portions a partition wall (80) having a combustion chamber side (81) and a mixing chamber side (82) is formed, wherein the partition wall (80) includes at least one combustion chamber opening (85) which in the idle state of the hybrid inflator (10) is closed by a cover (88) formed on the mixing chamber side (82) of the partition wall (80).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Johannes Ebner, Sebastian Bierwirth, Martin Oberstarr, Detlef Last
  • Publication number: 20170166162
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid inflator (10) includes at least one combustion chamber (15) in which propellant charge is arranged and which has a discharge end (20), the propellant charge being formed of at least one propellant element (26), at least one igniting unit (12) by which the propellant charge can be ignited. The hybrid inflator (10) also includes at least one bursting element (14, 14?, 14?) which in the inactivated state of the hybrid inflator (10) delimits the combustion chamber (15) against a gas supply chamber (16) at the discharge end (20). The bursting element (14, 14?, 14?) and a restraint element (18, 18?, 18?) maintain the propellant charge in its position and/or the bursting element (14, 14?, 14?) and the propellant charge delimit a shock gas volume (SGV), wherein in the activated state of the hybrid inflator (10) the shock gas volume (SGV) acts on the bursting element (14, 14?, 14?) like a gas pressure spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Detlef Last, Lorenz Seidl, Rolf Ruckdeschel
  • Patent number: 9463766
    Abstract: The invention relates to a burst device (10), especially for a hybrid inflator (40) including a burst member (20) delimiting an igniter compartment (25) at least in portions on its inside (21), wherein the burst member (20) in the idle mode can be pressurized with compressed gas on its outside (22) and, in the case of operation, the burst member (20) can be destroyed by an igniter compartment side bursting pressure, in accordance with the invention, the burst device (10) includes a support sleeve (30) arranged in the igniter compartment (25) and including an opening (32), the support sleeve (30) including a collar (34) delimiting the opening (33), wherein the burst member (20) rests on the collar (34) of the support sleeve (30) at least in portions upon pressurization from outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Kapfelsperger, Detlef Last, Lorenz Seidl
  • Publication number: 20160016532
    Abstract: The invention relates to a burst device (10), especially for a hybrid inflator (40) including a burst member (20) delimiting an igniter compartment (25) at least in portions on its inside (21), wherein the burst member (20) in the idle mode can be pressurized with compressed gas on its outside (22) and, in the case of operation, the burst member (20) can be destroyed by an igniter compartment side bursting pressure, in accordance with the invention, the burst device (10) includes a support sleeve (30) arranged in the igniter compartment (25) and including an opening (32), the support sleeve (30) including a collar (34) delimiting the opening (33), wherein the burst member (20) rests on the collar (34) of the support sleeve (30) at least in portions upon pressurization from outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas Kapfelsperger, Detlef Last, Lorenz Seidl
  • Patent number: 7828324
    Abstract: A gas generator, in particular for a vehicle occupant restraint system, has a pyrotechnical propellant (16), a combustion chamber (12) filled with the pyrotechnical propellant (16), an igniter (14) associated with the combustion chamber (12), a pressure chamber (18), filled with compressed gas, which is adjacent to the combustion chamber (12) and has a first opening (22) remote from the combustion chamber (12) closed by a first diaphragm (26), the diaphragm (26) being destroyed upon activation of the igniter (14), and a second pressure chamber (28) which is filled with compressed gas and has a second opening (34) closed by a second diaphragm (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Herget, Detlef Last
  • Patent number: 7735860
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and an inflator (16) for providing inflation fluid for inflating the protection device. The inflator (16) includes an inflation fluid control structure (100). The control structure (100) includes discharge openings (116) for directing inflation fluid into an inflatable volume (72) of the protection device (14) and vent openings (118) for venting inflation fluid outside the inflatable volume. The control structure (100) also includes a vent member (132) actuatable from an open condition permitting inflation flow through the vent openings (118) to a closed condition blocking inflation fluid flow through the vent openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt F. Fischer, Karl Englbrecht, Detlef Last
  • Patent number: 7530628
    Abstract: A vehicle impact protection system (10) includes a vehicle outer wall (16), a vehicle inner wall (14), the vehicle outer wall (16) and the vehicle inner wall (14) defining a mounting space (18) between them, and an elongated reinforcing profile (20) housed in the mounting space (18) and having a profile longitudinal axis (A), the reinforcing profile (20) being connected with an actuator device (28), an activation of the actuator device (28) leading to a change in curvature of said profile longitudinal axis (A) such that the profile longitudinal axis (A) is curved more intensively outwards towards the vehicle outer wall (16) after the activation of the actuator device (28) than before the activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Gabler, Christian Herget, Achim Hofmann, Detlef Last
  • Publication number: 20080203707
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and an inflator (16) for providing inflation fluid for inflating the protection device. The inflator (16) includes an inflation fluid control structure (100). The control structure (100) includes discharge openings (116) for directing inflation fluid into an inflatable volume (72) of the protection device (14) and vent openings (118) for venting inflation fluid outside the inflatable volume. The control structure (100) also includes a vent member (132) actuatable from an open condition permitting inflation flow through the vent openings (118) to a closed condition blocking inflation fluid flow through the vent openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Kurt F. Fischer, Karl Englbrecht, Detlef Last