Patents by Inventor Eric N. Streif

Eric N. Streif 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).

  • Seat belt webbing pretensioner using MEMS devices
    Patent number: 6641074
    Abstract: A pretensioner (50) tensions vehicle seat belt webbing (18). The pretensioner (50) has a member (52) movable by an actuating fluid to tension the seat belt webbing (18). The pretensioner (50) further has at least one microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device (120) energizable to supply actuating fluid to move the member (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignees: TRW Inc., TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher C. Shih, Douglas P. Campbell, Lee D. Bergerson, Dean M. Esterberg, Paul A. Bowers, Ernst M. Faigle, Homer W. Fogle, Jr., Ivan L. Stonich, David H. Lewis, Jr., Eric N. Streif, Brian R. Pitstick, Timothy A. Swann, Roy D. Van Wynsberghe
  • Air bag inflators
    Patent number: 6619692
    Abstract: An inflator (10) includes an assembly (31) comprising a plurality of individually energizable microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices (30) for, when energized, actuating the inflator. The assembly (31) further comprises a sensor mechanism (60) for sensing a condition of the inflator (10) and for generating a control signal indicative of the sensed condition. The plurality of MEMS devices (30) are responsive to the control signal to control actuation of the inflator (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignees: TRW Inc., TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Roy D. Van Wynsberghe, Lee D. Bergerson, Paul A. Bowers, Dean M. Esterberg, Ernst M. Faigle, Homer W. Fogle, Jr., Brian R. Pitstick, Christopher C. Shih, Ivan L. Stonich, Eric N. Streif, Timothy A. Swann, Bryan W. Shirk
  • Air bag inflators
    Publication number: 20020140217
    Abstract: An inflator (10) includes an assembly (31) comprising a plurality of individually energizable microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices (30) for, when energized, actuating the inflator. The assembly (31) further comprises a sensor mechanism (60) for sensing a condition of the inflator (10) and for generating a control signal indicative of the sensed condition. The plurality of MEMS devices (30) are responsive to the control signal to control actuation of the inflator (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Roy D. Van Wynsberghe, Lee D. Bergerson, Paul A. Bowers, Dean M. Esterberg, Ernst M. Faigle, Homer W. Fogle, Brian R. Pitstick, Christopher C. Shih, Ivan L. Stonich, Eric N. Streif, Timothy A. Swann, Bryan W. Shirk
  • Seat belt webbing pretensioner using mems devices
    Publication number: 20020088890
    Abstract: A pretensioner (50) tensions vehicle seat belt webbing (18). The pretensioner (50) has a member (52) movable by an actuating fluid to tension the seat belt webbing (18). The pretensioner (50) further has at least one microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device (120) energizable to supply actuating fluid to move the member (52).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Inc. & TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher C. Shih, Douglas P. Campbell, Lee D. Bergerson, Dean M. Esterberg, Paul A. Bowers, Ernst M. Faigle, Homer W. Fogle, Ivan L. Stonich, David H. Lewis, Eric N. Streif, Brian R. Pitstick, Timothy A. Swann, Roy D. Van Wynsberghe
  • Vehicle occupant protection apparatus
    Patent number: 6024379
    Abstract: An apparatus for deploying an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) includes a pressure vessel (16) containing inflation fluid, and a source of thermal energy which heats the inflation fluid. An initiator assembly (17), when actuated, initiates an outlet flow of the inflation fluid from the pressure vessel (16). The initiator assembly (17) includes a first actuatable device (18) which varies the degree to which the thermal energy can heat the inflation fluid, and further includes a second actuatable device (20) which causes the source to release the thermal energy to heat the inflation fluid. The initiator assembly (17) is actuated in a selected one of a plurality of differing stages. The differing stages correspond to a plurality of differing deployment conditions, and include a "softest" stage in which only the first actuatable device (18) is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Jack L. Blumenthal, John P. O'Loughlin, Eric N. Streif