Patents by Inventor Horst Laucht
Horst Laucht 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).
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Patent number: 9778001Abstract: A pyrotechnical igniter (100) for an inflator of a vehicle safety system comprises at least two contact pins (102) physically separated from each other by an electrically insulating compound and a bridge wire (110) connected to both contact pins (102) in an electrically conducting manner. A fastening portion (112) in which the bridge wire (110) is welded to the contact pins (102) is provided at each of the contact pins (102).Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbHInventors: Johann Hinkofer, Christoph Knollhuber, Werner Muller, Stefan Heigl, Georg Schonhuber, Horst Laucht, Andreas Seidel
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Publication number: 20160238354Abstract: A pyrotechnical igniter (100) for an inflator of a vehicle safety system comprises at least two contact pins (102) physically separated from each other by an electrically insulating compound and a bridge wire (110) connected to both contact pins (102) in an electrically conducting manner. A fastening portion (112) in which the bridge wire (110) is welded to the contact pins (102) is provided at each of the contact pins (102).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: Johann Hinkofer, Christoph Knollhuber, Werner Muller, Stefan Heigl, Georg Schonhuber, Horst Laucht, Andreas Seidel
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Patent number: 9395162Abstract: A pyrotechnical igniter (100) for an inflator of a vehicle safety system comprises at least two contact pins (102) physically separated from each other by an electrically insulating compound and a bridge wire (110) connected to both contact pins (102) in an electrically conducting manner. A fastening portion (112) in which the bridge wire (110) is welded to the contact pins (102) is provided at each of the contact pins (102).Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2013Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbHInventors: Johann Hinkofer, Christoph Knollhuber, Werner Muller, Stefan Heigl, Georg Schonhuber, Horst Laucht, Andreas Seidel
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Publication number: 20130305948Abstract: A pyrotechnical igniter (100) for an inflator of a vehicle safety system comprises at least two contact pins (102) physically separated from each other by an electrically insulating compound and a bridge wire (110) connected to both contact pins (102) in an electrically conducting manner. A fastening portion (112) in which the bridge wire (110) is welded to the contact pins (102) is provided at each of the contact pins (102).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: TRW Airbag Systems GmbHInventors: Johann Hinkofer, Christoph Knollhuber, Werner Muller, Stefan Heigl, Georg Schonhuber, Horst Laucht, Andreas Seidel
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Patent number: 7793592Abstract: A component of a safety system in motor vehicles comprises a core which has end and side faces and is made of an explosive material. The component further comprises a jacket made of a solid semiconductor material that surrounds the explosive material on the side faces of the core, and an ignition element situated between electric contact surfaces on one of the end faces of the core. The ignition element initiates an ignition of the explosive material when current flows through it. The explosive material consists of a porous fuel and of an oxidizer incorporated into the porous fuel. The porous fuel and the solid semiconductor are made of the same material.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2003Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbHInventors: Achim Hofmann, Horst Laucht
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Publication number: 20060054256Abstract: An explosive composition is adapted for use in a safety arrangement for vehicles, and comprises a fuel of a micro-structured or nano-structured porous solid material and an oxidizing agent which is solid or liquid at ambient temperature. The oxidizing agent is selected from the group consisting of sulphur, selenium, tellurium, bromine, iodine, phosphorus and arsenic as well as mixtures and oxygen-free compounds thereof. In a method for the production of the explosive composition, the oxidizing agent is dissolved in a solvent and introduced into the pores of the fuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2005Publication date: March 16, 2006Inventors: Siegfried Zeuner, Achim Hofmann, Horst Laucht, Andreas Tischer
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Patent number: 6984274Abstract: An explosive composition comprises a porous fuel and an oxidizer. The porous fuel is a solid with a structure size measuring between about 2 nm and 1000 nm and has a porosity that lies between 10% and 98%. The oxidizer is solid or liquid at room temperature and is incorporated into the pores of the porous fuel. The oxidizer is selected, in an amount of at least 50% by weight relative to a total quantity of the oxidizer, from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl ammonium nitrate, organic nitro compounds or nitrates, alkali metal nitrates or earth alkali metal nitrates as well as metal nitrites, metal chlorates, metal perchlorates, metal bromates, metal iodates, metal oxides, metal peroxides, ammonium perchlorate, ammonium nitrate and mixtures thereof.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2003Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbHInventors: Achim Hofmann, Horst Laucht, Dimitri Kovalev, Victor Yu Timoshenko, Joachim Diener, Nicolai Künzner, Egon Gross
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Patent number: 6896287Abstract: A hybrid gas generator for use in a vehicle occupant restraint device comprises at least one combustion chamber containing a pyrotechnic charge, and at least one fluid chamber containing a fluid. Several movable pistons are provided which push the fluid out from the at least one fluid chamber. The pistons are able to be set in motion independently of each other and/or in any activation sequence desired.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2002Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbHInventors: Detlef Last, Wolfram Seebeck, Horst Laucht, Johann Seidl
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Publication number: 20050072502Abstract: An explosive composition comprises a porous fuel and an oxidizer. The porous fuel is a solid with a structure size measuring between about 2 nm and 1000 nm and has a porosity that lies between 10% and 98%. The oxidizer is solid or liquid at room temperature and is incorporated into the pores of the porous fuel. The oxidizer is selected, in an amount of at least 50% by weight relative to a total quantity of the oxidizer, from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, hydroxylammonium nitrate, organic nitro compounds or nitrates, alkali metal nitrates or earth alkali metal nitrates as well as metal nitrites, metal chlorates, metal perchlorates, metal bromates, metal iodates, metal oxides, metal peroxides, ammonium perchlorate, ammonium nitrate and mixtures thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2003Publication date: April 7, 2005Inventors: Achim Hofmann, Horst Laucht, Dimitri Kovalev, Victor Timoshenko, Joachim Diener, Nicolai Kunzner, Egon Gross
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Patent number: 6761118Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing an igniter for a gas generator. The igniter contains a charge sleeve which has an open end. The method comprising the following steps: A pyrotechnic ignition charge is introduced via the open end into the charge sleeve such that an edge of the charge sleeve projects axially at the open end with respect to the ignition charge. The projecting part of the edge is shortened axially, and the open end is closed. The invention further relates to a charge sleeve which has a weakened zone running along its periphery, or has a section which is able to be removed from the remainder of the charge sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2002Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Horst Laucht, Ernst Enzmann
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Publication number: 20030145758Abstract: A component of a safety system in motor vehicles comprises a core which has end and side faces and is made of an explosive material. The component further comprises a jacket made of a solid semiconductor material that surrounds the explosive material on the side faces of the core, and an ignition element situated between electric contact surfaces on one of the end faces of the core. The ignition element initiates an ignition of the explosive material when current flows through it. The explosive material consists of a porous fuel and of an oxidizer incorporated into the porous fuel. The porous fuel and the solid semiconductor are made of the same material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2003Publication date: August 7, 2003Applicant: TRW Airbag Systems GmbHInventors: Achim Hofmann, Horst Laucht
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Patent number: 6601514Abstract: The invention relates to an ignition unit (1) suitable for triggering an active system, such as an airbag or safety belt. The ignition unit comprises an ignition charge (7) located in a housing (2), which can be fired by means of an ignition bridge (6) positioned on a support element (5), as well as at least one contact pin (13a, 13b, 13c) which protrudes from the housing (2) and via an electronic ignition system (9) is electrically connected to the ignition bridge (6). The electronic ignition system (9) is surrounded by an envelope (10) made of a shock-absorbing material. The ignition bridge (6) is not covered by the envelope (10) so that during ignition the pressure exerted on the electronic ignition system (9) is cushioned. This prevents damage to the sensitive electronic components of the electronic ignition system (9) situated on the support element (5).Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2001Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignees: Dynamit Nobel GmbH Explosivstoff-und Systemtechnik, Temic Telefunken Microelectric GmbH, TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co., KG, Unax AGInventors: Anton Bretfeld, Gerhard Kordel, Horst Laucht, Erwin Caflisch, Richard Baur, Michael Bischoff, Gunter Fendt, Stefan Schwehr
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Publication number: 20030137132Abstract: A hybrid gas generator for use in a vehicle occupant restraint device comprises at least one combustion chamber containing a pyrotechnic charge, and at least one fluid chamber containing a fluid. Several movable pistons are provided which push the fluid out from the at least one fluid chamber. The pistons are able to be set in motion independently of each other and/or in any activation sequence desired.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2002Publication date: July 24, 2003Applicant: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Detlef Last, Wolfram Seebeck, Horst Laucht, Johann Seidl
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Patent number: 6591754Abstract: A pyrotechnical ignition system with integrated ignition circuit for an occupant restraint system for motor vehicles includes electrical components for triggering or communication functions integrated therein, a capacitor arrangement, having a flat non-conductive external surface is used as a substrate or carrier element on which the other components are directly arranged and carried. A conductor structure linking the components can be formed by insertable metal parts that are arranged in the housing and project into the holding chamber in which the capacitor arrangement and the circuit component are arranged, and make contact with contact zones on the upper side of the circuit or the capacitor arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2000Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignees: DaimlerChrysler AG, TRW Airbag System GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Richard Baur, Guenter Fendt, Hermann Kueblbeck, Horst Laucht, Alfons Woehrl
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Publication number: 20020152919Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing an igniter for a gas generator. The igniter contains a charge sleeve which has an open end. The method comprising the following steps: A pyrotechnic ignition charge is introduced via the open end into the charge sleeve such that an edge of the charge sleeve projects axially at the open end with respect to the ignition charge. The projecting part of the edge is shortened axially, and the open end is closed. The invention further relates to a charge sleeve which has a weakened zone running along its periphery, or has a section which is able to be removed from the remainder of the charge sleeve.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2002Publication date: October 24, 2002Applicant: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Horst Laucht, Ernst Enzmann
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Patent number: 6435550Abstract: The invention relates to a pyrotechnical gas generator comprising a generator outer housing in which a pyrotechnical propellant charge and an igniter are accommodated. The igniter has its own self-contained igniter housing which contains a pyrotechnical material and is fastened to the generator outer housing. The igniter housing has a base part and a cap-shaped receiving part fastened thereto. The receiving part has a radial flange with an outer edge, the outer edge projecting radially with respect to the base part and being welded to the generator outer housing. The flange is welded to the base part.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2001Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Josef Werneth, Horst Laucht
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Publication number: 20020063421Abstract: The invention relates to a pyrotechnical gas generator comprising a generator outer housing in which a pyrotechnical propellant charge and an igniter are accommodated. The igniter has its own self-contained igniter housing which contains a pyrotechnical material and is fastened to the generator outer housing. The igniter housing has a base part and a cap-shaped receiving part fastened thereto. The receiving part has a radial flange with an outer edge, the outer edge projecting radially with respect to the base part and being welded to the generator outer housing. The flange is welded to the base part.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2001Publication date: May 30, 2002Applicant: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Josef Werneth, Horst Laucht
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Patent number: 6332399Abstract: An igniting element, such as is used in a vehicle air bag igniter reduces the power dissipated by the air bag ignition circuit, as well as its space requirement and its costs, by using the ignition switch/switches as the ignition element (7) itself of the ignition circuit. The ignition circuit is integrated in a silicon chip, and has at least one ignition switch constructed as a transistor.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1999Date of Patent: December 25, 2001Assignees: DaimlerChrysler AG, TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Horst Laucht, Gerhard Mueller, Wolfgang Welser
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Patent number: 6220164Abstract: In the case of a semiconductor igniter, particularly for the gas generator of a protection system for vehicle occupants, consisting of a semiconductor layer which is arranged on a carrier with the insertion of a thermal insulation layer, is connected at the end side to electric contact areas and during the current passage in the ignition path range heats up in an ignition-triggering manner, while maintaining a high ignition efficiency, a mechanically secure linking of the semiconductor layer to the carrier is achieved in that the thermal insulation layer is limited to the ignition path range of the semiconductor layer and the semiconductor layer is connected directly with the carrier at its end sections kept free of the thermal insulation layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignees: DaimlerChrysler AG, TRW Airbag Systems GmbHInventors: Horst Laucht, Gerhard Mueller, Wolfgang Welser
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Patent number: 6196583Abstract: The present invention relates to an inflator for a safety device, in particular for a vehicle occupant restraint system, comprising a housing (1, 15; 22, 23), a combustion chamber formed in the housing and including a solid propellant (6) for generating hot gas, and a coolant (13) introduced into a predetermined flow path of the hot gas. The inflator in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the flow path of the hot gas passes through a nozzle (10) comprising a pitot zone (20) in which the hot gas emerging from the combustion chamber (21) has a high static pressure, and comprising a nozzle neck (19) in which the hot gas builds up a high dynamic pressure, and in that the coolant (13) is arranged in a sleeve-shaped reservoir (11) extending from the pitot zone (20) at least in part into the nozzle neck (19). The inflator in accordance with the invention permits an effective reduction in the exhaust gas temperature of the generated hot gas.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1999Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Rolf Ruckdeschel, Anh-Dung Tieu, Markus Lindner, Horst Laucht, Marc Winterhalder, Martin Fink, Christof Hinterberger, Markus Leifheit