Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and an inflator (20) for providing inflation fluid for the inflatable device. The inflator (20) has a relatively large diameter body portion (24) and a relatively small diameter neck portion (40) extending from the body portion. The neck portion (40) has an inflation fluid outlet (42). The occupant protection apparatus (10) also comprises a conduit (50) for directing inflation fluid from the inflator (20) into the inflatable device (14). The conduit (50) has a relatively large diameter main body portion (60) secured on the body portion (24) of the inflator (20) by interfitting portions (80, 34) of the main body portion and the body portion of the inflator. The main body portion (60) of the conduit (50) defines a fluid chamber (70) around the neck portion (40) of the inflator (20).

Abstract: An inflator (10) for providing inflation fluid to inflate an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device includes a pressure vessel (12) defining a chamber (30) for inflation fluid. The pressure vessel (12) has a passage (40) through which inflation fluid flows from the chamber (30). A burst disk (52) blocks fluid flow through the passage (40). A member (80) is disposed adjacent to and on one side of the burst disk (52) prior to the inflation fluid entering the pressure vessel (12). The burst disk (52) deforms toward the one side due to the pressure of the inflation fluid when the inflation fluid is disposed in the chamber (30). The member (80) limits deformation of the burst disk (52) by contacting the burst disk. An actuatable igniter assembly (66), when actuated, moves the member toward the burst disk (52) to rupture the burst disk and enable the inflation fluid to flow from the chamber (30) through the passage (40).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an air bag includes a container (12) having a chamber (16) for holding an inert gas and an oxidizer gas under pressure. A body (20) of a combustible material is disposed in the container (12). The body (20) of combustible material comprises a non-metallic nitrogen containing compound, a thermoplastic polymer, and an oxidizer material. The oxidizer material is selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal nitrate, alkali-earth metal nitrate, ammonium perchlorate, alkali metal perchlorate, alkali-earth metal perchlorate, organo-ammonium nitrate, or ammonium dinitramide. An igniter (32) ignites the body (20) of combustible material to generate combustion products that mix with, and heat, the inert gas and the oxidizer gas. The body (20) of combustible material undergoes further combustion upon exposure to the oxidizer gas to yield an inflation fluid comprising the combustion products, the inert gas, and any unreacted oxidizer gas.

Abstract: An air bag inflator (10) includes a housing (12) open at one end. Inflator parts including gas generating material (70) are disposed in the housing (12). A retainer assembly (138) in the housing has a first part (170) expanded outwardly into interlocking engagement with a part (30) of the housing wall (14) adjacent the opening (24). This blocks movement of the retainer assembly (138) relative to the housing (12) toward the open end (24) of the housing (12). An end cap (90) is screwed into the open end (24) of the housing (12) after the retainer (140) is positioned in and interlocked with the housing (12). The retainer (140) is disposed intermediate the end cap (90) and the gas generating material (70). Because retainer (140) is disposed between the gas generating material (70) and a body of auto ignition material (122) in the end cap (90), a nozzle ( 150) is formed in the retainer (140) to direct auto ignition combustion products toward the gas generating material (70).

Abstract: An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint, such as an air bag, includes a housing. A hermetically sealed canister in the housing includes a lower section and a cover. Gas generating material is located in the canister. The gas generating material, when ignited, generates gas for inflating the air bag. The canister is sealed with a single hermetic seal between the lower section and the cover.

Abstract: An inflator for inflating an air bag includes a housing. A quantity of gas generating material is disposed within the housing. The gas generating material when ignited generates gas for inflating the air bag. An igniter is actuatable to ignite the gas generating material. A weld adaptor is welded to the housing. A body of injection molded plastic material adheres to both the igniter and the weld adaptor to attach the igniter to the weld adaptor. The weld adaptor is welded to a cover part of the inflator housing.

Abstract: An inflator for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint is assembled by welding various components of the inflator together, inserting a canister of gas generating material into the inflator, and then welding a closure member to the other components of the inflator. The step of welding the closure member to the other components of the inflator is the only welding step which is performed after inserting the canister of gas generating material. Prior to insertion of the canister of gas generating material, an end wall and a flange of a combustion cup are positioned in abutting engagement with an end wall and a flange of a diffuser cup. The end walls and flanges of the combustion and diffuser cups are welded together. An initiator assembly for igniting the gas generating material in the canister is connected with the closure member.

Abstract: An inflator for inflating an air bag includes a housing having a housing cover. A gas generating material is disposed within the housing. The gas generating material when ignited generates gas for inflating the air bag. An igniter is actuatable to ignite the gas generating material. A body of injection molded plastic material adheres to both the igniter and the cover to attach the igniter to the cover. The cover is welded to another part of the inflator housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in inflating a vehicle occupant restraint includes an inflator housing and a canister containing gas generating material. The canister has a resiliently deflectable wall which presses against the inflator housing to hold the canister against movement relative to the inflator housing. A cushion is disposed inside the canister between the wall and the gas generating material. In addition, auto ignition material is disposed in a projecting wall portion of the canister. When the apparatus is assembled, the wall of the canister is resiliently deflected by applying a force against the projecting wall portion of the canister. After the inflator housing has been closed, the canister is retained against movement relative to the inflator housing by the force applied by the resiliently deflected wall of the canister against the inflator housing.

Abstract: An inflator for inflating an air bag in a vehicle includes an inflator housing with an outer wall. A hermetically sealed canister is located in the housing. The canister has a first wall portion in thermal contact with the outer wall of the inflator housing. A body of gas generating material is disposed within the hermetically sealed canister. The gas generating material, when ignited, generates gas for inflating the air bag. An auto ignition packet including auto ignition material is secured within the hermetically sealed canister. The packet is in a recess in the canister in thermal contact with the first wall portion of the canister. The packet includes a flexible container, made of an air-permeable, fabric, sheet material, enclosing the auto ignition material.