Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an air bag includes a container (12) for holding a stored supply of gas under pressure. A body (20) of gas generating material is disposed in a housing (22). A cup shaped closure member (24) blocks a flow of gas through an annular array of passages (28) formed in an end wall (58) of the container (12). The cup shaped closure member (24) has a frangible section (176). Upon ignition of the body (20) of gas generating material, the gas applies pressure against an end wall (166) of the closure member (24) to break the frangible section (176) of the closure member. The pressure applied by the gas against the end wall (166) of the cup shaped closure member (24) moves the closure member toward an opposite end of the container (12). Gas flows from the container (12) through the openings (28) in the end wall of the container into a diffuser (36).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable device, such as an air bag (12) for restraining a vehicle occupant, comprises a pressure vessel (40), an ignitable propellant material (154) and a cup member (150). The pressure vessel (40) defines a sealed storage chamber (44) containing inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable device. The propellant material (154) produces combustion products including heat for heating the inflation fluid in the storage chamber (44). The cup member (150) has a piston portion (290) which is movable between an unactuated position and an actuated position. The piston portion (290) of the cup member includes a plunger portion (160) which opens the pressure vessel (40) upon movement of the piston portion (290) from the unactuated position to the actuated position. The cup member (150) further has a rupturable portion (178) which holds the piston portion (290) in the unactuated position.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in inflating a vehicle occupant restraint comprises a container (12) for holding a stored supply of gas. The container (12) includes a side wall (40) and an end wall (58) connected with one end of the side wall. The end wall (58) has a discharge opening (28) for directing gas from the container (12). A tubular housing (22) is located in the container (12). A quantity of ignitable material (20) is disposed in the tubular housing (22). The quantity of ignitable material (20), when ignited, produces combustion products. A closure member (24) is located in a first position to block a flow of gas from the container (12) through the discharge opening (28). The closure member (24) is movable from the first position in the container (12) to a second position permitting gas to flow from the container through the discharge opening (28).

Abstract: An ignition material packet assembly which comprises: (1) a first cup-shaped member having an open top, formed of an engineering thermoplastic for electrically insulating a pyrotechnic material stored within the assembly, (2) a second cup-shaped member inserted at least partially within the outer plastic member and retained therein by a friction fit created therebetween such that a compression gap is formed between a corresponding base portion of the first and second cup-shaped members, wherein the second cup-shaped member has an open top and is formed of a lightweight metal; (3) a pyrotechnic material comprising a mixture of an ignition enhancing material and an autoignition material sealed within the metal cup member and (4) a metal lid member closing the open top of the inner cup member to hermetically seal the pyrotechnic material therein.