Patents by Inventor Lorenz Seidl

Lorenz Seidl 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: 11077820
    Abstract: The invention relates to a propellant cage (10) for an inflator, especially for a tubular inflator of an airbag module, comprising a substantially tubular base (11) which forms, on the one hand, a gas inlet opening (12a) and, on the other hand, a gas outlet opening (12b) along its longitudinal axis (L), wherein at least one lateral gas flow opening (13) is configured in a circumferential wall (12) of the base (11), wherein the base (11) includes a radially outwardly extending collar (11c) having at least one frontal gas flow opening (14) in the area of the gas flow opening (12c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: TRW AIRBAG SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Daniel Hillmann, Christian Jung, Lorenz Seidl, Georg Tautschnig, Wolfgang Tengler
  • Publication number: 20190351864
    Abstract: The invention relates to a propellant cage (10) for an inflator, especially for a tubular inflator of an airbag module, comprising a substantially tubular base (11) which forms, on the one hand, a gas inlet opening (12a) and, on the other hand, a gas outlet opening (12b) along its longitudinal axis (L), wherein at least one lateral gas flow opening (13) is configured in a circumferential wall (12) of the base (11), wherein the base (11) includes a radially outwardly extending collar (11c) having at least one frontal gas flow opening (14) in the area of the gas flow opening (12c).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel Hillmann, Christian Jung, Lorenz Seidl, Georg Tautschnig, Wolfgang Tengler
  • 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
  • Patent number: 9821752
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid inflator (10) including a burst cap (20) including a bottom (21) and a sleeve-like side wall (22), the bottom (21) and the side wall (22) delimiting an igniter compartment (23), and the burst cap (20) in the idle mode being pressurized on the outer peripheral side with compressed gas having a filling pressure (PF) which at a functional maximum temperature of the hybrid inflator (10) has a maximum filling pressure (PFmax), and wherein the burst cap (20) can be destroyed by an igniter compartment side bursting pressure in the case of operation. In accordance with the invention, a transitional portion (24) is formed from the side wall (22) of the burst cap (20) to the bottom (21) so that the igniter compartment side bursting pressure required to destroy the burst cap (20) is lower than the sum of the maximum filling pressure (PFmax) and the filling pressure (PF).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Lorenz Seidl
  • 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: 9463767
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bursting diaphragm (14) for an inflator (10) comprising at least one predetermined breaking contour (24) destroyable upon activation of the inflator (10), wherein a shock wave can be generated. In accordance with the invention, the predetermined breaking contour (24) includes a through hole (25) on at least one end point (27), especially on all end points (27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Ruckdeschel, Lorenz Seidl
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20160016531
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid inflator (10) including a burst cap (20) including a bottom (21) and a sleeve-like side wall (22), the bottom (21) and the side wall (22) delimiting an igniter compartment (23), and the burst cap (20) in the idle mode being pressurized on the outer peripheral side with compressed gas having a filling pressure (PF) which at a functional maximum temperature of the hybrid inflator (10) has a maximum filling pressure (PFmax), and wherein the burst cap (20) can be destroyed by an igniter compartment side bursting pressure in the case of operation. In accordance with the invention, a transitional portion (24) is formed from the side wall (22) of the burst cap (20) to the bottom (21) so that the igniter compartment side bursting pressure required to destroy the burst cap (20) is lower than the sum of the maximum filling pressure (PFmax) and the filling pressure (PF).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventor: Lorenz Seidl
  • Publication number: 20150158455
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bursting diaphragm (14) for an inflator (10) comprising at least one predetermined breaking contour (24) destroyable upon activation of the inflator (10), wherein a shock wave can be generated. In accordance with the invention, the predetermined breaking contour (24) includes a through hole (25) on at least one end point (27), especially on all end points (27).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Rolf Ruckdeschel, Lorenz Seidl
  • Publication number: 20050236821
    Abstract: A cold gas generator, comprising a pressure chamber that is filled with pressurized gas, a diaphragm that closes the pressure chamber and that is attached at an attachment edge to a bearing wall, a propellant charge arranged outside the pressure chamber for destroying the diaphragm, and a support wall. The support wall is situated radially inwards from the attachment edge in such immediate vicinity to the interior side of the diaphragm that when an exterior-side pressure is exerted upon it, the diaphragm is deformed towards the interior and makes contact with the support wall before being destroyed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Inventors: Achim Hofmann, Lorenz Seidl, Michael Gabler
  • Publication number: 20050146123
    Abstract: A gas generator, in particular for vehicle occupant restraint systems, is provided with a pressure chamber (10) filled with compressed gas, a pyrotechnic igniter (34) arranged outside the pressure chamber (10), a first membrane (14) provided close to the igniter (34) and closing a first opening (12) of the pressure chamber (10), and a second membrane (18) provided further away from the igniter (34) and closing a second opening (16) of the pressure chamber. The first membrane (14) is configured such that it tears at a higher bursting pressure than the second membrane (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Maximilian Bergmann, Achim Hofmann, Jens Holzapfel, Lorenz Seidl, Monika Seddig, Christian Jung, Wolfgang Tengler, Andreas Spitzenberg
  • Patent number: 6786507
    Abstract: A hybrid gas generator comprises a chamber that contains pressurized fluid and that is sealed off by a rupturable membrane, and a pyrotechnical propellant charge that ruptures the membrane when it is ignited. The gas generator further comprises a nozzle wall that is arranged between the propellant charge and the membrane and that has at least one passage opening through which combustion products generated upon ignition of said pyrotechnical propellant charge flow towards the membrane. The passage opening has such a shape and is oriented with respect to the membrane in such a way that, when the membrane is ruptured, there are formed sections of said membrane that remain all connected to an edge of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Dölling, Maximilian Bergmann, Alexander Gerstner, Werner Zengerle, Lorenz Seidl
  • Patent number: 6712388
    Abstract: A hybrid gas generator comprises an elongated cylindrical outer housing, and a pressure chamber that is filled with pressurized gas and that is closed off by a membrane provided on an end face of the pressure chamber. The gas generator further comprises a pyrotechnical propellant charge that is provided for opening the membrane and is accommodated in a preferably bushing-shaped propellant charge housing. The propellant charge housing is connected to the outer housing at a location outside of the pressure chamber and a longitudinal axis of the propellant charge housing extends at a right angle to a longitudinal axis of the outer housing. The generator also has an axial outflow opening situated at one axial end of the outer housing. The outer housing has a circumferential wall with a radial insertion opening for introducing the propellant charge housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Dölling, Lorenz Seidl, Maximilian Bergmann, Alexander Gerstner, Achim Hofmann, Anja Esau, Werner Zengerle, Jens Holzapfel, Nils Henning
  • Publication number: 20030057690
    Abstract: A hybrid gas generator comprises an elongated cylindrical outer housing, and a pressure chamber that is filled with pressurized gas and that is closed off by a membrane provided on an end face of the pressure chamber. The gas generator further comprises a pyrotechnical propellant charge that is provided for opening the membrane and is accommodated in a preferably bushing-shaped propellant charge housing. The propellant charge housing is connected to the outer housing at a location outside of the pressure chamber and a longitudinal axis of the propellant charge housing extends at a right angle to a longitudinal axis of the outer housing. The generator also has an axial outflow opening situated at one axial end of the outer housing. The outer housing has a circumferential wall with a radial insertion opening for introducing the propellant charge housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Dolling, Lorenz Seidl, Maximilian Bergmann, Alexander Gerstner, Achim Hofmann, Anja Esau, Werner Zengerle, Jens Holzapfel, Nils Henning
  • Publication number: 20030042720
    Abstract: A hybrid gas generator comprises a chamber that contains pressurized fluid and that is sealed off by a rupturable membrane, and a pyrotechnical propellant charge that ruptures the membrane when it is ignited. The gas generator further comprises a nozzle wall that is arranged between the propellant charge and the membrane and that has at least one passage opening through which combustion products generated upon ignition of said pyrotechnical propellant charge flow towards the membrane. The passage opening has such a shape and is oriented with respect to the membrane in such a way that, when the membrane is ruptured, there are formed sections of said membrane that remain all connected to an edge of the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Dolling, Maximilian Bergmann, Alexander Gerstner, Werner Zengerle, Lorenz Seidl