Patents by Inventor Sebastian Bierwirth

Sebastian Bierwirth 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).

  • Publication number: 20170001593
    Abstract: A gas generator (10) comprises an outer housing, which has at (east two housing parts (12), which are connected to each other, in the form of a diffuser bowl (14) with outflow openings (16) towards the outside and a cover (20) directly connected to the diffuser bowl (14). Inside the gas generator (10), at least one first and one second combustion chamber (30, 36) are provided, wherein the first combustion chamber (30) is delimited by an inner wall (32) and the second combustion chamber (36) is located within the space delimited by the diffuser bowl (14) and the cover (20). The diffuser bowl (14) and/or the cover (20) comprise a section (24) that is shaped, in particular deep-drawn, into an indentation, forming at least partially a circumferential section of the inner wall (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Fabien Cristoforetti, Dieter Sptizenberger
  • Patent number: 9511738
    Abstract: An inflator for a protective device in a vehicle includes a diffuser (10) forming a substantially rotation-symmetric external housing of the inflator with a closing member (12), wherein the diffuser (10) includes a plurality of discharge orifices (78) arranged in a row, and which are of circular shape. The inflator also includes a filter (46) and a combustion chamber component at least partially enclosing at least one of a combustion chamber (56) and a combustion chamber sleeve (60), wherein the filter (46) extends in a ring-shaped manner about the combustion chamber (56) and, at a position of its ring-shaped extension, includes a critical filter portion (120) which is closer to the combustion chamber component than the remaining filter areas situated at its ring-shaped extension, wherein the critical filter portion (120) has a reduced thickness compared to areas of the filter that are adjacent to the critical filter portion (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Achim Hofmann, Hans-Peter Neumayer, Dieter Spitzenberger, Hannes Nuiding, Thomas Schober, Josef Bommer, Tobias Breddermann, Dietmar Schwebel
  • Patent number: 9487183
    Abstract: A gas generator (10) comprises an outer housing, which has at least two housing parts (12), which are connected to each other, in the form of a diffuser bowl (14) with outflow openings (16) towards the outside and a cover (20) directly connected to the diffuser bowl (14). Inside the gas generator (10), at least one first and one second combustion chamber (30, 36) are provided, wherein the first combustion chamber (30) is delimited by an inner wall (32) and the second combustion chamber (36) is located within the space delimited by the diffuser bowl (14) and the cover (20). The diffuser bowl (14) and/or the cover (20) comprise a section (24) that is shaped, in particular deep-drawn, into an indentation, forming at least partially a circumferential section of the inner wall (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Fabien Cristoforetti, Dieter Spitzenberger
  • Patent number: 9452729
    Abstract: An inflator, especially for a protective device in a vehicle, includes a diffuser (10) which preferably forms a substantially rotation-symmetric external housing of the inflator with a closing member (12). The diffuser (10) includes more than 12, preferably more than 14, further preferably 23 discharge orifices (78) arranged in a row. Moreover, the inflator exhibits a plurality of further peculiarities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Achim Hofmann, Hans-Peter Neumayer, Dieter Spitzenberger, Hannes Nuiding, Thomas Schober, Josef Bommer, Tobias Breddermann, Dietmar Schwebel
  • Publication number: 20160052484
    Abstract: An inflator for a protective device in a vehicle includes a diffuser (10) forming a substantially rotation-symmetric external housing of the inflator with a closing member (12), wherein the diffuser (10) includes a plurality of discharge orifices (78) arranged in a row, and which are of circular shape. The inflator also includes a filter (46) and a combustion chamber component at least partially enclosing at least one of a combustion chamber (56) and a combustion chamber sleeve (60), wherein the filter (46) extends in a ring-shaped manner about the combustion chamber (56) and, at a position of its ring-shaped extension, includes a critical filter portion (120) which is closer to the combustion chamber component than the remaining filter areas situated at its ring-shaped extension, wherein the critical filter portion (120) has a reduced thickness compared to areas of the filter that are adjacent to the critical filter portion (120).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Achim Hofmann, Hans-Peter Neumayer, Dieter Spitzenberger, Hannes Nuiding, Thomas Schober, Josef Bommer, Tobias Breddermann, Dietmar Schwebel
  • Publication number: 20160052485
    Abstract: An inflator for a protective device in a vehicle includes a diffuser (10) forming a substantially rotation-symmetric external housing of the locator with a dosing member (12), wherein the diffuser (10) includes a plurality of discharge orifices (78) arranged in a row, and which are of circular shape. The inflator also includes a circumferential wall (18, 22) which surrounds a combustion chamber (44) and a filter (46) which extends at least partially along the wall (16, 22), wherein the wall (16, 22) has at least one supporting portion (124) which constitutes an axial support for the filter (46) and is integrally formed with the wall (16, 22), and wherein either plural supporting portions (124) are formed by embossed beads, the heads being spaced apart from each other in circumferential direction, and wherein a supporting portion (124) is formed by a completely circumferential embossed bead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Achim Hofmann, Hans-Peter Neumayer, Dieter Spitzenberger, Hannes Nuiding, Thomas Schober, Josef Bommer, Tobias Breddermann, Dietmar Schwebel
  • Publication number: 20160052482
    Abstract: An inflator for a protective device in a vehicle includes a diffuser (10) forming a substantially rotation-symmetric external housing of the inflator with a closing member (12), wherein the diffuser (10) includes a plurality of discharge orifices (78) arranged in a row, and which are of circular shape. The inflator also includes a combustion chamber sleeve (60) which at least partially encloses a combustion chamber (56) filled with fuel, wherein the combustion chamber sleeve (60) is designed such that it changes its shape by pressure formed during combustion of the fuel so as to release a discharge orifice (112) leading out of the combustion chamber (56) into a further combustion chamber (44) of the inflator, for a combustion gas formed during combustion of the fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Achim Hofmann, Hans-Peter Neumayer, Dieter Spitzenberger, Hannes Nuiding, Thomas Schober, Josef Bommer, Tobias Breddermann, Dietmar Schwebel
  • Publication number: 20160052483
    Abstract: An inflator for a protective device in a vehicle includes a diffuser (10) forming a substantially rotation-symmetric external housing of the inflator with a dosing member (12), wherein the diffuser (10) includes a plurality of discharge orifices (78) arranged in a row, and which are of circular shape. The inflator also includes an igniter sleeve (38) which at least partially encloses an igniter (34) and an igniter chamber (42) filled with a booster charge and is adjacent to a first combustion chamber (44) filled with fuel, wherein the igniter sleeve (38), related to a central axis B of the igniter sleeve (38), has overflow orifices (98) unevenly distributed in circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Achim Hofmann, Hans-Peter Neumayer, Dieter Spitzenberger, Hannes Nuiding, Thomas Schober, Josef Bommer, Tobias Breddermann, Dietmar Schwebel
  • Publication number: 20160016529
    Abstract: An inflator as well as a method of manufacturing an inflator, a module including an inflator and an airbag module. In an inflator, especially for a protective device. In a vehicle, comprising plural components a sealant is applied in the area of abutting components, especially a sealant which adheres to both abutting components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Achim Hofmann, Hans-Peter Neumayer, Dieter Spitzenberger, Franz Fuerstenberger, Hannes Nuiding, Dieter Leier, Georg Schoenhuber, Joerg Friedrich
  • Patent number: 9139156
    Abstract: An inflator as well as a method of manufacturing an inflator, a module including an inflator and an airbag module. In an inflator, especially for a protective device in a vehicle, comprising plural components a sealant is applied in the area of abutting components, especially a sealant which adheres to both abutting components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: TRW AIRBAG SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Achim Hofmann, Hans-Peter Neumayer, Dieter Spitzenberger, Franz Fuerstenberger, Hannes Nuiding, Dieter Leier, Georg Schoenhuber, Joerg Friedrich
  • Publication number: 20130200600
    Abstract: An inflator, especially for a protective device in a vehicle, includes a diffuser (10) which preferably forms a substantially rotation-symmetric external housing of the inflator with a closing member (12). The diffuser (10) includes more than 12, preferably more than 14, further preferably 23 discharge orifices (78) arranged in a row. Moreover, the inflator exhibits a plurality of further peculiarities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: TRW Airbag Systems Gmbh
    Inventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Achim Hofmann, Hans-Peter Neumayer, Dieter Spitzenberger, Hannes Nuiding, Thomas Schober, Josef Bommer, Tobias Breddermann, Dietmar Schwebel
  • Publication number: 20110221176
    Abstract: A gas generator (10) comprises an outer housing, which has at least two housing parts (12), which are connected to each other, in the form of a diffuser bowl (14) with outflow openings (16) towards the outside and a cover (20) directly connected to the diffuser bowl (14). Inside the gas generator (10), at least one first and one second combustion chamber (30, 36) are provided, wherein the first combustion chamber (30) is delimited by an inner wall (32) and the second combustion chamber (36) is located within the space delimited by the diffuser bowl (14) and the cover (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Fabien Cristoforetti, Dleter Spitzenberger
  • Publication number: 20110101651
    Abstract: An inflator as well as a method of manufacturing an inflator, a module including an inflator and an airbag module. In an inflator, especially for a protective device in a vehicle, comprising plural components a sealant is applied in the area of abutting components, especially a sealant which adheres to both abutting components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Achim Hofmann, Hans-Peter Neumayer, Dieter Spitzenberger, Franz Fuerstenberger, Hannes Nuiding, Dieter Leier, Georg Schoenhuber, Joerg Friedrich
  • Patent number: 7540241
    Abstract: A gas generator includes a generator housing (12), an igniter device mounting opening (18) which has an edge (22), an igniter device and a booster chamber (24) having a peripheral wall (26). The igniter device has a prefabricated igniter (16) sealed off towards the exterior, a booster charge (23) adjoining the igniter (16) and an injected plastic base (20). The edge (22) of the igniter device mounting opening (18) for fastening the igniter device to the generator housing (12) is embedded in the injected plastic base (20) during injecting. Connectors (14) leading to the igniter (16) are embedded into the plastic base (20) during injecting and the plastic base (20) continues in one piece into the booster chamber (24) by forming a peripheral wall (26) of the booster chamber (24) which the booster charge (23) directly adjoins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Sebastian Bierwirth
  • Publication number: 20080022880
    Abstract: A gas generator, especially for a vehicle safety system, has a pyrotechnical igniter unit (22) and a holder (14) for the igniter unit (22). The igniter unit (22) is attached to the holder (14) in that the igniter unit (22) and the holder (14) are encapsulated together by one of injection molding and foaming of a plastic. The holder (14) has at least one passage opening (30, 38) for the plastic during the encapsulation by one of injection molding and foaming, the at least one opening being configured in such a way as to create a form-fitting anti-twist protection between the plastic (34) and the holder (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Hans-Peter Neumayer, Dieter Spitzenberger
  • Patent number: 7240916
    Abstract: A gas generator includes a housing, which has outflow openings for outflowing gas, and at least one destructible insulation foil which in a non-activated state of the gas generator closes at least one of the outflow opening so as to be moisture-tight. The insulation foil has a varying thickness. The varying thickness is provided by at least one thermally insulating foil layer with a varying thickness, which lies over a base layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Achim Hofmann, Karsten Schwuchow
  • Patent number: 7152321
    Abstract: A gas generator housing part is produced of a thin-walled tube having a wall thickness which amounts to a maximum of 10% of a tube external diameter and a minimum tensile strength which amounts to at least approximately 800 N/mm2, and a connecting piece having an external diameter which amounts to between 15% and 40% of the tube external diameter. After aligning the connecting piece radially to the tube such that an end face of the connecting piece faces an outer face of the tube, the tube and the connecting piece are joined by friction welding. A maximum welding time amounts to less than 1 second, preferably less than 0.3 second and a friction depth amounts to less than 80% of the wall thickness of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Karsten Schwuchow, Achim Hofmann, Thomas Kapfelsperger
  • Patent number: 7147249
    Abstract: A gas generator comprises an elongated outer housing (10) that has end faces and a side wall, at least three stages (12, 14, 16; 112, 114, 116, 118) which can be activated independently of each other, and for each stage (12, 14, 16; 112, 114, 116, 118) an associated igniter unit (32, 34, 36; 132, 134, 136, 138). The igniter units (32, 34, 36; 132, 134, 136, 138) are mounted laterally to the side wall of the outer housing (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Hofmann, Sebastian Bierwirth, Karsten Schwuchow
  • Patent number: 7137339
    Abstract: A gas generator comprises an elongated, preferably tubular outer housing (10), at least one combustion chamber (26, 28) provided therein and filled with a solid propellant (30; 30?), and at least one igniter unit (16, 18) generating ignition gas for igniting the solid propellant (30; 30?). The igniter unit (16, 18) is arranged laterally and externally on the outer housing (10) in such a way and, in relation to the outer housing (10), a preferably radial ignition transfer opening (50, 58) is provided in the outer housing so that ignition gas generated in the igniter unit (16, 18) flows into the interior of the outer housing (10) via the ignition transfer 1 openings (50, 58).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Karsten Schwuchow, Rolf Ruckdeschel
  • Publication number: 20060254454
    Abstract: A gas generator includes a generator housing (12), an igniter device mounting opening (18) which has an edge (22), an igniter device and a booster chamber (24) having a peripheral wall (26). The igniter device has a prefabricated igniter (16) sealed off towards the exterior, a booster charge (23) adjoining the igniter (16) and an injected plastic base (20). The edge (22) of the igniter device mounting opening (18) for fastening the igniter device to the generator housing (12) is embedded in the injected plastic base (20) during injecting. Connectors (14) leading to the igniter (16) are embedded into the plastic base (20) during injecting and the plastic base (20) continues in one piece into the booster chamber (24) by forming a peripheral wall (26) of the booster chamber (24) which the booster charge (23) directly adjoins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventor: Sebastian Bierwirth