Abstract: An inflator (10) comprises a housing (20) defining first and second combustion chambers (100, 120). A first inflation fluid source (140) in the first combustion chamber (100) is actuatable to effect flow of inflation fluid. A first initiator (112) in the housing (20), when energized, effects actuation of the first inflation fluid source (140). A second inflation fluid source (150) in the second combustion chamber (120) is actuatable to effect flow of inflation fluid. A second initiator (124) in the housing (20), when energized, effects actuation of the second inflation fluid source (150). The housing (20) deforms due to the pressure of inflation fluid in the housing upon actuation of one or both of the inflation fluid sources (140, 150). The housing (20), after deforming, has a fluid passage (90) for directing flow of inflation fluid out of the housing. The flow area of the fluid passage (90) varies in accordance with the pressure of inflation fluid in the housing (20).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) comprises an inflator housing (20) including first and second end walls (32, 62). An inflation fluid source (140) in the inflator housing (20) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid under pressure. An igniter assembly (80) in the inflator housing (20), for actuating the inflation fluid source (140), includes an igniter housing (82) located between the first and second end walls (62, 32) of the inflator housing and an igniter (92) located in the igniter housing. The first and second end walls (62, 32) of the inflator housing (20) move away from each other upon actuation of the inflation fluid source (140). The igniter housing (82) moves with the second end wall (62) away from the first end wall (32). The igniter assembly (80) further includes a cap (100) on the igniter housing (82) for closing an open end of the igniter housing.

Abstract: An inflator (10) comprises a housing (20) defining first and second combustion chambers (100, 120). A first inflation fluid source (140) in the first combustion chamber (100) is actuatable to effect flow of inflation fluid. A first initiator (12) in the housing (20), when energized, effects actuation of the first inflation fluid source (140). A second inflation fluid source (150) in the second combustion chamber (120) is actuatable to effect flow of inflation fluid. A second initiator (124) in the housing (20), when energized, effects actuation of the second inflation fluid source (150). The housing (20) deforms due to the pressure of inflation fluid in the housing upon actuation of one or both of the inflation fluid sources (140, 150). The housing (20), after deforming, has a fluid passage (90) for directing flow of inflation fluid out of the housing. The flow area of the fluid passage (90) varies in accordance with the pressure of inflation fluid in the housing (20).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) comprises a container (14) defining a chamber (40). The container (14) has a portion (36) which is rupturable to form an opening in the container. A quantity of inflation fluid (42) is stored under pressure in the chamber (40). An electrically actuatable initiator (50) is connected with the container (14) for rupturing the rupturable portion (36) of the container to enable flow of inflation fluid (42) out of the inflator (10). The initiator (50) comprises an ignitable primary charge (90) and electrically energizable means (60) for igniting the primary charge. The initiator (50) further comprises a secondary charge (100) ignitable by the primary charge (90). The secondary charge (100) comprises an ignitable metal in solid form which liquefies when ignited by the primary charge (90).

Abstract: An inflator (10) for providing inflation fluid to inflate an inflatable device includes a container (12) containing a stored pressurized gas. The container (12) has a primary chamber (24) and a secondary chamber (26). The container (12) has a wall (32) separating the primary and secondary chambers (24, 26). An orifice (34) communicates the primary chamber (24) with the secondary chamber (26). The container (12) has an outlet passage (42) communicating with the secondary chamber (26). The flow area of the outlet passage (42) is greater than the flow area of the orifice (34). A member (46) has a first condition blocking flow through the outlet passage (42) and a second condition permitting flow through the outlet passage. An initiator (52) causes the member (46) to assume the second condition so as to permit flow from the secondary chamber (26) through the outlet passage (42) and create a pressure differential between the primary and secondary chambers (24, 26) acting on the wall (32).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) comprises an inflator structure (14) defining a primary chamber (18), a secondary chamber (48), a primary outlet (50) for enabling fluid flow from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber, and a secondary outlet (70) for directing fluid flow from the secondary chamber to the inflatable device. A primary burst disk (60) extends across the primary outlet (50). The primary burst disk (60) is rupturable in response to the pressure differential across the primary burst disk exceeding a first predetermined pressure differential. A secondary burst disk (80) extends across the secondary outlet (70) and is rupturable in response to the pressure differential across the secondary burst disk exceeding a second predetermined pressure differential. Inflation fluid (20) is stored at a first pressure in the primary chamber (18).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflator structure (12) and a pyrotechnic initiator (80). The inflator structure (12) defines an inflation fluid pressure chamber (15), and includes a closure structure (44) which closes the chamber (15). The closure structure (44) has a rupturable portion (48). A first body of pyrotechnic material (54) is mounted on the rupturable portion (48) of the closure structure (44). The initiator (80) is mounted on the inflator structure (12) separately from the first body of pyrotechnic material (54), and contains a second body of pyrotechnic material (88). When the second body of pyrotechnic material (88) is ignited, it produces combustion products that ignite the first body of pyrotechnic material (54).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) includes a housing (16, 40) defining a chamber (30). An actuatable inflation fluid source (80) in the chamber (30) provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable device (12). A body of plastic material (50) is supported on the housing (40). An electrically energizable initiator (90), when energized, causes inflation fluid to flow from the chamber (30). A retainer (120) mounts the initiator (90) to the housing (40). The retainer (120) has a first portion (130) engaging the initiator (90) and securing the initiator to the retainer. The retainer (120) has a second portion (132) engaging the body of plastic material (50) and securing the retainer to the body of plastic material.

Abstract: An inflator (10) comprises a housing (20) defining a combustion chamber (144). An inflation fluid source (152) in the combustion chamber (144) in the housing (20) is actuatable to provide inflation fluid under pressure. An initiator (94) is provided in the housing (20) for actuating the inflation fluid source (152). The housing (20) has a fluid passage (150) for directing flow of inflation fluid out of the housing. The housing (20) deforms due to the pressure of inflation fluid in the housing upon actuation of the inflation fluid source (152) by the initiator (94). The flow area of the fluid passage (150) increases due to deformation of the housing (20) and varies in accordance with the pressure of inflation fluid in the housing upon actuation of the inflation fluid source (152).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) and an inflator (20) for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device. The inflator (20) has a wall (32) defining a chamber (40) in the inflator. Inflation fluid is stored at a predetermined pressure in the chamber (40). The apparatus (10) further comprises a first device (102) for generating electrical energy. The first device (102) is located in the chamber (40). A second device (106, 108) senses a change in the predetermined pressure and transmits a signal indicative of the change in the predetermined pressure through the wall (32). The second device (106, 108) is located inside the chamber (40) and is electrically connected to the first device (102). A third device (122, 124) senses the signal. The third device (122, 124) is located outside of the chamber (40).