Patents by Inventor William F. McLeod, II

William F. McLeod, II 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).

  • Hybrid inflator having movable piston for releasing pressurized gas and conveying combustion products for ignition of secondary ignition material
    Patent number: 5273312
    Abstract: An inflator assembly inflates a vehicle occupant restraint. The inflator assembly includes a container in which gas is stored under pressure. An ignitable material is disposed within the container. An actuator assembly is provided to release the stored gas from the container and to ignite the ignitable material. The actuator assembly includes a pyrotechnic charge of ignitable material which burns to move a piston to rupture a portion of the container. A passage through the piston conducts a flow of combustion products resulting from ignition of the pyrotechnic charge of ignitable material to ignite the ignitable material within the container. During burning of the ignitable material, the gas in the container is heated to increase the fluid pressure in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Terrance J. Coultas, Pongdet P. Wipasuramonton, Craig M. Fischer, William F. McLeod, II, James R. Hocking, Douglas J. Rizzi