Abstract: An inflator device for an inflatable cushion restraint system. The inflator device includes a housing at least in part defining a chamber containing a stored gas. The housing includes a first outlet orifice and a second outlet orifice. A first rupturable seal is disposed over the first outlet orifice and a second rupturable seal is disposed over the second outlet orifice. The second outlet orifice is a pressure release orifice for releasing the pressurized gas upon unanticipated elevated temperatures, such as during bonfire conditions. A plug is disposed in the second outlet orifice. The plug includes a low melting temperature material adjacent the second rupturable seal. The low melting temperature material melts at or below an auto-ignition temperature of the inflator device to allow the second rupturable seal to rupture to vent the pressurized stored gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas generator for a motor vehicle safety device. The generator includes at least a combustion chamber and a gas tank. The combustion chamber contains a pyrotechnic initiator and pyrotechnic charge for generating gas and including at least one oxidizing material. Combustion of the charge is triggered by the initiator. The gas tank is closed towards the combustion chamber by a capsule. The capsule is suitable for giving way during combustion of the charge in order to release the gas from the tank and exhaust it towards the outside. The combustion chamber contains a metal charge of at least one metal. The metal charge is distinct from the pyrotechnic charge.

Abstract: A gas generator, including an igniter, a gas generating agent ignited by the igniter and generating gas by burning, and a holder and an AC cup forming therein a gas generating agent storage chamber filled with the gas generating agent. A housing formed of the holder and the AC cup is vertically held and fixed by a pair of plate-like members arranged parallel with each other. The gas generator also includes projections forming deformable areas which are deformed in a direction for decreasing the vertical outside dimensions of the gas generator when the housing is fixed by the pair of plate-like members. Thus, when the gas generator is fixed by the pair of plate-like members in the vertical direction, the dispersion of the outside dimensions of the gas generator can be absorbed.

Abstract: An initiator assembly for an inflator device. The initiator assembly includes an initiator. The initiator has an initiator cup at least in part defining a storage chamber containing at least one reactive charge and has at least one electrical connector in reaction initiating communication with the at least one reactive charge. The initiator assembly also includes an initiator retainer element connected to the initiator and a connector socket. The initiator retainer element is adapted to be disposed on a first side of a wall of the inflator device and the connector socket is adapted to be disposed on a second side of the wall opposite the first side. The initiator assembly is adapted to snap-lock to the inflator device.

Abstract: A gas generator for an air bag, includes: a housing having a gas discharging hole; an ignition unit activated upon an impact, the ignition unit including at least one igniter and at least one transfer charge, the transfer charge being a mixture of a transfer charge power and a gas generating agent molded article, and the gas generating agent molded article generates a gas of at least 1.2 moles/100 g; and a combustion chamber accommodating a gas generating agent which is ignited and burnt to generate a combustion gas.

Abstract: A gas generator has a propellant charge and an early ignition device held loosely in the propellant charge. The early ignition device consists of an early ignition charge and an enclosure surrounding the early ignition charge. The enclosure is at least one foil wrapped around the early ignition charge. The outer edges of the foil, lying one over another, are connected with each other to close the enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator comprising: a housing including a diffuser shell provided with a gas discharge port and a closure shell, a cylindrical filter disposed inside the housing, a first combustion chamber defined inside the cylindrical filter and a second combustion chamber defined inside the first combustion chamber; the first combustion chamber having an enhancer chamber and a first gas generating agent stored outside the enhancer chamber, the enhancer chamber, being defined by an enhancer chamber cup member and accommodating therein a first ignition device for igniting and combusting the first gas generating agent, an enhancer cup member having, in the peripheral surface thereof, an enhancer hole for communicating the enhancer chamber with the first combustion chamber during activation; the second combustion chamber having a through-hole for communicating the second combustion chamber with the first combustion chamber during activation, the second combustion chamber being surroun

Abstract: A gas generator, in particular for a vehicle occupant restraint system, has a pyrotechnical propellant (16), a combustion chamber (12) filled with the pyrotechnical propellant (16), an igniter (14) associated with the combustion chamber (12), a pressure chamber (18), filled with compressed gas, which is adjacent to the combustion chamber (12) and has a first opening (22) remote from the combustion chamber (12) closed by a first diaphragm (26), the diaphragm (26) being destroyed upon activation of the igniter (14), and a second pressure chamber (28) which is filled with compressed gas and has a second opening (34) closed by a second diaphragm (36).

Abstract: A gas generator including a plug (24) having a header part (45) and two or more electrode pins (22, 23), a thin-film bridge (25) having electrode pads (41, 42), and a squib (10) in which upon supply of electric current to the thin-film bridge (25) via the electrode pins (22, 23), the thin-film bridge (25) is activated to ignite ignition materials (26, 27), wherein the thin-film bridge (25) is arranged into a hollow (32) prepared at the plug (24) in such a manner that the thin-film bridge (25) is kept approximately on a level with the head (35) of the electrode pins (22, 23) and the header part (45) of the plug (24), the thin-film bridge (25) is connected by wire bonding to the electrode pins (22, 23) at the electrode pad parts (41, 42), and at least either of the electrode pad (41) or (42) of the thin-film bridge (25) is connected by the wire bonding to a metal part of the header part (45) of the plug (24).

Abstract: A gas generator (10) is provided, comprising an initiator (48) including an initiator charge, a gas generant insert (52) spaced apart from the initiator (48), and a fluid-impermeable blast director (42) interposed between the initiator (48) and the gas generant insert (52). The blast director (42) provides a barrier between the gas generant insert (52) and a blast resulting from ignition of the initiator charge when the initiator charge is ignited. The blast director (42), when used with particular gas generant configurations, reduces the effects of the initiator blast and reduces the amount of gas generant exposed to the blast, enabling the structural integrity of the gas generant (52) to be maintained.

Abstract: A gas generator (10) includes an igniter (27) and first and second inflation gas generant compositions (52, 52?) positioned to enable fluid communication with the igniter (27) upon activation of the igniter. Flow regulators (54, 54?) are provided to regulate a flow of combustion products from the igniter (27) to the first and second inflation gas generant compositions (52, 52?), to correspondingly regulate a time period between activation of the igniter (27) and initiation of combustion of the first and second inflation gas generant compositions (52, 52?). In another aspect, the gas generator (10) includes a modular baffle system (70) including a first baffle chamber (71) in fluid communication with an inflation gas generant combustion chamber (50) for receiving therein combustion products from combustion of an inflation gas generant (52) positioned in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A gas generator has a combustion chamber containing a pyrotechnic propellant charge and a biasing unit biasing the propellant charge. A holding device is provided, which holds the biasing unit in a predetermined, fixed, compressed position and which is designed to be releasable, so as to selectively release the biasing unit, so that it arrives at a release position in which it exerts a biasing force on the propellant charge.

Abstract: An initiator is incorporated in an inflator in order to trigger the inflator through propagation of flame from an initiating explosive to a gas generator of the inflator. The initiator includes a closed-bottomed tubular capsule for accommodating the initiating explosive. A tubular portion of the capsule includes a plurality of rupture-accelerating means (grooves each having a V-shaped cross section) for accelerating rupture upon ignition of the initiating explosive, whereby flame propagates from the initiating explosive to the gas generator of the inflator along a plurality of directions.

Abstract: A gas generating system (10) including a baffle system for cooling a gas generated by the gas generating system. The baffle system (40) includes a first enclosure and a second enclosure (80) spaced apart from a wall (14) of the first enclosure to define a first fluid flow passage (86) extending between the second enclosure (80) and the wall (14). The second enclosure (80) defines a baffle chamber (92) therein. The second enclosure (80) also includes at least one opening (94) for enabling fluid communication between a gas source and the second enclosure baffle chamber (92), and at least one opening (96) for enabling fluid communication between the second enclosure baffle chamber (92) and the first fluid flow passage (86). A third enclosure (32) is also provided spaced apart from the wall (14) of the first enclosure to define a second fluid flow passage (98) extending between the third enclosure (32) and the wall (14).

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).

Abstract: An actuator device for actuating a supply of gas generant material in an airbag inflator device. The actuator includes an initiator cup having a cup side wall, an end wall at a first end of the cup side wall, and a cup open end at a second end of the cup side wall opposite the end wall. A header body is connected to the initiator cup at the second end of the cup side wall. The header body and the initiator cup define a storage chamber. A radial discharge charge holder is disposed within the storage chamber and adjacent the header body. The charge holder includes a charge holder side wall substantially parallel to at least a portion of the cup side wall, a charge holder open end disposed toward the initiator cup end wall, and at least one discharge opening disposed in the charge holder side wall. The actuator device includes an inner canister with at least a portion of the inner canister disposed over the charge holder open end to define a charge holder chamber.

Abstract: A gas generating system (10) includes a housing (12) having a longitudinal axis (A) and a pair of baffle tubes (22, 24) positioned within the housing (12). The baffle tubes each have a pair of opposed ends. At least a pair of opposed longitudinally aligned surfaces (62, 64) is formed within the housing (12) proximate the ends of the housing. Each of the surfaces (62, 64) is sloped with respect to the housing longitudinal axis (A) and abuts a corresponding end of one of the baffle tubes (22, 24) to position the baffle tubes within the housing (12) such that longitudinal axes of the first baffle tube (22) and the second baffle tube (24) are both substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis (A) of the housing (12). Abutment between the sloped surfaces (62, 64) and the baffle tubes (22, 24) during assembly of the gas generating system provides an efficient means of automatically centering the baffle tubes (22, 24) within the housing (12), thereby easing assembly of the gas generating system.

Abstract: An initiator includes an initiator main body, a connecting portion attached to the initiator main body, and a harness for distributing power connected to the initiator main body via the connecting portion. A hooking portion is attached to the initiator main body. The hooking portion hooks a middle portion of the harness in an extending direction.

Abstract: An igniter assembly includes an igniter, a substantially cylindrical collar for holding the igniter, and resin for joining the igniter to the collar. The collar has a cylindrical main body, a collar portion provided inward at the inner circumferential surface of the main body, and a cylindrical surrounding wall portion which extends from one end of the main body in the axial direction of the main body. A groove is formed in a radial surface of the collar portion at the side of the surrounding wall portion. The resin is filled between the igniter and the inner circumferential surface and the radial surface of the internal hole of the collar portion and the inside of the surrounding wall portion so as to fill in the groove. The collar is easily manufactured, and the igniter assembly prevents a gap from being generated due to shrinkage of resin.

Abstract: Inflator with improved reliability wherein charge holder 37 that gives directivity to a detonation wave generated due to combustion of priming 36 is provided to igniter 26, thereby promoting rupture of plate 19. Diffuser portion 320 is connected in the opening portion side of housing 312, and gas discharging port 340 is connected to diffuser portion 320. Diffuser portion 520 is connected in the opening portion side of inflator housing 512, and gas discharging port 540 is connected to diffuser portion 520. Outflow directions of the pressurized media within each gas discharging port 340, 540 and each respective axial direction of inflator housings 312, 512 are coincident with each other at actuation.

Abstract: An inflator includes a housing and a gas source material enclosed in a rupturable container in the housing. The gas source material is adapted to undergo decomposition to form an inflation gas. A reactant material is adapted to react with the gas source material to produce decomposition thereof, and is positioned in a cavity extending between a housing outer wall and an enclosure positioned within the housing. The container and an expandable bladder are positioned in the enclosure. Ignition of a propellant within the bladder generates combustion gases, thereby expanding the bladder. Bladder expansion forces portions of the container into openings formed along the enclosure, thereby stressing and rupturing the portions of the container in the openings and releasing gas source material to flow through the openings into the cavity, where it reacts with the catalyst to produce inflation gas.

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.

Abstract: A one-piece initiator device including an end closure having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The end closure forming a passage between the first end portion and the second end portion. A squib is at least partially positioned within the passage. A canister is mounted to the squib and extends outwardly from the end closure first end portion. The canister defines a charge chamber having a reactive charge disposed within the charge chamber. A permeable fill material is disposed within the passage and joins the squib to the end closure to form the one-piece initiator device. The permeable fill material insulates the squib from electrical contact with the end closure and provides a controlled gas flow path through the one-piece initiator device.

Abstract: An initiator assembly for an inflator device having at least one inflator device mating lug. The initiator assembly includes an initiator having an initiator cup at least in part defining a storage chamber containing a reactive charge. The initiator also includes at least one electrical connector in reaction initiating communication with the reactive charge. The initiator assembly has a molded body fitting over at least a portion of the initiator. The molded body includes at least one locking flange that is adapted to lockingly engage the at least one inflator device mating lug.

Abstract: A gas generator (24; 140) may be used in an inflatable member system (20) which includes an inflatable member (22) expandable from a stowed condition to a deployed condition. The generator may include a flexible container (30; 150) within the inflatable member, a gas generant (28; 148), initially located within the flexible container, and an initiator (34). A propagating member (60; 142) may be located within the container to permit the initiator to initiate the generant upon triggering of the initiator to inflate the inflatable member from stowed to deployed conditions. A sustainer (44; 152; 156) may be provided to sustain the gas generation and may be positioned within a generator housing upstream of the propagating member or at or adjacent the downstream end of the propagating member.

Abstract: An inflator device including a housing defining a storage chamber and a supply of gas generant material disposed within the storage chamber. The inflator device includes an initiator assembly having an initiator in actuating communication with the supply of gas generant material. A moisture barrier member is disposed between the initiator assembly and the supply of gas generant material. The moisture barrier member acts to prevent moisture transmission from the initiator assembly to the supply of gas generant material. Upon actuation of the initiator, however, the moisture barrier member ruptures to permit reaction initiating communication between the initiator and at least a portion of the supply of gas generant material contained within the inflator device.

Abstract: An inflator includes a distributed charge to be distributed within an inflatable component of an inflatable system and a housing. The housing includes a combustion chamber and a gas storage chamber. The combustion chamber includes an initiator and a gas propellant. The gas storage chamber includes an inert gas at a high pressure. The housing also includes a gas nozzle. The distributed charge is connected to the housing through the gas nozzle. The distributed charge may be mechanically joined to the housing by a ferrule. Upon receiving an electrical signal from a crash sensor or other activator, the initiator ignites the gas propellant in the combustion chamber. The hot gas and hot particles from the burning gas propellant and the initiator flow into the gas storage chamber and heat the compressed inert gas in the gas storage chamber. The heated, compressed gas in the gas storage chamber flows through the gas nozzle and ignites the distributed charge.

Abstract: A hybrid gas generator for use in an occupant restraint system for vehicles comprises a pressure chamber (10), a combustion chamber (14) delimited by a combustion chamber wall (16) and containing a pyrotechnic charge (12), and a passage element (20) arranged between the pyrotechnic charge and the pressure chamber. For a form-fitting securing of the passage element (20) on the combustion chamber wall (16), the passage element (20) and the combustion chamber wall (16) have at least in part a conical shape. On the side facing the pyrotechnic charge (12), the passage element (20) has a collar (38) which acts as a spacer between the passage element (20) and the pyrotechnic charge (12).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for making the combustion of a pyrotechnic compostion independent of the ambient temperature when combusting a pyrotechnic composition in a preinflator or combustion chamber (2) incorporating outlets but being otherwise enclosed. As claimed in the present invention this is enabled by controlling the burning pressure of the pyrotechnic composition so that it does not exceed a predetermined value. The characteristic feature of the present invention is that the preinflator (2), in which combustion of the pyrotechnic composition takes place, incorporates a plurality of gas discharge perforations (6–9) or outlets, each of which is initially sealed by a bursting disc or foil seal (10) that is designed to rupture when the said burning pressure in the combustion chamber (2) is exceeded.

Abstract: An inflatable system includes an inflatable component and an distributed charge inflator disposed in the inflatable component. The distributed charge inflator includes a first charge for generating inflating gas and a housing body connected to the first charge. The housing body includes an initiator and a second charge that has relatively long burn time. Upon receiving a signal from a sensor, the initiator ignites the first charge and the second charge simultaneously. The first charge inflates the inflatable component and the second charge sustains the inflation of the inflatable component.

Abstract: An igniter includes: an igniter assembly including an igniter main body having an ignition portion adapted to be ignited by an ignition electric current; an igniter collar which accommodates the igniter main body; a cup body having an opening portion, the igniter assembly and the cup body being connected to each other, such that at least the ignition portion of the igniter main body is surrounded by the cup body; and a tubular crimp case that connects and fastens at least a part of an exterior surface of the igniter collar and at least a part of an exterior surface of the cup body from an outside.

Abstract: An airbag module has an inflator activated via an electrical connector. The inflator includes an initiation assembly having an initiator and a receptacle that retains the connector. The initiator may have a single, center pin. The initiator may be encased by a body and cover, which may be attached together by molding, vibratory welding, electromagnetic welding, or snap fitting. The connector may have projections that extend from a main body to facilitate retention of the connector by a collar, washer, a retainer attached to the body, or by the inflator housing. The body may be seated in a collar having an annular ridge that presses into the body to form a seal. The connector may have a rib designed to mesh with splines of the receptacle to enable engagement of the connector with the receptacle in multiple orientations, while preventing relative rotation between the connector and the initiator after assembly.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic initiator is provided with an encapsulation material retention feature on the output can rather than on the header assembly. For example, the bottom of the output can of the pyrotechnic initiator may be swaged over the bottom of the header assembly and/or it may be stamped with anchors.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic initiator having an internal sleeve that facilitates the loading and durable retention of a pyrotechnic charge in place on the header surface within the initiator. The sleeve beneficially retains the charge either in conjunction with the upper interior surface of the charge can, or through the use of a monolithic charge and a narrowed top end of the sleeve.

Abstract: A gas generator comprises a tubular housing of a pressure-resistant material and a propellant strand incorporated in the housing. The propellant strand is provided with an envelope surrounding the propellant strand. The envelope is dimensionally stable and substantially rests against the entire outer surface of the propellant strand. The envelope is formed such that in the case of an increase in pressure it expands and rests against the inner surface of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention is an inflator with an improved reliability wherein a charge holder 37 for giving directivity to an detonation wave generated due to combustion of a priming 36 is provided to an igniter 26, thereby promoting rupture of a rupturable plate 19. A cross-shaped notch is applied to a surface of the rupturable plate 19, and when the rupturable plate 19 receives a rupture pressure from the igniter 26, four portions of the rupturable plate lap so that the outflow of the pressurized medium can be secured and fragments cannot be made. An inflator housing 12 and a diffuser 20 are connected by screwing a male screw portion on an outer surface of the end portion in the inflator housing 12 into a female screw portion on an inner surface of the end portion in the diffuser portion 20. An existing gas cylinder can be used in this method. A diffuser portion 320 is connected in the opening portion side of a housing 312, and a gas discharging port 340 is connected to the diffuser portion 320.

Abstract: Inflation apparatuses and methods are provided wherein a hydrocarbon-containing inflation gas-producing mixture is formed via the fluid extraction of the hydrocarbon from a substrate material.

Abstract: The air bag inflator employs an injection piston assembly in which liquid propellant is delivered through nozzles in the injection piston to the combustion chamber. Metering of the liquid propellant is accomplished in a manner that is not sensitive to changes in ambient temperatures. A plug is slidably mounted between the propellant chamber and the nozzles to prevent flashback at startup. The plug is pushed forwardly to expose the nozzles to the propellant chamber in response to a predetermined pressure in the propellant chamber. A plug may also be fitted into each nozzle to be expelled into the combustion chamber upon opening of the nozzle. A tape may also be provided over the outlet of the nozzle to prevent flashback into the propellant chamber.

Abstract: The variable output inflator includes an injection piston assembly containing a liquid propellant chamber from which liquid propellant is injected through one or more nozzles in the injection piston into a combustion chamber. The movement of the injection piston is controlled by a magnetic control unit employing an annular gap through which the MR fluid flows in a controlled manner. The inflator is of cylindrical type and may be made of small compact dimensions.

Abstract: An inflatable system includes a first charge distributed within an inflatable component and a housing body connected to the first charge including a second charge and an initiator. Upon receiving a signal from a sensor, the initiator ignites the first charge and the second charge simultaneously. The first charge inflates the inflatable component and the second charge sustains the inflation.

Abstract: A gas generator comprises a container (12) filled with a pressurized fluid (14) and having an outflow opening (16), and a piston (20; 120) which is displaceably arranged in the container (12). The piston has a shutter opening (22; 122) dividing the container (12) into a first chamber (24) and a second chamber (26), the first and second chambers (24, 26) being filled with the fluid (14). The piston (20; 120) on activation of the gas generator (10; 100) and when the outflow opening (16) has been opened, is moved by a pressure prevailing in the second chamber (26) from a predetermined initial position (AP) in the direction towards the outflow opening (16) into an end position (EP) in which the end volume of the first chamber (24) is significantly reduced compared with the start volume of the first chamber (24). There is also proposed a method of operating such gas generator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a gas generator having two or more compartments, each with a separate initiator, with one compartment discharging before another, i.e., the compartments discharge sequentially. Each compartment has the same propellants, but the propellants have different geometries in each compartment, which results in different rates of gas evolution from each compartment. The new gas generator is designed to reach maximum inflation at the same time as the current, single stage gas generators. However, the new generator has a more rapid initial inflation, followed by a more gradual inflation rate in the subsequent stages, improving safety to occupants. The propellant used in new generator comprises (1) ammonium nitrate as the oxidizer, which is less toxic and corrosive than the currently-used azide, (2) a fuel such as CL-20, and (3) a binder such as polycaprolactone. No hot metal particles (e.g., CuO) are generated in the new system.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a vehicle occupant protection device (14) and a gas generating material (18). The gas generating material (18), when ignited, produces a combustion gas that actuates the vehicle occupant protection device (14). The gas generating material (18) comprises a single-base nitrocellulose composition that includes greater than 2%, by weight of the single-base composition, stabilizer. The stabilizer is a urea of an aromatic amine.

Abstract: A dual stage hybrid inflation device includes a pressure switch that prevents the second stage pyrotechnic gas generator from being initiated when the additional heat and gas would overpressurize the first stage pressure vessel. As the pressurized gas stored in the first stage pressure vessel escapes the first stage pressure vessel, the pressure in the first stage pressure vessel drops. If the pressure in the first stage pressure vessel drops below the threshold pressure of the pressure switch, the pressure switch closes allowing the voltage signal to reach the pyrotechnic gas generator thereby initiating the second stage gas source. In an alternative embodiment, the pressure transducer is replaced by a pressure transducer or a temperature transducer and timing circuit.

Abstract: An inflator for an air bag has, in a housing having a gas discharging port, a combustion chamber accommodating a molded article of a gas generating composition which is burnt to generate gas and ignition means to ignite the molded article of a gas generating composition. The molded article contains a metal component and meets the requirement: (A) the (theoretical) combustion flame temperature of the molded article of the gas generating composition is 2000° C. or less, and part or the whole of the metal or metal oxide after combustion of the molded article of the gas generating composition has a melting point not lower than the combustion flame temperature; and (B) bulk combustion residues remain in the combustion chamber at the time of combustion of the molded article of the gas generating composition.

Abstract: A dual stage invention is designed to autoignite an autoignition material before a low temperature gas generant melts. Low temperature gas generants include a high nitrogen content organic fuel with ammonium nitrate as the oxidizer. The dual stage inflator has a first gas generant and a second gas generant that are ignited by separate igniters. The first gas generant and the second gas generant are insulated from the inflator housing to delay the heat transfer from the housing to the first gas generant and second gas generant during a bonfire test, which needs to be passed to receive Department of Transportation classification. The dual stage inflator also has an autoignition cartridge for disposing of the second gas generant by the first gas generant after the first gas generant burns for a predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: A pyrotechnical actuator has a cylindrical housing surrounding a hollow chamber and a piston movably supported in the cylindrical housing. A piston rod is connected to the piston. A detonator is arranged within the hollow chamber and configured to produce a quantity of gas for moving the piston from an initial position in the cylindrical housing into an end position. The piston rod triggers an action when the piston moves into the end position or is positioned in the end position. The cylindrical housing is divided in a longitudinal direction of the cylindrical housing into housing parts. At least one holding element secures the housing parts relative to one another.

Abstract: An airbelt inflator (10) is provided for supplying and directing gas from the combustion of pyrotechnic materials into an inflatable safety belt or airbag. The airbelt inflator (10) includes a substantially cylindrical body (12). One or more ledges (26, 42) are defined by the junctions of inner walls (34, 36, and 38) wherein each ledge (26, 42) functions to retain an inner inflator component. In another aspect of the invention, an enhancer disc (56) features a metallic density greater than an associated filter (48) whereby tailoring of the density of the metallic disc (56) facilitates a quick and easy method of modifying the gas flow exiting the inflator (10).

Abstract: A pyrotechnic initiator having an internal sleeve that facilitates the loading and durable retention of a pyrotechnic charge in place on the header surface within the initiator. The sleeve beneficially retains the charge either in conjunction with the upper interior surface of the charge can, or through the use of a monolithic charge and a narrowed top end of the sleeve.

Abstract: A gas generator comprises a tubular housing of a pressure-resistant material and a propellant strand which is incorporated in the housing and provided with an envelope. At least one channel is provided between the envelope and the propellant strand so as to extend in an axial direction. The propellant strand has a substantially circular cross-section and the envelope has a polygonal cross-section.