With Means To Rupture Or Open Fluid Source Patents (Class 280/737)
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Patent number: 6439604Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and an inflator (20) for providing inflation fluid for the inflatable device. The inflator (20) has a relatively large diameter body portion (24) and a relatively small diameter neck portion (40) extending from the body portion. The neck portion (40) has an inflation fluid outlet (42). The occupant protection apparatus (10) also comprises a conduit (50) for directing inflation fluid from the inflator (20) into the inflatable device (14). The conduit (50) has a relatively large diameter main body portion (60) secured on the body portion (24) of the inflator (20) by interfitting portions (80, 34) of the main body portion and the body portion of the inflator. The main body portion (60) of the conduit (50) defines a fluid chamber (70) around the neck portion (40) of the inflator (20).Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2000Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignees: TRW Inc., TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventors: Ahmad K. Al-Amin, Jerome W. Emery, Chad L. Greenlee
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Patent number: 6435550Abstract: The invention relates to a pyrotechnical gas generator comprising a generator outer housing in which a pyrotechnical propellant charge and an igniter are accommodated. The igniter has its own self-contained igniter housing which contains a pyrotechnical material and is fastened to the generator outer housing. The igniter housing has a base part and a cap-shaped receiving part fastened thereto. The receiving part has a radial flange with an outer edge, the outer edge projecting radially with respect to the base part and being welded to the generator outer housing. The flange is welded to the base part.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2001Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Josef Werneth, Horst Laucht
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Patent number: 6431595Abstract: An inflator (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) comprises a storage container (30), a primary inflation fluid under pressure in a gaseous state in the container, and a secondary inflation fluid under pressure in the container. The container (30) is openable to enable the primary inflation fluid to flow out of the container into the inflatable device to inflate the inflatable device (14). At least a portion of the secondary inflation fluid is in a non-gaseous state in the container (30) during flow of the primary inflation fluid into the inflatable device. The portion of the secondary inflation fluid in the non-gaseous state thereafter changing to the gaseous state and flowing into the inflatable device to maintain the inflatable device in the inflated condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1999Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: TRW Inc.Inventors: Timothy A. Swann, Jess A. Cuevas, Ahmad K. Al-Amin, Jack L. Blumenthal, Roy D. Van Wynsberghe, Bryan W. Shirk
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Patent number: 6425601Abstract: The present invention is a self-contained air bag module and to a method of protecting an occupant of a vehicle in a collision involving the vehicle using the self-contained air bag module of the invention. The self-contained air bag module of the invention has an air bag having an interior volume in fluid communication with a high thermal efficiency inflator, the high thermal efficiency inflator having an initiator, and adapted for producing a sufficient quantity of a gaseous product to substantially inflate the air bag; and an impact detector in electrical or mechanical communication with the initiator. The high thermal efficiency inflator contains a pyrotechnic material in an amount sufficient to produce at least about 10 mole percent of the inflation gas, and a pressurized gas is present in an amount sufficient to produce up to about 90 mole percent of the inflation gas.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2000Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: Universal Propulsion Company, Inc.Inventor: Donald J. Lewis
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Publication number: 20020089156Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (36) comprises a housing (12) and an inflation fluid source (34) in the housing for, when actuated, providing fluid for inflating the protection device. An electrically actuatable initiator (38) is connected with the housing (12) for actuating the inflation fluid source (34). The apparatus (10) also comprises vehicle electric circuitry (37) for actuating the initiator (38) to actuate the inflation fluid source (34) in response to sensing an occupant protection event for which inflation of the protection device (36) is desired. A microelectromechanical system device (MEMS device) (52) in the apparatus is electrically energizable to cause actuation of the inflation fluid source (34). Means (40) responsive to an event other than an occupant protection event energizes the MEMS device to cause actuation of the inflation fluid source.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2001Publication date: July 11, 2002Applicant: TRW Inc. and TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventors: Timothy A. Swann, Ernst M. Faigle, Paul A. Bowers, Ivan L. Stonich, Brian R. Pitstick
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Patent number: 6412811Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable into a position between the side structure of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The apparatus (10) includes an inflator (22) for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and for maintaining the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device in an inflated condition for at least five seconds. The inflator (22) contains a stored inflation fluid under pressure. The inflation fluid consists essentially of helium.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2000Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Assignees: TRW Inc., TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventors: Douglas P. Campbell, Ahmad K. Al-Amin, Timothy A. Swann, Roy D. Van Wynsberghe, Jess A. Cuevas, Dean M. Esterberg, Bryan W. Shirk
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Publication number: 20020063421Abstract: The invention relates to a pyrotechnical gas generator comprising a generator outer housing in which a pyrotechnical propellant charge and an igniter are accommodated. The igniter has its own self-contained igniter housing which contains a pyrotechnical material and is fastened to the generator outer housing. The igniter housing has a base part and a cap-shaped receiving part fastened thereto. The receiving part has a radial flange with an outer edge, the outer edge projecting radially with respect to the base part and being welded to the generator outer housing. The flange is welded to the base part.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2001Publication date: May 30, 2002Applicant: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Josef Werneth, Horst Laucht
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Patent number: 6386581Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling deployment of an air-bag body of a head-protection air-bag device, in which the internal-pressure retention time can be increased in the case of the rollover of a vehicle without increasing the bulk of the air-bag body in the non-operational state. When rollover of a vehicle is detected by a rollover sensor, only a squib is actuated by the output of a control circuit. As a result, a firing pin pierces through a burst disk, so that a compressed gas that is not heated and pressurized by a gas-heating agent flows through a small-diameter portion and a diffuser into an air-bag body. Accordingly, in the case of the rollover, an internal pressure of the air-bag body has a lower peak value and reaches the peak value for a longer time compared with the side collision case.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2000Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Mitsuyoshi Ohno
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Patent number: 6386583Abstract: A low carbon high strength steel consists essentially of, by weight, about 0.07% to about 0.12% carbon, about 0.70% to about 1.60% manganese, up to about 0.020% phosphorous, up to about 0.015% sulfur, about 0.06% to about 0.35% silicon, about 0.25% to about 1.20% chromium, up to about 0.65% nickel, about 0.20% to about 0.70% molybdenum, up to about 0.35% copper, about 0.02% to about 0.06% aluminum, up to about 0.05% vanadium, up to about 0.25% residual elements, and the balance iron.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2000Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: TRW Inc.Inventor: Eric C. Erike
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Patent number: 6382668Abstract: An inflator (10) for inflating a vehicle occupant protection device (34) comprises a vessel (12) containing stored gas (54) and ignitable material (62). The vessel (12) has a portion (30) that provides a first opening for fluid to flow from the vessel when the pressure in the vessel reaches a predetermined pressure. The inflator (10) also comprises an igniter (72) for igniting the ignitable material (62) and increasing the pressure in the vessel (12). The inflator (10) also comprises a control part (40) upstream of the portion (30) for controlling fluid flow to the first opening. The control part (40) defines a second opening (46) that increases in size as the pressure in the vessel (12) increases.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2000Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventor: George W. Goetz
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Publication number: 20020050703Abstract: A simplified multi-chamber inflator 10 utilizes a housing 12 having two initiator chambers 42 and 44 respectively formed within an initiator assembly 18. The initiator assembly 18 may be formed from a one-piece component or alternatively, may be formed by coupling a first component 26 and a second component 28 in nested relationship within the housing 12. A primary propellant chamber 52 fluidly communicates with initiator chambers 42 and 44 upon actuation of inflator 10.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2001Publication date: May 2, 2002Inventors: David S. Whang, Eduardo L. Quioc, Rickey L. Stratton
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Publication number: 20020036399Abstract: A stored gas inflator is formed by a pressure vessel including a gas port, a small chamber facing the gas port, and a main chamber situated adjacent to the small chamber and having a capacity larger than that of the small chamber. A high pressure gas is filled in the small chamber and the main chamber. A first partition closes the gas port, and a second partition separates the small chamber and the main chamber so that a burst pressure of the second partition is set to be lower than a stored gas pressure in the main chamber. A gas blasting initiator is mounted to the small chamber for applying burst pressure to at least one of the first and second partitions to allow the main chamber to eject the gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2001Publication date: March 28, 2002Applicant: Takata CorporationInventor: Yuichi Nanbu
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Patent number: 6361070Abstract: For opening a closure disc arranged on a pressurized container for activating a vehicle occupant restraint system, the surface area of the closure disc is locally exposed to an arc discharge between an electrode and the closure disc. By means of an electrical insulation a linear zone of interaction is delimited between the electrode and the surface area of the closure disc. The arc discharge is initiated in a punctiform manner and then continued over the length of the linear zone of interaction, the closure disc thereby being perforated along the linear zone of interaction by the arc discharge. Due to the effect of the internal pressure of the pressurized container and starting from the two ends of the weakened zone of interaction, a strip of material is then peeled and bulged open from the closure disc in a direction transverse to the linear zone of interaction.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Thomas Reiter, Thomas Lauenroth
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Patent number: 6357792Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) comprises a container (14) defining a chamber (16). The container (16) has an opening (24) through which fluid can flow from the chamber (16). A quantity of inflation fluid (20) is in the chamber (16). A burst disk (30) closes the opening. The burst disk (30) has first and second opposite major side surfaces (34, 36). The burst disk (30) has a first score line (40, 42) on the first major side surface (36) and a second score line (46, 48) on the second major side surface (34). The burst disk (30) is rupturable at the first and second score lines (40, 42, 46, 48) to permit inflation fluid (20) to flow out of the chamber (16) through the opening (24) in the container (14).Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2000Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: TRW Inc.Inventors: Bryan W. Shirk, Timothy A. Swann, Roy D. Van Wynsberghe, John W. Nicklos
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Patent number: 6338500Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid gas generator intended for motor vehicle safety. The generator (1) includes a container (2) containing a cold gas (10) under pressure and having an open end in which a compartment (2), which is located outside the container (2), is fixed. This compartment (3) is provided with gas discharge orifices (6) and has a front wall (8) in which there is an opening closed by a diaphragm (9) which makes it possible to separate the inside of the container (2) from the inside of the compartment (3), in a leaktight fashion. The latter contains an initiator (12) with shaped explosive charge and a pyrotechnic charge (13), the initiator (12) being capable of destroying the diaphragm (9) from a distance and of initiating the pyrotechnic charge (13). This generator (1) makes it possible to initiate deployment of the airbag using cold gas (10) as soon as it starts to operate.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2000Date of Patent: January 15, 2002Assignee: Livbag SNCInventor: Christian Perotto
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Patent number: 6328336Abstract: A gas generating apparatus for an air bag apparatus mounted in a vehicle or the like for introducing a gas into an air bag to inflate the same for protecting a passenger in the vehicle. The gas generating apparatus for the air bag apparatus according to the present invention ignites and burns a combustible fluid to increase its temperature to increase its pressure for inflating an air bag. The gas generating apparatus for the air bag apparatus includes accommodating device (5) and (9) each for accommodating a combustible fluid (7), a vent opening provided in one of the accommodating device (9), and an occluding member (13) having an igniting portion (14) directed inward of the accommodating device (9). A pressure in the accommodating device is increased by burning the combustible fluid to reliably break the occluding member so that a combustion fluid mixture can effectively and swiftly be supplied to the air bag.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1997Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Miyata Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Takahashi, Hideo Nomura, Kiyoshi Yamamori, Shigeru Takeyama, Takuhiro Ono, Yoshikazu Kawauchi
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Publication number: 20010048218Abstract: An air bag device with improved initial restraining capability includes an inflator that provides for shortening the starting time for rising the pressure of an airbag and also the time required for the pressure to reach the maximum value. The inflator includes a propellant, an igniter for igniting the propellant, a combustion chamber in which the propellant is burned, a filter chamber in which a filter is accommodated, a partition separating the combustion chamber and the filter chamber, communication orifices formed in the partition for allowing the communication between the combustion chamber and the filter chamber, and gas ports for supplying inflating gas into an airbag, and further comprises aluminum films which are broken and open the communication orifices at a predetermined pressure inside the combustion chamber and air-tightly close the communication orifices until the pressure reaches the predetermined pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2001Publication date: December 6, 2001Inventors: David Whang, Yuichi Nanbu, David McCormick
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Patent number: 6324987Abstract: A pyrotechnic means for vehicle occupant protection systems includes a container for an ignitor, propellant and/or compressed gas. To facilitate the production of gas tight pyrotechnic means having long term stability the container includes a container body and at least one container lid with an ultrasonic welded joint between said container body and said container lid.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1998Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Franz Wier
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Patent number: 6298789Abstract: A gas generator for air bags having a container holding a combustible gas mixture and fitted with a closure which opens into a combustion chamber fitted with a gas outlet in which the gas mixture is ignited by an ignition device. To provide a fast-reacting ignition device and generate a controllable flow of pressurized gas at a relatively low temperature, the container is mainly filled with a pressurized inert gas and contains 0.1 to 2.0% vol. of a hydrocarbon and 0.5 to 10% vol. of a gaseous oxidizing agent. On being actuated, the ignition device opens the container closure, ignites the gas mixture flowing into the combustion chamber and maintains combustion by the continuous supply of energy.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1999Date of Patent: October 9, 2001Assignees: Autoflator AB, L'Air Liquide SAInventors: Dan Ericsson, Pierre Karinthi, Michel Gastiger
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Publication number: 20010026064Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system has a gas generator and a gas bag. A method for inflating a gas bag for restraining an occupant comprises the following steps: providing a gas generator for producing gas which is flowingly connected to the gas bag, providing at least one propellant charge within the gas generator, providing at least one igniter within the gas generator, the gas generator blowing gas into the gas bag over more than one second, preferably over more than three seconds, in order to achieve a high service time.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2001Publication date: October 4, 2001Applicant: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Maximilian Bergmann, Uwe Dolling
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Patent number: 6295935Abstract: An initiator (50) for rupturing a burst disk (36) in an air bag inflator (10) includes a body of ignitable material (112) for, when ignited, generating combustion products. A base (52) supports the body of ignitable material (112), and an electrically energizable member (80) for igniting the ignitable material, on the inflator (10). The initiator (50) also includes a cap (90) sealed to the base (52). The cap (90) encloses the ignitable material (112) and maintains the ignitable material in position on the base (52). At least a first portion (94) of the cap (90) is releasable from the base (52) under the force of the combustion products of the ignitable material (112) to enable movement of at least the first portion of the cap away from the base and into engagement with the burst disk (36) to rupture the burst disk.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1998Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: TRW Inc.Inventors: Timothy A. Swann, Ahmad K. Al-Amin, Jess A. Cuevas, Bryan W. Shirk, Roy D. Van Wynsberghe
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Patent number: 6296274Abstract: A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) and a container (32) for storing gas (36) under pressure. The container (32) has an outlet (38). The apparatus (10) includes a mechanism (42) for opening the container (32) to release the gas (36) to flow from the outlet (38) at supersonic speed. The apparatus (10) also includes a pyrotechnic material (70) which is ignitable to generate gas for helping to inflate the inflatable device (20). The pyrotechnic material (70) is ignitable in response to being impacted by the gas (36) flowing from the outlet (38) at supersonic speed. The apparatus (10) further includes a conduit (50) directing at least a first portion of the gas (36) flowing from the container (32) to the pyrotechnic material (70) to ignite the pyrotechnic material.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2000Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: TRW Inc.Inventors: Halley O. Stevens, John P. O'Loughlin, Jon J. Freesmeier
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Patent number: 6289820Abstract: The hybrid gas generator to inflate airbags comprises two combustion chambers (14, 16), in each of which a solid material charge (15, 17) is placed, and a storage chamber (11) containing a pressurized storage gas. The storage chamber (11) is connected to diffusion chamber (30) by a closing member (29) which can be perforated. The first solid material charge (15), and the second solid material charge (17) can, for instance, can be sequentially ignited by separate igniter elements (18, 19), thereby determining the pressure accumulation.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 1999Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: Dynamit Nobel GmbH Explosivstoff-und SystemtechnikInventors: Lothar Anacker, Karl Bayer, Eduard Berenz, Uwe Brede, Anton Bretfeld, Josef Kraft, Gerrit Scheiderer, Waldemar Weuter, Jiang Zhang
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Publication number: 20010017461Abstract: A gas generator for an air bag can adjust gas providing amount according to circumstance.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 1998Publication date: August 30, 2001Applicant: Yo YamatoInventors: YO YAMATO, MITHUHIKO FUKABORI
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Publication number: 20010013696Abstract: An air bag deployment system (20) includes a microcontroller (21), an inflator (23), and an inflator sensor (24). The inflator sensor (24) is adjacent to the inflator (23) and monitors the firing of the inflator (23). The inflator sensor (24) monitors the firing of a squib (36) of the inflator (23). The inflator sensor (24) transmits an inflator firing signal to the microcontroller (21) when the squib (36) of the inflator (23) is activated. In the absence of the inflator firing signal, a backup firing signal is generated by the microcontroller (21) and is transmitted to a backup squib (37).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 1998Publication date: August 16, 2001Inventors: BENJAMIN R. DAVIS, RONALD V. DELONG
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Patent number: 6273464Abstract: A gas generator for an airbag has a reduced number of components and in which an automatic ignition material can ignite at an appropriate time. This gas generator includes a housing, an ignition unit accommodating chamber in the housing, an ignition unit installed in the ignition unit accommodating chamber, a gas generating material, and a cooling and purifying unit. The ignition unit includes a transfer charge container and an igniter. The transfer charge container has a cup containing a transfer charge and a cover hermetically sealing the cup. The igniter is activated by a signal to ignite the transfer charge, and a generated gas is introduced into an airbag to protect an occupant against an impact. The transfer charge container includes a cup part and a cover part, either the bottom of the cup part or the cover part are outwardly curved to form an outwardly convex surface. The container is resiliently held between a top wall portion of the ignition unit accommodating chamber and the igniter.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1999Date of Patent: August 14, 2001Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Masakazu Tokuda, Akihisa Ogawa
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Patent number: 6273462Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable device (8) includes a container (12) defining a chamber (14) containing gas. The container (12) includes a rupturable wall (24) which is rupturable when the pressure in the container reaches a predetermined level. An igniter (46) spaced from the rupturable wall (24) produces a shock wave in the gas which ruptures the rupturable wall (24) prior to the gas pressure in the container (12) reaching the predetermined level.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1997Date of Patent: August 14, 2001Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventors: Ernst M. Faigle, Tracy S. Sparks, Richard J. Thompson
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Patent number: 6254128Abstract: The invention relates to a gas generator for an air bag (11) including a cartridge (3) containing a gas-generating charge of solid material (5) and a storage reservoir (9) containing a storage gas (10). To trigger gas production the charge of solid material (5) is ignited. The resulting gas pressure tears off the front face (13) of the cartridge (3) along a peripheral notch (6). A sliding element (7) connected to the front face (13) pierces a sealing element (8) of the storage reservoir (9). A guiding channel (23) in which the front face (13) is guided in the manner of a piston, opens into a flow zone (12). When the front face (13) has reached the flow zone (12), reaction gas flows around the front face (13) into openings (16) in the tube-shaped sliding element (7). The reaction gas then flows into the storage reservoir (9) where it is mixed with the remaining storage gas.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 1999Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: Dynamit Nobel GmbH Explosivstoff-und SystemtechnikInventors: Uwe Albrecht, Anton Bretfeld, Josef Kraft, Jiang Zhang
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Patent number: 6253683Abstract: A gas generator for an air bag that can change deployment pattern of the air bag is provided. The gas generator includes two gas generating units connected in the axial direction, each of the gas generating units including a cylindrical housing, an igniter disposed in the cylindrical housing and operates upon receiving an operation signal, a gas generating agent ignited by the igniter to generate a combustion gas, a pressurized gas sealed within the housing and heated by the combustion gas of the gas generating agent to generate a mixture gas together with the combustion gas, and a gas exhaust outlet disposed at one side end of the housing and from which the mixture gas within the housing is injected. The two gas generating units are joined by welding one end of each of the housings of the gas generating units together.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1998Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Mitsuhiko Fukabori
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Patent number: 6247725Abstract: An opening apparatus for a gas pressure container for inflating an airbag is provided. A housing is fixedly connected to the container and communicates therewith via a discharge opening. The housing includes a principal member that has oppositely disposed open ends. A sealing element for initially sealing the discharge opening is supported by a pressure piece on a counterbearing against opening forces acting on the sealing element via gas pressure in the container. A triggering device is provided that when activated removes support for the sealing element so that the discharge opening is opened by gas pressure in the container for inflating the airbag. The triggering device is in the form of a separate unit that is independently mountable on the housing and is held n one of the end plates. Support of the sealing element is stable independently of the triggering device.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2000Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: Welz Industrieprodukte GmbHInventor: Tilo Möller
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Patent number: 6244622Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) comprises an inflator structure (14) defining a chamber (50) for containing a quantity of inflation fluid (52) under pressure. The inflator structure (14) has a rupturable wall portion (60) blocking fluid flow out of the chamber (50). An actuatable initiator (74) is connected with the inflator structure (14) for generating combustion products. The initiator (74) has a central axis (80). A spherical projectile (76) is supported adjacent to the initiator (74) and is movable away from the initiator under the force of the combustion products of the initiator into engagement with the wall portion (60) to rupture the wall portion. The apparatus (10) includes a focusing sleeve (78) for constraining the spherical projectile (76) to move in a predetermined direction from the initiator (74) to the wall portion (60). The focusing sleeve (78) has an axis (142) located on the axis (80) of the initiator (74).Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1998Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: TRW Inc.Inventors: Ahmad K. Al-Amin, Timothy A. Swann, Jess A. Cuevas, Bryan W. Shirk, Roy D. Van Wynsberghe
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Patent number: 6244623Abstract: An inflator apparatus for inflating an inflatable device and a method are provided which utilize a burst disk arrangement which results in a sequential opening regime such as may desirably provide a form of the above-described S curve inflation performance behavior without necessitating the use of or reliance on mechanical opening devices such as projectiles or piston members.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2000Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Walter A. Moore, Karl K. Rink, David J. Green, Robert E. Lewis, Gregory J. Lang
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Patent number: 6238500Abstract: An inflator (14) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) comprises a pressurized container (20), a gas generating material stored under pressure in the container (20), and an igniter (36) for igniting the gas generating material in the container. The gas generating material comprises an oxidizer and a fuel. At least a major portion of the oxidizer is nitrous oxide in a liquid-gas state. At least a major portion of the fuel is polyvinyl alcohol in a porous, molded solid state (64). A portion of the liquid nitrous oxide is absorbed into the pores of the molded polyvinyl alcohol (64). The gas generating material upon combustion produces a combustion product consisting essentially of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1999Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: TRW Inc.Inventor: Harold R. Blomquist
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Patent number: 6237951Abstract: The invention refers to a device permitting the flow of pressurized gas into a safety device, for example an air bag or a belt tightener, with a pressurized container for compressible gas with at least one opening, that is sealed with a gas-tight film covering, where the film covering is supported evenly, over at least a large part of its free surface, by a support device that can be destroyed or retracted in a targeted manner after triggering. To ensure that the gas-tight film covering is forcibly opened after the triggering of the device, a piece is provided that pierces or penetrates the film immediately after the triggering of the device, but before the support device moves.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2000Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Autoflator ABInventors: Mats Bohman, Peter Qvint
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Patent number: 6234523Abstract: To improve light emitting phenomenon occurring in an air bag when respective inflators are different in activation start time from each other, namely, when the activation of one of the inflators is delayed from that of the other in a dual type inflator device. A dual type inflator device comprises a hybrid-type inflator and a pyro-type inflator, wherein an end portion of the pyro-type inflator having a gas outlet is connected to an end portion of a diffuser assembly of the hybrid-type inflator, the gas outlet of the pyro-type inflator is formed in a tube shape so as to have a gas passage, the gas outlet extending into an outlet passage through a central portion of the diffuser assembly of the hybrid-type inflator, and gas flow from the pyro-type inflator is mixed with gas flow of the hybrid-type inflator in the outlet passage.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1999Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Takuji Tokoro, Nobuyuki Katsuda
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Patent number: 6234522Abstract: A hybrid gas generator for an air bag (1) including ignitable gas-producing solid charge (5) placed in combustion chamber, a storage chamber (9) containing a gas (10) and a closed by a first bursting disk (8), a breakable separating wall (13) limiting the combustion chamber, which is connected to a hollow sliding piston (7) to perforate the first bursting disk (8) and a second bursting disk (12) in the separating wall (13) between the combustion chamber and the cavity (14) of the sliding piston (7). In order to construct the generator in a simpler and more economical form, the solid charge (5) is placed in a pyrotechnic cartridge that can be mounted separately the separating wall (13) forms the frontal border of the cartridge (3), a round notch (6) is placed on the round wall of the cartridge (3) serving as predetermined breaking point to break the separating wall (13) and the second bursting disk (12) is formed by a thinning on the separating wall (13).Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1999Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: Dynamit Nobel GmbH Explosivstoff-und SystemtechnikInventors: Uwe Albrecht, Anton Bretfeld, Hosef Kraft, Jiang Zhang
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Patent number: 6231077Abstract: A dynamic control valve system adapted for inflatable restraint systems for vehicles includes a control valve having an inlet in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid, and an outlet in fluid communication with an inlet of the air bag. The control valve includes a valve member actuatable between a flow preventing position and a position spaced away from the flow preventing position. The control valve supplies the high pressure fluid through the control valve to the inflatable restraint for inflating the inflatable restraint when the valve member is moved away from its flow preventing position. The control valve includes a valve spool which cooperates with a valve casing to define a plurality of flow paths. Consequently, the actuation of the valve member between closed and open positions is substantially independent of forces produced by flow of the high pressure fluid through the valve.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2000Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: Sturman/TLX LLCInventors: Neil C. Karolek, Oded E. Sturman, Derek A. Dahlgren
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Patent number: 6231079Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of hybrid gas generators intended to inflate an airbag to protect the occupants of a motor vehicle. The generator (1) according to the invention consists of a metal tube (2) containing an internal partition (26) having a central orifice (27) closed by a diaphragm (28). This partition divides the generator into a reservoir chamber (29) containing the pressurized gases and a combustion and mixing chamber (46) containing a pyrotechnic device (4) extended by a support piece (30) containing a piston-pillar (31) which rests against the diaphragm (28). The stroke of the piston is limited by fins and the base of the piston acts as a deflector, preventing hot gases from entering the reservoir chamber (29) during operation, so that this chamber can contain a greater amount of gas.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2000Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: Livbag SNCInventors: Christian Perotto, Christophe Haegeman, Franck Lebaudy
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Patent number: 6227562Abstract: A safety apparatus (12) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle having a side structure (16) comprises an inflatable protection device (14) having an inflated condition disposed between the vehicle occupant and the side structure. The safety apparatus (12) also comprises an inflator assembly (10) for inflating the protection device (14) and for maintaining the protection device in the inflated condition for at least five seconds. The inflator assembly (10) includes at least one container (30) having gas (52) stored under pressure. In a preferred embodiment, the inflator assembly (10) comprises a primary outlet passage (70) connected with the container for releasing inflation fluid (52) from the inflator assembly at a relatively high rate over a relatively short period of time. The inflator assembly (10) also preferably has a secondary outlet passage (90) connected with the container for releasing inflation fluid from the inflator assembly at a relatively low rate for about five to ten seconds.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1999Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: TRW Inc.Inventors: Bryan W. Shirk, Jess A. Cuevas, Ahmad K. Al-Amin, Timothy A. Swann, Roy D. Van Wynsberghe
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Patent number: 6227567Abstract: An airbag module has a gas distributor arranged between a gas generator and an airbag, in which at least a first and a second flow path for a gas are provided in the gas distributor. At least one valve device that opens and closes the respective flow path is arranged in each case in the flow paths. The first flow path connects the gas generator to the airbag, and the second flow path is not connected to the airbag.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1999Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.Inventor: Hubert Ross
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Patent number: 6224097Abstract: The invention is directed to an inflator device and a method of inflating an inflatable member. The inflator device is adapted for producing a sufficient quantity of a gaseous product to substantially inflate the inflatable member operatively associated therewith without substantial heating of the device or the member. The device has a housing that defines an interior volume, and contains a pressurized gas at a first pressure in the interior volume. The housing also has a member for maintaining the pressurized gas at the first pressure within the interior volume and for opening when the gas attains a predetermined second, higher pressure upon combustion of a pyrotechnic material within the housing to allow the gas to pass from the housing. The pyrotechnic material is stored within a container within the interior volume of the housing. At least a portion of the pyrotechnic material, upon combustion, exits the container, and generates heat and combustion products within the pressurized gas.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2000Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Universal Propulsion Company, Inc.Inventor: Donald J. Lewis
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Patent number: 6221186Abstract: An inflator apparatus and a method are provided using a quantity of a compensatory material to supplement a stored pressurized gas.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Karl K. Rink, Linda M. Rink
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Patent number: 6217064Abstract: A gas generator with a housing (14), and outflow opening (16) in the housing (14), via which gas can emerge, and with a bursting membrane (17) which closes the outflow opening in the non-activated state of the gas generator and which is destroyed on activation, the bursting member (17) having an outer edge at which it is permanently fastened to a wall (24) which defines at least one axial section of the outflow opening (16), is characterized in that the wall (24) is rounded or extends inwards and obliquely in the outflow direction downstream immediately after the fastening region (31) of the bursting membrane (17).Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1998Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Karsten Schwuchow, Wolf-Dieter Woitge, Michael Tasche, Johann Seidl
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Patent number: 6217060Abstract: The invention relates to a device for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint system of a vehicle, in particular for inflating a gas bag. The device comprises a gas generator which contains a pyrotechnic propellant material and is provided for developing a first gas. The device further comprises a compressed gas container arranged so as to be separate from the gas generator and containing a second gas which is under pressure. The gas generator and the compressed gas container are activated in a case of restraint and introduce the first and second gases, respectively, into the vehicle occupant restraint system. The invention further relates to a vehicle occupant restraint system, comprising a head/side gas bag and the device for inflating the gas bag.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1999Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Rolf Mangold, Anton Fischer
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Patent number: 6217065Abstract: An inflator (10) for providing inflation fluid to inflate an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device includes a pressure vessel (12) defining a chamber (30) for inflation fluid. The pressure vessel (12) has a passage (48) for inflation fluid flow from the chamber (30). A burst disk (52) blocks fluid flow through the passage (48). A support (62) has a tubular portion (64) with a first end (67) spaced apart from the burst disk (52) prior to the inflation fluid entering the pressure vessel (12) and a second end (68) opposite the first end. The burst disk (52) deforms into contact with the first end (67) due to the pressure of the inflation fluid when the inflation fluid is disposed in the chamber (30). An actuatable igniter assembly (60) bursts the burst disk (52) to enable fluid to flow from the chamber (30) through the passage (48). The second end (68) of the tubular portion (64) engages the igniter assembly (60).Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1999Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: TRW Inc.Inventors: Ahmad K. Al-Amin, Timothy A. Swann, Bryan W. Shirk, Roy D. Van Wynsberghe, Eric C. Erike, Vincent J. Mramor
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Patent number: 6217066Abstract: Apparatus for use in passenger inflatable air-bag safety systems for preventing activation of an activator inflator from causing premature activation of any inflator not yet activated by system programming. The apparatus includes structure for isolating the pressure releasing construction from shock waves created when an inflator is activated and takes the form of mechanical barriers that isolate each inflator release structure from exposure to shock waves.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2000Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: Am-Safe, IncorporatedInventors: Daniel E. Coleman, Rick A. Adkisson, Michael C. Riley
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Patent number: 6206418Abstract: The invention relates to the field of hybrid generators for motor vehicle safety. The generator (101) comprises a cylindrical housing (2) closed by a closure ring (5) bearing an ignition device (8). An internal wall (12) bearing a central opening (14) and a hollow neck (16) in which is inserted a ring-shaped block (19) of solid ablatable fuel separates a reservoir chamber (17) containing pressurized air from a combustion and mixing chamber (18). Discharge holes (21) closed by breakable diaphragms (22) are arranged on the circumference of the combustion chamber (18). This generator has a very simple design and enables the inflating of cushions for protecting the occupants of motor vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1999Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: S.N.C. LivbagInventors: Christian Perotto, Christian Perut, Eric Billou
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Patent number: 6206414Abstract: An air bag inflator (10) includes a container (12) defining a chamber (14), and inflation fluid (66) under pressure in the chamber. A first opening (41) in the container (12) enables fluid flow from the chamber (14) to an inflatable device (32). A first burst disk (60) extends across the first opening (41) and is rupturable in response to an increase in the pressure differential across the first burst disk to a level above a first predetermined pressure differential. The inflator (10) includes a first igniter (90) for, when actuated, increasing the pressure differential across the first burst disk (60) to a level above the first predetermined pressure differential to rupture the first burst disk. A second opening (43) in the container (12) enables fluid flow from the chamber (14) to the inflatable device (32).Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1998Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignees: TRW Inc., TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventors: Fred J. Cook, Kenneth K. Gudewich, Tracy L. Nelson, Chad L. Greenlee, Darrin L. Johnson
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Patent number: 6205928Abstract: The invention relates to a gas generator, comprising a first gas-generating stage and at least one gas-generating stage arranged downstream of the first stage, and also comprising a device for detecting a pressure change in the gas generator, wherein the device for detecting the pressure change comprises a chamber divided by a movable part into two partial chambers which are gas-tight with respect to each other, the partial chambers having openings which are in flow connection with the first stage and each have different cross-sectional areas, so that the pressure change spreads at different speeds in the two partial chambers and brings about a movement of the movable part, and the movable part being connected with a movement meter, which due to the movement of the movable part generates an electrical impulse to activate the second stage.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1999Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Marc Winterhalder
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Patent number: 6206420Abstract: The invention concerns a device for introducing pressurized gas into a vehicle safety device, preferably an air bag, with a pressure container (10) for compressed gas which has at least one opening (12) closed by a gas tight foil cover (14). The foil cover (14) is supported over at least a substantial part of its free surface area in a flat manner by a support device (16) which can be retracted in a direction perpendicular to the opening plane and is in turn supported on the pressure container (10). Via the foil cover (14) the compressed gas generates an outwardly directed force perpendicular to the opening plane, this force acting on the retractable support device (16) and being balanced with a reaction force of the latter. The device has a trigger arrangement (34) which can be activated in the event of an accident and brings about the retraction of the support device (16) such that the reaction force is canceled.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1998Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Torbjörn Skanborg, Mehrdad Ranjbar