Abstract:
The inflator comprises an upper stamped metal housing part (24) welded (36) to a lower stamped metal housing part (26) which includes an integral centre tie (22) containing a metal cup (42) accommodating gas generant material (70) and an igniter assembly (43) including a squib (64). Initiation of the generant material (70) causes an upper piston portion of the cup (42) to separate from the rest of the cup at a circumferential groove (52) and move upwardly uncovering openings (55) which allows hot gas to pass outwardly into a surrounding toroidal chamber (20) accommodating pressurised gas from where gas passes inwardly through further openings (58) into the centre tie (22) above the cup (42) and then out of the inflator through a frangibly sealed orifice (40). Upward movement of the piston portion is arrested by friction and inwardly directed tabs (60).
Abstract:
The inflator is placed in a slotted section of the module housing with the diffuser protruding from the centre through a hole in a raised portion of the module housing slotted section, which hole is sized closely to the size of the diffuser. The diffuser extends directly into the module at a 90 degree angle to the plane surface of the housing. The retaining ring has raised portions in the centre to match the raised portion of the module housing. It has holes in the raised portions, and has tabs which extend through holes in the cushion and the module housing. The module housing has tabs on the raised portion which extend through holes in the cushion and retaining ring.
Abstract:
A hybrid inflator has a curved continuous vessel wall (11) secured to the upper and lower ends of a centre tie (14) and surrounding it. The wall defines a gas chamber (26) and the tie a combustion chamber (31) . The gas chamber has an outlet vent (50) and an inlet port (40) from the combustion chamber which face in opposite directions. Both the vent and the port are sealed (44, 58) until after the ignition of pyrotechnic material in the combustion chamber. Pref the tie is cylindrical and the pyrotechnic material is boron potassium nitrate and the gas chamber is pressurised to 2000 - 4000 psi with an inert gas.
Abstract:
The inflator is placed in a slotted section of the module housing with the diffuser protruding from the centre through a hole in a raised portion of the module housing slotted section, which hole is sized closely to the size of the diffuser. The diffuser extends directly into the module at a 90 degree angle to the plane surface of the housing. The retaining ring has raised portions in the centre to match the raised portion of the module housing. It has holes in the raised portions, and has tabs which extend through holes in the cushion and the module housing. The module housing has tabs on the raised portion which extend through holes in the cushion and retaining ring.
Abstract:
A hybrid inflator has a curved continuous vessel wall (11) secured to the upper and lower ends of a centre tie (14) and surrounding it. The wall defines a gas chamber (26) and the tie a combustion chamber (31) . The gas chamber has an outlet vent (50) and an inlet port (40) from the combustion chamber which face in opposite directions. Both the vent and the port are sealed (44, 58) until after the ignition of pyrotechnic material in the combustion chamber. Pref the tie is cylindrical and the pyrotechnic material is boron potassium nitrate and the gas chamber is pressurised to 2000 - 4000 psi with an inert gas.
Abstract:
An assembly including a support housing and an actuator device. The actuator device includes an extendable initiator cup including at least one non-random fold and at least in part defining a storage chamber containing a reactive charge reactable to produce reaction products. The extendable initiator cup longitudinally extends from a first length to a second, greater length upon reaction initiation of the reactive charge. The extendable initiator cup is at least partially disposed within a longitudinally extending bore of the support housing. The support housing is effective to limit lateral expansion of the extendable initiator cup upon reaction initiation of the reactive charge. The assembly can include an electrical conductive member or an electrical switch. The extendable initiator cup can extend to sever the electrical conductive member or disengage the electrical switch, thereby interrupting the conduction of electricity through an electrical system. Alternatively, the extendable initiator cup can extend to engage the electrical switch thereby allowing the conduction of electricity through an electrical system.