Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-02
2001-08-28
Culbreth, Eric (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Attachment
C280S736000, C280S741000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279947
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a vehicle safety apparatus including an inflator for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device. In particular, the present invention relates to a heater for maintaining the temperature of an inflator within a predetermined temperature range.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known to inflate a device such as an air bag to help protect a vehicle occupant in the event of a vehicle collision or a side impact to or rollover condition of a vehicle. Although an inflator is typically designed to operate over a wide range of ambient temperatures, the inflator performs in a preferred manner within a narrow temperature range.
For example, if an inflator is at a temperature above the preferred temperature range, the gas output pressure or flow rate of the inflator may be substantially higher than desired for preferred inflation of the air bag. In contrast, if the inflator is at a temperature below the preferred temperature range, the gas output pressure or flow rate of the inflator may be substantially lower than desired for preferred inflation of the air bag.
It is known to use an electric heater, or other type of heater, to maintain the temperature of the inflator in a predetermined range.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a vehicle safety apparatus comprising an inflatable occupant protection device having a deflated condition and an inflated condition for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle. The apparatus also comprises an inflator for providing inflation fluid to the inflatable device to inflate the inflatable device. The apparatus further comprises an electrically energizable heating element for controlling the temperature of the inflator, and an adhesive material securing the heating element to the inflator.
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patent: 5863066 (1999-01-01), Blumenthal
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Culbreth Eric
Lum L.
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
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