Inflator

Details Inflator Inflator

1999-08-10

2001-01-23

Huson, Gregory L. (Department: 3753)

Fluid handling

Destructible or deformable element controlled

Destructible element

C137S069000, C137S068130, C280S737000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06176249

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an inflator which provides inflation fluid to inflate an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, such as a side curtain or an air bag, is inflated upon the occurrence of a vehicle condition requiring inflation of the side curtain or air bag. When inflation is required, an inflator is actuated to provide inflation fluid, which inflates the side curtain or air bag into the vehicle occupant compartment.
The inflator includes a pressure vessel defining a chamber with a passage through which inflation fluid flows from the chamber. A rupturable burst disk is fixed to the container to block fluid flow through the passage. The inflator further includes an electrically actuatable igniter assembly, which, when actuated, ruptures the burst disk to enable fluid to flow from the chamber through the passage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an inflator for providing inflation fluid to inflate an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device. The inflator includes a pressure vessel defining a chamber for inflation fluid. The pressure vessel has a passage through which inflation fluid flows from the chamber. A burst disk blocks fluid flow through the passage.
A member is disposed adjacent to and on one side of the burst disk prior to the inflation fluid entering the pressure vessel. The burst disk deforms toward the one side due to the pressure of the inflation fluid when the inflation fluid is disposed in the chamber. The member limits deformation of the burst disk by contacting the burst disk. An actuatable igniter assembly, when actuated, moves the member toward the burst disk to rupture the burst disk and enable the inflation fluid to flow from the chamber through the passage.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1781027 (1930-11-01), Mapes
patent: 3836170 (1974-09-01), Grosch et al.
patent: 5226561 (1993-07-01), Hamilton et al.
patent: 5345876 (1994-09-01), Rose et al.
patent: 5584505 (1996-12-01), O'Loughlin et al.
patent: WO 97/08021 (1997-03-01), None

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