Hybrid adaptive inflator for airbags

A method and apparatus for adaptively inflating a vehicle occupant restraint airbag. The method involves providing an inflator (10) having upper and lower hemispherical housing parts (12, 14) which contain pressurized inert gas in a main chamber (18) and first and second heating devices (32, 34). A...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors WOODBURY, MARK BUDGE, BUCHANAN, ERIC SCOTT, RINK, LINDA MARIE
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
French
German
Published 15.10.1997
Edition6
Subjects
PERFORMING OPERATIONS
TRANSPORTING
VEHICLES IN GENERAL
VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISEPROVIDED FOR
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Summary:A method and apparatus for adaptively inflating a vehicle occupant restraint airbag. The method involves providing an inflator (10) having upper and lower hemispherical housing parts (12, 14) which contain pressurized inert gas in a main chamber (18) and first and second heating devices (32, 34). A gas exit orifice (20) in the upper housing part (12) is closed by a burst disc (22) and covered by a diffuser (24) with ports (26). Upon sensing a collision, activating means activate the first heating device (32) causing heated compressed gas to rupture the disc and leave the inflator. Thereafter, the secnd heating device (34) is activated and provides further heat input to inert gas beyond the main chamber. Gas beyond the main chamber quenches that poduced by the second heating device (34) and prevents it from burning the associated airbag. The heating devices may include a pyrotechnic, a fluid fuel and an oxidizer.
Bibliography:Application Number: EP19970302292