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Hybrid inflator

  • US 20070075535A1
  • Filed: 10/03/2005
  • Published: 04/05/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A hybrid inflator for inflating an airbag system of a vehicle, comprising:

  • an inflator housing filled with a pressurized medium containing an inert gas;

    one or more gas heaters internal and connected at an end of the inflator housing, the at least one of the gas heaters including;

    an outer shell formed by a heater housing having a plurality of heater holes and a plurality of bypass openings;

    a gas generating chamber in which a gas generant charge is stored, the gas generating chamber and the inflator housing being in communication with each other through the plurality of heater holes and the plurality of bypass openings;

    an ignition means connected to the gas heater and located at an end of the inflator housing;

    an enhancer chamber in which an enhancer charge is stored, the enhancer chamber being located between the gas generating chamber and the ignition means, and separated from the gas generating chamber by a bulkhead, the bulkhead having one or more first openings to the gas generator chamber, and being located in close proximity to the plurality of bypass openings; and

    wherein the enhancer charge when ignited by the ignition means passes ignited gases through the one or more first openings in the bulkhead and passes a portion of the ignited gases through the bypass openings in proximity to the bulkhead pre-heating the inert gas in the inflator and a remaining portion of the ignited enhancer charge ignites the heater charge.

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