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Method of assembling a hybrid inflator

  • US 5,679,915 A
  • Filed: 11/03/1995
  • Issued: 10/21/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for assembling an inflator for an inflatable safety system comprising an air/safety bag, said inflator comprising an inflator housing, a gas generator, and an inflator activation assembly, said method comprising the steps of:

  • positioning a solid gun type propellant inside said gas generator, wherein combustion of said solid gun type propellant augments a flow to the air/safety bag and wherein exposure of said gun type propellant to a temperature of 107 degrees for a period of 400 hours does not degrade said gun type propellant substantially in relation to its suitability for use in said inflator, and thereafter said gun type propellant will ignite when exposed to an autoignition temperature of said gun type propellant;

    positioning said gas generator inside said inflator housing;

    interconnecting said gas generator and said inflator housing;

    interconnecting said inflator activation assembly with said inflator housing, said activation assembly comprising an ignitable material other than said gun type propellant;

    introducing a first gas into at least said inflator housing;

    introducing a second gas into at least said inflator housing which is different from said first gas, wherein said first and second gases consist essentially of an inert gas and oxygen, respectively; and

    sealing said inflator housing to substantially retain said first and second gases within said inflator housing, wherein after said sealing step and prior to any activation of said inflator activation assembly, said first and second gases are the only gases contained within said inflator housing and define a pressurized medium.

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