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Igniter for gas bag inflator

  • US 5,772,243 A
  • Filed: 08/22/1997
  • Issued: 06/30/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A low pressure igniter for a gas bag inflator having a gas generant material in the form of pellets or wafers that is characterized by providing, when functioning, a large diameter flame front producing hot gas and particles, and which is projectile free, comprising,an igniter housing including a base having a skirt extending from the periphery of said base, said base and said skirt of said housing being a single piece of material,an end plate perforated over substantially the whole area thereof, said perforated end plate being attached to said skirt to form a chamber within said housing,an initiator having an initiating portion, said initiator being mounted in the base of said housing with the initiating portion thereof extending into said chamber,an ignition compound in said chamber, andsealing means having a predetermined low rupture pressure positioned within said chamber and sealing said perforated end plate to retain said ignition compound in said chamber until said igniter begins to function,whereby, upon initation of said igniter, the flame front produced by said igniter does not eject the ignited flame at great force and velocity on a front of little width into the gas generant material of said inflator but instead is expelled into the gas generant material of said inflator under a force of significantly less power as a flame having a wide diameter that weaves itself into the space between the gas generant pellets or wafers and around them and smoothly ignites them without crushing them.

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