Inflator for an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device
First Claim
1. Apparatus comprising:
- a pressure vessel having a closure structure including a part consisting of a single continuous body of homogeneous metal material, said part having a plurality of fluid outlet openings, a fluid outlet conduit communicating with said outlet openings, and a pocket separate from said outlet conduit, said pocket having a closed inner end defined by a thin wall portion of said part; and
an initiator received in said pocket, said initiator being actuatable to rupture said thin wall portion of said part.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus includes a pressure vessel with a closure structure (14) including a part (62) consisting of a single, continuous body of homogeneous metal material. The part (62) has a plurality of fluid outlet openings (22), a fluid outlet conduit (88) communicating with the outlet openings (22), and a pocket (100) separate from the outlet conduit (88). The pocket (100) has a closed inner end (116) defined by a thin wall portion (120) of the part (62). An initiator (40) is received in the pocket (100), and is actuatable to rupture the thin wall portion (120) of the part (62). In a preferred embodiment, a retainer structure (102) holds the initiator (40) in the pocket (100). The retainer structure (102) and the part (62) have adjoining, unthreaded surfaces (160, 108) engaging each other in an interference fit which is tight enough to hold the retainer structure (102) and the initiator (40) in the pocket (100) when the initiator (40) is actuated.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. Apparatus comprising:
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a pressure vessel having a closure structure including a part consisting of a single continuous body of homogeneous metal material, said part having a plurality of fluid outlet openings, a fluid outlet conduit communicating with said outlet openings, and a pocket separate from said outlet conduit, said pocket having a closed inner end defined by a thin wall portion of said part; and an initiator received in said pocket, said initiator being actuatable to rupture said thin wall portion of said part. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. Apparatus comprising:
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a pressure vessel having a part consisting of a single continuous body of homogenous metal material, said part having a pocket with a closed inner end defined by a thin wall portion of said part; an initiator received in said pocket, said initiator being actuatable to rupture said thin wall portion of said part; and a retainer structure holding said initiator in said pocket, said retainer structure and said part having adjoining unthreaded surfaces engaging each other in an interference fit tight enough to hold said retainer structure and said initiator in said pocket when said initiator is actuated. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification