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Inflator

  • US 7,007,610 B2
  • Filed: 08/21/2003
  • Issued: 03/07/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2002
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An inflator for use in a safety device within a motor vehicle, the inflator comprising a hybrid multi-stage gas generator;

  • the gas generator including a chamber accommodating compressed gas, a first pyrotechnic unit incorporating a first pyrotechnic charge configured so that, on actuation of the first pyrotechnic charge, hot gas from the pyrotechnic charge is directed into the chamber containing said compressed gas; and

    a second pyrotechnic unit incorporating a second pyrotechnic charge configured so that on actuation of the second pyrotechnic charge, hot gas from the second pyrotechnic charge is directed into the chamber containing the compressed gas;

    at least one gas outlet aperture being located in a flow path from the chamber containing compressed gas to the exterior of the inflator, the gas outlet aperture having an initial cross-section to define an initial gas flow area, the at least one gas outlet aperture incorporating a deformable part configured to deform in response to a predetermined gas pressure within the chamber, thereby increasing the cross-section of the gas outlet aperture to increase the gas flow area of the gas outlet.

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