David E Pickett

US Patent:

50337726, Jul 23, 1991

Filed:

Jan 29, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/471590

Inventors:

Richard L. Frantom - Richmond MI
Robert M. Kremer - Fraser MI
David A. Pickett - Roseville MI

Assignee:

Allied-Signal Inc. - Morris Township, Morris County NJ

International Classification:

B60R 2126

US Classification:

280737

Abstract:

A hybrid inflator (10) for a cushion or air bag comprising: a pressure vessel means (16) for storing a volume of stored gas at an elevated pressure, including at least one opening (22) adapted to communicate gas within the pressure vessel to a cushion (84), a mixing chamber (60) defining a volume significantly smaller than the remaining volume of the pressure vessel; a disk (70) for providing a rupturable seal in the pressure vessel; a heat and gas generator (30,32,40,42,52,54) responsive to a control signal, for generating heated media for increasing the temperature of the stored gas at least in the mixing chamber (60), and for directing the heated media into the mixing chamber (60) and onto the disk for opening same.

US Patent:

50660381, Nov 19, 1991

Filed:

Jul 31, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/560937

Inventors:

Richard L. Frantom - Richmond MI
David A. Pickett - Roseville MI
William E. Rogerson - Rochester MI
James Rose - Fairfax VA
Robert Schubert - Sterling VA

Assignee:

Bendix Atlantic Inflator Company - Troy MI

International Classification:

B60R 2126

US Classification:

200737

Abstract:

A device (60) for inflating an air bag (36) adapted within a steering wheel comprising: a pressure vessel (66; 166; 210) formed of a length of narrow tubing for storing a quantity of inert gas under pressure and a rupturable disk (80) for enclosing a first end of the tubing; an activator or initiator such as a squib (120) responsive to a control signal indicative of a vehicular crash situation for opening the seal means to permit the pressurized gas to inflate the air bag and a manifold (50) for communicating released gas to an air bag.