Frederich Henry Schultz

US Patent:

53090306, May 3, 1994

Filed:

Oct 19, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/963182

Inventors:

Frederich H. Schultz - Santa Barbara CA

Assignee:

Delco Electronics Corporation - Kokomo IN

International Classification:

B60R 2132

US Classification:

307 101

Abstract:

A supplemental inflatable restraint system with a controllable current source comprises a sense element, a switch device coupled to the sense element, and a squib coupled to the switch device, wherein the sense element, switch device and squib are coupled in a series circuit between a power source and a ground. A deploy control circuit is coupled to the switch device, and, in response to a deploy command, forward biases the switch device allowing electric current to flow through the sense element, switch device and squib to deploy a supplemental inflatable restraint. A current control circuit is coupled to the sense element and switch device and responds to the current flow through the sense element and regulates the switch device, effectively limiting current through the series circuit to a predetermined value.