Patent ID: 7325829
Filing Date: 2008-02-05
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An airbag inflator comprising: a tubular inflator housing having a longitudinally extending tubular center portion positioned between a first end and a second end of the tubular inflator housing; a primary gas vent port located on the tubular center portion that is spaced apart from both ends of the tubular inflator housing for venting gas from the tubular inflator housing into an airbag; a gas release mechanism having an exhaust port at the first end of the tubular inflator housing for releasing gas directly from the tubular inflator housing to ambient air, thus bypassing the airbag; and a gas flow manifold encircling the tubular inflator housing and primary vent port in a depression or reduced diameter portion of the tubular inflator housing, wherein the manifold has a plurality of radially oriented openings for passing the gas into the airbag.