Patent ID: 6962365
Filing Date: 2005-11-08
Classification: B60R,F17C

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for inflating an inflatable safety restraint cushion, the apparatus comprising: an expansion chamber having fluid contents; an expansion chamber opening device effective, upon actuation, to open the expansion chamber to permit passage of at least a portion of the expansion chamber contents therefrom for inflating the inflatable safety restraint cushion; a Joule-Thomson throttling device situated adjacent to the expansion chamber; and a storage chamber situated adjacent to the Joule-Thomson throttling device, opposite the expansion chamber, the storage chamber having contents including a supply of Joule-Thomson heating material; wherein, upon opening of the expansion chamber, the Joule-Thomson throttling device permits at least a portion of the supply of the Joule-Thomson heating material to be passed from the storage chamber to the expansion chamber through the Joule-Thomson throttling device with the portion of the supply of the Joule-Thomson heating material passing therethrough undergoing Joule-Thomson heating to form an inflation gas for use in inflating the inflatable safety restraint cushion.