Patent ID: 7878535
Filing Date: 2011-02-01
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An airbag inflator comprising: a pressure vessel having a control orifice through which inflation gas may flow when it reaches a predetermined pressure within said pressure vessel; a manifold connected to said pressure vessel in fluid communication with said control orifice, said manifold comprising an exhaust opening through which inflation gas from said pressure vessel may pass for inflation of an airbag; and an adaptive valve connected to said manifold, said adaptive valve being in fluid communication with said manifold and comprising an exhaust orifice for diverting inflation gas to an area outside of an airbag in communication with said manifold exhaust opening to lower the inflation rate thereof, and a valve member movably mounted in said adaptive valve for selective movement between a first position wherein it closes said exhaust orifice and a second position wherein it opens said exhaust orifice, wherein said adaptive valve further comprises an initiator that can be actuated to generate sufficient gas pressure to move said valve member to said first or second position, and said valve member is normally in said second position, and said initiator can be actuated to move said valve member to said first position.