Patent ID: 6364353
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An inflator for providing inflation fluid for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflator comprising:a housing defining first and second combustion chambers; a first inflation fluid source in said first combustion chamber and actuatable to effect flow of inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable device; a first initiator in said housing for, when energized, effecting actuation of said first inflation fluid source; a second inflation fluid source in said second combustion chamber and actuatable to effect flow of inflation fluid to inflate the inflatable device; a second initiator in said housing for, when energized, effecting actuation of said second inflation fluid source; said housing deforming due to the pressure of inflation fluid in said housing upon actuation of one or both of said inflation fluid sources; said housing, after deforming, having a fluid passage for directing flow of inflation fluid out of said housing to the inflatable device, the flow area of said fluid passage varying in accordance with the pressure of inflation fluid in said housing; said housing comprising first and second housing parts having a first condition in abutting engagement with each other and a second condition, after deformation of said housing, spaced apart from each other to define said fluid passage; said first housing part comprising a one-piece metal member that supports said first and second initiators and defines said first and second combustion chambers.