Patent ID: 6116642
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
An inflator for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said inflator comprising:a container having a cup-shaped wall including a base portion and a side wall portion, said cup-shaped wall comprising a one-piece structure and being initially free of any opening therethrough, said base portion and-said side wall portion at least partially defining a combustion chamber in said container,an ignitable material in said combustion chamber, said ignitable material, when ignited, rapidly increasing fluid pressure inside said combustion chamber; andmeans for igniting said ignitable material,said base portion of said cup-shaped wall including a predefined rupture portion that ruptures when the fluid pressure inside said combustion chamber reaches a predetermined elevated fluid pressure level to form an orifice through which said inflation fluid in said combustion chamber flows, said orifice controlling the rate at which said inflation fluid flows into the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device,wherein said base portion of said cup-shaped side wall of said container is movable between an initial condition and a deformed condition upon ignition of said ignitable material, said base portion forming an arcuate dome in said deformed condition.