Patent ID: 8047569
Filing Date: 2011-11-01
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. A multi-stage inflator comprising: a housing at least in part defining a first combustion chamber containing a quantity of a first pyrotechnic material gas generant reactable to form a first product gas, the first combustion chamber having at least one exit opening to allow at least a portion of the first product gas to exit the first combustion chamber; a first initiator operatively associated with the first combustion chamber in reaction initiating communication with at least a portion of the quantity of the first pyrotechnic material gas generant, the first initiator, upon actuation, to ignite the first pyrotechnic material gas generant to form the first product gas; the housing additionally at least in part defining a second combustion chamber containing a quantity of a second gas pyrotechnic material generant reactable to form a second product gas, the second combustion chamber adjacently disposed the first combustion chamber, the second combustion chamber having at least one exit opening to allow at least a portion of the second product gas to exit from the second combustion chamber and into the first combustion chamber; a second initiator operatively associated with the second combustion chamber in reaction initiating communication with at least a portion of the quantity of the second pyrotechnic material gas generant, the second initiator, upon actuation, to ignite the second pyrotechnic material gas generant to form the second product gas; and the housing additionally having at least one discharge opening to permit gas to exit the housing, wherein the housing includes an end wall and wherein both the first and the second initiators are connected to the end wall.