Patent ID: 6176518
Filing Date: 2001-01-23
Classification: B60R,F16K

Abstract:
Apparatus comprising:an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device;a container storing inflation fluid at an ambient temperature and an elevated storage pressure;a valve located outside said container in an inflation fluid flow path extending from said container to said protection device; andmeans for initiating a flow of said inflation fluid from said container to said valve along said flow path in an unheated condition, said flow causing the fluid pressure in said container to decrease continuously from said storage pressure to an ambient atmospheric pressure;said valve including a metering member and a thermostatic metal element engaging said metering member to move said metering member under the influence of changes in said ambient temperature prior to initiation of said flow;said metering member normally having an initial position defining an initial outlet flow area;said valve further including pyrotechnic material which, when ignited, produces combustion products that develop a thrust which moves said metering member to a subsequent position defining a subsequent outlet flow area greater than said initial outlet flow area.