초록 ▼

An apparatus for deploying an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) includes a pressure vessel (16) containing inflation fluid, and a source of thermal energy which heats the inflation fluid. An initiator assembly (17), when actuated, initiates an outlet flow of the inflation fluid from

An apparatus for deploying an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12) includes a pressure vessel (16) containing inflation fluid, and a source of thermal energy which heats the inflation fluid. An initiator assembly (17), when actuated, initiates an outlet flow of the inflation fluid from the pressure vessel (16). The initiator assembly (17) includes a first actuatable device (18) which varies the degree to which the thermal energy can heat the inflation fluid, and further includes a second actuatable device (20) which causes the source to release the thermal energy to heat the inflation fluid. The initiator assembly (17) is actuated in a selected one of a plurality of differing stages. The differing stages correspond to a plurality of differing deployment conditions, and include a "softest" stage in which only the first actuatable device (18) is actuated.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for deploying an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:a pressure vessel having a single chamber containing a stored inflation fluid;an ignitable source of thermal energy stored in said single chamber and in contact with an inf

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for deploying an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:a pressure vessel having a single chamber containing a stored inflation fluid;an ignitable source of thermal energy stored in said single chamber and in contact with an inflation fluid and which, when ignited, heats said inflation fluid in said single chamber;an initiator assembly which, when actuated, initiates an outlet flow of said inflation fluid from said single chamber;said initiator assembly including a first actuatable device which opens said pressure vessel without igniting said thermal energy in said single chamber;said initiator assembly further including a second actuatable device which ignites said source of thermal energy to release said thermal energy to heat said inflation fluid in said single chamber; andmeans for actuating said initiator assembly in a selected one of a plurality of differing stages which correspond to a plurality of differing deployment conditions, said stages including a stage in which said first actuatable device is actuated and said second actuatable device is never actuated.