Dual pyrotechnic hybrid inflator

An inflator for an air cushion or bag comprising:

• a hollow, cylindrical sleeve having first and second ends;
• first means for enclosing the first end of the sleeve;
• second means for enclosing the second end (28) of the sleeve, the sleeve, and first and second means comprising a pressure vessel for storing a quantity of pressurized inert gas used to inflate the air bag;
• the first means comprises an initiator housing assembly comprising a manifold adapted to be secured to the sleeve at the first end including a flat edge first orifice, a first frangible member comprising a first rupturable disk secured about the first orifice, wherein one side of the disk is exposed to the stored gas;
• the manifold further including first flow control means, positioned remote from the pressure vessel for regulating the flow of inflation gas as it exits the pressure vessel and a pyrotechnic first actuator means for breaking the first frangible member wherein the second means comprises a generator housing assembly including a hollow, elongated generator housing including a first housing end and a second housing end, the first housing end is secured to the second end of the sleeve, the second housing end (86) includes at least one opening enclosed by a second frangible member comprising a second rupturable disk.

An inflator for an air cushion or bag comprising:

• a hollow, cylindrical sleeve having first and second ends;
• first means for enclosing the first end of the sleeve;
• second means for enclosing the second end (28) of the sleeve, the sleeve, and first and second means comprising a pressure vessel for storing a quantity of pressurized inert gas used to inflate the air bag;
• the first means comprises an initiator housing assembly comprising a manifold adapted to be secured to the sleeve at the first end including a flat edge first orifice, a first frangible member comprising a first rupturable disk secured about the first orifice, wherein one side of the disk is exposed to the stored gas;
• the manifold further including first flow control means, positioned remote from the pressure vessel for regulating the flow of inflation gas as it exits the pressure vessel and a pyrotechnic first actuator means for breaking the first frangible member including diffuser means in communication with the first flow control means, for supporting the pressure vessel and for directing inflation gas into an air cushion, the diffuser including a lower portion adapted to support a lower portion of the pressure vessel, the diffusing further including an upper portion adapted to mate along with an upper portion of the pressure vessel, the diffuser upper portion including a plurality of openings to permit inflation gas to flow thereacross, and defining in cooperation with the pressure vessel two volume regions proximate the upper portion of the pressure vessel so as to provide a means for reducing turbulance of the inflation gas and to reduce the heat transfer of the inflation gas with the diffuser.