Container of vehicle air bag inflator having fluid with combustible portion

An apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:

• a container defining a chamber;
• a mixture of gases in the chamber, said mixture of gases including a fuel gas and an inflation gas;
• and
• means for igniting said fuel gas to heat and pressurize said inflation gas in the chamber;
• said container comprising:
• an inner housing including an inner member having a first surface defining the chamber and a second surface defining an exterior periphery of said inner housing, said inner member being made from a metal which is chemically unreactive with said fuel gas, said inner member having a portion which ruptures in response to pressure in the chamber increasing to a predetermined pressure to provide an opening for gas to flow from said chamber;
• and
• an outer housing including an outer member having a third surface engaging and supporting said second surface of said inner member to reinforce said inner member against pressure in the chamber except at said portion;
• and
• means for directing gas flowing from the opening in said inner member to the protection device to inflate the protection device.

An apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:

• a fluid including combustible fuel gas;
• a container defining a chamber for holding said fluid, said container comprising:
• an inner housing including an inner member with a cylindrical first surface portion defining the chamber and a cylindrical second surface portion defining at least a portion of a periphery of said inner member, said inner member having a rupturable portion which ruptures in response to pressure in the chamber increasing to a predetermined pressure, said inner member being made from one of stainless steel and aluminum;
• and
• an outer housing including an outer member with a cylindrical third surface portion engaging and supporting said second surface portion of said inner member over the axial and circumferential extents of said inner member, said housing having an opening located adjacent said rupturable portion of said inner member through which fluid in the chamber may flow upon said rupturable portion rupturing;
• and
• means for igniting said combustible fuel gas to increase the pressure in the chamber to the predetermined pressure.

An apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:

• a container defining a chamber for inflation fluid which is used to inflate the protection device, said container comprising:
• an inner housing comprising an inner member extending along an axis, said inner member having a first surface portion defining at least a portion of the chamber and a second surface portion defining at least a portion of the periphery of said inner member extending along the axis of said inner member, said inner housing further including a portion which ruptures in response to pressure in the chamber increasing to a first predetermined pressure;
• and
• an outer housing comprising an outer member with a third surface portion engaging and supporting said second surface portion of said inner member over its axial and circumferential extents, said outer housing further including a reinforcing wall supporting a portion of said inner member, said reinforcing wall including means for defining said portion of said inner member which ruptures;
• and
• actuatable means for effecting the heating of inflation fluid in the chamber to increase the pressure to the first predetermined pressure.

An apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said apparatus comprising:

• a container defining a chamber for inflation fluid which is used to inflate the protection device;
• actuatable means supported by said cap for effecting the heating of inflation fluid in the chamber;
• and
• said container comprising:
• an inner housing having a first surface portion defining at least a portion of the chamber;
• a cap fixed to said inner member to support said actuatable means, said cap including a plurality of passages to permit communication between said actuatable means and the chamber;
• and
• a rupturable member fixed to said cap and extending across said plurality of passages to block communication between the chamber and said actuatable means when said member is unruptured, said member having sufficient strength to withstand pressure in the chamber which acts on a first side of said member and rupturing in response to actuation of said actuatable means to produce pressure which acts on a second side of said member opposite said first side.