An inflator-based system provides for the actuation of valves and other devices using automotive air bag inflators, for example. One or more inflators can be connected to a valve body with an adapter such that upon inflator activation, inflator gases can act on a piston or similar device to achieve desired movement or operation of the valve or device. An inflator-based actuator can provide for a single action or multiple actions of a valve or other device. Such a system can provide safer and more reliable alternatives to electro-explosive ordnance devices found in pyrovalves, for example. Other uses for an inflator-based actuation system can include a lanyard pull initiator, a dual cartridge cutter, a bolt cutter, a hot gas generator (HGG) body, and a HGG pressure cartridge, to name a few examples.

An airbag module comprises a control unit, a source of electric current managed by the control unit, a container wherein a gas is stored under pressure, and a hollow body with an inlet duct, in which an outlet of the container sealed by a pierceable membrane is tightly fitted, and an outlet duct on which an inflatable bag is tightly assembled. The airbag module further comprises an actuator assembly configured to pierce open the membrane sealing the container, said actuator assembly comprising a piercing member movably restrained to the body and at least one linear shape memory alloy wire actuator member that is electrically connected to the source of electric current and operably restrained to the piercing member so as to cause it to move beyond the pierceable membrane.

An airbag module comprises a control unit, a source of electric current managed by the control unit, a container wherein a gas is stored under pressure, and a hollow body with an inlet duct, in which an outlet of the container sealed by a pierceable membrane is tightly fitted, and an outlet duct on which an inflatable bag is tightly assembled. The airbag module further comprises an actuator assembly configured to pierce open the membrane sealing the container, said actuator assembly comprising a piercing member movably restrained to the body and at least one linear shape memory alloy wire actuator member that is electrically connected to the source of electric current and operably restrained to the piercing member so as to cause it to move beyond the pierceable membrane.

An assembly includes a seatbelt and an inflation chamber connected to the seatbelt. The inflation chamber is inflatable from an undeployed state to a deployed state. The inflation chamber includes a first inflation chamber and a second inflation chamber. The first inflation chamber is positioned above the second inflation chamber.

An assembly includes a seatbelt and an inflation chamber connected to the seatbelt. The inflation chamber is inflatable from an undeployed state to a deployed state. The inflation chamber includes a first inflation chamber and a second inflation chamber. The first inflation chamber is positioned above the second inflation chamber.

The invention relates to an overigniting protection device (40) for a multi-stage gas generator (10), comprising a combustion chamber limiting element (34) for limiting a combustion chamber (30) of a second ignition stage (14) of the gas generator (10) as well as an overigniting protection element (38) which is arranged on a side of the combustion chamber limiting element (34) remote from the combustion chamber (30), wherein the overigniting protection element (38) covers the side of the combustion chamber limiting element (34) remote from the combustion chamber (30), wherein the overigniting protection element (38) is tightly connected to the combustion chamber limiting element (34) via a mounting portion (42) and wherein the overigniting protection element (38) is substantially plate-shaped or completely covers the side of the combustion chamber limiting element (34) remote from the combustion chamber (30). Furthermore, the invention relates to a second ignition stage (14) of a multi-stage gas generator, a gas generator (10) and an airbag module comprising a gas generator (10).

A gas generator includes an igniter, a cup-shaped member, and a fixing member. The cup-shaped member accommodating an enhancer agent bursts or melts at the time of activation. The fixing member fixing a filter does not burst and melt even at the time of activation. Ra and Ha satisfy a condition of Ra/Ha 1.00 where Ra represents an inner diameter of a sidewall portion of the cup-shaped member and Ha represents a distance between a top wall portion of the cup-shaped member and the igniter. The sidewall portion includes a first region surrounded by a partition wall portion of the fixing member and a second region not surrounded by the partition wall portion. The partition wall portion has an end portion arranged closer to a top plate portion than the igniter. A gas generating agent is arranged to face the top wall portion, the second region, and the partition wall portion.

A gas generator includes an igniter, a cup-shaped member, and a fixing member. The cup-shaped member accommodating an enhancer agent bursts or melts at the time of activation. The fixing member fixing a filter does not burst and melt even at the time of activation. Ra and Ha satisfy a condition of Ra/Ha 1.00 where Ra represents an inner diameter of a sidewall portion of the cup-shaped member and Ha represents a distance between a top wall portion of the cup-shaped member and the igniter. The sidewall portion includes a first region surrounded by a partition wall portion of the fixing member and a second region not surrounded by the partition wall portion. The partition wall portion has an end portion arranged closer to a top plate portion than the igniter. A gas generating agent is arranged to face the top wall portion, the second region, and the partition wall portion.

A gas generator includes: an ignition device chamber arranged at one end opening of a housing; a diffuser portion provided with a gas discharge port and arranged at another end opening; a pressurized gas chamber arranged between the ignition device chamber and the diffuser portion; a first rupturable plate closing the one end opening between the ignition device chamber and the chamber; a second rupturable plate closing the other end opening between the chamber and the diffuser portion; an igniter and a molded article of a gas generating agent accommodated in the ignition device chamber; a gas charged in the chamber; and an amount A (J/msec) of energy generated per unit time by the gas generating agent, a cross-sectional area B (cm.sup.2) of the chamber at a portion proximate to the ignition device chamber, and a density C (g/cm.sup.3) of the gas satisfy A/BC=320 to 490.

A gas generator includes: an ignition device chamber arranged at one end opening of a housing; a diffuser portion provided with a gas discharge port and arranged at another end opening; a pressurized gas chamber arranged between the ignition device chamber and the diffuser portion; a first rupturable plate closing the one end opening between the ignition device chamber and the chamber; a second rupturable plate closing the other end opening between the chamber and the diffuser portion; an igniter and a molded article of a gas generating agent accommodated in the ignition device chamber; a gas charged in the chamber; and an amount A (J/msec) of energy generated per unit time by the gas generating agent, a cross-sectional area B (cm.sup.2) of the chamber at a portion proximate to the ignition device chamber, and a density C (g/cm.sup.3) of the gas satisfy A/BC=320 to 490.