Importance

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Abstract

A non-welded pyrotechnic gas-generating inflator apparatus which comprises: a domed diffuser member, open at one end; a closure plate member sealing the open end of the diffuser member, the members being mechanically sealed by rolling a peripheral lip portion of the diffuser member over the outer circumference edge of the closure plate member at an angle of about 180 degrees to a remaining lateral wall portion of the diffuser member, and inserting a locking ring member against a bottom surface of the closure member within the periphery of the rolled lip, the locking ring being configured to engage an inner terminal edge portion of the lip, thereby forming a sealed inflator housing; a sufficient amount of a combustible gas generant material within said housing to produce, upon the combustion thereof, a volume of a gaseous product sufficient to substantially inflate an automobile air bag within about 30-60 milliseconds; a combustion initiating device positioned within the housing adjacent the gas generant and a filter assembly for filtering the combustion product prior to its discharge from the inflator, the filter assembly circumferentially surrounding the gas generant within the housing. In fabricating the inflator, the filter assembly is simply lowered into position within the diffuser and the propellant is lowered into the filter cavity. Subsequently, the closure member is mated to the open end of the diffuser and the lip of the diffuser is rolled over the outer edge of the closure by a rotating mechanical head in the area where they overlap to form a seal therebetween.

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First Claim