Single pin initiator for a gas generating device

Abstract

A single pin initiator including a header body forming an eyelet, a header lip surface and a connector shell. An initiator canister is connected to the header body and defines a first storage chamber, wherein a supply of initiation charge material is contained. A pin is positioned within the eyelet, with a pin head portion extending into the first storage chamber defined by the initiator canister. Electrical communication between the pin and the header body is provided by a bridgewire connected to the header body and preferably contacting a flat surface of the pin head portion. A supply of initiation pyrotechnic material is disposed on at least a portion of the bridgewire, and is in initiation communication with the supply of initiation charge material. Also disclosed is a passive restraint system assembly including the single pin initiator assembly of the present invention. The passive restraint system assembly includes a gas generant canister positioned over the initiator canister and securely connected to the header body, which defines a second storage chamber containing a supply of gas generant material.

1 . A single pin initiator comprising: 
 a header body forming an eyelet, a header lip surface and a connector shell;    an initiator canister connected to said header body and defining a first storage chamber;    a pin positioned within said eyelet, said pin including a head portion and a body portion with at least the head portion extending into said first storage chamber;    a bridgewire forming electrical communication between said pin and said header body; and    a supply of initiation pyrotechnic material disposed on at least a portion of said bridgewire.    
   
   
       2 . The single pin initiator of  claim 1  further comprising a supply of initiation charge material contained within said first storage chamber, said supply of initiation pyrotechnic material in initiation communication with said supply of initiation charge material.  
   
   
       3 . The single pin initiator of  claim 2  wherein said supply of initiation charge material comprises a slurry-loaded charge comprising zirconium and potassium perchlorate.  
   
   
       4 . The single pin initiator of  claim 3  wherein said slurry-loaded charge further comprises an acrylic emulsion.  
   
   
       5 . The single pin initiator of  claim 4  wherein said slurry-loaded charge comprises hydroxypropylcellulose.  
   
   
       6 . The single pin initiator of  claim 2  wherein said supply of initiation charge material includes at least one thermal conductivity enhancer.  
   
   
       7 . The single pin initiator of  claim 6  wherein said thermal conductivity enhancer comprises aluminum powder.  
   
   
       8 . The single pin initiator of  claim 2  wherein said initiation charge material has a density of about 50% to about 75% of theoretical density.  
   
   
       9 . The single pin initiator of  claim 2  wherein said initiation charge material is deformable with respect to said initiation pyrotechnic material.  
   
   
       10 . The single pin initiator of  claim 1  further comprising a glass seal securing at least a portion of said pin within said eyelet.  
   
   
       11 . The single pin initiator of  claim 1  wherein said supply of initiation pyrotechnic material comprises a slurry-loaded initiation pyrotechnic material.  
   
   
       12 . The single pin initiator of  claim 1  wherein said header body comprises a metal material.  
   
   
       13 . A combination comprising: 
 a single pin initiator of  claim 1;     a housing positioned about said header body;    a gas generant canister welded to said header body to form a hermetic structural seal and defining a second storage chamber; and    a supply of a gas generant material contained within said second storage chamber.    
   
   
       14 . The combination of  claim 13  wherein said housing comprises a nylon material.  
   
   
       15 . A single pin initiator having a longitudinal axis comprising: 
 a header body forming an eyelet, a header lip surface and a connector shell;    an initiator canister mounted to said header body and forming a first storage chamber;    a supply of slurry-loaded initiation charge material contained within said first storage chamber;    a pin positioned within said eyelet along the longitudinal axis of said single pin initiator, said pin having a body portion and a head portion;    an insulating seal positioned within said eyelet and securing said pin body portion within said eyelet;    a bridgewire mounted to said header body forming electrical communication between said pin head portion and said header body; and    a supply of slurry-loaded initiation pyrotechnic material disposed on at least a portion of said bridgewire, at least a portion of said supply of slurry-loaded initiation pyrotechnic material in initiating contact with at least a portion of said supply of slurry-loaded initiation charge material.    
   
   
       16 . The single pin initiator of  claim 15  wherein said initiator canister is welded onto said header body.  
   
   
       17 . The single pin initiator of  claim 15  wherein said seal comprises a glass material.  
   
   
       18 . The single pin initiator of  claim 15  wherein said supply of slurry-loaded initiation charge material is deformable.  
   
   
       19 . The single pin initiator of  claim 15  wherein said supply of slurry-loaded initiation charge material includes a binder material.  
   
   
       20 . The single pin initiator of  claim 19  wherein said binder material comprises an acrylic emulsion.  
   
   
       21 . The single pin initiator of  claim 20  wherein said acrylic emulsion includes hydroxypropylcellulose.  
   
   
       22 . The single pin initiator of  claim 15  wherein said supply of slurry-loaded initiation charge material includes a thermal conductivity enhancer.  
   
   
       23 . The single pin initiator of  claim 22  wherein said thermal conductivity enhancer includes aluminum.  
   
   
       24 . The single pin initiator of  claim 15  wherein said supply of slurry-loaded initiation charge material comprises zirconium and potassium perchlorate.  
   
   
       25 . A passive restraint system assembly comprising: 
 a single pin initiator assembly having a longitudinal axis, said single pin initiator assembly comprising:    a header body forming an eyelet, a header lip surface and a connector shell;    an initiator canister mounted to said header body and defining a first storage chamber;    a supply of initiation charge material contained within said first storage chamber;    a pin positioned within said eyelet along the longitudinal axis, said pin including a head portion and a body portion with at least said pin head portion extending into said first storage chamber;    a glass seal securing said pin body portion within said eyelet;    a bridgewire mounted to said header body and forming electrical communication between said pin head portion and said header body;    a supply of initiation pyrotechnic material disposed at least in part on at least said bridgewire, at least a portion of said supply of initiation pyrotechnic material contacting at least a portion of said supply of initiation charge material; and    a gas generant canister positioned over said initiator canister and securely connected to said header body, said gas generant canister defining a second storage chamber containing a supply of gas generant material.