Fred G Cook

US Patent:

7703395, Apr 27, 2010

Filed:

Feb 10, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/055360

Inventors:

Fred J. Cook - Mesa AZ, US
Halley O. Stevens - Mesa AZ, US
Darrin L. Johnson - Fountain Hills AZ, US

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Washington MI

International Classification:

C06D 5/00

US Classification:

102530, 280738, 280742, 2807431

Abstract:

An inflator () includes a container () having a chamber (). An exit opening () is provided in the container () and is connected to the chamber (). A substance () is stored in the chamber () and is responsive to heat for providing inflation fluid. An igniter () is associated with the container () and is actuatable to provide combustion products for heating the substance (). A nozzle () is interposed between the igniter () and the chamber (). A passage () extends from the igniter () and through the nozzle (). The passage () includes a divergent portion () for focusing a flow of combustion products from the igniter () into the chamber ().

US Patent:

20050230948, Oct 20, 2005

Filed:

Apr 20, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/827870

Inventors:

Ahmad Al-Amin - Slough, GB
Fred Cook - Gilbert AZ, US
Waldemar Gremplewski - Mesa AZ, US
Vincent Mramor - Chandler AZ, US
Lloyd Green - Mesa AZ, US

International Classification:

B60R021/26

US Classification:

280736000

Abstract:

An apparatus () for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle () includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (). An inflator () provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (). A conduit () delivers the inflation fluid from the inflator () to the protection device (). The inflator () includes an outlet passage () and a conduit receiving portion () for receiving an end portion () of the conduit (). The conduit receiving portion () includes a wall portion () that encircles the outlet passage () and is spaced from the end portion () of the conduit () to help define an annular space () between the wall portion and the end portion.

US Patent:

20060055160, Mar 16, 2006

Filed:

Sep 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/942569

Inventors:

Fred Cook - Gilbert AZ, US
George Goetz - Fountain Hills AZ, US
Brian Pitstick - Mesa AZ, US

International Classification:

B60R 21/26

US Classification:

280741000

Abstract:

An inflator () includes a container () having a fluid storage chamber () and an exit passage (). A fluid () is stored in the chamber (). The fluid (), when heated beyond a predetermined temperature, undergoes one of combustion, thermal decomposition, or a change of state to result in inflation fluid. An igniter () of the inflator (), when actuated, heats the fluid () beyond the predetermined temperature. The inflator () also includes structure () that is located within the chamber () for limiting the flow of the fluid through the exit passage () of the container () prior to being heated beyond the predetermined temperature.

US Patent:

20070289658, Dec 20, 2007

Filed:

Jun 13, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/452023

Inventors:

Fred J. Cook - Gilbert AZ, US
William B. Butler - Mesa AZ, US
George W. Goetz - Fountain Hills AZ, US
Darrin L. Johnson - Fountain Hills AZ, US
Christopher J. Ruf - Mesa AZ, US
Barry F. Shaffer - Gilbert AZ, US

International Classification:

B65B 1/04

US Classification:

141 9

Abstract:

A method of filling containers () with gases () provides each container, when filled, with a first predetermined amount of a first gas and a second predetermined amount of a second gas. The method comprises the step of forming a mixture comprising first and second amounts of the first and second gases, respectively. The first and second amounts are greater than and are in proportion to the first and second predetermined amounts, respectively. The method further comprises the steps of: determining a sum of the first and second predetermined amounts; and adding a third amount of the mixture to each of the containers. The third amount is equal to the sum of the first and second predetermined amounts.

US Patent:

62064142, Mar 27, 2001

Filed:

Aug 5, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/129710

Inventors:

Fred J. Cook - Gilbert AZ
Kenneth K. Gudewich - Gilbert AZ
Tracy L. Nelson - Sparks NV
Chad L. Greenlee - Gilbert AZ
Darrin L. Johnson - Fountain Hills AZ

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Lyndhurst OH
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R21/32;21/26

US Classification:

280734

Abstract:

An air bag inflator (10) includes a container (12) defining a chamber (14), and inflation fluid (66) under pressure in the chamber. A first opening (41) in the container (12) enables fluid flow from the chamber (14) to an inflatable device (32). A first burst disk (60) extends across the first opening (41) and is rupturable in response to an increase in the pressure differential across the first burst disk to a level above a first predetermined pressure differential. The inflator (10) includes a first igniter (90) for, when actuated, increasing the pressure differential across the first burst disk (60) to a level above the first predetermined pressure differential to rupture the first burst disk. A second opening (43) in the container (12) enables fluid flow from the chamber (14) to the inflatable device (32). A second burst disk (62) extends across the second opening (43) and is rupturable in response to an increase in the pressure differential across the second burst disk to a second predetermined pressure differential greater than the first differential.

US Patent:

6237950, May 29, 2001

Filed:

Jul 26, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/360920

Inventors:

Fred J. Cook - Gilbert AZ
Barry F. Shaffer - Mesa AZ
Darrin L. Johnson - Fountain Hills AZ
Edward F. Randell - Apache Junction AZ

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 2126

US Classification:

280736

Abstract:

An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (32) comprises a container (20) defining a gas storage chamber (14), and inflation fluid (66) under pressure in the gas storage chamber. An opening (40, 42) in the container (20) enables fluid flow from the gas storage chamber (14) to the inflatable device (32). A rupturable burst disk (60, 62) extends across the opening (40, 42). An assembly (80) in the gas storage chamber (14) is provided for producing combustion products for heating and pressurizing the inflation fluid (66). The assembly (80) includes a housing (82) and a separator (100) in the housing defining first and second chambers (112, 114). A first pyrotechnic charge (122) in the first chamber (112) has a first burn rate. The housing (82) has first fluid outlets (96) for enabling flow of combustion products from the first chamber (112) to the gas storage chamber (14). A second pyrotechnic charge (124) in the second chamber (114) has a second burn rate less than the first burn rate.