Air bag inflator with laser diode initiator

Claim 1

Apparatus for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint, said apparatus comprising: a source of inflation fluid for inflating the restraint; and initiator means which, when actuated, initiates a flow of said inflation fluid from said source to the restraint to inflate the restraint, said initiator means including a casing containing pyrotechnic material and a laser diode, said laser diode emitting laser light which ignites said pyrotechnic material when said initiator means is actuated; said casing having an axis extending in a straight line from said laser diode to said pyrotechnic material, said laser diode projecting said laser light along said axis from said laser diode to said pyrotechnic material when said initiator means is actuated; said source of inflation fluid comprises container means for defining a storage chamber containing inflation fluid under pressure, said container means including a container wall having a frusto-conical surface defining a passage extending outward from said storage chamber through said container wall, said casing extending into said storage chamber through said passage in said container wall and having a frusto-conical peripheral surface, said frusto-conical surfaces having a condition of being pressed tightly against each other in sealing contact so as to comprise sealing means for blocking said inflation fluid from exiting said storage chamber through said passage between said initiator means and said container wall.