Pyrotechnic initiator and process of making same

(19)

(11)

EP 0 758 735 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	07.01.1998 Bulletin 1998/02

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	19.02.1997 Bulletin 1997/08

(21)	Application number: 96305893.8

(22)	Date of filing: 12.08.1996

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁶: F42B 3/00

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	DE FR GB

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Priority:

14.08.1995 US 514616

(71)	Applicant: ICI Americas Inc
	Tamaqua, PA 18252 (US)

(72)	Inventors:
	Hambro, Roger S. Orefield, PA 18069 (US) Chatley, Glenn R. Mesa, AZ 85205 (US)

(74)	Representative: Ede, Eric et al
	Fitzpatricks, 4 West Regent Street Glasgow G2 1RS, Scotland Glasgow G2 1RS, Scotland (GB)

(54)	Pyrotechnic initiator and process of making same

(57) Short circuits in automotive airbag initiators utilizing fine, stranded leadwires are avoided by forming balls on the ends of the wire by a plasma arc. The wires are spot welded to the initiator terminals, and no fraying occurs in the spot welding process. The procedure produces a reliable initiator, and simplifies the inspection process.

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