Abstract: An improved method for fabricating a filter for use in automotive air bag inflators which comprises forming a hollow cylindrical inner core or combustion screen of filter material and outer filter layers wound outward from the surface of the core so as to be maintained in cylindrical relation thereabout. This invention is specifically directed to an improved filter which does not include a perforated support tube and relies on only the interior combustion screen for support in the final wrapping of the remaining filter structure.

Abstract: An improved method for fabricating a filter for use in automotive air bag inflators which comprises forming a hollow cylindrical inner core or combustion screen of filter material and outer filter layers wound outward from the surface of the core so as to be maintained in cylindrical relation thereabout. This invention is specifically directed to an improved filter which does not include a perforated support tube and relies on only the interior combustion screen for support in the final wrapping of the remaining filter structure.

Abstract: An electrical chargeable dielectric coating powder and a triboelectric coating process for applying the powder to substrates are described. The coating powder is a mass of finely divided, heat fusible dielectric plastic material having an average particle size (My) of between 30 and 45 microns and a particle size distribution (all percents defined in weight percent) of:95%-100% smaller than 88 microns,5%-15% smaller than 15.56 microns and0%-6% smaller than 11 microns.Preferably the coating powder has 0% larger than 88 microns and an Mv=about 30-40, preferably 35-40 microns. More preferably the particle distribution further includes10%-15% smaller than 15.56 microns and4%-6% smaller than 11 microns, andan Mv of between about 35 and 36 microns. Most preferably the particle distribution further includes:about 11.5% smaller than 15.56 microns andabout 4.3% smaller than 11 microns, andan Mv of about 35.9. Preferably the powder is a thermosetting resin composition.

Abstract: An air bag inflation which includes a gas source and a gas outlet opening for allowing flow of gas from the gas source into the air bag wherein the flow of gas is controlled with a valve assembly including a piston disposed in a cylinder and features a piston against which the gas acts to cause movement of the piston in a first direction in the cylinder to provide an increased flow of gas through the gas outlet opening and further includes a spring disposed in the path of movement of the piston so that as the piston moves in the cylinder the spring provides resistance to the movement of the piston.

Abstract: An air bag inflator which includes a gas source and a gas outlet opening for allowing flow of gas from the gas source into the air bag wherein the flow of gas is controlled with a valve assembly including a piston disposed in a cylinder and features a piston which has a pintle shaped surface against which the gas acts to cause movement of the piston in a first direction in the cylinder to provide an increased flow of gas through the gas outlet opening and further includes a spring disposed in the path of movement of the piston so that as the piston moves in the cylinder the spring provides resistance to the movement of the piston.

Abstract: Paper pulp, especially recycled paper pulp which has been deinked, is bleached in a synergistic two-stage process first with sodium bisulfite and then with sodium borohydride. The borohydride is preferably added in an aqueous mixture with sodium hydroxide. A weak acid such as acetic acid may be added to the pulp to advance further the brightness gain.

Abstract: A triboelectric coating process for applying powder to substrates are described. The coating powder is a mass of finely divided, heat fusible dielectric plastic material having an average particle size (Mv) of between about 30 and 45 microns and a particle size distribution (all percents defined in weight percent) of:0-5% larger than 88 microns,85-95% larger than 15.56 microns and94-100% larger than 11 microns.

Abstract: A gas generant body having a plurality of alike, flat-surfaced projections equally spaced and radially equidistant about the periphery of one or both sides of the body. The spaced projections are defined by curved or arcuate walls emanating from the center of the generant body which flare outwardly to the body's perimeter, each having an angular arc length greater than the space therebetween. The outer edge of each projection is preferably contiguous with the perimeter of the body. When the projections are on both sides, as is preferred, the projections on one side are preferably in a staggered or offset relationship to those on the other side. A washer-shaped wafer disc is the most preferred overall generant body form. A stack or assembly of the multiprojection generant wafers may be formed into an array for use in a gas generator for an automobile gas bag inflator.

Abstract: An air bag retention system for securing a gas filling or inlet end of an inflatable air bag during deployment along a delivery chute extended toward a panel opening in a motor vehicle, includes an air bag having at least one pocket on an outside surface opening toward the panel. The delivery chute includes at least one retaining tab having a free end extending into the air bag pocket toward the inlet end for preventing the inlet end of the air bag from moving out of the chute during the rapid inflation thereof in response to generated gas flowing rapidly into the air bag.

Abstract: This invention relates to a clamping structure for assembling an automotive air bag to an automotive air bag inflator. The clamping structure includes an annular retainer ring and module housing. Integral "L" shaped tabs or studs descending from the annular retainer are designed to pass through radial slots in the air bag and module housing. The tab or stud is formed to have an "L" shape with the short leg of the "L" having a slight angle. Then as the retainer is rotated into place, the short leg of the "L" shaped tab or stud will be forced into contact with the housing and clamp the assembly together.

Abstract: A vehicle air bag installation including an inflatable air bag assembly mounted in a rectangular opening in the vehicle instrument panel for deployment of the air bag through the opening. A rectangular net fit cover door engages a recessed abutment around the opening when closed. The abutment includes a plurality of spaced apertures around the opening for receiving fasteners for attaching the cover to the instrument panel. The fasteners comprise elongate thermoplastic resin bodies having a bulbous head, flared wings or shoulders extending from the bulbous head for providing height alignment, an intermediate bulbous portion for centering the fastener in the aperture and a lower end that converges to a flange to facilitate insertion through the apertures. Integral lock-in-tabs are provided in the flange portion to lock the fastener to the abutment. Integral channels molded into the underside of the cover substrate releasably engage the heads of the fasteners.

Abstract: A device is provided for controlling the forward momentum of the front surface of an automotive air bag cushion during deployment thereof. A diffuser is installed inside the air bag cushion near the gets inlet and substantially perpendicular to the flow of gas from the inflator. The diffuser results in reduced forward momentum of the front part of the air bag cushion thus permitting the lower portion of the air bag cushion to deploy toward the occupant of the vehicle so that initial contact of the air bag is made with the lower torso of an occupant. The cushion is thereby moved into a lower position in front of the occupant's torso more quickly than an air bag cushion equipped without a diffuser. The diffuser of this invention also provides secondary filtration of particulate matter from the gas stream.

Abstract: A retainer ring having expandable sides for attaching a passenger side air bag to a air bag module canister. The retainer ring accommodates slight variations in the canister thus permitting the air bag cushion to be securely fastened to the canister without the formation of gaps between the air bag cushion and the canister. This reduces gas leakage from the canister during deployment of the air bag cushion. A self-locking mechanism is also provided to permit assembly of the retainer ring without the need for fasteners or special tools.

Abstract: A retainer for attaching an inflator having a substantially constant cross section to an air bag canister. The retainer comprises a base and a number of tabs perpendicular to the base. The tabs engage and hold the wall of the inflator. The base of the retainer is fastened to an air bag canister wall thereby securing one end of the inflator.

Abstract: A clamping device for clamping an automotive air bag to an automotive air bag inflator. The clamping device includes an annular retainer ring and module housing. Axial descending members, in the form of tabs, pins, or circular posts are attached to the bottom of the annular retainer and pass through holes in the air bag and module housing. The axial descending members provide additional places wherein the shear stress of the air bag fabric can resist the forces applied to the air bag during deployment. Undersized fastener openings in the module housing in conjunction with annular retainer tabs bent to grasp the module housing clamp the air bag during assembly of the air bag module without installation, thus securing the inflator.

Abstract: Recycled paper pulp is de-inked by pulping it at neutral or alkaline pH with an aqueous deinking composition comprising one or more reducing agents. The preferred reducing agents are sodium bisulfite and sodium borohydride. Sodium hydroxide is preferably used to give the desired pH.

Abstract: This invention relates to an inflator housing construction for an air bag inflation system. The inflator housing construction includes first and second aluminum structural components, the diffuser and base. The diffuser and base components are made from different aluminum alloys and are inertia welded to provide an improved hermetic inflator construction.

Abstract: A method for re-sizing and re-shaping wrapped multiple layered or stack-up cylindrical air bag inflator filter assemblies. This invention is specifically directed to manufacturing cylindrical air bag filter assemblies exhibiting superior dimensioned characteristics such as diameter, wall thickness, roundness, straightness, clylindricity by subjecting the as-wrapped filter assemblies to a rotary swaging operation.

Abstract: Deinked paper pulp is subjected to bleaching with sulfite or bisulfite ions and a reducing agent, preferably sodium bisulfite and sodium borohydride in aqueous alkaline solution. To assist the removal of ink particles, steam is bubbled through the pulp causing the ink particles to rise to the surface as a black foam which can be continuously removed.

Abstract: Gas generant pyrotechnic compositions especially suitable for inflating vehicle occupant restraint systems with nitrogen gas are described. The compositions are comprised (in wt. %) of about 65-74% of an azide, preferably sodium azide; about 17-29.5% of iron oxide, preferably ferric oxide; and about 1.0-6% metal nitrite or nitrate co-oxidizer, preferably sodium nitrate; to which base composition is added about 0.5-8% silica, alumina, titania or mixtures thereof; up to 6% bentonite and up to 4% molybdenum disulfide. Preferred driver and passenger side formulations are disclosed. The compositions burn from about 0.8 to 1.5 inches per second, have excellent slag and clinker properties, as well as excellent aging and mechanical strength characteristics when formed into cylindrical pellets or wafers. The formulation ingredients are amenable to water slurry mixing, spray drying and machine pressing into cylindrical pellets or wafers for insertion into a suitable gas generating device.