Abstract: A hybrid inflator having a quantity of stored gas in a pressure vessel, and a quantity of gas generant stored within a generant housing having at least one port in its longitudinal end. Within the generant housing the gas generant is retained within a porous sleeve. This sleeve is spaced inward from the non-porous generant housing, such that a free flow area is formed between the sleeve and the generant housing. The inflation gas created by the gas generant will thus flow radially outward through the sleeve, and then be turned to flow longitudinally toward the port(s) in the generant housing. Providing the free flow area reduces the pressure drop across the generant sleeve, resulting in less slag being forced through the sleeve to be entrained within the created gas flow. Additionally, the changes in direction forced upon the created gas flow to exit the generant housing cause additional amounts of slag to be removed from the created gas flow. This results in a hybrid inflator having reduced solid emissions.

Abstract: A passenger side airbag module includes a reaction canister whose sidewalls define a pair of channels on opposite sides of its open mouth. An unperforated cushion cover carries a pair of splines which are engaged by the channels. One spline/channel combination locks the cover securely to the canister. The other spline/channel combination forms a snap-fit engagement which disengages under the force of the expanding airbag.