Abstract: A method of generating a file suitable for programming a programmable logic device. The method generally comprises the steps of (A) generating a programming item from a plurality of parameters that define a program for the programmable logic device, (B) storing the programming item in a programming field of the file in response to generating, and (C) storing at least one of the parameters in a non-programming field of the file.

Abstract: A method of generating a file suitable for programming a programmable logic device. The method generally comprises the steps of (A) generating a programming item from a plurality of parameters that define a program for the programmable logic device; (B) compressing the programming item to present a compressed item; (C) storing the programming item in a programming field of the file in response to generating; and (D) storing the compressed item in a non-programming field of the file in response to compressing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inflator for inflating a cushion of an airbag module. The inflator induces expansion of a gas by application of an electric voltage to the gas or to a plurality of filaments disposed within the gas. The voltage may be applied between a nozzle and a conductor in such a manner that an arc forms within the nozzle. Gas passing through the nozzle then forms an arc-jet that further heats adjacent gas. Multiple gases may be used, including gases designed to combust and/or dissociate to produce additional moles of inflation gas. The voltage may alternatively be applied within the housing in such a manner that a corona is formed in the gas, thereby at least partially ionizing the gas to heat the gas. As yet another alternative, the voltage may be applied to some of the filaments to provide gas expansion via filament combustion.

Abstract: Enhanced airbag modules and associated methods are provided. An airbag module according to the invention may have a cushion with an inflatable protection zone and a flexible venting tube coupled to the inflatable protection zone. A closure mechanism may be used to compress the flexible venting tube against an anchoring member, such as a housing of the airbag module or a vehicle feature, until venting through the flexible venting tube is needed. The closure mechanism may then be actuated, for example, by igniting a pyrotechnic within a specially designed bolt of the closure mechanism. The bolt may, for example, have a bore with a pyrotechnic initiator molded-in-place within the bore. The bolt may fracture to open the closure mechanism, thereby permitting inflation gas to flow out of the inflatable protection zone via the flexible venting tube.

Abstract: A dual stage inflater for providing an extended flow of inflation gas to an airbag or inflatable curtain is disclosed. The inflator includes a first gas chamber having an exit orifice, the exit orifice having an open configuration and a closed configuration. Additionally, the inflator has a second gas chamber in gaseous communication with the first gas chamber. The first and second gas chambers are separated by a flow restrictor positioned between them. This restrictor controls the flow of gas out of the second gas chamber. The inflator includes an initiator in communication with the interior of one of the gas chambers that is configured to selectively initiate a flow of gas through the exit orifice of the first gas chamber. The exit orifice of the inflator may be disposed within an inlet port of an inflatable curtain to cause inflation gases exiting the inflator through the exit orifices to enter directly into the airbag or inflatable curtain.

Abstract: Inflation apparatuses and methods are provided wherein a hydrocarbon-containing inflation gas-producing mixture is formed via the fluid extraction of the hydrocarbon from a substrate material.

Abstract: An inflation system and method of operation are provided which utilize or employ the magnetic characteristics of certain gases to selectively alter or change one or more inflation characteristic of the inflation output provided thereby or resulting therefrom. An inflation system for providing a supply of inflation medium to an inflatable restraint element includes an inflator device having a first chamber having contents including a quantity of at least one gaseous material having magnetic characteristics. The inflation system also includes a magnetic field inductor in magnetic field change inducing communication with at least a portion of the first chamber contents quantity of the at least one gaseous material having magnetic characteristics, wherein activation of the magnetic field inductor effects a change in at least one inflation characteristic of the inflator device, e.g., rise rate, gas mass flow rate and pressure output, produced or generated by the inflator.

Abstract: An airbag or inflatable curtain inflator for producing two differing gas flows is disposed. The inflator has a gas chamber, a first orifice, and a second orifice. The first orifice has a different effective cross-sectional area than the second orifice. The two different cross-sectional areas allow the first orifice to produce a mass flow rate of gas that is different from the second orifice. The mass flow rates of gas may be related to the volume of an inflatable curtain into which the gas is ejected. Thus, two differently sized volumes of an inflatable curtain may be simultaneously inflated with a single inflator.

Abstract: An airbag inflator having two individual sections coupled together by a connection member is disclosed. The vessel may be configured to have different airbag inflation characteristics. The sections may have different gas generants, volumes, and orifice sizes. The inflator may also include modular components. Various vessels having different inflation characteristics may be attached to a connection member. The use of modular components allows multiple inflator configurations to be created from a smaller number of components.

Abstract: An inflatable curtain module is disclosed, where the inflatable curtain module has an inflator, and an inflatable curtain. The inflator may have a biaxial flow providing a gas input into two separate inflatable cushions. The cushions may be different sizes or volumes. Alternatively, other inflatable curtain modules may incorporate multiple inflators and multiple cushions to create an inflatable curtain module. The multiple inflators can be employed to provide two gas inputs into a single inflatable cushion. An inflatable curtain module may also be created from a number of generically sized cushions and inflators that are assembled into an inflatable curtain module for a wide range of vehicles.

Abstract: An airbag inflator housing is disclosed that provides a multi-dimensional inflation surface. The housing may include a back wall, a front wall, and at least one side wall connecting the front wall to the back wall to enclose a volume within the housing. A nozzle array may be integrated with the front wall. The nozzle array may include a plurality of pre-formed and sealed nozzles. The nozzles may be arranged according to a two-dimensional array to provide an inflation surface to inflate a connected airbag. The nozzles may be formed using MEMS processes to provide very small and precise nozzles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inflator for inflating a cushion of an airbag module. The inflator induces expansion of a gas by application of an electric voltage to the gas or to a plurality of filaments disposed within the gas. The voltage may be applied between a nozzle and a conductor in such a manner that an arc forms within the nozzle. Gas passing through the nozzle then forms an arc-jet that further heats adjacent gas. Multiple gases may be used, including gases designed to combust and/or dissociate to produce additional moles of inflation gas. The voltage may alternatively be applied within the housing in such a manner that a corona is formed in the gas, thereby at least partially ionizing the gas to heat the gas. As yet another alternative, the voltage may be applied to some of the filaments to provide gas expansion via filament combustion.

Abstract: An inflation system and method of operation are provided which utilize or employ the magnetic characteristics of certain gases to selectively alter or change one or more inflation characteristic of the inflation output provided thereby or resulting therefrom. An inflation system for providing a supply of inflation medium to an inflatable restraint element includes an inflator device having a first chamber having contents including a quantity of at least one gaseous material having magnetic characteristics. The inflation system also includes a magnetic field inductor in magnetic field change inducing communication with at least a portion of the first chamber contents quantity of the at least one gaseous material having magnetic characteristics, wherein activation of the magnetic field inductor effects a change in at least one inflation characteristic of the inflator device, e.g., rise rate, gas mass flow rate and pressure output, produced or generated by the inflator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for gas generation via a water-supplying compound and a water-reactive fuel precursor.

Abstract: Inflation apparatuses are provided employing an elongated enclosed housing which contains a non-gaseous, fluid form of gas generant material. The housing can desirably be sufficiently flexible to permit the inflator device to be desirably shaped such as to facilitate the specific placement and location thereof within the interior of a vehicle. Also, provided are associated methods of gas production.

Abstract: A method of hybridizing a first nucleic acid to a second nucleic acid at least partially complementary to the first nucleic acid by (1) providing a sample vessel and pressure controller for the vessel; and (2) contacting the first and second nucleic acids within the vessel at a pressure above ambient pressure that is effective to enhance hybridization of the first and second nucleic acids.

Abstract: A dual flow inflator for airbags is disclosed, together with related manufacturing, installation, and deployment methods. The inflator may have a gas chamber with a first end with a first exit orifice and a second end with a second exit orifice. The exit orifices may be directed into inlet ports of an inflatable curtain so that inflation gases exit the inflator through the exit orifices and enter directly into the inflatable curtain. The exit orifices may provide axial gas flows in opposite directions so that each gas flow neutralizes the thrust of the other. The exit orifices may comprise frangible structures such as burst discs, scored surfaces, and compression closures. If desired, pistons may be utilized to ensure that the exit orifices are completely and simultaneously opened. Furthermore, the gas chamber may comprise a variety of configurations, including a unitary, one-piece structure, a multi-part structure with vessels attached to a tubular or spherical bulkhead, or a generally spherical shape.

Abstract: Inflator device assemblies containing an expandable fluid effective to provide a gaseous inflation medium also advantageously employ or incorporate a pyrotechnic material such as to augment or enhance at least one fill characteristic of the gaseous inflation medium. The pyrotechnic material is provided on a selected non-gas generant surface within the inflator device. Suitable pyrotechnic compositions may include a binder additive effective to adhere the pyrotechnic composition to a surface within the inflator device.

Abstract: An airbag or inflatable curtain inflator for producing two differing gas flows is disposed. The inflator has a gas chamber, a first orifice, and a second orifice. The first orifice has a different effective cross-sectional area than the second orifice. The two different cross-sectional areas allow the first orifice to produce a mass flow rate of gas that is different from the second orifice. The mass flow rates of gas may be related to the volume of an inflatable curtain into which the gas is ejected. Thus, two differently sized volumes of an inflatable curtain may be simultaneously inflated with a single inflator.

Abstract: Inflation apparatuses and methods are provided which utilize elemental carbon and nitrous oxide in the gas generation or formation process.