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: The invention relates to (1) pressure-mediated dissociation of an analyte complexed with an endogenous binding partner to enable detection of a complex formed from the analyte and an exogenous binding factor, (2) pressure-mediated association of an analyte and an exogenous binding partner to enable more rapid and/or more sensitive detection of an analyte, and (3) pressure-mediated association and dissociation of biomolecular complexes to enable separation of one biomolecule from a complex mixture. Pressure can be used to improve assays by dissociating endogenous analyte complexes and improving assay speed and sensitivity by associating the analyte molecules with exogenously supplied binding partners. Pressure can also be used to improve the separation of compounds from contaminated mixtures.

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: A dual stage inflator 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: 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: Inflation apparatuses and methods are provided wherein a supply of ignition material is indirectly ignited to assist in the inflation process.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus in which pressure provides precise control over the timing and preferably synchronization of chemical reactions, particularly enzymatic reactions.

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: 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 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: Systems for use in leak detection and methods for leak detection are provided wherein a radioactive trace material is externally applied to a wall of a chamber which contains a fluid at a relatively high internal pressure.

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: Inflation apparatuses and methods are provided wherein a supply of ignition material is indirectly ignited to assist in the inflation process.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method for forming a glass which displays visible cracking prior to failure when subjected to predetermined stress level that is greater than a predetermined minimum stress level and less than a failure stress level. The method includes determining a critical flaw size in the glass and introducing a residual stress profile to the glass so that a plurality of visible cracks are formed prior to failure when the glass is subjected to a stress that is greater than the minimum stress level and lower than the critical stress. One method for forming the residual stress profile includes performing a first ion exchange so that a first plurality of ions of a first element in the glass are exchanged with a second plurality of ions of a second element that have a larger volume than the first ions. A second ion exchange is also performed so that a plurality of the second ions in the glass are exchanged back to ions of the first element.

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

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

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: An inflator apparatus for inflating an inflatable device and a method are provided wherein a combination of a dissociative gas source material and at least one unreactive dissociation reaction modifier is stored at least partially in liquefied form with the reaction modifier effective to moderate at least one of the temperature and concentration of the at least one gas source material upon the dissociation of at least a portion of the at least one gas source material.

Abstract: An inflator apparatus for inflating an inflatable device and a method are provided wherein a combination of a dissociative gas source material and at least one unreactive dissociation reaction modifier is stored at least partially in liquefied form with the reaction modifier effective to moderate at least one of the temperature and concentration of the at least one gas source material upon the dissociation of at least a portion of the at least one gas source material.