Abstract: An apparatus and method for inflating an inflatable device which involve a heat source composed of a load of fuel material and an initiator is actuatable to be in heat transmitting communication such as to initiate dissociation of a gas source material to form at least one gaseous dissociation product used to inflate the inflatable device.

Abstract: An inflator assembly for an airbag safety system that comprises a container having a chamber configured to hold pressurized gases, an igniting assembly for producing exit gases and a diffusing assembly to vent the exit gases. The container is provided with an end closure that is composed of a material having a substantial silicon content. The diffusing assembly includes a diffuser cap and a burst disk. The diffuser cap has a number of apertures formed therein that allow the exit gases to be released when the burst disk ruptures. The igniting assembly is configured such that it may be coupled to the end closure and capable of withstanding a heat treatment process that bonds the igniting assembly, end closure and container together to form a one-piece structure.

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: Inflatable device inflation assemblies wherein a gas source material is released from an inflator apparatus into an inflatable device wherein the gas source material may, such as upon actuation of an initiator device situated within the inflatable device, dissociate or otherwise form gaseous products for the inflation of the inflatable device. An inflatable restraint system is also provided which includes a plurality of inflatable devices each operatively joined with a chamber which contains a dissociative gas source material. The system includes at least one first initiator effective upon actuation to initiate dissociation of the gas source material within a selected one of the plurality of inflatable devices.

Abstract: An inflator apparatus for inflating an inflatable device and a method are provided which utilize a burst disk arrangement which results in a sequential opening regime such as may desirably provide a form of the above-described S curve inflation performance behavior without necessitating the use of or reliance on mechanical opening devices such as projectiles or piston members.

Abstract: A method for introducing a radioactive leak trace material into an apparatus for inflating an inflatable device is disclosed in which a mixture containing a preselected quantity of the radioactive leak trace material and a quantity of at least one gas source material, which upon initiation results in an inflation fluid used to inflate the device, are loaded into a chamber of the apparatus.

Abstract: An inflator and method of gas generation are provided using a linear ignition source to initiate reaction of a decomposing material.

Abstract: An apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, which apparatus includes a pressure vessel having a preformed opening feature and a method of fabricating a corresponding single chamber apparatus for inflating an inflatable device.

Abstract: Inflatable device inflation assemblies wherein a gas source material is released from an inflator apparatus into an inflatable device wherein the gas source material may, such as upon actuation of an initiator device situated within the inflatable device, dissociate or otherwise form gaseous products for the inflation of the inflatable device. An inflatable restraint system is also provided which includes a plurality of inflatable devices each operatively joined with a chamber which contains a dissociative gas source material. The system includes at least one first initiator effective upon actuation to initiate dissociation of the gas source material within a selected one of the plurality of inflatable devices.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inflating a vehicular inflatable device are provided wherein inflation gas is produced via a dissociative material wherein an initiator includes an enhanced fuel pyrotechnic formulation which, in addition to initiating dissociation of at least a portion of a quantity of gas source material contained within the inflator, forming dissociation products used to inflate the device, also forms particles to interact with one or more of at least a portion of the remaining quantity of gas source material contained within the inflator and the dissociation products to form additional inflation products for inflating the inflatable device.

Abstract: An initiator suitable for use with airbag passive restraint systems and which does not use pyrotechnic materials is disclosed. The initiator provides an electrically actuated igniter which ignites an adjacently stored non-pyrotechnic fluid combustible material which may comprise a mixture of a fluid fuel and a fluid oxidizer, a fluid monopropellant or a fluid exothermically decomposable material. A sub-assembly of the non-pyrotechnic initiator with a fuel containment chamber and inflators which use the non-pyrotechnic initiator are also disclosed.

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

Abstract: A method and apparatus for igniting a pyrotechnic gas generator, or inflator, such as those used in automotive airbag systems is disclosed. The ignition system uses a flammable gas to ignite the pyrotechnic gas generant. The flammable gas can be stored either throughout interior free space in the inflator or it can be maintained in a separate sealed container either separately or jointly with the pyrotechnic gas generant. The method and apparatus offer both cost savings and a reduction in delay time over conventional pyrotechnic ignition systems.

Abstract: An improvement in inflatable restraint air bag module assemblies with non-symmetric gas output inflators wherein a diffuser of specific design and in cooperation with the reaction canister results in reduced air bag deployment skewness.

Abstract: An inflator apparatus and method for inflating an inflatable device which rely on the formation and subsequent reaction of acetylene are provided.

Abstract: An improved adaptive output inflator is provided wherein inflator performance, such as measured by inflator gas output, can be appropriately varied and selected by appropriately varying and selecting the operational oxidant composition of the inflator.

Abstract: An improved ignition system for inflators such as those used in airbag passive restraint systems is disclosed. A breakable seal is provided in a storage chamber for a combustible fluid. Upon activation of an initiator the breakable seal is opened and the combustible fluid flows from the storage chamber into a combustion chamber where it is ignited to provide an enhanced volume of heated gas. The heated gas may be used either to directly inflate an associated inflatable apparatus or it may be used to first heat a further compressed gas and the combined gases used to inflate an inflatable apparatus. The breakable seal may be opened by a piston driven plunger. The design of the components of the ignition system provides control over the inflation characteristics.

Abstract: Apparatuses for inflating inflatable devices and associated methods of leak detection relying on the inclusion of a radioactive isotope leak trace material.

Abstract: Featured for use as a part of an inflatable restraint system airbag module is an elongated cylindrical airbag inflator containing a load of a gas generant material. The inflator has a size (i.e., length) selected to correspond to the size of the load of the gas generant material stored within the inflator.

Abstract: An improvement in an airbag system for a motor vehicle relating to an adaptive output fluid fueled airbag inflator and method of operation thereof are provided. Such an inflator, in addition to a stored gas chamber, a combustion chamber wherein, upon actuation, a first fluid fuel and an oxidant are burned, and a first initiator device for initiating the combustion of the first fuel and the at least one oxidant, includes a combination of a fluid fuel container, which holds a supply of a second fluid fuel, and a second initiator device for initiating the combustion of the second fuel. Various selected performance levels can be obtained through the proper selection, actuation and sequencing of actuation of the initiator devices and burning of fuels contained within the inflator.