Patents by Inventor Earl H. Nelson
Earl H. Nelson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9492979Abstract: An apparatus for filament wrapping a composite material around an object includes a fixture onto which the object can be rotationally fixed at a selected angle from vertical designated ?, where 90°>?>0°. The fixture is secured to a rotatable planar platform. The rotatable platform permits the fixture to be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the planar platform. An eyelet is provided wherethrough a composite material filament can be released to wrap the object rotationally fixed onto the fixture. Also provided are corresponding or associated methods for filament wrapping a composite material around an object and helically wrapping a composite material filament around an inflator device subassembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Bradley W. Smith, Michael P. Jordan, Earl H. Nelson, Alan D. Van Leer, Phillip R. Anderson
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Publication number: 20150360428Abstract: An apparatus for filament wrapping a composite material around an object includes a fixture onto which the object can be rotationally fixed at a selected angle from vertical designated ?, where 90°>?>0°. The fixture is secured to a rotatable planar platform. The rotatable platform permits the fixture to be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the planar platform. An eyelet is provided wherethrough a composite material filament can be released to wrap the object rotationally fixed onto the fixture. Also provided are corresponding or associated methods for filament wrapping a composite material around an object and helically wrapping a composite material filament around an inflator device subassembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2014Publication date: December 17, 2015Inventors: Bradley W. SMITH, Michael P. JORDAN, Earl H. NELSON, Alan D. VAN LEER, Phillip R. ANDERSON
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Patent number: 8360465Abstract: A side impact airbag arrangement mounted in a vehicle door (20) has an air cavity (46) inside the body (22) of the vehicle door (20) an initial volume in an intact state and a reduced volume smaller than the initial volume after a side impact has deformed the door body (22). An airbag cushion (10) is arranged in an airbag compartment (44) adjacent to the air cavity (46). The airbag cushion (10) has an interior configured to be filled with a gaseous medium to inflate the airbag cushion (10). Flapper valves (14) inserted between the air cavity (46) and the interior of the airbag cushion (10) allow a flow of air from the air cavity (46) into the interior of the airbag cushion (10) to inflate the airbag cushion (10) when a side impact deforms the air cavity (46) from the initial volume to the reduced volume.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2011Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Earl H. Nelson, Bradley W. Smith
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Patent number: 7654569Abstract: A reinforced frame having a roof member and a pillar includes a brace interconnected to the frame. The brace is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The deployed position is defined by the brace extending diagonally between the pillar and the roof member.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2006Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventor: Earl H. Nelson
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Patent number: 7396040Abstract: An airbag module has a rigid cushion with an integrated inflator. The cushion has a rear cushion panel and the inflator may have a front inflator plate attached to the rear cushion panel. A rear inflator plate is optionally provided and may be positioned within the cushion or outside the cushion. A pyrotechnic may be disposed within the space between the front inflator plate and the rear cushion panel and/or the rear inflator plate. An initiator may be seated in the rear inflator plate and/or the rear cushion panel to initiate combustion of the pyrotechnic. Instead of the front inflator plate, the inflator may have an expanse of tape that secures the pyrotechnic and/or the initiator to the interior of the cushion. The pyrotechnic may be sealed by the tape or by a foil pouch. The initiator may be secured by the tape or by a rear inflator plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Mark L. Enders, Bradley W. Smith, Michael P. Jordan, Earl H. Nelson, Guy R. Letendre, Blake L. Cheal
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Patent number: 7275776Abstract: An impact energy management system for absorbing or displacing kinetic energy during a collision. The system includes a housing defining a chamber and a contact element disposed at least partially within the chamber and longitudinally movable therein. A tab extends from a side wall of one of the housing and the contact element. Prior to a collision, the contact element is disposed in an impact position, and upon the collision the contact element moves within the chamber. The tab contacts a side wall portion of an other of the one of the housing and the contact element. The side wall of the housing and/or the contact element tears to absorb or displace kinetic energy during the collision, thereby reducing the force of the impact by transferring energy through the tearing.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2005Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: David W. Parkinson, Earl H. Nelson
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Patent number: 7261320Abstract: An airbag restrain system is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag restraint system includes an inflatable airbag cushion having a tether coupled to the interior surface of the cushion. The airbag restraint system further includes first and second inflators for dual mode airbag cushion deployment. Upon a pre-impact condition, the first inflator deploys to partially inflate the cushion and release the tether. The second inflator also deploys to inflate the cushion to approximately full capacity. Upon an impact condition, only the second inflator deploys and the tether extends until taut to limit expansion of the cushion. Means are provided to retain and release the tether in response to the first inflator.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2005Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Steven R. Fredin, Bradley W. Smith, David W. Parkinson, Earl H. Nelson
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Patent number: 7249783Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of methods and apparatus for inflating an airbag with a tether release system. In one embodiment of the invention, first and second inflators are employed. A tether is operatively connected with one of the inflators such that the system is configured to release the tether upon deployment of one of the inflators and to allow the tether to restrict the full inflation size of the airbag upon deployment of the other inflator.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2005Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: David W. Parkinson, Earl H. Nelson, Bradley W. Smith
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Patent number: 6854764Abstract: A flexible inflator provides enhanced features to an inflatable airbag restraint such as flexibility to facilitate installation in the tight spaces along the sides of a vehicle. The flexible inflator may include a housing with first and second ends made of corrugated metal. End caps are attached to each end of the cylindrical housing to form a pressure vessel. Combustible material, capable of generating inflation fluid, is positioned within a membrane inside the housing. An initiator is in communication with the combustible material, for initiating a combustible reaction within the housing. The housing is surrounded by a steel wire over-braid. The corrugated steel housing can be readily pierced without leaving a burr to damage the environmental seal. The corrugation also provides a plenum allowing gasses to readily flow from around the inflation fluid generant.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2002Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Alan R. Larsen, Earl H. Nelson
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Patent number: 6848715Abstract: A folded rigid knee airbag for preventing the lower body portion of a vehicle occupant from being propelled forward during a collision is provided. The folded rigid knee airbag includes a back panel and a front panel attached to the back panel. Both the front panel and the back panel may be made from a rigid material, such as sheet metal. The back panel may include first and second accordion folds, and first and second vertical folds. The airbag may be in communication with an inflator. During discharge of the inflator, the accordion folds and the vertical folds unfold to form four substantially planar walls. The accordion folds and the vertical folds enable the front panel to remain substantially flat and maintain a substantially uniform cross-sectional area during inflation.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2002Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Earl H. Nelson, Bradley W. Smith, Alan R. Larsen
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Publication number: 20040036265Abstract: A folded rigid knee airbag for preventing the lower body portion of a vehicle occupant from being propelled forward during a collision is provided. The folded rigid knee airbag includes a back panel and a front panel attached to the back panel. Both the front panel and the back panel may be made from a rigid material, such as sheet metal. The back panel may include first and second accordion folds, and first and second vertical folds. The airbag may be in communication with an inflator. During discharge of the inflator, the accordion folds and the vertical folds unfold to form four substantially planar walls. The accordion folds and the vertical folds enable the front panel to remain substantially flat and maintain a substantially uniform cross-sectional area during inflation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2002Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Earl H. Nelson, Bradley W. Smith, Alan R. Larsen
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Publication number: 20040035953Abstract: A spray nozzle having a helical coil of flat wire is disclosed. The flat wire defines a deflecting surface for distributing a sprayable material in a desired spray pattern. The flat wire also forms an attachment member for connecting the spray nozzle to a coupling member. The coupling member allows the spray nozzle to be attached to a sprayable material source. The spray nozzle may be manufactured by wrapping the flat wire around a conical shaping form to define a helical coil and an attachment member.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2002Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Earl H. Nelson, David W. Lindsey
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Publication number: 20030155757Abstract: A flexible inflator provides enhanced features to an inflatable airbag restraint such as flexibility to facilitate installation in the tight spaces along the sides of a vehicle. The flexible inflator may include a housing with first and second ends made of corrugated metal. End caps are attached to each end of the cylindrical housing to form a pressure vessel. Combustible material, capable of generating inflation fluid, is positioned within a membrane inside the housing. An initiator is in communication with the combustible material, for initiating a combustible reaction within the housing. The housing is surrounded by a steel wire over-braid. The corrugated steel housing can be readily pierced without leaving a burr to damage the environmental seal. The corrugation also provides a plenum allowing gasses to readily flow from around the inflation fluid generant.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2002Publication date: August 21, 2003Inventors: Alan R. Larsen, Earl H. Nelson