Abstract: An apparatus for dynamic testing by rapidly accelerating a test specimen includes a sled carriage slidably mounted on first and second elevated horizontal tracks attached to a fixed foundation for free movement of the sled carriage along the tracks from a first to a second track location; the sled carriage having an essentially horizontal mounting plate terminating in a leading edge at one end and a trailing edge at an opposite end; and impact block mounted to the bottom surface of the mounting place intermediate the leading and trailing edges; a pressure differential firing component having a moveable thrust surface for striking the impact block; the pressure differential firing component attached to the foundation between the tracks so at least a portion of the bottom surface of the mounting plate of the sled carriage between the leading edge and the impact block can override at least a portion of a firing chamber component of the pressure differential firing component; a high pressure compressed gas storag

Abstract: Apparatus for simulating a side impact vehicle crash comprises a test dolly assembly slidably mounted for longitudinal movement on a slidably mounted sled carriage accelerated by a pressure differential firing means. The test dolly assembly is essentially stationary on a track fixedly mounted on the sled carriage assembly until a ram on the sled carriage assembly strikes an impact block on the test dolly assembly.

Abstract: A test fixture for simulating the inflation profile of a vehicle air bag. The test fixture includes a cavity block containing compressed nitrogen at a first predetermined pressure, and accumulator containing compressed nitrogen a second higher predetermined pressure, a diffuser containing an air bag at ambient pressure, a first rupture disk intermediate the accumulator and the cavity block adapted to rupture at a third predetermined pressure intermediate the first and second predetermined pressures, and a second rupture disk intermediate the diffuser and the cavity block adapted to rupture at a fourth predetermined pressure intermediate the first and second predetermined pressures.