Abstract: An airbag inflator includes a lower pressure vessel supporting an initiator assembly, a booster can centrally mounted in the lower pressure vessel and secured to the initiator assembly, and an energetics canister secured over the booster can such that the energetics canister is positioned radially between the lower pressure vessel and the booster can. An energetics cover encloses a circumferential space between the booster can and the energetics canister. A flow diverter closes the booster can and includes inlet vent openings downstream of the energetics cover. An upper pressure vessel positioned over the flow diverter and engaging the lower pressure vessel includes an exit orifice sealed with a rupturable membrane. A manifold is secured over the upper pressure vessel. The inflator increases combustion efficiency and lowers gaseous effluents.

Abstract: An airbag inflator includes a lower pressure vessel supporting an initiator assembly, a booster can centrally mounted in the lower pressure vessel and secured to the initiator assembly, and an energetics canister secured over the booster can such that the energetics canister is positioned radially between the lower pressure vessel and the booster can. An energetics cover encloses a circumferential space between the booster can and the energetics canister. A flow diverter closes the booster can and includes inlet vent openings downstream of the energetics cover. An upper pressure vessel positioned over the flow diverter and engaging the lower pressure vessel includes an exit orifice sealed with a rupturable membrane. A manifold is secured over the upper pressure vessel. The inflator increases combustion efficiency and lowers gaseous effluents.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an airbag gas generant formulation optimized for hybrid airbag inflators, and an airbag inflator, an airbag, an airbag module comprising same, and a method of inflating an airbag using the airbag gas generant.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for protecting an identity of a user. The method includes conducting a transaction with a transaction medium issued from of an institution, which provides transaction information to the institution. A government-issued identification number (GIN) of the user and a personal identification number (PIN) of the user are provided to a database. The database returns verification information based on whether the GIN and the PIN provided to the database correspond to a recorded GIN of the user stored in the database and a recorded PIN of the user stored in the database. The institution is allowed to authorize the transaction based on the returned verification information.

Abstract: A multi-level inflator for an air bag or other safety restraint device, comprising an elongated pressure vessel having a primary gas generating portion with a first open end and a gas storage portion with a second open end. The primary gas generating portion has a primary initiator and primary gas generating energetics disposed therein, the initiator being mounted on an igniter body secured to and closing the pressure vessel at the first open end thereof. A pressure vessel closure is secured to the second end of the pressure vessel, the closure having an aperture therethrough and a primary rupture disk secured thereto to close the aperture. The gas storage portion has an inert gas therein under a predetermined pressure. A secondary inflator of the all-pyrotechnic type is secured to the pressure vessel and closure at the second end thereof. The secondary inflator comprises a secondary housing having a secondary initiator and secondary gas generating energetics disposed therein.

Abstract: A multi-level inflator for an air bag or other safety restraint device, comprising an elongated pressure vessel having a primary gas generating portion with a first open end and a gas storage portion with a second open end. The primary gas generating portion has a primary initiator and primary gas generating energetics disposed therein, the initiator being mounted on an igniter body secured to and closing the pressure vessel at the first open end thereof. A pressure vessel closure is secured to the second end of the pressure vessel, the closure having an aperture therethrough and a primary rupture disk secured thereto to close the aperture. The gas storage portion has an inert gas therein under a predetermined pressure. A secondary inflator of the all-pyro type is secured to the pressure vessel and closure at the second end thereof. The secondary inflator comprises a secondary housing having a secondary initiator and secondary gas generating energetics disposed therein.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (40) includes a housing (12) and a container (50) mounted in the housing. A quantity of helium gas (52) is stored under pressure in the container (50). The apparatus (10) includes means (58) for opening the container (50) to enable flow of helium gas (52) out of the container into the housing (12). The housing (12) has wall portions (14, 16, 18, 20) for directing helium gas (52) flowing from the container (50) through an outlet (26) of the housing into the inflatable device (40) to inflate the inflatable device. The housing (12) has at least one aspiration opening (30, 32) for aspirating ambient air into the housing due to the flow of helium gas (52) to mix with the helium gas during flow of helium gas from the container (50) into the inflatable device (40).

Abstract: An inflator (110) including: a pressure means (12, 14, 16, 20) for storing a quantity of stored inflation gas under pressure. The pressure means including a first burst disk (46) in communication with the stored inflation gas and preventing egress of the gas from the chamber and a hollow sliding piston (172) having at one end thereof cutting edges (174) for puncturing the first burst disk (46). A shear disk (180) having a stationary outer portion (187) and a central portion or second disk (186), central portion is secured to one end of the piston (172) opposite the cutting edges (174). The central portion is capable of separating from the outer portion and moving with the piston (172). A quantity of propellant material (218) is provided near the second burst disk (80) to produce gaseous combustion products when burned.

Abstract: An inflator (10) comprising: a pressure tank (12, 14, 16, 20) for storing a quantity of stored inflation gas under pressure. The pressure tank comprising a first burst disk (46) in communication with the stored inflation gas; a sliding piston (72) including at one end thereof a sharp edge (74) for puncturing the first rupture disk and at its other end a second rupture disk (80). The sliding piston (72) movable into engagement with the first rupture disk in response to the build up of pressure acting on the second rupture disk (80) in response to the burning of propellant material (90) thereby permitting egress of the stored inflation gas. The second burst disk being ruptured by the continued build up of pressure due to the burning propellant whereupon after the rupturing of same the heated products of combustion resulting from the burning propellant flow through the sliding piston (72) to increase the temperature of the stored inflation gas prior to its exit from the inflator.