Abstract: A method and system for inhibiting power of a vehicle given to a third party. The system includes a mode-indicating, an authenticator coupled to the mode-indicating device, and a power inhibiting device coupled to the mode-indicating device and adapted to selectively inhibit the power of the vehicle. Here, the mode-indicating device is adapted to communicate a power restriction signal to the power inhibiting device to inhibit the power of the vehicle upon an activation of the mode-indicating device by an authenticated driver and until a deactivation of the mode-indicating device by the authenticated driver, and the authenticator is adapted to restrict the activation and the deactivation of the mode-indicating device unless the driver has been authenticated by the authenticator.

Abstract: A method and system for inhibiting power of a vehicle given to a third party. The system includes a mode-indicating, an authenticator coupled to the mode-indicating device, and a power inhibiting device coupled to the mode-indicating device and adapted to selectively inhibit the power of the vehicle. Here, the mode-indicating device is adapted to communicate a power restriction signal to the power inhibiting device to inhibit the power of the vehicle upon an activation of the mode-indicating device by an authenticated driver and until a deactivation of the mode-indicating device by the authenticated driver, and the authenticator is adapted to restrict the activation and the deactivation of the mode-indicating device unless the driver has been authenticated by the authenticator.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 has an inertia assembly 14 which includes a moveable ball 60 for movement from a rest position under the influence of a predetermined change in vehicle inertia. A cap 64 is mounted to engage the ball 60 and to be displaced upon movement of the ball 60 from its rest position. A sensor assembly 16 detects movement of the cap 64. The sensor assembly 16 includes a photodiode 90 which directs a beam of light 92 to impinge upon a phototransistor 96. The cap 64 has a projection member 80 which is moved to interrupt the beam of light 92 when the ball 60 moves from its rest position. In the preferred embodiment, the sensor assembly 16 provides a signal which is used to control activation of a vehicle occupant restraint 18. In the preferred embodiment, the vehicle occupant restraint 18 is a seat belt retractor 18, which has a rotatable spool 134 and ratchet wheels 138.

Abstract: A deceleration sensor switch (10) comprises electrical contacts (50, 52) and a mass (14) movable between an unactuated position in which the electrical contacts are open and an actuated position in which the electrical contacts are closed. The mass is biased towards the unactuated position. A cylinder (30) includes an end portion (44) and a cylindrical wall portion (34) extending from the end portion to define a chamber (35) inside the cylinder. The end portion includes a metering orifice (36) for allowing air to flow between the chamber and outside the cylinder. A shaft (22) interconnects the mass and a truncated cone (24). The cone has a skirt end (26) and is movable in one direction relative to the chamber to displace air from the chamber through the metering orifice to outside the cylinder upon the mass moving from the unactuated position to the actuated position in response to the mass being subjected to deceleration of at least a predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in inflating a vehicle occupant restraint (12) includes a pressure vessel (14) and a leakage detecting assembly (68). The pressure vessel (14) stores gas, and has a closure wall (40) which ruptures to release the gas from the pressure vessel (14) to inflate the vehicle occupant restraint (12). The closure wall (40) is movable under the influence of a change in the gas pressure within the pressure vessel (14). The leakage detecting assembly (68) senses movement of the closure wall (40) which occurs under the influence of a change in the gas pressure that is caused by leakage from the pressure vessel (14). The leakage detecting assembly (68) generates an electrical signal in response to such movement of the closure wall (40).

Abstract: A fluid coupling includes inlet and outlet segments, each having a fluid carrying aperture with a major diameter fluid port at one end and a minor diameter coupling port at the other end of the segment longitudinal axis, the fluid ports being adapted for fluid communication with an associated fluid source and the coupling ports being adapted to receive each other in registration with engagement of the coupling ports by end to end abutment of the segments, the fluid apertures of the abutting segments, in tandem, forming a Venturi with the throat defined by the abutting coupling ports at the coupling interface, the coupling port minor diameter value being selected relative to the fluid port major diameter to provide a fluid pressure value at the coupling interface which is not greater than the outside ambient pressure, thereby preventing fluid escape to the ambient environment across the coupling interface.