Abstract: A hybrid gas generator comprises a chamber that contains pressurized fluid and that is sealed off by a rupturable membrane, and a pyrotechnical propellant charge that ruptures the membrane when it is ignited. The gas generator further comprises a nozzle wall that is arranged between the propellant charge and the membrane and that has at least one passage opening through which combustion products generated upon ignition of said pyrotechnical propellant charge flow towards the membrane. The passage opening has such a shape and is oriented with respect to the membrane in such a way that, when the membrane is ruptured, there are formed sections of said membrane that remain all connected to an edge of the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inflator for a side collision in which an inflation condition for an air bag can be adjusted according to a variety of builds of passengers and further size reduction can be achieved. Gas discharging ports are provided at axial both sides of an inflator having two igniters, and a total opening area of gas ejecting ports formed at axial one side is made different from a total opening area of gas ejecting ports formed at the axial other side.

Abstract: A low onset dual stage hybrid inflator comprising a diffuser subassembly, a gas generator subassembly, and a pressure vessel. The dual stage inflator offers a variety of different output levels of inflation gas. The four main deployment scenarios for the dual stage inflator are primary output, staged output, full output, and secondary only. For primary output, only the stored gas is released from the inflator. For staged output, the stored gas is released and after a short period of time (i.e. 30 ms), the gas generant is ignited. For the full output, the stored gas is released from the dual stage inflator at the same time the gas generant is ignited. For secondary output, only the gas generant subassembly is fired, and the hot gases from the gas generant subassembly mix with the stored gas. The combination of the hot gas and the stored gas has sufficient pressure to rupture the burst disk.

Abstract: A gas generator 10 for an inflatable occupant restraint system is provided. The gas generator 10 includes a projectile firing barrel 20 having a touch hole 26 on a side thereof for ignition of a propellant 24 within the barrel 20. Ignition of the propellant 24 drives a projectile 50 through the barrel 20 and into a rupturable seal 36 on a stored gas canister 32. After rupturing the seal 36, the projectile 50 is positively retained between a base end 21 of the barrel 20 and the gas canister 32.

Abstract: A cold gas inflator has a pressure vessel made of first and second cylindrical members that are joined by friction welding, the friction welding producing curls that serve to preclude an orifice plate from sliding into the second cylindrical member. The cold gas inflator is filled with stored gas. The cold gas inflator has a burst disk, which prevents the stored gas from exiting the pressure vessel. In the event of an automobile accident, an opening device is actuated, which causes the ignition of pyrotechnic material. This ignition generates a shockwave of sufficient energy to rupture a burst disk. The stored gas flows from the cold gas inflator in a radial direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inflator for an air bag in which fragments of a rupturable plate do not flow into the air bag, a stable operational performance is exhibited, a manufacturing cost is reduced but durability is improved and installation is made easy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator for an air bag which can ensure a reliability of operation start sufficiently and in which an operation performance as designed can be obtained securely without adding further members.

Abstract: An inflator including a piston which can reliably break a sealing plate. The inflator includes a piston which is two-forked at an end thereof and is provided with two cutting edges. The cutting edges come into contact with portions of a sealing plate which swells toward the piston side by being pushed by a high-pressure gas stored in a bottle. The portions being offset from the vertex of the swelling sealing plate. Each cutting edge is tapered at the outer side thereof, and the tip of the cutting edge is thereby positioned at the inner side of the periphery of the piston. The angle formed between the axis of each cutting edge and the surface of the sealing plate is increased. Deformation of the cutting edges toward the outside and slip thereof along the spherical surface can be suppressed.

Abstract: A dual flow inflator for airbags is disclosed, together with related manufacturing, installation, and deployment methods. The inflator may have a gas chamber with a first end with a first exit orifice and a second end with a second exit orifice. The exit orifices may be directed into inlet ports of an inflatable curtain so that inflation gases exit the inflator through the exit orifices and enter directly into the inflatable curtain. The exit orifices may provide axial gas flows in opposite directions so that each gas flow neutralizes the thrust of the other. The exit orifices may comprise frangible structures such as burst discs, scored surfaces, and compression closures. If desired, pistons may be utilized to ensure that the exit orifices are completely and simultaneously opened. Furthermore, the gas chamber may comprise a variety of configurations, including a unitary, one-piece structure, a multi-part structure with vessels attached to a tubular or spherical bulkhead, or a generally spherical shape.

Abstract: A cold gas generator for an airbag system has a storage device filled with a gas under pressure and provided with a gas outlet opening. A thin-walled sealing disk is provided which, in a rest state, seals pressure-tightly the gas outlet opening. A support device supports the sealing disk against a gas pressure of the gas acting on the sealing disk in a pressure direction. A triggering device acts on the support device. The support device has a pressure plate resting against the sealing disk and a support lever supporting the pressure plate and the sealing disk. The pressure plate and the support lever are configured as separate parts. A bearing supports the support lever such that the support lever receives forces in the pressure direction and is force-free transversely to the pressure direction. The triggering device acts on the support lever so as to cause pivoting about the bearing.

Abstract: The hermetically sealed electrical feed-through device has a circular metal disk (11) with a conductive straight isolated pin (13) hermetically sealed in an oval or elliptical through-going opening (O) positioned offset from the center of the circular metal disk. The straight isolated pin (13) is sealed in the opening (O) by means of a glass-to-metal seal (17). A conductive straight ground pin (15) is connected to the rear side of the circular metal disk (11) adjacent to the opening (O) and extends approximately parallel to the straight isolated pin (13). Because the through-going opening (O) has an elliptical or oval cross-section section, a wider range of different bridge wires of different lengths, which are connectable on the front side of the metal disk (11) between the front surface of the metal disk (11) and the straight isolated pin (13), is possible. The straight isolated and ground pins have circular transverse cross-sections.

Abstract: An inflation device for storing and releasing pressurized fluid includes a substantially donut shaped cylinder (2) containing the pressurized fluid. An activation system (4) includes a trigger mechanism (6) positioned within a cavity (8) formed by the donut shaped cylinder (2). The cylinder (2) includes at least one puncturing zone (3) in contact with the pressurized fluid, the puncturing zone (3) including a sealing element (33) seated on a valve member inside the puncturing zone (3), the sealing element (33) connected to a puncturing rod (31). When activated, the trigger mechanism (6) actuates the puncturing rod (31), driving the sealing element (33) off the valve member thereby allowing the pressurized fluid to flow out of the cylinder (2) past the sealing element (33) and through the puncturing zone (3).

Abstract: A hybrid gas generator comprises an elongated cylindrical outer housing, and a pressure chamber that is filled with pressurized gas and that is closed off by a membrane provided on an end face of the pressure chamber. The gas generator further comprises a pyrotechnical propellant charge that is provided for opening the membrane and is accommodated in a preferably bushing-shaped propellant charge housing. The propellant charge housing is connected to the outer housing at a location outside of the pressure chamber and a longitudinal axis of the propellant charge housing extends at a right angle to a longitudinal axis of the outer housing. The generator also has an axial outflow opening situated at one axial end of the outer housing. The outer housing has a circumferential wall with a radial insertion opening for introducing the propellant charge housing.

Abstract: An inflator comprises a cylindrical inflator housing elongated in an axial direction and containing a gas generating material for inflating an air bag, and an activation assembly for generating an activation gas for activating the gas generating material. A cylindrical diffuser assembly is provided in an axial end of the inflator housing. The diffuser assembly has an end surface, and also has a plurality of outlet holes in a peripheral wall surface thereof. A through-hole is formed in the end surface of the diffuser assembly, and a stud bolt for fixing the inflator is inserted into the through-hole. The stud bolt is fixed by a flange portion provided on an end portion thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas generator for generating gases, comprising a housing which has an interior space and at least one combustion chamber filled with a predetermined quantity of solid propellant. The propellant consists of a plurality of solid propellant parts arranged in the combustion chamber in an irregular manner. The compressed gas is stored in a predetermined quantity in the combustion chamber and the combustion chamber constructed as a pressure chamber sealed hermetically toward outside in a non-activated state of the gas generator.

Abstract: A stored-gas inflator includes a pressure-resistant container having a high-pressure-gas chamber and a gas outlet for ejecting gas from the high-pressure-gas chamber; a burst shim attached to the gas outlet for sealing thereof; a duct disposed inside the high-pressure-gas chamber having an end facing the burst shim; and an initiator attached to the duct for generating gas pressure so that the gas pressure is guided through the duct to push the burst shim. The stored-gas inflator can easily eject gas with significantly lower bursting pressure to burst the burst shim, and a lower-output initiator can be used.

Abstract: An inflator for an air-bag has two gas chambers mounted on a central block (1). The central block defines passages leading from the gas chambers to the air-bag, but the passages are initially sealed by closures . An ignitor mounted on the block can generate hot gas to move an actuating element in a predetermined direction, the actuating element having a conical face which acts on inclined faces of two opening elements which are thus moved apart to rupture the closures to permit gas to flow from the chambers into the air-bag. Finally gas from the ignitor can also flow through a passage into the air-bag to ignite the mixed gases from the two gas chambers.

Abstract: A device for inflating an airbag has a compressed gas container in which an inflation gas is held in readiness under high pressure. An inflation tube projects into the airbag that is to be inflated. A gas release nozzle is connected at one end with the compressed gas container and at another end with the inflation tube. A gas tight sealing device is released for the introduction of the inflation gas into the inflation tube. A throttle device throttles the inflation gas flow into the inflation tube and is arranged in the flow direction of the inflation gas behind the sealing device in the gas release nozzle.

Abstract: A dual stage inflator is disclosed in the present invention. The dual stage inflator comprises a diffuser subassembly and a gas generator subassembly. Also disclosed is a multiple stage inflator, which comprises a diffuser subassembly, a first gas generator subassembly, and a second gas generator subassembly. Both the dual stage inflator and the multiple stage inflator have numerous output characteristics or output profiles associated therewith to protect different size and position vehicle occupants. The dual stage inflator and the multiple stage inflator release either stored gas or stored gas mixed with combustion gaseous products from the burning of gas generant.

Abstract: A low onset dual stage hybrid inflator comprising a diffuser subassembly, a gas generator subassembly, and a pressure vessel. The dual stage inflator offers a variety of different output levels of inflation gas. The four main deployment scenarios for the dual stage inflator are primary output, staged output, full output, and secondary only. For primary output, only the stored gas is released from the inflator. For staged output, the stored gas is released and after a short period of time (i.e. 30 ms), the gas generant is ignited. For the full output, the stored gas is released from the dual stage inflator at the same time the gas generant is ignited. For secondary output, only the gas generant subassembly is fired, and the hot gases from the gas generant subassembly mix with the stored gas. The combination of the hot gas and the stored gas has sufficient pressure to rupture the burst disk.

Abstract: Inflation apparatuses and methods are provided which utilize elemental carbon and nitrous oxide in the gas generation or formation process.

Abstract: A device for inflating an airbag comprising a container for a compressed gas of a sealing device, which closes the container during normal operation and is provided in a gas release nozzle connected to the container in a gas tight manner, and a throttle opening, via which the released gas flows in a throttled manner out of the container via an emission opening and the gas release nozzle, whereby the throttle opening is formed through reshaping of a container wall part.

Abstract: A cold gas inflator having an opening device for rupturing a burst disk. The cold gas inflator is filled with stored gas. The cold gas inflator has a burst disk, which prevents the stored gas from exiting the pressure vessel. In the event of a automobile accident, the opening device is actuated, which causes the ignition of pyrotechnic material. This ignition generates a shockwave of sufficient energy to rupture the burst disk. The stored gas flows into the diffuser and then exits the cold gas inflator in the radial direction. In another embodiment, the stored gas exits the cold gas inflator in the axial direction.

Abstract: An inflator for inflating an airbag has a vessel for containing compressed gas. The vessel has a gas outlet aperture. A support element is located in the gas outlet aperture with a sealing element next to the side of the support element that faces the interior of the vessel. A locking element is disposed in a locking position between a side of the support element that faces away from the interior of the vessel and a first abutment that is rigid with respect to the vessel. The support element is further supported by a second abutment that is rigid with respect to the vessel. A gas releasing device moves the locking element from the locking position to open the gas outlet aperture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ruptuable plate in which broken pieces are hardly produced.

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: An inflatable air bag system having an inflatable curtain-like cushion element for inflated deployment away from a storage position along the roof rail portion of the vehicle frame to provide coverage over an expanded region of the vehicle interior. The cushion element is inflated by the rapid introduction of a substantially inert gas such as helium from an elongate gas storage receptacle extending at least partially along the roof rail portion of the vehicle frame. The gas storage receptacle serves as a profiling and stiffening support member for the cushion element in the storage position extending along the roof rail. The inflation gas may be discharged directly into an interior portion of the cushion element so as to promote rapid expansion and deployment of the cushion element over centralized regions of the surface to be covered.

Abstract: A cold gas inflator having an opening device for rupturing a burst disk. The cold gas inflator is filled with stored gas. The cold gas inflator has a burst disk, which prevents the stored gas from exiting the pressure vessel. In the event of a automobile accident, the opening device is actuated, which causes the ignition of pyrotechnic material. This ignition generates a shockwave of sufficient energy to rupture the burst disk. The stored gas flows into the diffuser and then exits the cold gas inflator in the radial direction. In another embodiment, the stored gas exits the cold gas inflator in the axial direction.

Abstract: A gas generator for an air bag that can change the inflating (deploying) speed of the air bag is provided. The gas generator includes a vessel having a pressurized gas accommodation chamber for accommodating pressurized gas therein, a partition that divides the pressurized gas accommodation chamber into two sections, and a through-hole which is defined in the partition, for communicating the two sections. The gas generator also includes two ignition units containing gas generating agents therein, and a gas release unit disposed in the pressurized gas accommodation chamber and having a rupturable gas sealing wall. A single ignition unit can be disposed in each section or two ignition units can be disposed in one of the two sections.

Abstract: A stored gas inflator is formed by a pressure vessel including a gas port, a small chamber facing the gas port, and a main chamber situated adjacent to the small chamber and having a capacity larger than that of the small chamber. A high pressure gas is filled in the small chamber and the main chamber. A first partition closes the gas port, and a second partition separates the small chamber and the main chamber so that a burst pressure of the second partition is set to be lower than a stored gas pressure in the main chamber. A gas blasting initiator is mounted to the small chamber for applying burst pressure to at least one of the first and second partitions to allow the main chamber to eject the gas.

Abstract: A gas generator for an air bag that can adjust gas providing amount according to circumstance is provided. The gas generator includes an outer shell vessel, an ignition unit disposed within the vessel, a gas generating material for generating a gas in response to the operation of the ignition unit, a gas generating material accommodation chamber for accommodating the gas generating material therein, and a gas discharge chamber isolated from the gas generating material accommodation chamber by a partition member, wherein the gas discharge chamber includes a discharge port that makes the inside of the gas discharge chamber communicate with the atmosphere, and a gas discharge unit which is operated upon receiving an operating signal, for rupturing the partition member to discharge the gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hybrid-type device for inflating vehicle safety equipment with gas chamber for acceptance of compressed gases and at least two charges for the production of gas. The inflation devices is distinguished in that the two charges each have a mass of at least 5% of the mass of the compressed gas so that each charge can substantially increase the temperature of the gas and in that they are each arranged outside the gas chamber, on different sides thereof They can thus be ignited simply and precisely at predetermined without reciprocal impact.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable into a position between a vehicle part (16) and a vehicle occupant. The apparatus (10) also includes an inflation fluid source (24) that provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflation fluid source (24) contains a stored inflation fluid (118) consisting essentially of 65-95% helium gas and 5-35% nitrogen gas stored under pressure.

Abstract: A multistage inflating-type hybrid inflator in which a malfunction does not occur is provided.

Abstract: A pressurized container includes a vessel defining a chamber therein. A housing that is connected to the vessel defines an outlet that is fluidly separated from the chamber by a closure member. A moveable member may be seated within and form a seal with the housing and abut the closure member. Activation of an initiator propels the moveable member through the closure member, thereby fluidly connecting the chamber and the outlet. The pressurized container might include an obstruction partially blocking an outlet path and another initiator that breaks the obstruction when activated, thereby further opening the outlet path. The pressurized container might include a main path fluidly connected to the outlet, a first secondary path that connects the main path to the chamber, and a second secondary path that also connects the main path to the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid inflator capable of adjusting an amount of a pressurized medium and a material of a gas generating agent to meet the requirements.

Abstract: An airbag inflation system for a vehicle utilizes a truck's an ambient air compression system including a holding tank for providing compressed air to vehicle systems and an air pump. An outlet is added to the holding tank with a frangible seal closing the outlet until discharge of the air is required to inflate the airbag. An air line connecting the outlet to the airbag is filled upon activation of a squib for breaking the frangible seal upon detection of a rollover related event.

Abstract: A gas generator includes an ignition charge, at least one ignition element for igniting the ignition charge, a storage chamber containing a compressed gas, which storage chamber is closed by a closure element, and an impact element destroying the closure element under pressure. A piston is provided as the impact element, which piston, after the destruction of the closure element, forms an exit gap with the opening closed by the closure element. The cross-sectional area of which exit gap changes in according to the position of the piston.

Abstract: An inflator including a piston which can reliably break a sealing plate. The inflator includes a piston which is two-forked at an end thereof and is provided with two cutting edges. The cutting edges come into contact with portions of a sealing plate which swells toward the piston side by being pushed by a high-pressure gas stored in a bottle. The portions being offset from the vertex of the swelling sealing plate. Each cutting edge is tapered at the outer side thereof, and the tip of the cutting edge is thereby positioned at the inner side of the periphery of the piston. The angle formed between the axis of each cutting edge and the surface of the sealing plate is increased. Deformation of the cutting edges toward the outside and slip thereof along the spherical surface can be suppressed.

Abstract: A hybrid inflator having a structure permitting easy and reliable mounting to an airbag module, facilitating welding during manufacture, and improving in gas sealability and reduced in weight, is provided. The hybrid inflator is for use in an inflation type safety system for a motor vehicle equipped with an airbag, and includes an inflator housing, pressurized gas contained at least in the inflator housing, a gas generator housing connected to the inflator housing and provided with at least one gas generator outlet, a gas generating agent contained in the gas generator housing and ignited by an initiator, and an inflator operation assembly containing the initiator for operating the inflator. The inflator operation assembly comprises a boss welded to an end portion of the inflator housing to hermetically seal the housing, and the boss has an edge of flange shape to be mounted to an airbag module.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas generator for a safety system, in particular for a vehicle occupant restraint system, comprising a combustion chamber which contains propellant, a liquid chamber which contains liquid, and a mixing chamber in which a gas developed on burning of the propellant and the liquid mix with each other. The gas generator further comprises a liquid guide surface onto which the liquid when released is applied substantially tangentially, and a gas directing channel and a surface delimiting the gas directing channel. A flow break-off edge is provided in the mixing chamber, which flow break-off edge is defined on one side by the liquid guide surface and on the other side by the surface delimiting the gas directing channel.

Abstract: An initiator (40) for actuating an inflation fluid source (34) for an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (36) comprises a plurality of electrically energizable microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices (120-126). In one embodiment, the MEMS devices (120-126) are associated in a one to one relationship with chambers (75-78) containing ignitable material (130). Each one of the MEMS devices (120-126), when energized, generates combustion products, including heat, for igniting the associated ignitable material (130). At least one terminal pin (44-46) is electrically connected with the plurality of MEMS devices (120-126) for receiving an electric signal for energizing at least one of the MEMS devices.

Abstract: An emergency supplementary vision device comprises a collapsible tube made of airtight material and having an expanded form and a compact stowed form; first and second clear members disposed at respective first and second ends of the tube to enable the user to see through said tube and observe a source of information at the other end while smoke or other particulate matter is in the environment; and a filter operably associated with the tube to filter the ambient atmosphere and fill the interior of said tube with clear air when said tube is expanded to its expanded form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of hybrid gas generators intended to inflate a protective airbag. The generator (1) consists of two metal tubes (50, 51) welded together, the upstream tube (50) being of one piece with an internal partition (26) that has a central orifice (27) closed by a diaphragm (28). The generator thus has a reservoir chamber (29) containing a pressurized gas and a combustion and mixing chamber (46) containing a pyrotechnic device (4) and a support piece (30) carrying a piston-pillar (31) the stroke of which is limited. The hot gases cannot enter the reservoir chamber (29) which may thus contain a greater amount of gas.

Abstract: An airbag system comprising a bag which can be inflated with gas and a gas generator. At least one flexible guideway is firmly connected to the motor vehicle on one end and detachably connected to the motor vehicle on another. When the airbag is inactive, it is arranged on the end of the guideway which is firmly connected to the motor vehicle. Once the gas generator is ignited, the airbag can be displaced along the guideway in the direction of the detachable end using the gases entering the gas bag.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a vehicle occupant protection device and a gas generating material, which, when ignited, produces gas to actuate the vehicle occupant protection device.

Abstract: A coated woven textile fabric is disclosed which is formed of synthetic yarns of more than one denier preferably synthetic filamentary yarns of differing deniers. A polymeric coating such as polyurethane is layered on at least one side thereof, but may also be provided on both sides. The combination of yarns of different deniers provides a superior adhesion surface for the polymeric coating. The yarns and the polymeric coating are preselected respectively in deniers and thickness so as to render the fabric substantially impermeable to fluid under pressure, while maintaining superb packageability and antiblocking properties for use in vehicle occupant restraint systems. A flexible lightweight air bag for receiving and containing fluid under pressure for use in a vehicle air restraint system is also disclosed, incorporating the woven textile fabric of the invention.

Abstract: An inflator for an air-bag has two gas chambers mounted on a central block (1). The central block defines passages leading from the gas chambers to the air-bag, but the passages are initially sealed by closures . An ignitor mounted on the block can generate hot gas to move an actuating element in a predetermined direction, the actuating element having a conical face which acts on inclined faces of two opening elements which are thus moved apart to rupture the closures to permit gas to flow from the chambers into the air-bag. Finally gas from the ignitor can also flow through a passage into the air-bag to ignite the mixed gases from the two gas chambers.

Abstract: An inflatable air bag system having an inflatable curtain-like cushion element for inflated deployment away from a storage position along the roof rail portion of the vehicle frame to provide coverage over an expanded region of the vehicle interior. The cushion element is inflated by the rapid introduction of a substantially inert gas such as helium from an elongate gas storage receptacle extending at least partially along the roof rail portion of the vehicle frame. The gas storage receptacle serves as a profiling and stiffening support member for the cushion element in the storage position extending along the roof rail. The inflation gas may be discharged directly into an interior portion of the cushion element so as to promote rapid expansion and deployment of the cushion element over centralized regions of the surface to be covered.

Abstract: An apparatus for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint includes containing means for receiving gases to provide a combustible mixture of the gases. An igniter is activated to effect ignition of the mixture of gases in response to sudden vehicle deceleration. A directing means directs a flow of gas from containing means into the inflatable occupant restraint. In the preferred embodiment the gases are an inert gas, a fuel gas, and an oxidizer gas. Also, a lean mixture of a fuel gas and oxidizer gas could be used. An improved igniter transmits energy through an imperforate portion of a wall of the containing means to ignite a charge in the containing means. The igniter may include an elongate core disposed in a frangible sheath which is shattered as the core is burned.