Abstract: A method of testing a high-side driver and a low-side driver in an airbag squib circuit includes preliminary testing of squib resistance and squib leakage for a plurality of trials. Next, one of the drivers is turned on while keeping the other one of the drivers off. A current-limited power supply supplies an intermediate voltage to a squib terminal and the voltage at the terminal is continuously compared with a predetermined voltage range which includes the intermediate voltage. The one driver is turned off in response to the voltage at the point being outside the predetermined voltage range, thereby detecting that the one driver is operating properly. If the voltage at the point remains in the predetermined voltage range for a predetermined time period, then the one driver is turned off and an indication is made that the one driver has failed. If the first driver passed, then the other driver is tested in the same manner.

Abstract: A modular inflator system is disclosed that allows standardized inflator sections to be connected to assemble an airbag inflator. The modular inflator also allows the inflator to bend to follow the contour of a vehicle roof. The system includes one or more inflator sections, and a connector. The connector may be flexible to allow the modular inflator to be installed along a curve vehicle roof rail.

Abstract: An airbag inflator diffusion system is disclosed which is simple to fabricate, directs exhaust gas from a standardized inflator, sufficiently cools the exhaust gas, catches hot gas generant residue pieces, and sufficiently diffuses the exhaust gas. The system includes an airbag inflator, and a sleeve. The inflator has simple exit ports which are positioned along the length of the inflator. The sleeve is sized to receive the inflator. The sleeve includes lobes which project from its length. The lobes are positioned such that exhaust gas leaving an exit port is diverted by the lobe in at least two directions. The diverted exhaust gas is thereby cooled and allowed to disperse within the textile airbag. The system also includes a catch which may be a wire mesh. The catch further cools and causes the exhaust gas to disperse. In this way, a simple, effective diffuser for a curtain airbag inflator is provided.

Abstract: Gas generant compositions and methods of gas generation are provided whereby desired gas generation can be realized without requiring the presence and use a charge or coating of an associated igniter composition.

Abstract: A thin compressible overhead airbag module provides inflatable overhead passive restraint protection to out of position occupants within a vehicle. The flat module design is compressed following assembly, making the compressed module thin enough to be mounted in the overhead space between the vehicle roof skin and the interior headliner. The general design includes an inflator, an inflatable cushion, and a 2-piece compressible housing. The compressible housing provides substantially more packaging space for the cushion. The roof area design allows the use of a longer, small diameter inflator. Upon activation, the car forward location of the inflator relative to the inflatable cushion forces the housing to deform below the inflator. The inflation force generated by the inflator effectively pulls the inflatable cushion out of the airbag module.

Abstract: The present invention provides an airbag cover with controlled movement during deployment of an airbag. The airbag cover includes a panel member configured to cover a compartment housing the airbag apparatus. The airbag cover further includes a breakaway hinge leg connected to the panel member and engaging an anchor device to secure the airbag cover during normal operations. The breakaway hinge leg is further configured with a tear seam which separates the breakaway hinge leg into first and second parts upon inflation of the airbag. The airbag cover further includes a retaining hinge leg connected to the panel member and engaging an anchor device to retain the panel member during normal and accident conditions. The retaining hinge leg is configured with a plurality of energy-management apertures. During deployment of an airbag, the energy-management apertures receive energy from the impact of the airbag with the airbag cover and controls the energy to prevent separation of the retaining hinge leg.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the profile of compacted seams in an inflatable curtain modules is disclosed. A cushion of an inflatable curtain module has interior seams configured to separate the cushion into chambers. The interior seams are angled with respect to the direction along which the cushion is compacted to ensure that each interior seam does not simply bunch up at a one single location along the length of the compacted cushion. Preferably, the interior seams are angled so that overlap does not occur along at least half the length of each interior seam. The angle may be further selected to ensure that no overlap occurs, or even that no two portions of any interior seams can interfere to create a combined bulge. The interior seams may be modestly angled, aggressively angled to form a nested configuration, or even angled perpendicular to the compaction direction.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method for attaching a rounded member, such as an inflator assembly for an automobile air bag, to another member or surface, particularly a flat surface, is disclosed. A spacer, which may take the form of a split ring, is positioned around an attachment surface of the rounded member. Then, while the spacer is supported against further motion along the inflator, a flange having a shank with a tapered inside diameter may be passed around the inflator and spacer. As the inside diameter of the flange narrows to contact the spacer, the flange exerts inward pressure tending to frictionally engage the inflator with the spacer, and the spacer with the flange. Thus, an interference fit having a high retention strength may be comparatively easily and rapidly formed. The spacer may be hardened so as to indent the inflator and/or the flange to enhance the retention strength of the assembly.

Abstract: Breakaway web stops are provided which are employed in seat belt systems for restraining an occupant. In one such seat belt system, the seat belt webbing passes diagonally across the torso of the occupant, through a latch plate, and then across the lap of the occupant. To ensure that the latch plate stays in the correct position, web stops are placed on the seat belt webbing both above and below the correct position of the latch plate, allowing the latch plate to freely move between the two web stops, but not permitting it to move outside this range. In an accident, the breakaway web stop below the latch plate is configured to separate from the seat belt webbing, permitting the tension from the torso portion of the seat belt webbing to transfer to the lap portion of the seat belt webbing, providing additional and safety-enhancing restraint to the occupant, and, in particular, to the occupant's legs and lower body.

Abstract: A multi-chamber airbag venting system which provides for channeling of inflation gas, simple internal tethers, and prevents pre-mature venting. The system includes a front panel, a rear panel, and a middle panel. The middle panel is located between the front and rear panels. The middle panel divides the interior of the airbag into a first chamber between the middle panel and the rear panel, and second chamber between the middle panel and the front panel. The panels are connected to each other along their respective circumferential peripheries. The rear panel includes an airbag mouth to allow gas to enter the airbag. The rear panel further includes a vent hole. The middle panel includes a vent hole connected to the vent hole of the rear panel to form a vent passage. The middle panel includes a middle panel passage hole positioned in the middle panel such that gas entering the airbag through the airbag mouth is channeled from the first chamber to the second chamber.

Abstract: Gas generant compositions are provided which compositions react to produce nitrogen gas and which compositions include guanylurea nitrate and at least one transition metal-containing water-compatible oxidizer. Also, related methods of gas generation are provided.

Abstract: Inflator device assemblies wherein an igniter composition used to ignite an associated gas generant material is provided on a selected surface, such as on a damper pad, within the inflator device. Suitable igniter compositions may include a silicone resin additive effective to adhere the igniter composition to a surface within the inflator device.

Abstract: Inflatable knee bolster module assemblies and associated methods are provided wherein first and second longitudinally spaced apart attachment extensions of a first outer lateral side of the inflatable knee cushion are passed through respectively corresponding first and second attachment openings in an associated assembly panel member.

Abstract: A gas generant material body in the form of a tablet having a triangular cross section and associated methods of gas generation are provided.

Abstract: A knee airbag system disposed in an instrument panel accommodates one or more members extending from the instrument panel and through the system. The system includes a housing secured to the instrument panel or to a firewall of the vehicle. The housing may be configured with a housing aperture to allow the member to extend through. The system includes an inflator stored within the housing and operational in an accident situation. The system further includes an inflatable airbag stored within the housing and in communication with the inflator. The airbag has an airbag aperture in-line with the housing aperture. The airbag is sealed around the perimeter of the airbag aperture to enable inflation of the airbag. A bolster panel is secured to the airbag and includes a bolster aperture that is in-line with the housing aperture and the airbag aperture.

Abstract: A venting arrangement for an inflatable curtain cushion is disclosed. The inflatable curtain cushion includes a pair of fabric layers that are themselves gas permeable. The fabric layers have an impermeable coating on the interior surface of fabric layers. One or more vents are provided by bonding a portion of the fabric layers together at the impermeable coating. Separation of the bonded fabric layers causes delamination of the coating from one of the fabric layers. Exposure of the underlying permeable fabric allows venting of inflation gas. The bonded fabric layers separate when gas pressure within the inflatable curtain cushion exceeds a threshold pressure. The number and size of the vents can vary depending upon the permeability of the underlying fabric layer and the desired deflation rate.

Abstract: A method of making a gas generant formulation which contains a transition metal diammine dinitrate is provided wherein a transition metal ammine carbonate is reacted with nitric acid in the presence of water to form a corresponding reaction mixture. A spray dryable precursor to the gas generant formulation is formed including at least a gas generating fuel and a sufficient quantity of water to render the precursor spray dryable. The precursor is subsequently spray dried to form a gas generant powder. The method may also include a relatively mild heat treatment of the dried material, either as a part of the spray drying or subsequent to such spray drying. A phase stabilized ammonium nitrate and a corresponding method of making the same wherein ammonium nitrate is stabilized through the presence of a stabilizing metal diammine dinitrate are also provided.

Abstract: A knee airbag system is configured to be disposed in an instrument panel of a vehicle. The knee airbag system has a modular housing which is connected to the instrument panel of the vehicle. An inflatable airbag and an inflator are disposed within the modular housing. In an accident situation, the inflator inflates the airbag to protect an occupant of the vehicle. The system further includes a load distributor which is moved by the inflating airbag from a stored position adjacent the instrument panel and a deployed position away from the instrument panel. When the load distributor is in the deployed position, it provides further support and protection for the vehicle occupant. A tether allows for positioning of the load distributor in the deployed position. The tether is external to the airbag and connected to the load distributor and the modular housing.

Abstract: An air bag device that includes an air bag cushion, a diffuser canister, and a gas generation inflator. The diffuser canister is attached to the air bag cushion and has walls configured to define an interior space therein. The walls of the diffuser canister have an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a wall thickness t. At least one of the walls has an aperture formed therethrough in communication with the interior of the air bag cushion. The gas generation inflator is configured to rapidly create a gas that exits the diffuser canister through the aperture so as to fill the air bag cushion. The aperture is defined by an edge extending between the interior and said exterior surfaces of the wall that is configured to diffuse the gas exiting the diffuser canister through the aperture.

Abstract: Gas generant compositions and methods of processing are provided which produce or result in a relatively high burning rate and low burning rate pressure exponent, while also desirably providing a high gas output, as compared to normal or typical gas generant formulations such as used in association with vehicle occupant restraint airbag cushions.