Abstract: A phase stabilized ammonium nitrate and a method of making the same wherein ammonium nitrate is stabilized through the presence of a stabilizing metal diammine dinitrate without requiring or necessitating the isolation of explosive metal tetrammine nitrate complexes.

Abstract: A device for discharging a fire retardant material comprising a housing capable of storing a fire retardant material. The housing has an initiator attached to a first end, while a discharging port is attached at a second end. Additionally, sealed within the housing is a driver which forces the fire retardant material towards the discharging port. The driver follows a path defined by a bypass tube located centrally within the housing. The driver is forced along the path by exit gases created by the initiator attached at the first end. The housing also has a choke assembly located near the second end thereof. The choke assembly selectively controls the rate at which the fire retardant material and the pressurized gases exit through the discharging port. The choke assembly has a choke body with a first and second cavity. Furthermore, choke body has passageways and apertures for directing the flow of both the fire retardant material and the pressurized gases.

Abstract: A knee airbag system has a bolster panel that is disposed between an inflatable airbag and a cover. The bolster panel is secured to the cover through the use of one or more fasteners. The bolster panel is configured with one or more trenches or wells that provide recess spaces. The fasteners extend from the cover and pass through the bolster panel and into a recess space provided by the trench or well. The recess space has a depth that is greater than the protruding portion of the fastener to prevent the fastener from contacting the airbag. In order to prevent a portion of the airbag from entering a recess space, the airbag is secured to the bolster panel so as to limit slack.

Abstract: A buckle system and mechanism for use in a seat belt vehicle restraint system which provides an interlock for ensuring that the occupant has the correct web position for the lap and shoulder belt portions of a three-point seat belt system. This buckle system permits only one tongue to be inserted in the interlock at a time. Moreover, the insertion of one tongue causes the ejection of the other tongue. Once placed into use, this invention ensures that one of the tongues is latched.

Abstract: An inflator apparatus for inflating an inflatable device and a method are provided wherein a combination of a dissociative gas source material and at least one unreactive dissociation reaction modifier is stored at least partially in liquefied form with the reaction modifier effective to moderate at least one of the temperature and concentration of the at least one gas source material upon the dissociation of at least a portion of the at least one gas source material.

Abstract: An inflator device and control assembly combination is provided wherein the inflator device includes a first chamber wherein a supply of a combustible gas generant material having a burn rate which is pressure dependent is burned to produce gas. The inflator device also includes an exit of adjustable cross sectional area in fluid communication with the first chamber and wherethrough at least a portion of the product gas can exit the inflator device. The control assembly is in operational control communication with the inflator device and provides a control signal to the inflator device to effect adjustment of the cross sectional area of the exit dependent on at least one chosen product gas output performance factor. Also provided are associated or related methods for adjusting inflation gas output from an inflator device.

Abstract: Inflatable knee bolster module assemblies are provided wherein a knee bolster panel and an associated reaction plate engage to form a bolster housing containing an inflatable knee cushion and a knee cushion inflator assembly. Upon actuation, the knee cushion inflator assembly provides an inflation fluid effective to inflate the knee cushion and to deploy the knee bolster panel to provide lower torso restraint for an oppositely positioned vehicle occupant while the knee bolster panel remains engaged with the reaction plate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inflating an inflatable device which involve a heat source composed of a load of fuel material and an initiator is actuatable to be in heat transmitting communication such as to initiate dissociation of a gas source material to form at least one gaseous dissociation product used to inflate the inflatable device.