Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system (180) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint device (202) positioned in the vehicle, and a gas generating system (8) coupled to the inflatable restraint device (202) for providing inflation fluid to inflate the vehicle occupant restraint device. The gas generating system (8) is secured to the vehicle by a mounting mechanism (10) having a first strap (12) wrapped around a portion of the gas generating system (8) and a second strap (14) coupled to the first strap (12) and wrapped around a portion (24) of the vehicle.

Abstract: A gas generant tablet (24) for use in a linear inflator (10). The tablet (24) includes a body portion (102) having a first end (104), a second end (106), and a longitudinal axis (T). A first projection (108) extends from the tablet first end (104) in a first direction, with at least a portion of the first projection (108) extending non-orthogonally with respect to the tablet longitudinal axis (T). A second projection (112) extends from the tablet second end (106) in a second direction generally opposite the first direction. At least a portion of the second projection (112) extends non-orthogonally with respect to the tablet longitudinal axis (T). The tablet (24) is shaped such that a cavity (25) is formed between adjacent tablets (24) when the tablets are stacked within a combustion chamber of the inflator (10). Also disclosed is an inflator (10) for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system (200).

Abstract: A polyvinyl(tetrazole) is formed by a water-based method. A gas generating composition 12 containing the polyvinyl(tetrazole) is contained within an exemplary gas generator 10. An article or gas generating system 200 incorporates the polyvinyl(tetrazole) therein. A vehicle occupant protection system 180 incorporates the gas generating system 200. An article or substrate 300 containing a coating 302 formed from the product of the water-based method is also described.

Abstract: A baffle system (30) for use in a gas generating system (10). The baffle system (30) includes a plurality of adjacent plates (82a, 82b, 86), each plate of the plurality of adjacent plates having at least one through orifice formed therein. Each orifice in any given plate of the plurality of adjacent plates (82a, 82b, 86) is in fluid communication with at least one orifice in each plate adjacent the given plate so as to provide at least one gas flow path extending through the plurality of adjacent plates. A gas generating system (10) incorporating the baffle system (30), and a vehicle occupant protection system (180) incorporating the gas generating system (10), are also described.

Abstract: A gas generator usable in a vehicle occupant protection system. The gas generator includes an initiator holder and an initiator secured in the initiator holder. The initiator includes a housing enclosing an initiator charge. A metallic bore seal is secured to the initiator holder, and a casing is adhesively secured to the bore seal along an exterior surface of the bore seal. A gas generant is positioned within the casing so as to enable fluid communication between the gas generant and combustion products formed by combustion of the initiator charge, thereby enabling ignition of the gas generant.

Abstract: An inflator 10 of the present invention contains: a housing 12, a cold gas chamber 16 within the housing 12 for storage of a stored gas supply, a pyrotechnic chamber 18 within the housing 12, a pyrotechnic charge 20 within the pyrotechnic chamber 18, a wall 22 adjoining the cold gas and the pyrotechnic chambers 16, 18, a first orifice 24 defined in the wall 22 for passage of gas between the chambers, and a perforated flexible member 28 contained within the cold gas chamber 16, wherein the flexible member 28 is fixed about the orifice 24 for modulation or controlled variation of gas flow through the orifice 24.

Abstract: A bore seal includes a polymeric interface portion adapted for coupling so an initiator activation signal transmission medium, and an initiator-receiving portion adapted for receiving an initiator therein. The bore seal generally houses a pyrotechnic initiator or igniter therein, for incorporation into a gas generating system or other system having a pyrotechnically actuatable element.

Abstract: A gas generator usable in a vehicle occupant protection system. The gas generator includes an initiator holder and an initiator secured within the holder, the initiator including a housing enclosing an initiator charge. A bore seal is molded into the initiator holder, and a casing is attached to the bore seal along an exterior surface of the bore seal. A gas generant material is positioned within the casing so as to enable fluid communication between the gas generant and combustion products formed by combustion of the initiator charge, thereby enabling ignition of the gas generant. In one embodiment, an edge portion of the casing is pre-formed so as to snap-fit over a shoulder formed along the bore seal. In another embodiment, an edge portion of the casing is crimped onto outer surfaces of the bore seal. In yet another embodiment, the casing is welded to the bore seal.

Abstract: A method of forming monoammonium salt of 5,5?-bis-1H-tetrazole (BTA-1NH3) is presented comprising the steps of charging a mixing vessel with a solution of free BTA acid and distilled water, adding ammonium hydroxide in excess to obtain a pH of at least 9.5 and mixing the solution, and adding sulfuric acid cooled to 10-20 degrees Celsius to obtain a pH of at least 4.5 and mixing the solution. A gas generator 10 containing a gas generant 12 containing the BTA-1NH3 formed in accordance with the present invention is also presented. Gas generating systems 180 such as vehicle occupant protection systems 180, containing the gas generator 10, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inflator for an inflatable restraint system in an automobile, or more generally, a gas generator. The inflator includes an inflator body having a plurality of inflation apertures and defining a first combustion chamber wherein a first propellant charge is positioned. At least one annular spring containing a cushion is provided for maintaining the integrity of the shape of the propellant charge.

Abstract: A filter is provided defining an enclosure having a volume that is resiliently variable responsive to an internal pressure within the enclosure. A gas generating system, an airbag system, and a vehicle occupant protection system incorporating the filter are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel compound, used for example, as a gas generating fuel, is defined as a compound having the structural formula of R3—R1—R2, wherein R1 is a benzene ring with nitro substitution, R2 is a tetrazolyl group with a C—C bond to the benzene ring, and R3 is a tetrazolyl group with a C—C bond to the benzene ring. A method of making the compound is also provided. A gas generating composition containing the novel compound as a fuel, and an oxidizer is also provided. The novel compound is contained within a gas generant composition, within a gas generator. The gas generator may be contained within a gas generating system such as an airbag inflator or seat belt assembly, or more broadly within a vehicle occupant protection system.

Abstract: A gas generating composition 12 containing a polyvinylazole is contained within an exemplary gas generator 10. A gas generating system 200 incorporates the polyvinylazole therein. A vehicle occupant protection system 180 incorporates the gas generating system 200.

Abstract: A filter for use in absorbing heat from gases generated in a gas generating system is disclosed. The filter includes a plurality of discrete, continuous gas flow passages extending therethrough. In one embodiment, the filter is incorporated into an inflator used for inflating an inflatable element of a vehicle occupant protection system. A gas generator incorporating the filter and a vehicle occupant protection system incorporating the filter are also described.

Abstract: A vinylated tetrazole substituted at the 5-position of the tetrazole ring is formed by a water-based method. A gas generating composition 12 containing the vinylated tetrazole is contained within an exemplary gas generator 10. A gas generating system 200 incorporates the vinylated tetrazole therein. A vehicle occupant protection system 180 incorporates the gas generating system 200.

Abstract: A gas generating system is provided including a housing and a divider for dividing an interior of the housing into a first interior portion and a second interior portion. The divider defines a fluid flow path therethrough enabling fluid communication from the first interior portion to the second interior portion. A valve mechanism is operatively coupled to the divider for constricting the fluid flow path responsive to a pressure within the first interior portion, thereby enabling the pressure within the first interior portion to be maintained within a predetermined range. A vehicle occupant protection system including the gas generating system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gas generating system for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system is provided wherein an end closure is coupled to an outer housing at a first end, in a metal-to-metal seal. The gas generating system may also include a baffle system having a plurality of flow orifices defining a flow path for generated gases through an interior of the gas generating system, and a plurality of particulate aggregation surfaces positioned along the flow path of the gases for changing a flow direction of gases impinging on the aggregation surfaces. Each aggregation surface of the plurality of aggregation surfaces is oriented such that a difference between a flow direction of the gases prior to impinging on the aggregation surface and a flow direction of the gases after impinging on the aggregation surface is at least approximately 90°, wherein particulates in gases impinging on the aggregation surfaces aggregate on the surfaces.

Abstract: A gas generator (10) is provided including a housing (12). A gas generating composition (16) produces expanded gases upon activation of the inflator (10), thereby increasing the internal pressure and compressing the spring (50) operably coupled to the gas release member (40). As the spring (50) is compressed, at least one gas exit aperture (44), sealed prior to gas generator (10) activation, is opened as the gas release member (40) slidably engages an inner wall (11) of the housing (12). After gas generator (10) activation, the spring energy of the spring (50) gradually equalizes and then exceeds the gas pressure of the system gases, thereby once again attenuating the gas exit opening to maintain an optimum average system pressure as the gas is released from the housing (12).

Abstract: A mechanism (10) for releasably confining pressurized fluid in a container (18) is provided. The mechanism includes a rupturable membrane (22) in fluid communication with an interior of the container (18), thereby exposing the membrane (22) to the fluid. The membrane (22) is configured to obstruct flow of the pressurized fluid when externally supported against pressure exerted by the fluid. The membrane (22) is also rupturable by pressure exerted by the fluid when not externally supported against the pressure exerted by the fluid. A support member (28) is provided for externally supporting the membrane (22) against pressure exerted by the fluid. The support member (28) is configured to be fracturable upon exposure to combustion products formed by activation of a gas generator (66) at least partially encased within the support member (28).

Abstract: A unidirectional clutch of the hyperboloidal type is provided having an inner race member defining an inner race surface, an outer race member defining an outer race surface and a plurality of thrust transmitting cylindrical rollers therebetween. Each of the rollers makes line contact with the inner race surface and line contact with the outer race surface along generators of these surfaces. A biasing member is provided for biasing the inner and outer race surfaces axially toward one another to maintain the rollers in line contact with both inner and outer race surfaces. The inner race member is connected to a driven member and the outer race member is connected to a driving member. Torque is transmitted between the driven and driving members causing the biasing member to impose a net axial force on the inner race member tending to urge the inner and outer race surfaces toward one another axially.