Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system includes a plurality of inflatable devices, at least one fluid source for supplying a pressurized fluid for the vehicle occupant protection system, and at least one gas-tight manifold coupled to the at least one fluid source for receiving pressurized fluid from the at least one fluid source. The at least one manifold is also coupled to the plurality of inflatable devices such that, upon activation of the vehicle occupant protection system, the plurality of inflatable devices receive from the at least one manifold sufficient pressurized fluid to inflate the plurality of inflatable devices.

Abstract: A gas generating system including a mechanism (10) for releasing a pressurized fluid from a storage container (12). The mechanism (10) includes an enclosure (39) for receiving a gas from a gas source therein. An actuator (66) is slidably mounted in fluid communication with an interior of the enclosure (39) for initiating release of the fluid by a sliding motion of the actuator (66). The actuator (66) is slidable in response to a force exerted by a gas from the gas source received in the enclosure (39). A stop portion is coupled to the enclosure (39) for restricting sliding motion of the actuator (66). A seal (86) is provided for sealing the container (12). A penetrator portion is formed on the actuator (66) for opening the seal (86) to release the fluid from the container (12). A diffuser (34) is provided for receiving pressurized fluid from the container (12) upon opening of the seal (86). The diffuser (34) includes gas exit apertures (36) formed therealong to enable distribution of the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: Selective non-catalytic reducing (SNCR) compounds, independent of the gas generant composition, reduce the toxicity of effluent gases produced by combustion of nonazide gas generating compositions used to inflate vehicle occupant restraint systems. It is believed that reaction of the NH2 radical (formed from the SNCR compound) with NO in the combustion gas forms N2 thereby decreasing the concentration of toxic nitrogen oxides therein. Heterogeneous placement of the reducing compound proximate to the gas generant bed within a gas generator ensures intimate contact with the combustion gases, and yet still provides a noninvasive method of toxic gas reduction.

Abstract: A gas generating system (10) is provided including a housing (12) with a longitudinal axis (A), and a first baffle tube (22a) positioned within the housing (12) and having a pair of opposed ends. A second baffle tube (24a) is also positioned within the housing (12) and has a pair of opposed ends. A first pair of opposed surfaces (59a, 60a) is formed within the housing (12). Each of the first pair of opposed surfaces (59a, 60a) is sloped with respect to the longitudinal axis (A) and abuts a corresponding end of the first baffle tube (22a) to position the first baffle tube (22a) within the housing (12) such that a longitudinal axis of the first baffle tube (22a) is substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis (A) of the housing (12).

Abstract: A gas generating system includes an inflator that contains an auto-ignition cradle containing an auto-ignition composition. The cradle operatively and thermodynamically communicates with the exterior of the inflator and also resiliently contains the auto-ignition composition, thereby maximizing the ignitability of the auto-ignition composition in the event of a fire.

Abstract: A mechanism (10) for releasably confining pressurized fluid in a container (18). The mechanism includes a rupturable membrane (22) configured to obstruct flow of the pressurized fluid from the container when externally supported against pressure exerted by the fluid. The membrane (22) is rupturable by pressure exerted by the fluid when not externally supported against the pressure exerted by the fluid. A support member (28) supports the membrane (22) against fluid pressure. The support member (28) fracturable upon exposure to combustion products formed by activation of a gas generator (66). Upon activation of the gas generator (66), the combustion products contact the support member (28) to decompose and/or fracture the support member (28), thereby removing support for the membrane (22) and enabling rupture of the membrane (22) by the pressurized fluid, releasing the pressurized fluid from the container.

Abstract: The present invention provides an airbelt inflator (10) designed primarily for supplying and directing gas from the combustion of gas generant materials into a vehicle airbelt. Inflator (10) includes a substantially cylindrical inflator body (12), having a first end (11) and a second end (13). A unique booster cup (22) is positioned within inflator body (12), and is preferably press fit with initiator body (15), suspending cup (22) within inflator body (12). Cup (22) facilitates consistent burn of the main propellant, imparting repeatable bag performance. A cylindrical mesh filter (38) is positioned in inflator body (12). A nozzle (36) is preferably positioned adjacent a disc (30). A variety of different nozzles giving inflator (10) varying gas output characteristics can be utilized with inflator (10), for example thrusting inflators or thrust-neutral inflators, depending on the operating requirements of the airbelt system.

Abstract: A rotary vane pump is provided that provides an improved fluid replenishment and pressure relief system within a rotary vane pump system. A system, containing a rotary vane pump containing at least one relief cut between the housing and the rotor, functions to relieve fluid pressure normally found between the housing and the rotor. The fluid leaks from areas such as the rotational clearance required between the rotor and an inner wall of the housing. The system includes a reservoir in fluid communication with the relief cut wherein fluid leaks are then retained within the reservoir. A fluid distribution manifold employing a plurality of check valves, each corresponding to a respective chamber within the rotor, provides a controlled fluid feed from the reservoir to the rotor thereby balancing the fluidic pressure existing between the radially innermost ends of the vanes and the radially outermost ends of the vanes.

Abstract: A push-on retainer (16, 116) is provided for securing together an initiator (14) and another element of a gas generating system. The retainer (16, 116) includes a first portion (16a, 116a) for engaging a surface of the other element of the system, and a second portion (16b, 116b) coupled to the first portion for engaging a surface of the initiator (14) to secure the initiator to the other element of the gas generating system. A vehicle occupant protection system (180) is also provided which includes a gas generating system utilizing a push-on retainer (16, 116) for securing the initiator (14) to the other element of the gas generating system.

Abstract: A gas generating system (24) is provided including a gas generant container (34) and an initiator (28). The initiator (28) is positioned exterior of the gas generant container (34) so as to enable fluid communication with the container (34) upon activation of the initiator (28). A gas generant composition (32) is positioned within the container (34). The gas generant container (34) may have sufficient rigidity to maintain a predetermined shape prior to positioning of the gas generant (32) therein, and is penetrable by combustion products resulting from activation of the initiator (28). A seatbelt device (150) and a vehicle occupant restraint system (180) incorporating a gas generating system as described herein are also disclosed.

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, a gas exit aperture (27), sealed prior to gas generator (10) activation, is opened as the gas release member (40) is unseated from gas exit aperture (27). After gas generator (10) activation, the spring energy of the spring (50) gradually equalizes and then counters the gas pressure of the system gases, thereby once again attenuating the gas exit opening (27) to maintain an optimum average system pressure as the gas is released from the housing (12).

Abstract: A gas generating system (10) includes a base (14) and a cap (16), one of the base (14) and the cap (16) having at least one groove (34) formed therealong to enable fluid communication between a combustion chamber (18) of the gas generator and an exterior of the combustion chamber (18). The other one of the base (14) and the cap (16) covers the at least one groove (34) to define at least one enclosed passage (36) extending along the at least one groove (34) for enabling fluid communication between the combustion chamber (18) and the exterior of the combustion chamber. In another aspect, a gas generant composition (20) having an auto-ignition temperature is positioned within the gas generating system (10). An adhesive composition (30) having a decomposition temperature lower than the gas generant auto-ignition temperature secures the cap (16) to the base (14).

Abstract: An inflator for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system. The inflator includes a pressure vessel having an opening formed therein. A quantity of relatively unreactive pressurized gas is stored in the pressure vessel. A quantity of a gas generant composition is positioned in an interior of the pressure vessel and in fluid communication with the pressurized gas. An igniter is positioned proximate the gas generant for initiating combustion of the gas generant. A rupturable, fluid-tight seal is positioned to seal the opening in the pressure vessel for maintaining the pressurized gas within the pressure vessel prior to activation of the igniter. Activation of the igniter results in combustion of the gas generant. Pressure from the combustion gases, in combination with the pressure of the gases stored under pressure in vessel, cause the burst disk to rupture, providing an inflation gas to an associated vehicle airbag, for example.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioner mechanism (10) for use with a seatbelt retractor (11). The retractor (11) has a spool (16) configured for winding a seatbelt webbing thereon. The pretensioner mechanism (10) is housed inside the retractor spool (16). The pretensioner mechanism (10) includes a movable actuator member (22) slidably coupled to the retractor spool (16), and a stationary member (20) secured to the retractor (11) along a path of slidable movement of the movable member (22). Helical splines (23) extend along a portion of the spool (16), and complementary helical splines (25) extend along a first portion of the movable member (22) for slidingly engaging the splines (23) on the spool (16). Helical splines (29) also extend along a second portion of the movable member (22), and complementary helical splines (28) extend along a portion of the stationary member (20) for slidingly engaging the splines (29) on the second portion of the movable member (22).

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioner mechanism (10) for use with a seatbelt retractor (11). The retractor (11) has a spool (16) configured for winding a seatbelt webbing thereon. The pretensioner mechanism (10) includes a movable actuator member (22) slidably coupled to the spool (16), a stationary member (20) secured to the retractor (11), and a base member (50) slidably coupled to the actuator (22) and to the stationary member (20). Helical splines (23) extend along a portion of the spool (16), and one or more complementary pins (25) extend along a first portion of the movable member (22) for slidingly engaging the splines (23) on the spool (16). Pins (28) also extend along a second portion of the movable member (22), and complementary helical splines (29) extend along a portion of the base member (50) for slidingly engaging the pins (28) on the second portion of the movable member (22).

Abstract: A method for predicting emissions from an emissions source. Test values of process variables relating to operation of the emissions source are gathered, along with corresponding time-correlated test values of the emissions variable to be predicted. Using the test values of the process variables, test values of a plurality of first coefficients are calculated for each process variable and associated with the process variable, and test values of a plurality of second coefficients are calculated for each value of each process variable and associated with the value of the process variable. Comparison values of the process variables relating to operation of the emissions source are gathered, along with corresponding time-correlated comparison values of the emissions variable to be predicted.

Abstract: A micro gas generator 10 is provided primarily for supplying and directing gas from the combustion of pyrotechnic materials into a seatbelt pretensioner 26, for example. A perforated housing 12 of gas generator 10 provides a body for containment of the other gas generant constituents, and forms a propellant chamber 14. A propellant or gas generant 16 is contained within chamber 14 and provides combustion thereof. An annular bore 20 is centrally oriented within the bore seal 18 thereby providing a seat for an associated initiator 22. An initiator blast shield 36 is encased about the initiator 22 thereby attenuating or mitigating the force and progression of the combustion of an ignition compound (not shown) within the initiator 22.

Abstract: An inflator (10) for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system. In one aspect, the inflator (10) includes a longitudinal enclosure (22) having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along at least a portion of the enclosure, and a gas generant composition (24) positioned along the portion of the enclosure (22). The gas generant composition (24) is distributed substantially uniformly along the portion of the enclosure (22). A plurality of gas exit apertures (40) is formed along the portion of the enclosure (22) to enable fluid communication between the enclosure (22) and an exterior of the enclosure. The apertures (40) are spaced apart a distance proportional to a desired rate of propagation of a combustion reaction of gas generant positioned between the apertures (40).

Abstract: A stored gas inflator (10) comprising a pressure vessel (12) for storing a pressurized medium therein. The pressure vessel (12) has a wall (14) defining an interior of the vessel. A gas flow conduit (26) extends through the interior of the pressure vessel (12). The conduit (26) has a first portion extending from the interior of the vessel (12) through a first portion of the wall (14) to an exterior of the vessel, and a second portion extending from the interior of the vessel through a second portion of the wall (14) to the exterior of the vessel. Rupturable barriers (40) are formed along a portion of the conduit (26) that extends through the interior of the vessel, for separating an interior of the conduit (26) from the interior of the pressure vessel (12) prior to activation of the inflator (10). The barriers (40) are rupturable upon activation of the inflator (10) to enable fluid communication between the interior of the conduit (26) and the interior of the pressure vessel (12).

Abstract: A gas generator (10) is provided, comprising an initiator (48) including an initiator charge, a gas generant insert (52) spaced apart from the initiator (48), and a fluid-impermeable blast director (42) interposed between the initiator (48) and the gas generant insert (52). The blast director (42) provides a barrier between the gas generant insert (52) and a blast resulting from ignition of the initiator charge when the initiator charge is ignited. The blast director (42), when used with particular gas generant configurations, reduces the effects of the initiator blast and reduces the amount of gas generant exposed to the blast, enabling the structural integrity of the gas generant (52) to be maintained.