Abstract: A gas generator (10) includes an igniter (27) and first and second inflation gas generant compositions (52, 52?) positioned to enable fluid communication with the igniter (27) upon activation of the igniter. Flow regulators (54, 54?) are provided to regulate a flow of combustion products from the igniter (27) to the first and second inflation gas generant compositions (52, 52?), to correspondingly regulate a time period between activation of the igniter (27) and initiation of combustion of the first and second inflation gas generant compositions (52, 52?). In another aspect, the gas generator (10) includes a modular baffle system (70) including a first baffle chamber (71) in fluid communication with an inflation gas generant combustion chamber (50) for receiving therein combustion products from combustion of an inflation gas generant (52) positioned in the combustion chamber.

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 placed within the container (34). In one embodiment, the gas generant container (34) has 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 flame retardant (33) is positioned within the housing 17 exterior of the gas generant container (34) but in reactive proximity thereto. A seatbelt device (150) and a vehicle occupant restraint system (180) incorporating a gas generating system as described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: An in-line seat belt pretensioner is provided that includes a frame containing a first guide member and a second guide member for tensioning of seat belt webbing upon pretensioner activation. As the pretensioner is activated, the seat belt is tensioned by activation of an actuator operably coupled to the second guide. The second guide is then routed over a vertically stationary first guide that is slidably engaged within a slot within the frame, thereby contributing to reducing the load on the occupant. A low-friction material employed in the manufacture of the guide member(s), contributes to a smoother and less abrupt tensioning of the seat belt upon activation of the pretensioner.

Abstract: A gas generating system (10) including a baffle system for cooling a gas generated by the gas generating system. The baffle system (40) includes a first enclosure and a second enclosure (80) spaced apart from a wall (14) of the first enclosure to define a first fluid flow passage (86) extending between the second enclosure (80) and the wall (14). The second enclosure (80) defines a baffle chamber (92) therein. The second enclosure (80) also includes at least one opening (94) for enabling fluid communication between a gas source and the second enclosure baffle chamber (92), and at least one opening (96) for enabling fluid communication between the second enclosure baffle chamber (92) and the first fluid flow passage (86). A third enclosure (32) is also provided spaced apart from the wall (14) of the first enclosure to define a second fluid flow passage (98) extending between the third enclosure (32) and the wall (14).

Abstract: A filter (10) and an inflator assembly (15) for use in an inflatable vehicle passenger restraint system. The inflator assembly (15) includes an inflator housing (70) having a wall (71), a combustion chamber (72) formed in an interior of the housing (70), and a gas generant composition positioned in the combustion chamber (72) and ignitable to provide inflation gas to the inflatable occupant restraint system. The filter (10) is positioned intermediate apertures (73) in the combustion chamber (72) and apertures (19) in the inflator housing wall (71). The filter (10) includes a filter body (11) spaced apart from the housing wall (71) and at least one continuous lip (12) extending from the filter body (11). The lip (12) has a peripheral edge (75) that abuts the housing wall (71) over substantially the entire perimeter of the peripheral edge (75).

Abstract: A gas generating system (10) includes a housing (12) having a longitudinal axis (A) and a pair of baffle tubes (22, 24) positioned within the housing (12). The baffle tubes each have a pair of opposed ends. At least a pair of opposed longitudinally aligned surfaces (62, 64) is formed within the housing (12) proximate the ends of the housing. Each of the surfaces (62, 64) is sloped with respect to the housing longitudinal axis (A) and abuts a corresponding end of one of the baffle tubes (22, 24) to position the baffle tubes within the housing (12) such that longitudinal axes of the first baffle tube (22) and the second baffle tube (24) are both substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis (A) of the housing (12). Abutment between the sloped surfaces (62, 64) and the baffle tubes (22, 24) during assembly of the gas generating system provides an efficient means of automatically centering the baffle tubes (22, 24) within the housing (12), thereby easing assembly of the gas generating system.

Abstract: An inflator (10) for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system. The inflator (10) includes a longitudinal enclosure (22) and a first gas generant (24) positioned along the enclosure (22). Enclosure gas exit apertures (40) are arranged along the enclosure (22) to enable fluid communication between the enclosure (22) and an exterior of the enclosure. And to provide controlled venting of combustion gases from the enclosure (22) as the first gas generant composition (24) burns, thereby controlling the speed and direction of combustion propagation of the first gas generant. Combustion of the first gas generant (24) results in an inflator housing internal pressure of at least a first predetermined minimum internal pressure.

Abstract: An automatic dialyzer for purifying blood brought into contact with a dialysate via a semi-impermeable membrane. The dialyzer includes at least a blood circulating system and a dialysate supply/discharge system, wherein the blood line of the blood circulating system is connected to an overflow line having a reversibly-rotatable blood pump, a blood chamber, and an open/close device for overflowing of liquid from the blood chamber to the outside of the blood line. Liquid supply means is provided to a first bypass line and/or a second bypass line for supplying liquid in both forward and reverse directions to enable regulation of the supply amount of the dialysate for water removing/liquid replenishing. The supply speed of the liquid supply device and the supply speed of the blood pump are regulatable in conjunction with each other. Also provided is a dialyzing method using the automatic dialyzer.

Abstract: A multi-chamber gas generating system (10) has a housing (12) with openings (24) formed in a wall thereof. A gas-tight internal divider (42) separates the housing into two chambers (80, 80?). A first gas generating sub-assembly (100) incorporating a baffle system is positioned in the first chamber (100). The sub-assembly (100) includes a first tubular member (44) and a second tubular member (52) positioned within the first member. The first and second members have openings (49, 54) formed therein to enable fluid communication between a combustion chamber of the sub-assembly and the housing openings (24). The first sub-assembly openings (49, 54) are axially displaced from the housing openings (24) such that combustion products flow in opposing first and second axial directions between the first sub-assembly combustion chamber and the housing openings. A second sub-assembly (100?) of substantially identical construction is positioned in the housing second chamber (80?).

Abstract: An inflator for a vehicle occupant restraint system. The inflator includes a cylindrical outer wall having a longitudinal axis and a first opening formed therealong for enabling fluid communication between an interior of the inflator and an exterior of the inflator. A first inflation fluid source is positioned within the outer wall. A baffle system is fluidly interposed between the first inflation fluid source and the outer wall for conveying inflation fluid between the first inflation fluid source and the outer wall, and for cooling the inflation fluid. A second opening enables fluid communication between the first inflation fluid source and the baffle system, and a third opening enables fluid communication between the baffle system and the outer wall. The first opening is substantially radially aligned with the second opening. An expanded metal mesh buffer may be positioned between within the baffle system.

Abstract: A safety belt construction (10) for use in a vehicle occupant protection system. The safety belt construction (10) includes a first panel (12), a second panel (14) affixed to the first panel (12) to form a pocket (16) therebetween, and an amount of an energy-absorbing material (18) secured in the pocket (16) to provide an energy-absorption capability to the safety-belt structure. A safety-belt system including a safety-belt incorporating an energy-absorbing material and a method for manufacturing the safety-belt are also disclosed.

Abstract: A food slicer 10 of the present invention contains a hollow body 12 having an inner wall 13 defining an interior 17 and an outer wall 15 for containment of a food product therein. A plurality of blades 32 extends across the interior 17 of the body thereby cutting a food product biased against the blades 32 into a plurality of portions.

Abstract: An inflator includes a housing and a gas source material enclosed in a rupturable container in the housing. The gas source material is adapted to undergo decomposition to form an inflation gas. A reactant material is adapted to react with the gas source material to produce decomposition thereof, and is positioned in a cavity extending between a housing outer wall and an enclosure positioned within the housing. The container and an expandable bladder are positioned in the enclosure. Ignition of a propellant within the bladder generates combustion gases, thereby expanding the bladder. Bladder expansion forces portions of the container into openings formed along the enclosure, thereby stressing and rupturing the portions of the container in the openings and releasing gas source material to flow through the openings into the cavity, where it reacts with the catalyst to produce inflation gas.

Abstract: The present invention includes a bollard assembly 1 containing an an elongated housing 4. A bollard 2 is spaced radially inward of the housing 4 and is axially displaceable therein. A threaded drive shaft receiver 32 is centrally fixed within the housing 4 for threaded reception of a threaded drive shaft 30. The threaded drive shaft 30 is thereby suspended within the housing 4 and threadedly received by the receiver 32. Upon activation of the drive shaft 30 operably connected to the bollard 2, rotation of the drive shaft 30 establishes simultaneous vertical displacement of the drive shaft 30 and the bollard 2.

Abstract: A gas generating system (10) includes a tubular outer housing (12) having a longitudinal axis (L) and one or more apertures (12d) formed therealong to enable fluid communication between an interior of the outer housing and an exterior of the outer housing. A tubular inner housing (70) is positioned within the interior of the outer housing (12). The inner housing (70) includes one or more apertures (70d) formed therealong to enable fluid communication between an interior of the inner housing and an exterior of the inner housing. A first tubular baffle (80) is provided for cooling and regulating a flow of gas produced by the gas generating system (10). The first baffle (80) has a plurality of corrugations (80c) formed therealong and is positioned between the inner housing (70) and the outer housing (12) to define a gas flow channel (82) extending between the first baffle (80) and the inner housing (70).

Abstract: An airbag inflator (10, 110, 210) is provided which includes a first chamber (20, 120, 220) containing a quantity of a first gas generant composition (16, 116), a second chamber (30, 130, 230) containing a quantity of a second gas generant composition (17, 117), and a sympathetic ignition enhancement apparatus (40, 140, 240) for sympathetically igniting the second gas generant composition (17, 117) in response to combustion of the first gas generant composition (16, 116). The ignition apparatus (40, 140, 240) is in thermal communication with both the first gas generant composition (16, 116) and the second gas generant composition (17, 117). Heat from combustion of the first gas generant composition (16, 116) is communicated through conduction along the ignition apparatus (40, 140, 240) to produce sympathetic ignition of the second gas generant composition (17, 117).

Abstract: An airbag inflator (10) including an elongated outer housing (12) having an interior and a plurality of orifices (22) extending collinearly therealong to enable fluid communication between the outer housing interior and an exterior of the outer housing (12). The outer housing orifice(s) (22) open from the outer housing interior toward a first side (F) of the inflator. An elongated inner housing (14) is positioned in the outer housing interior. The inner housing (14) has an interior and a plurality of orifices (20) extending collinearly therealong to enable fluid communication between the inner housing interior and an exterior of the inner housing (14). The inner housing orifice(s) (20) open from the inner housing interior toward a second side (S) of the inflator. A quantity of a gas generant composition (16) extends along a portion of the interior of the inner housing (14).

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator (10) that includes a housing (12) formed from coupling a cap (14) and a base (16) in nested relationship. At least one attachment member (20) is preferably formed symmetrically about and integral to a peripheral flange (18) of the cap (14). The contour of a peripheral edge (60) formed from recessed and protruding portions provides interlocking communication between the cap (14) and the base (16). A plurality of hook members (36) is symmetrically formed about the peripheral edge (38) of the base (16). Each hook member (36) corresponds to a respective protruding portion (30) of the cap (14). An arcuate groove (40) is formed by an inner wall (42) of each respective hook member (36). The groove (40) is preferably tapered whereby the arcuate length of the groove or the inner wall (42) is greater at the first end (44) than at the second end (46).

Abstract: An inflator (10) for use in inflatable restraint systems. The inflator includes an inner body portion (12) defining a combustion chamber (20) and including one or more apertures (13) formed therealong to enable fluid communication between the combustion chamber (20) and an exterior of the combustion chamber. A filter material (14) is positioned along an exterior of the inner body portion (12), for filtering and cooling combustion products emanating from the apertures (13) of the inner body portion (12). An outer body wrap (16) is provided having a pair of opposed longitudinal edges (16a, 16b). The outer body wrap (16) is formed from a foldable sheet material and has a dimension between the opposed edges (16a, 16b) sufficient to enable the wrap (16) to substantially enclose the predetermined thickness of filter material (14) when the wrap (16) is folded about the filter material (14).

Abstract: The present invention provides an inflator for an inflatable restraint system in an automobile. The inflator includes an elongate inflator body containing a baffle tube that cools gases as they are shunted therethrough upon gas generator activation.