Abstract: Powdered coating compositions and methods for obtaining improved wrinkled finishes with epoxy powder coatings are provided which utilize a color stabilizer effective to avoid an excessive red color shift upon cure of the composition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inflating a vehicular inflatable device adaptable to a variety of fuels and oxidants wherein a fluid fuel is burned to produce hot gas, with the hot gas undergoing a reversal in direction of flow and mixing with stored, pressurized gas to produce inflation gas containing little or no particulate.

Abstract: Powdered coating compositions and methods for obtaining improved wrinkled finishes with epoxy powder coatings are provided which utilize curing agents other than commercially available methylenedisalicylic acid.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus combinations and methods for producing a powder coating are provided wherein a stream of a powder coating precursor including at least one resin and at least one additional powder coating ingredient is contacted with a process fluid effective to reduce the viscosity of the powder coating precursor to allow processing of the powder coating precursor at a lower temperature.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint airbag module for the protection of an occupant of a vehicle is provided wherein portions of a tethered airbag cushion are separately folded and stored within a module housing to provide a deployment process that can serve to minimize or avoid problems such as bag slap and improper positioning of the airbag cushion upon deployment.

Abstract: Featured for use as a part of an inflator-containing inflatable restraint system is a multipiece reaction canister wherein pieces of the canister are normally secured together by thermally degradable joining members which degrade at a temperature greater than the ambient temperature to which the reaction canister is normally subjected and less than the temperature at which the inflator autoignites, to permit separation of the reaction canister pieces and provide venting of pressure that can build-up within the reaction canister. As a result of alleviating concerns such as of material fragmentation when exposed to extreme heat conditions, e.g., a fire, the invention allows the more widespread use of light weight, temperature sensitive materials in reaction canister constructions.

Abstract: Powdered coating compositions and methods for obtaining improved wrinkled finishes with epoxy powder coatings are provided which utilize curing agents other than commercially available methylenedisalicylic acid.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for appropriately and desirably moderating the combustion of a fluid fuel and oxidant combination. The combustion rate moderator of the invention is a solid form which includes an array of holes wherein the fluid fuel and oxidant combination is housed and burned.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint system assembly and method of operation are provided wherein a compliance chamber pressure vessel formed about the gas exit area of an inflator appropriately and desirably moderates the inflation gas output from the inflator into an associated inflatable device such as inflatable vehicle occupant restraint. The invention has particular utility for use in conjunction with high mass flow rate inflators.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inflating a vehicular inflatable device are provided wherein inflation gas is produced via a decomposing material.

Abstract: An air bag module assembly wherein an air bag and an inflator device are housed within a cylindrical container and the installation of such an assembly within a vehicular steering shaft.

Abstract: A one piece reaction canister having a cover, a top panel and a bottom panel, a diffuser tube having a diffuser portion and a cap portion and formed in one piece with the top and bottom panels, end plates attached to the ends of the diffuser tube and the top and bottom panels, and a thrust neutral inflator supported by openings formed in the end plates, with the top and bottom panels extending in one piece to the cover from the diffuser and cap portions of the diffuser tube.

Abstract: Featured for use as a part of a reaction canister of an inflatable restraint system is a conventionally extruded one-piece canister structure body part having first and second opposite side walls and a bridging portion joining the first and second opposite side walls. In the body part, at least one of the bridging portion, first side wall and second side wall includes a tear seam adapted to tear under the influence of a build-up of pressure thereagainst to provide venting of such pressure. As a result of alleviating concerns such as of material fragmentation when exposed to extreme heat conditions, e.g., a fire, the invention allows the more widespread use of light weight, temperature sensitive materials in reaction canister constructions.

Abstract: A process for treating particulate-containing gas of a vehicular safety restraint inflator and improvements in inflatable vehicular safety restraint systems are provided. The invention makes use of an element having at least one layer of an expanded metal.

Abstract: An initiator device for an air bag inflator contains fluid fuel which, upon reaction, produces gas used in the inflation of an inflatable safety device for an occupant of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A coating-removing solution for photo-cross-linked and thermally cross-linked photoresist masks and solder resist masks cross-linked by exposure to light and heat and which solution contains a diglycol monoalkyl ether, a glycol monoalkyl ether, an alkali hydroxide, water, and a water-soluble fluoride.

Abstract: A closure for an air bag deployment opening is provided. The closure includes at least one integral reinforcement rib and/or appropriately thickened hinge section to prevent undesired tearing of the closure.

Abstract: A method and assembly resulting in improved cover to housing retention in occupant restraint assemblies is disclosed. The improved retention is realized via the appropriate application and use of a band of heat shrinkable material about the assembly.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant restraint having a dynamic burn vent wherethrough inflation gas can be appropriately vented therefrom. Such an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint has particular application for side impact restraint systems wherein increased venting by the dynamic vents occurs subsequent to full deployment of the inflatable restraint.

Abstract: Featured for use as a part of an inflatable restraint system is a reaction canister assembly with a body part and frame structure that reduces and/or minimizes the number of component parts, including fasteners, incorporated therein.