Abstract: A reaction canister for a vehicle passive restraint system has a resilient, impact energy absorbing element joined adjacent the edge of its wall which is adjacent an automotive panel likely to be impacted by an occupant in the event of a low speed collision. The resulting softening serves to avoid injury to the occupant as a result of contact with the panel.

Abstract: A filter assembly, as well as a treatment system and an inflator module assembly including such a filter assembly are provided. The filter assembly is mounted within the module diffuser housing, external the side or end of an inflator from which gas is emitted and is effective in the treatment of the gaseous emission. Such treatment can include the filtration of particulate from the gaseous emission as well as redirecting the flow of such emission in a desired manner.

Abstract: An enclosure, adapted to hold an auto ignition material in a gas generator that employs solid fuel gas generant material to effect inflation of a protective bag to cushion a passenger from impact with the structure of a vehicle in the event of a crash, is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method suitable for use in inflating a vehicle occupant restraint are provided. The apparatus stores a gas generating material in a first chamber and stores a supply of gas under pressure in a second chamber. When ignited, the gas generating material produces a hot gas which contains particulate material. To effect particulate removal, housed within the container and extending about the gas exit nozzle of the first chamber is a filter structure. The filter structure forms inner and outer mixing zones within the second chamber wherein portions of the stored gas mix with the appropriately generated and/or treated gas, forming inflation gas. The inflation gas in turn is passed through a diffuser and into the vehicle occupant restraint.

Abstract: An attachment system, an air bag module subassembly and a method of attachment are provided for the fastenerless attachment of an inflatable cushion into a restraint system. A thickened gas inlet opening of the inflatable cushion is secured within a channel portion of a cushion retainer to form a cushion/retainer subassembly wherein the secured inlet opening forms an attachment insert. The attachment insert is inserted into an attachment sleeve portion of the reaction housing to secure the cushion to the housing.

Abstract: A closure for an air bag deployment opening is provided. The closure includes at least one stress concentration feature adapted to form, under the influence of an inflating bag, a selected initial opening in the face portion of the closure for the deployment of the bag therethrough.

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: An improved high yield process and apparatus for producing sodium hydrosulfite by simultaneously contacting a first reaction mixture of sodium borohydride, sodium hydroxide, and water with a second reaction mixture of an acidic sulfur-containing compound or precursors thereof used in producing sodium hydrosulfite from sodium borohydride.

Abstract: A process for converting synthesis gas to n-paraffins or higher alcohols utilizes a mixed copper-chromium oxide catalyst. The process allows great flexibility in selecting the product mix by changing catalyst compositions and process conditions.

Abstract: Methods for the recovery of bitumen from tar sands comprising the steps of mixing tar sand, solvent and a displacing amount of aqueous medium to form a mixture, followed by separating a bitumen-rich solvent phase from the mixture and recovering bitumen from the bitumen-rich solvent phase are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for converting synthesis gas to paraffin wax by conversion over a partially sulfided rhenium-aluminum borate catalyst containing an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal compound is disclosed. The inventive process and a catalyst provided highly efficient and selective conversion of synthesis gas to paraffin wax.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing aromatic compounds from a hydrocarbon gas containing C.sub.3 through C.sub.5 paraffinic hydrocarbons under conversion conditions in the presence of a catalyst comprising a gallosilicate molecular sieve, a platinum metal component, and a rhenium metal component.

Abstract: A process for converting natural gas to synthesis gas includes the steps of subjecting a homogeneous mixture of natural gas and air to partial oxidation in the presence of a bifunctional partial oxidation/steam reforming catalyst and a sufficient amount of water to control reaction temperature, and subjecting the resulting product to steam reforming in order to substantially completely convert unconverted alkanes to carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: A process for converting synthesis gas to olefins or higher alcohols depending on operating pressure includes an alkali metal-containing cobalt synthesis gas conversion catalyst. The process allows great flexibility in selecting the product mix by changing process conditions.

Abstract: A method for converting lower alkanes to a higher molecular weight hydrocarbon using a contact material of a fluorine-containing compound of at least one of Sr, Ba, Sc, Y or La, as well as such contact material compositions themselves is provided.

Abstract: A two-stage process for converting synthesis gas to higher alcohols includes an alkali metal-containing cobalt synthesis gas conversion catalyst in a first stage and a copper-containing catalyst in a second stage. The process allows great flexibility in selecting the product mix by changing catalyst compositions and process conditions.

Abstract: A method for halogenating hydrocarbons wherein a reaction mixture including a hydrocarbon-containing feed, a hydrogen halide and an oxygen-containing gas is contacted at appropriate reaction conditions with a catalyst of copper aluminum borate to form halogenated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process for the halogen-assisted conversion of lower alkanes to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons is provided. A first reaction mixture including lower alkanes, a hydrogen halide and an oxygen-containing gas are contacted with a catalytic composition of crystalline copper aluminum borate at appropriate reaction conditions to form an intermediate composition including halogenated alkanes. The halogenated alkanes are subsequently contacted with a catalytic composition of a pentasil molecular sieve material under appropriate reaction conditions to form a product mixture including hydrocarbons having molecular weights greater than the lower alkanes.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon conversion process using a catalytic composition effective in the catalytic conversion of a feedstock alkane, such as methane, to a higher molecular weight hydrocarbon is disclosed. The composition includes a first component comprising a Group IA metal, a second component comprising Group IIA metal, a third component, the precursor of which comprises a sol (an aqueous suspension of aluminum, silicon, titanium, zinc, zirconium, cadmium or tin) and a fourth component including a Group VIII metal, silver or a combination thereof, present in an amount effective to substantially increase the catalytic activity of the composition.In addition, methods of preparing such catalytic compositions and catalytic compositions prepared by such methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A reactor apparatus and method useful in regulating temperature in a heterogeneous reaction system is provided. The apparatus includes an elongated tube reactor packed with a bed of solid particles through which a reactant fluid phase is passed. A plurality of heat transfer medium passage tubes are disposed in the bed of solid particles with adjacent tubes spaced relative to each other about the longitudinal axis of the reactor and with the tubes being substantially transverse to reactant flow through the reactor. The temperature in the system may, in turn, be regulated by effecting flow of a heat transfer medium through the passage tubes.