Abstract: An initiator for an inflator of an automotive airbag restraint system includes a housing and a wall dividing the housing into two parts, one for housing a firing element of the initiator, and one for receiving at least one application specific integrated circuit which performs functions of a portion of an electronic control unit. A mounting element is located in the second part of the housing, and at least one application specific integrated circuit is carried by the mounting element. The mounting element and two or more application specific integrated circuits may be provided as a package, in which at least two application specific integrated circuits are mounted in a stacked condition to form an application specific integrated circuit stack. The application specific integrated circuits are configured such that predetermined electrical circuit locations of adjacent ones of the application specific integrated circuits to be interconnected are aligned.

Abstract: Arrangements and methods for attaching an airbag cushion are provided wherein an attachment opening of the airbag cushion is clamped between an inflator and an airbag retainer which previously had been floatingly confined within the body of the airbag cushion.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint inflator, system and method of operation which involve a plural stage inflator having a dual output squib to selectively ignite at least one of a discrete quantity of a first and second gas generant.

Abstract: A knee bolster airbag assembly which provides protection for the airbag cushion during shipment, storage and installation as well as during its installed functional lifetime. The assembly includes an inflator with an initiator, a knee bolster airbag cushion, an inflator housing and a cover. The cover is made of a material which (a) provides protection to the components which it encloses and can (b) be decorative and be compatible with the materials and design of the interior of the passenger compartment of the vehicle in which it is to be installed.

Abstract: An inflator and method of gas generation are provided using a linear ignition source to initiate reaction of a decomposing material.

Abstract: An igniter composition for a gas generant and related methods of gas generation are provided in which the igniter composition desirably avoids or is not prone to being ignited by thermal means at ambient pressure conditions.

Abstract: Featured for use in an inflatable restraint system installation is an airbag module assembly wherein the airbag cushion is joined or attached via interlocking reaction housing component parts. The invention is well suited for the use of such interlocking reaction housing component parts formed of relatively low-cost stamped steel.

Abstract: Featured for use in an inflatable restraint system installation is an airbag module assembly which reduces and/or minimizes the number of fasteners incorporated therein. The airbag module assembly utilizes the inflator as a structural tension member to axially compress an end closure to a reaction canister body part. The end closure and the body part have a snap-together form of joinder to prevent disengagement of the end closure from the body part upon deployment of the associated airbag cushion.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for inflating an inflatable device which are based on the reaction of a carborane fuel material and an oxidant, such as water. Thus, the invention can desirably avoid the need for the storage of reactants under relatively high pressures.

Abstract: An apparatus for inflating an inflatable device, which apparatus includes a pressure vessel having a preformed opening feature and a method of fabricating a corresponding single chamber apparatus for inflating an inflatable device.

Abstract: Arrangements and methods for attaching an airbag cushion wherein the airbag cushion "floats" or is movable relative to an airbag module element extending through an opening in the cushion with a first end of the module element disposed within the cushion inflatable body and a second end of the module element extending out of the cushion inflatable body. Upon deployment of the corresponding airbag cushion, such floating or movable attachment can help avoid stress concentrations and complications associated therewith.

Abstract: An assembly for supplying inflation fluid to an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint is provided which includes at least a first gas-supplying cartridge and a diffuser element having a base and a cap. The base forms at least first and second gas-supplying cartridge accepting sections. The first gas-supplying cartridge accepting section is adapted to accept the first gas-supplying cartridge in first inflation medium communicating relationship. The cap includes a plurality of outlet openings wherethrough inflation fluid can be emitted into fluid communication with the inflatable vehicle occupant restraint.

Abstract: Basic copper nitrate-containing gas generant compositions and associated methods are provided for producing or resulting in increased burn rates via the inclusion of an effective amount of one or more metal (e.g., Al, Ti, Zn, Mg and/or Zr) oxide additives.

Abstract: A sensor designed and adapted to operate with vehicle restraints whose primary purpose is to sense low "g" accelerations and vehicle tilting, the results of which lead to the activation or deactivation of the primary occupant restraints through a control module. This invention specifically addresses the reliability of vehicle acceleration and tilt sensors. By employing fewer numbers of components and by having a fewer number of failure mechanisms this invention provides a sensor of increased reliability and lower manufacturing cost. Furthermore, this sensor invention restrains effect z-axis accelerations often encountered when a vehicle is merely traveling over rough roads. This invention employs innovative detector technology, alternatively using an IR detector or a Hall Effect Device detector.

Abstract: An adaptive multi-stage inflator for inflating an air bag in an air bag safety system. The adaptive multi-stage inflator comprises a housing, a primary igniter assembly and a secondary igniter assembly. The housing has a top wall, a bottom wall and a side wall, which together define an interior chamber therebetween. The primary igniter assembly is disposed in the interior chamber of the housing and is configured to initiate the generation of a primary inflation fluid to inflate an air bag. The secondary igniter assembly is also disposed in the interior chamber of said housing. The secondary igniter assembly is configured to augment the primary inflation fluid by producing a secondary inflation fluid to further inflate the air bag. The inflator also includes a bypass assembly that is configured to provide the secondary inflation fluid to the air bag at substantially the same temperature as it was produced by the secondary igniter assembly, thereby increasing the pressure of the primary inflation fluid.

Abstract: Gas generant compositions, such as may be suited for use in inflating automotive inflatable restraint airbag cushions, are provided. Such gas generant compositions generally contain a mixture of guanidine nitrate, ammonium nitrate, and a transition metal ammine nitrate, such as copper diammine dinitrate and preferably also contain one or more ballistic additives.

Abstract: An igniter composition for a gas generant and related methods of gas generation are provided in which, in addition to a boron fuel component and an oxidizer component, the igniter composition additionally includes a gas-producing fuel component.

Abstract: An air bag safety system comprising an air bag cushion and a cylindrical-shaped inflator assembly connected to the air bag cushion. The inflator assembly is figured to rapidly fill the air bag cushion upon being actuated. The inflator assembly is attached to a base plate by an attachment assembly configured to attach the inflator assembly to the base plate without either applying force to the inflator assembly so as to deform the attachment assembly or applying heat to the inflator assembly. The attachment assembly comprises a tie strip and a retention mechanism configured to lock the tie strip in place to hold the inflator assembly on the base plate. The air bag safety system also includes a plurality of resilient mounting hooks configured to cooperate with either a frame member within the vehicle occupant compartment or an attachment piece mounted to the frame member, such that air bag safety system can be snapped in place.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inflating a vehicular inflatable device are provided wherein inflation gas is produced via a dissociative material wherein an initiator includes an enhanced fuel pyrotechnic formulation which, in addition to initiating dissociation of at least a portion of a quantity of gas source material contained within the inflator, forming dissociation products used to inflate the device, also forms particles to interact with one or more of at least a portion of the remaining quantity of gas source material contained within the inflator and the dissociation products to form additional inflation products for inflating the inflatable device.

Abstract: A detachable three point seat belt system having an interlocking mechanism that requires the wearer to reattach a detached system to the seat prior to fastening the seat belt over the wearer's body. This invention specifically addresses the need of three point seat belt systems, which will operate at any seating position within the vehicle, including a front seat, a rear seat, a side seats and/or a center seat within the vehicle. This invention provides a nearly foolproof three-point continuous seat belt system while maintaining significant design flexibility, including detachability and seat adaptability.