Abstract: Inflatable airbag assemblies can be mounted on a driver's side of a vehicle within a steering wheel. A gap is formed between the airbag assembly cover and the steering wheel. Maintaining a consistent width of the gap can be accomplished with an airbag assembly that is bolted to the steering wheel by minimizing the number of components used to attach the airbag assembly to the steering wheel. A flexible airbag housing mounting bracket can be used to allow the housing and cover to be positioned and oriented within the steering wheel so that the gap between the airbag cover and the steering wheel is maintained.

Abstract: A freestanding, microporous polymer sheet (52, 56) is composed of a polymer matrix binding and electrically conductive matrix. The polymer matrix preferably includes UHMWPE, and the electrically conductive matrix preferably is in powder form. The UHMWPE is of a molecular weight that provides sufficient molecular chain entanglement to form a sheet, with freestanding characteristics. Multiple microporous sheets (30) can be wound or stacked in a package filled with an electrolyte to function as electrodes in an energy storage device (86), such as a battery. Metallic layers (81, 83) can be applied to the microporous sheets to function as current collectors in such devices.

Abstract: A fire detection system combines a CO.sub.2 gas detector with a smoke detector. Logic circuitry combines the outputs of both detectors to minimize false alarms and provide a rapid response time. In a preferred embodiment the need for periodic cleaning is reduced. In a further preferred embodiment, two alarms indicative of two different types of fires, for example flaming fires and nonflaming fires are available. A map of flaming fire and smoke may be assembled by the system to guide the firefighters. In a yet another preferred embodiment, a tentative fire alarm indication disables a local air conditioning system thereby helping to isolate and control any existing fire.