Abstract: An airbag inflator includes a pressure vessel with a bottom portion, a top portion and a center structure connecting the bottom portion and the top portion. The top portion includes an exit orifice that is closed with a rupturable membrane. An energetics cover attached to the center structure houses a pyrotechnic material, and a diverter is attached to the top portion. The pressure vessel, the energetics cover and the diverter define a gas flow path from inside the energetics cover toward the bottom portion of the pressure vessel, the gas flow path turning at least a first 180 degrees toward the top portion of the pressure vessel and between the energetics cover and the pressure vessel. The longer gas flow path allows time for multi-perforation grain slivers to burn up before exiting the inflator, thereby reducing the amount of particulate exiting the inflator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a heat sink/filter positioned between a pressure vessel and a diffuser in an air bag inflator. The pressure vessel is constructed so that upon activation of the inflator of the area of gas exiting the pressure vessel is smaller than the area of gas exiting the diffuser to create pressures in the pressure vessel that are higher than the pressures in the diffuser. This results in deformation of the pressure vessel that is equal to or greater than the deformation of the diffuser to maintain compression of the heat sink/filter between the pressure vessel and the diffuser during activation of the inflator.

Abstract: A pressure vessel for an air bag inflator. The pressure vessel has a portion that is deformable by internal pressure resulting from combustion of gas generant therein. The deformable portion of the pressure vessel has at least one exit orifice therein. Upon deformation of the pressure vessel portion by internal pressure, the size of the exit orifice is increased to expedite the release of pressurized combustion gas from the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A propellant grain retainer for an air bag inflator having a pressure vessel. A cantilevered finger is mounted in the pressure vessel and a propellant grain is mounted thereon. Upon assembly of the pressure vessel, the finger is deformed inwardly away from an adjacent wall of the pressure vessel to increase the air gap between the pressure vessel wall and the propellant grain to reduce heat transfer therebetween and increase the safety of the inflator.

Abstract: A gas generator comprising a housing having a mixing chamber and a pyrotechnic charge in the housing. A container having a liquid therein is disposed in the housing and has an open end and a closed end, with an end cap closing the open end and having a piston portion removably connected thereto and being movable within the liquid container to pressurize the liquid therein when the piston portion is separated from the end cap. The piston portion is positioned to be exposed to combustion gas from the pyrotechnic charge when it is ignited and is separable from the end cap when the combustion gas exceeds a predetermined pressure. In another embodiment, the liquid container may be a collapsible tube. The closed end of the liquid container has a weakened portion constructed to be opened when the pressure of the liquid in the container exceeds a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: An adaptive valve for an airbag inflator having a manifold with an exhaust opening for fluid communication with an airbag. The adaptive valve is constructed for connection to a manifold so that it is in fluid communication therewith. The adaptive valve has an exhaust orifice and is constructed to selectively open the exhaust orifice to divert inflation gas away from an inflator manifold when it is connected thereto to lower the rate of inflation of an airbag in fluid communication with the exhaust opening of the manifold. The adaptive valve may have a valve member movably mounted therein for movement between a first position wherein it closes the exhaust orifice and a second position wherein it opens the exhaust orifice. An initiator is provided in the adaptive valve to generate sufficient gas pressure to move the valve member to the first or second position.

Abstract: A gas generator comprising a housing having a mixing chamber and a pyrotechnic charge in the housing. A container having a liquid therein is disposed in the housing and has an open end and a closed end, with an end cap closing the open end and having a piston portion removably connected thereto and being movable within the liquid container to pressurize the liquid therein when the piston portion is separated from the end cap. The piston portion is positioned to be exposed to combustion gas from the pyrotechnic charge when it is ignited and is separable from the end cap when the combustion gas exceeds a predetermined pressure. In another embodiment, the liquid container may be a collapsible tube. The closed end of the liquid container has a weakened portion constructed to be opened when the pressure of the liquid in the container exceeds a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A gas generator comprising a housing having a mixing chamber and a pyrotechnic charge in the housing. A container having a liquid therein is disposed in the housing and has an open end and a closed end, with an end cap closing the open end and having a piston portion removably connected thereto and being movable within the liquid container to pressurize the liquid therein when the piston portion is separated from the end cap. The piston portion is positioned to be exposed to combustion gas from the pyrotechnic charge when it is ignited and is separable from the end cap when the combustion gas exceeds a predetermined pressure. In another embodiment, the liquid container may be a collapsible tube. The closed end of the liquid container has a weakened portion constructed to be opened when the pressure of the liquid in the container exceeds a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: An adaptive valve for an airbag inflator having a manifold with an exhaust opening for fluid communication with an airbag. The adaptive valve is constructed for connection to a manifold so that it is in fluid communication therewith. The adaptive valve has an exhaust orifice and is constructed to selectively open the exhaust orifice to divert inflation gas away from an inflator manifold when it is connected thereto to lower the rate of inflation of an airbag in fluid communication with the exhaust opening of the manifold. The adaptive valve may have a valve member movably mounted therein for movement between a first position wherein it closes the exhaust orifice and a second position wherein it opens the exhaust orifice. An initiator is provided in the adaptive valve to generate sufficient gas pressure to move the valve member to the first or second position.

Abstract: An igniter body for an airbag inflator comprising a stamped metal body portion having a generally annular flange and a central opening. A generally cylindrical plastic connector portion is disposed within the annular flange and is connected to the body portion. The connector portion may be integrally molded within the body portion. The central opening in the body portion is constructed to receive an initiator therein, and the connector portion is constructed to receive a power module therein for connection to an initiator disposed in the central opening and surrounded by a sleeve that is secured to the body portion to retain the initiator thereon.

Abstract: A vibration damper for connecting an inflator to an air bag module in a vehicle steering column or the like. The vibration damper comprises a flexible and resilient, annular damper member having a first end portion connected to a diffuser for the inflator, and a second opposite end portion connected to an interface member. The diffuser is connected to an inflator ring that is constructed to be connected to the inflator. The interface member is constructed to be connected to the air bag module.

Abstract: A multi-level gas inflator for an air bag or other safety device, comprising an elongated pressure vessel having a primary gas generant portion with a first open end and a secondary portion with a second open end. The primary gas generant portion has a primary ignition device and primary gas generating energetics disposed therein. The primary ignition device is mounted on and closes the pressure vessel at the first open end thereof. The secondary portion may have a secondary ignition device and secondary gas generating energetics disposed therein. The secondary ignition device may be mounted on the pressure vessel at the second open end thereof. A suitable gas under a predetermined pressure is present in the primary and secondary portions. One or more separate dividers or divider walls are disposed within the midportion of the pressure vessel to separate the primary and secondary portions.

Abstract: A gas generator comprising a pressure vessel containing a gas under a first predetermined pressure. An initiator housing closes one end of the pressure vessel and has an opening at the inner end thereof that is closed by an initiator rupture disk constructed to rupture at a second predetermined pressure in the initiator housing greater than the first predetermined pressure. A micro-gas generator or initiator is disposed within the initiator housing. A manifold closes the other end of the pressure vessel and has an opening at the inner end thereof closed by a manifold rupture disk constructed to rupture at a third predetermined pressure greater than the first predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A vibration damper for connecting an inflator to an air bag module in a vehicle steering column or the like. The vibration damper comprises a flexible and resilient, annular damper member having a first end portion connected to a first ring member, and a second opposite end portion connected to a second ring member. The first ring member comprises an annular rim extending outwardly from the damper member and having an inwardly extending detent portion at its outer end that is constructed to be snap-fitted to an outwardly extending rim portion on the diffuser of the inflator. The second ring member is constructed to be connected to the air bag module.

Abstract: A vibration damper for connecting an inflator to an air bag module in a vehicle steering column or the like. The vibration damper comprises a flexible and resilient, annular damper member having a first end portion connected to a first ring member, and a second opposite end portion connected to a second ring member. The first ring member comprises a plurality of upwardly extending projections that are constructed to be inserted through aligned openings in a diffuser and then deformed to connect the first ring member to the diffuser. The second ring member comprises a plurality of downwardly extending projections that are constructed to be inserted through aligned openings in a mounting flange for an airbag module and then deformed to connect the second ring member to the mounting flange.

Abstract: A vibration damper for connecting an inflator to an air bag module in a vehicle steering column or the like. The vibration damper comprises a flexible and resilient, annular damper member having a first end portion connected to a first ring member, and a second opposite end portion connected to a second ring member. The first ring member comprises a plurality of upwardly extending projections that are constructed to be inserted through aligned openings in a diffuser and then deformed to connect the first ring member to the diffuser. The second ring member comprises a plurality of downwardly extending projections that are constructed to be inserted through aligned openings in a mounting flange for an airbag module and then deformed to connect the second ring member to the mounting flange.

Abstract: A vibration damper for connecting an inflator to an air bag module in a vehicle steering column or the like. The vibration damper comprises a flexible and resilient, annular damper member having a first end portion connected to a first ring member, and a second opposite end portion connected to a second ring member. The first ring member comprises an annular rim extending outwardly from the damper member and having an inwardly extending detent portion at its outer end that is constructed to be snap-fitted to an outwardly extending rim portion on the diffuser of the inflator. The second ring member is constructed to be connected to the air bag module.

Abstract: A multi-level gas inflator for an air bag or other safety device, comprising an elongated pressure vessel having a primary gas generant portion with a first open end and a secondary portion with a second open end. The primary gas generant portion has a primary ignition device and primary gas generating energetics disposed therein. The primary ignition device is mounted on and closes the pressure vessel at the first open end thereof. The secondary portion may have a secondary ignition device and secondary gas generating energetics disposed therein. The secondary ignition device may be mounted on the pressure vessel at the second open end thereof. A suitable gas under a predetermined pressure is present in the primary and secondary portions. One or more separate dividers or divider walls are disposed within the midportion of the pressure vessel to separate the primary and secondary portions.

Abstract: A gas generator comprising a pressure vessel containing a gas under a first predetermined pressure. An initiator housing closes one end of the pressure vessel and has an opening at the inner end thereof that is closed by an initiator rupture disk constructed to rupture at a second predetermined pressure in the initiator housing greater than the first predetermined pressure. A micro-gas generator or initiator is disposed within the initiator housing. A manifold closes the other end of the pressure vessel and has an opening at the inner end thereof closed by a manifold rupture disk constructed to rupture at a third predetermined pressure greater than the first predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A multi-level gas inflator for an air bag or other safety device, comprising an elongated pressure vessel having a primary gas generant portion with a first open end and a secondary gas generant portion with a second open end. The primary gas generant portion has a primary ignition device and primary gas generating energetics disposed therein. The primary ignition device is mounted on and closes the pressure vessel at the first open end thereof. The secondary gas generant portion has a secondary ignition device and secondary gas generating energetics disposed therein. The secondary ignition device is mounted on and closes the pressure vessel at the second open end thereof. A suitable gas under a predetermined pressure is present in the primary and secondary gas generant portions. One or more dividers or divider walls are disposed within the midportion of the pressure vessel to separate the primary and secondary gas generant portions.