Abstract: A method for making a propellant composition that results in a desirable gas output when combusted. The propellant can be part of an inflator used in a vehicle for inflating an air bag. The propellant has a relatively low burn rate exponent of no greater than about 0.7. The propellant is substantially dense, with the propellant having a density that is at least 85% of theoretical density. In making the propellant, its density can be reduced using a roller mill that flattens the propellant to a controlled thickness. The propellant preferably includes phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate and fibrous cellulose.

Abstract: Inflatable knee bolster module assemblies are provided wherein a knee bolster panel and an associated reaction plate engage to form a bolster housing containing an inflatable knee cushion and a knee cushion inflator assembly. Upon actuation, the knee cushion inflator assembly provides an inflation fluid effective to inflate the knee cushion and to deploy the knee bolster panel to provide lower torso restraint for an oppositely positioned vehicle occupant while the knee bolster panel remains engaged with the reaction plate.

Abstract: An applicator die for crimping open loop type terminals to wire leads comprising applicator housing, a plurality of blades and a plurality of housing. An applicator housing is provided which is extended or retracted vertically in response to an applicator force applied thereto. An insulation blade housing with an insulation blade and a core blade housing, with a core blade are movingly disposed inside the applicator housing. Prior to a crimping operation, the applicator housing is retracted and a terminal is moved into position and aligned with the insulation and core blades. A lead wire is also positioned inside the terminal. As the applicator housing descends in response to the applicator force, it pushes the lead wire down into contact with the terminal. A cam lever, acting under the influence of the applicator force, moves a cam vertically, bringing together complementary members of an insulation anvil and a core anvil.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inflating an inflatable device which involve a heat source composed of a load of fuel material and an initiator is actuatable to be in heat transmitting communication such as to initiate dissociation of a gas source material to form at least one gaseous dissociation product used to inflate the inflatable device.

Abstract: An inflator assembly for an airbag safety system that comprises a container having a chamber configured to hold pressurized gases, an igniting assembly for producing exit gases and a diffusing assembly to vent the exit gases. The container is provided with an end closure that is composed of a material having a substantial silicon content. The diffusing assembly includes a diffuser cap and a burst disk. The diffuser cap has a number of apertures formed therein that allow the exit gases to be released when the burst disk ruptures. The igniting assembly is configured such that it may be coupled to the end closure and capable of withstanding a heat treatment process that bonds the igniting assembly, end closure and container together to form a one-piece structure.

Abstract: Vehicular restraint systems and associated fittings adapted for pivotal mounting onto a vehicle and for the guiding of an inflatable torso safety belt therethrough are provided. The fitting includes a clearance opening of selectively changeable thickness wherethrough the inflatable torso safety belt is passed to permit slidable movement thereof even when the inflatable safety belt is in an at least partially expanded or inflated state.

Abstract: Inflatable device inflation assemblies wherein a gas source material is released from an inflator apparatus into an inflatable device wherein the gas source material may, such as upon actuation of an initiator device situated within the inflatable device, dissociate or otherwise form gaseous products for the inflation of the inflatable device. An inflatable restraint system is also provided which includes a plurality of inflatable devices each operatively joined with a chamber which contains a dissociative gas source material. The system includes at least one first initiator effective upon actuation to initiate dissociation of the gas source material within a selected one of the plurality of inflatable devices.

Abstract: An inflator apparatus for inflating an inflatable device and a method are provided which utilize a burst disk arrangement which results in a sequential opening regime such as may desirably provide a form of the above-described S curve inflation performance behavior without necessitating the use of or reliance on mechanical opening devices such as projectiles or piston members.

Abstract: A hydraulic velocity damper for use in a seat belt retractor system to control and limit the maximum velocity of seat belt payout during loading. The seat belt webbing payout is independent of the amount of load applied to a spindle body of the hydraulic velocity damper. In one embodiment, two pistons within an elliptical housing of a rotatable spindle body rotate about two independent drive screws. As the pistons rotate about respective drive screws, the pistons move towards each other to pressurize a hydraulic fluid within a chamber defined by the housing. At a predetermined pressure, a web covering at least one metering hole in each piston ruptures and the hydraulic fluid is positively displaced from within the chamber into an inner cavity of each piston. The rate at which the spindle body rotates is limited by the fluid displacement, regardless of the pressure within the chamber.

Abstract: A method for introducing a radioactive leak trace material into an apparatus for inflating an inflatable device is disclosed in which a mixture containing a preselected quantity of the radioactive leak trace material and a quantity of at least one gas source material, which upon initiation results in an inflation fluid used to inflate the device, are loaded into a chamber of the apparatus.

Abstract: An inflator apparatus and a method are provided using a quantity of a compensatory material to supplement a stored pressurized gas.

Abstract: An improved ignition system for vehicle airbags is described. This invention includes a novel means for venting igniter material gases in such a manner as to more evenly distribute the flow in a more disperse manner, thereby permitting the gas generant to burn more uniformly throughout the generant bed. This invention by venting igniter gases more efficiently produces improved airbag ballistics, namely lowered average airbag deployment delay and increased consistency of operation.

Abstract: An air bag device that includes an air bag cushion, a diffuser canister, and a gas generation inflator. The diffuser canister is attached to the air bag cushion and has walls configured to define an interior space therein. The walls of the diffuser canister have an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a wall thickness t. At least one of the walls has an aperture formed therethrough in communication with the interior of the air bag cushion. The gas generation inflator is configured to rapidly create a gas that exists the diffuser canister through the aperture so as to fill the air bag cushion. The aperture is defined by an edge extending between the interior and said exterior surfaces of the wall that is configured to diffuse the gas exiting the diffuser canister through the aperture.

Abstract: An air bag safety system with an emergency venting assembly. The air bag system includes an air bag cushion, an inflator assembly and a cover that is movably attached to the inflator assembly. The inflator assembly includes an inflator and a housing with a side wall assembly configured to cooperate with the cover. The side wall assembly comprises an inner wall having a hole formed therein and an outer wall. The cover is movably attached to the inflator assembly. The cover has a side wall with an emergency relief vent formed therein. The cover further has a first position and a second position such that when the cover is in the first position the emergency relief vent on the side wall of the cover is substantially aligned with the hole in the inner wall of the housing so as to allow the inflation fluid to exit the inflator assembly.

Abstract: An occupant seat belt presenter is provided to extend or present an unbuckled seat belt restraint or web to the occupant, thereby making it visible and easily accessible for buckling. This seat belt presenter is provided with a powered presenter drive which moves the seat belt web forward or rearward based on signals received from a controller. The controller controls the operation of the seat belt presenter based on such inputs as whether the door is open and whether the seat belt has been buckled. This controller is adapted to be integrated into the seat and to be compatible with other vehicle safety features. The seat belt restraint is allowed to extend and to retract freely through a web guide attached to the presenter drive. This invention also provides that the belt web restraint can be easily removed from the web guide in the event of a system malfunction, thereby providing an override to the controller.

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 dual initiator inflator for selective activation, depending upon detection of a low impact vehicle collision or a high impact vehicle collision, is provided for use with an air bag in a vehicle. The inflator can be configured to function at any one of a number of vehicle locations, including a driver side inflator and a passenger side inflator. The inflator includes first and second initiators and first and second propellants. When a low impact vehicle collision is detected, the first initiator is triggered to ignite the first propellant. Essentially all inflation gases that are received in the air bag are due to products of combustion from the first propellant and stored gas contained in the inflator housing. After a predetermined time delay, the second propellant is ignited by the second initiator so that no combustible propellant remains after inflator usage.

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 airbag inflator which can supply airbag inflation gas in an adaptive output is provided. The subject inflator includes two discrete and isolated chambers of gas generant materials. At least one of the chambers includes a lid closure adapted to open to place the combustion products formed within the associated chamber in fluid communication with the contents of the other chamber. The subject inflator permits several distinct inflation performance scenarios while desirably employing a single set of inflation gas treatment components, such as filters, for the treatment of products of both chambers.

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.