Abstract: An inflator having a combustion chamber and a stored gas chamber separated by a bulkhead. The bulkhead includes a flow passage extending between the combustion chamber and stored gas chamber, with a plurality of exit ports opening onto the flow passage. A flow plug is initially received in the flow passage to block the flow of the stored gas from the stored gas chamber. Activation of the inflator causes increased pressure in the combustion chamber, which forces the flow plug from the flow passage to permit the stored gas to flow through the exit ports, and for the heating gas from the combustion chamber to mix with the stored gas. A head flange may be formed on the flow plug to permit the stored gas to begin exiting the stored gas chamber prior to mixing with the heating gas. A slide nozzle may also be interposed between the flow plug and flow passage to form a nozzle forcing the heating gas to mix with the stored gas prior to exiting the inflator.

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: A hybrid inflator that includes a solid propellant and a pressurized medium comprising oxygen and at least one inert gas is provided. The solid propellant can be fuel-rich in that without excess oxygen it generates significant amounts of CO and H2. The at least one inert gas is contained in an inflator housing and the amount thereof is greater, on a molar basis, than the oxygen. The propellant has acceptable long-term stability in that such propellant does not ignite when exposed to a temperature of 107° C. for a period of 400 hours.

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

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: 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: 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 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: 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 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: A dispersal agent for preventing agglomerating of at least one component of a material is provided. In one embodiment, the dispersal agent is part of a porosity producing material and the dispersal agent eliminates or substantially prevents agglomeration of the porosity producing material. In one embodiment, the porosity producing material is fibrous cellulous. Such fibrous cellulose may be part of a porosity producing material, which is part of a propellant composition. The propellant composition can be used in an inflator housed in a vehicle.

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.

Abstract: Gas generant compositions and methods of processing are provided which produce or result in a relatively high burning rate and low burning rate pressure exponent, while also desirably providing a high gas output, as compared to normal or typical gas generant formulations such as used in association with vehicle occupant restraint airbag cushions.