Abstract: The cost and ease of manufacture and assembly of airbag inflators is enhanced by welding sections of the inflator housing together in a recessed portion of the side wall of such housing. By providing a portion of the housing side wall which is recessed sufficiently that it contains all of the weld flashing produced during the welding operation it is possible to eliminate the machining operation for removing such flashing which, otherwise, could be required to provide external dimensions within specification.

Abstract: Apparatuses for inflating inflatable devices and associated methods of leak detection relying on the inclusion of a radioactive isotope leak trace material.

Abstract: Fire extinguishing or suppression apparatus and method employing a liquid pyrotechnic composition of a ternary mixture of hydroxyl ammonium nitrate, an amine nitrate salt, and water, in a closed combustion chamber of a pressure container. The apparatus is constructed to permit a large volume of water vapor exothermically generated by the reaction of a liquid pyrotechnic composition to be discharged from the combustion chamber and pressure container to an area of a fire.

Abstract: A hybrid inflator having a quantity of stored gas in a pressure vessel, and a quantity of gas generant stored within a generant housing having at least one port in its longitudinal end. Within the generant housing the gas generant is retained within a porous sleeve. This sleeve is spaced inward from the non-porous generant housing, such that a free flow area is formed between the sleeve and the generant housing. The inflation gas created by the gas generant will thus flow radially outward through the sleeve, and then be turned to flow longitudinally toward the port(s) in the generant housing. Providing the free flow area reduces the pressure drop across the generant sleeve, resulting in less slag being forced through the sleeve to be entrained within the created gas flow. Additionally, the changes in direction forced upon the created gas flow to exit the generant housing cause additional amounts of slag to be removed from the created gas flow. This results in a hybrid inflator having reduced solid emissions.

Abstract: A sequencing system is provided for varying the output of an inflator in a vehicle safety restraint system. The inflator has a housing including at least one combustion chamber. Gas generant for producing an inflation gas is disposed in the housing. Ignition material for igniting the gas generating means is disposed in the at least one combustion chamber. A first electric squib is disposed in the inflator housing for initially igniting the ignition material. At least one additional electric squib is disposed in the inflator housing for further igniting the ignition material. A delay sequencing unit is disposed outside of the inflator housing for activating the at least one additional electric squib after a predetermined time from the activation of the first electric squib. Upon activation of the first electric squib by an electrical pulse, an initial amount of inflation gas is generated and the electrical pulse is also received by the delay sequencing unit.

Abstract: A two-walled, dual chamber, inflator for inflation of an automotive airbag in the event of a collision is provided. The inflator includes a simplified housing with two internal chambers, including a central chamber and a coaxial outer chamber. The central chamber houses both the solid fuel gas generant bodies and a electrical igniter having a reliable single-stage ignition train in direct contact with the generant bed. The single-stage igniter includes a resistance wire submersed in the generant bed along a convoluted path. Multiple points of direct contact are established between the igniter wire and gas generant over a substantial portion of the generant bed, which leads to more uniform and efficient ignition of the gas generant. To get sufficient surface area for the generant to contact the igniter wire, the gas generant bodies are formed in relatively small sizes of about 0.05 inch or less, which, in turn, limits the selection of gas generant materials to those having low burn rates of about 0.

Abstract: Featured for use as a part of an inflatable restraint system airbag module is an elongated cylindrical airbag inflator containing a load of a gas generant material. The inflator has a size (i.e., length) selected to correspond to the size of the load of the gas generant material stored within the inflator.

Abstract: An improvement in an airbag system for a motor vehicle relating to an adaptive output fluid fueled airbag inflator and method of operation thereof are provided. Such an inflator, in addition to a stored gas chamber, a combustion chamber wherein, upon actuation, a first fluid fuel and an oxidant are burned, and a first initiator device for initiating the combustion of the first fuel and the at least one oxidant, includes a combination of a fluid fuel container, which holds a supply of a second fluid fuel, and a second initiator device for initiating the combustion of the second fuel. Various selected performance levels can be obtained through the proper selection, actuation and sequencing of actuation of the initiator devices and burning of fuels contained within the inflator.

Abstract: A regenerative monopropellant inflator having improved initiation of the regenerative cycle and improve operating efficiency. The inflator may direct the flow of the monopropellant into a localized volume to create a "hot spot" to increase combustion. This serves to ensure that the regenerative cycle is initiated. Various arrangements are provided to increase the residence time of the combusting monopropellant within the inflator, to ensure complete combustion of the monopropellant, and thus increased efficiency. These arrangements include inducing a helical gas flow to increase the length of the path traveled by the gas. Various barriers may also be placed within the gas flow to force direction changes, which reduce the velocity of the gas.

Abstract: A consumable igniter tube for a solid fuel passenger side airbag inflator is provided. The igniter tube is composed of a thin metallic material, such as aluminum foil, that has it walls being at least partially, and preferably essentially fully devoured, almost instantaneously upon ignition of the primary igniter charge that is initially confined within the tube. The entire combustion products produced from the burning igniter charge, including hot gases as well as hot burning particulates, are thereby released through the openings created in the consumed igniter tube walls and vented into the adjacent combustion chamber that contains the solid fuel gas generant. All of the burning igniter products are thus used to ignite the solid fuel gas generant, which, upon ignition, generates inflation gases that eventually exit the inflator into a folded airbag in order to inflate and deploy the airbag into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: In a gas generant composition containing a source of ammonia, such as an ammonium salt or an ammonia-transitional metal complex that emits ammonia as a degradation product, a zeolite, particularly chabazite, is added as an ammonia-absorbing material. In gas generant formulations containing a copper compound and a nitrate source, the zeolite acts to reduce or prevent formation of copper tetrammine dinitrate.

Abstract: An airbag inflator with venturi effect cooling and gas supplement. The inflator includes a housing having a quantity of gas-producing fuel therein, and possibly a stored gas also, along with appropriate igniters. These materials are stored within a gas production chamber of the housing. The gas leaving this chamber travels through the housing to an exit port on the housing. Intermediate the gas production chamber and the housing exit port is a venturi section of the housing. This section reduces the pressure of the gas, and thus the pressure at the interior end of draw vents opening onto the venturi section. The vents therefore draw outside air into the housing to mix with the gas. This cools the gas to the desired temperature, and also supplements the gas exiting the housing. As such, the need for a heat sink to cool the gas is reduced or eliminated. Furthermore, since the cushion is inflated with a mixture of gas and air, the amount of gas typically needed is reduced by the amount of added air.

Abstract: An improved inflator wherein a flowing combustible fluid is combusted in a combustion zone defined by diverging walls is disclosed. The improved inflator provides enhanced consistency of operation thereby permitting the use of lighter components while avoiding deployments which produce excessive "bag slap".

Abstract: A regenerative monopropellant inflator providing adaptive performance. The inflator includes a housing defining an interior. A piston is received in the housing and divides the interior into a fuel supply chamber and a combustion chamber. The piston moves through the fuel supply chamber during the regenerative combustion cycle to produce an inflation gas from reaction of the fuel in the combustion chamber. The inflation gas exits the combustion chamber via exit ports. To provide adaptive performance a back pressure may be selectively applied to the piston against its travel. This slows the piston, and thus the gas production of the inflator. Alternatively, the total size of the exit ports could be selectively varied to thus vary the pressure within the combustion chamber, known as throttling. Increased pressure within the combustion chamber causes an increase in the rate of inflation gas production.

Abstract: An airbag cushion and method of folding thereof are provided which utilize a series of pleated folds which unfold in sequence one after another when an inflating fluid flows into the airbag cushion. In the so folded airbag cushion, a series of folds is made wherein a successive fold is made generally perpendicular to the preceding fold.

Abstract: An attachment system for retaining an accessory on an extruded module reaction can of a vehicle safety restraint system. At least one channel is formed integrally with the reaction can during extrusion thereof. An extruded attachment clip includes a pair of resilient legs and a rounded body part joining the legs together. The body portion of the attachment clip forms a cavity capable of receiving the accessory. The legs of the attachment clip are attachable to the channel of the reaction can to secure the accessory thereon. The extruded clip design of the present invention thus snaps onto a channel extruded into the reaction can, eliminating the need for expensive secondary manufacturing operations and assembly procedures.

Abstract: A variable volume airbag cushion. The cushion includes a front wall having a central region for contacting the passenger, and a periphery. This periphery is connected to a periphery of a rear wall. The rear wall includes a central inlet operatively connected to a gas generator. The generator provides gas to initially inflate the volume defined between the front wall and rear walls. The rear wall includes at least one pleat therein, with the pleat held by a frangible connection such as a tear seam. It is preferred that the pleat be folded over to lie against the remainder of the rear wall, and secured thereto, again by a frangible connection. The pleats reduce the size of the rear wall, and therefore the volume between the front and rear walls. The frangible connections will rupture above a predetermined gas pressure in the cushion. This permits the rear wall to expand to its full size, increasing the volume between the front and rear walls.

Abstract: A side airbag module adapted to mount within an external recess of a vehicle seat, the recess providing access to an internal structural member of the seat with a substantially continuous fabric hook connected to upholstery surrounding the recess. The side airbag module includes a dish-shaped module housing, an airbag cushion and an inflator secured within the module housing, a lid closing the module housing and covering the airbag cushion and inflator, a trim ring, and a mounting projection for securing the airbag module to the internal structural member of the seat. The module housing includes a sidewall and an elongated rail running along an outer face of the sidewall and having a flange for catching the fabric hook of the seat to pull the seat upholstery tightly around the recess when the airbag module is mounted therein.

Abstract: An assembly and method are provided for the attachment of a protective cover to an airbag module assembly wherein the possibility of a portion of the folded airbag cushion extending over either of the sides of the reaction canister body and thus subject to being snagged or caught between the reaction canister body and the end plate upon attachment of the end plate(s) to the reaction canister body is avoided.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting pressure changes in a pressurized vessel, such as a gas storage bottle of an inflator of a vehicle restraint system. At least two reference marks are positioned on an outside surface of the vessel for indicating the pressure in the vessel. The marks are spaced apart on the surface by a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance can be measured at intervals, and correlated to determine changes in the pressure of the vessel. The references marks can be physical, i.e., paint or scratch marks, or magnetic, such as a magnetic bar or stripe. The physical marks can be read by an optical laser and the magnetic marks by a magnetic head, such as a floppy or hard disk drive, or a CD-ROM.