Abstract: An apparatus for activating a selected one or more restraint devices located in a vehicle is provided. The apparatus reliably and inexpensively activates restraint devices upon the receipt of one or more appropriate signals. The apparatus includes a control unit having a housing enclosing a processor, a circuit board, and a plurality of initiator assemblies. Explosive transfer lines are inter-connected to the initiator assemblies at a first end, and to the restraint devices at a second end. Upon the receipt of an appropriate signal from one or more sensors located in the vehicle, the processor activates at least one of the initiator assemblies, which in turn ignites at least one of the explosive transfer lines. The explosion propagates along the explosive transfer line to its corresponding restraint device or devices to activate one or more of them.

Abstract: Systems for use in leak detection and methods for leak detection are provided wherein a radioactive trace material is externally applied to a wall of a chamber which contains a fluid at a relatively high internal pressure.

Abstract: Inflator device assemblies wherein an igniter composition used to ignite an associated gas generant material is provided on a selected surface, such as on a damper pad, within the inflator device. Suitable igniter compositions may include a silicone resin additive effective to adhere the igniter composition to a surface within the inflator device.

Abstract: Inflatable knee bolster module assemblies and associated methods are provided wherein first and second longitudinally spaced apart attachment extensions of a first outer lateral side of the inflatable knee cushion are passed through respectively corresponding first and second attachment openings in an associated assembly panel member.

Abstract: A gas generant material body in the form of a tablet having a triangular cross section and associated methods of gas generation are provided.

Abstract: A knee airbag system disposed in an instrument panel accommodates one or more members extending from the instrument panel and through the system. The system includes a housing secured to the instrument panel or to a firewall of the vehicle. The housing may be configured with a housing aperture to allow the member to extend through. The system includes an inflator stored within the housing and operational in an accident situation. The system further includes an inflatable airbag stored within the housing and in communication with the inflator. The airbag has an airbag aperture in-line with the housing aperture. The airbag is sealed around the perimeter of the airbag aperture to enable inflation of the airbag. A bolster panel is secured to the airbag and includes a bolster aperture that is in-line with the housing aperture and the airbag aperture.

Abstract: An electrical ground detection circuit 10 having a first capacitor 18 and a second capacitor 20 which selectively receives a certain amount of voltage. The certain amount of voltage decreases by a certain amount during a period of time, as the capacitor 18 charges. The circuit 10 further includes a controller 16 which measures this period of time and which utilizes this measured period of time to determine whether an electrical assembly 12 is coupled to an electrically grounded member 14.

Abstract: A circuit assembly 10 for holding an electronic component 26 relative to a circuit board 16 comprises a housing 12 coupled to the circuit board 16. A separable cradle 24 is coupled to the housing 12 and is sized to receive the electronic component 26. The cradle 24 has a support post 28 for spacing the cradle 25 a predetermined distance from the circuit board 16. In a further aspect of the invention, the housing 12 may be a module housing or a connector 14. The cradle 24 may be separable from the housing, Leads (26) pass through the cradle holes 46 and housing holes 44 to be soldered to the circuit board.

Abstract: A venting arrangement for an inflatable curtain cushion is disclosed. The inflatable curtain cushion includes a pair of fabric layers that are themselves gas permeable. The fabric layers have an impermeable coating on the interior surface of fabric layers. One or more vents are provided by bonding a portion of the fabric layers together at the impermeable coating. Separation of the bonded fabric layers causes delamination of the coating from one of the fabric layers. Exposure of the underlying permeable fabric allows venting of inflation gas. The bonded fabric layers separate when gas pressure within the inflatable curtain cushion exceeds a threshold pressure. The number and size of the vents can vary depending upon the permeability of the underlying fabric layer and the desired deflation rate.

Abstract: A distributed battery control network (14) for a battery string (12) has a plurality of sensing modules (SM) each associated with one of the batteries in the battery string (12). Each of the sensing modules has a respective sequencing input (SI) and a sequencing output (50). Said plurality modules have a sequencing input with a predetermined signature type, storing said address in a particular one of said plurality modules with said sequencing input equal to said signature type, and generating an identifying signature at an output of said particular one of plurality modules with said sequencing input equal to said signature type. A network (22) is coupled to each of the sending modules. A controller (24) is coupled to the bus and communicates with each of the sensing modules. The controller (24) loads each of the sensing modules with an address and a signature type.

Abstract: A method of making a gas generant formulation which contains a transition metal diammine dinitrate is provided wherein a transition metal ammine carbonate is reacted with nitric acid in the presence of water to form a corresponding reaction mixture. A spray dryable precursor to the gas generant formulation is formed including at least a gas generating fuel and a sufficient quantity of water to render the precursor spray dryable. The precursor is subsequently spray dried to form a gas generant powder. The method may also include a relatively mild heat treatment of the dried material, either as a part of the spray drying or subsequent to such spray drying. A phase stabilized ammonium nitrate and a corresponding method of making the same wherein ammonium nitrate is stabilized through the presence of a stabilizing metal diammine dinitrate are also provided.

Abstract: A knee airbag system is configured to be disposed in an instrument panel of a vehicle. The knee airbag system has a modular housing which is connected to the instrument panel of the vehicle. An inflatable airbag and an inflator are disposed within the modular housing. In an accident situation, the inflator inflates the airbag to protect an occupant of the vehicle. The system further includes a load distributor which is moved by the inflating airbag from a stored position adjacent the instrument panel and a deployed position away from the instrument panel. When the load distributor is in the deployed position, it provides further support and protection for the vehicle occupant. A tether allows for positioning of the load distributor in the deployed position. The tether is external to the airbag and connected to the load distributor and the modular housing.

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 exits 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: A control assembly for use in regulating movement of a vehicle seat back is provided. The control assembly uses damping fluid to regulate the degree of damping applied to the seat back. The control assembly includes one or more initiator assemblies. A selected one or more of them can be activated when a front and/or rear end collision occurs. When an initiator assembly is activated, a transfer member changes between closed and open states to regulate a path for damping fluid. The control assembly also includes a piston head having first and second sides. Movement of the damping fluid occurs relative to these two sides. The piston head can include at least one bore, which functions as an additional path for damping fluid. The control assembly preferably also includes a temperature compensation assembly to accommodate temperature changes in the damping fluid.

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.

Abstract: A phase stabilized ammonium nitrate and a method of making the same wherein ammonium nitrate is stabilized through the presence of a stabilizing metal diammine dinitrate without requiring or necessitating the isolation of explosive metal tetrammine nitrate complexes.

Abstract: A device for discharging a fire retardant material comprising a housing capable of storing a fire retardant material. The housing has an initiator attached to a first end, while a discharging port is attached at a second end. Additionally, sealed within the housing is a driver which forces the fire retardant material towards the discharging port. The driver follows a path defined by a bypass tube located centrally within the housing. The driver is forced along the path by exit gases created by the initiator attached at the first end. The housing also has a choke assembly located near the second end thereof. The choke assembly selectively controls the rate at which the fire retardant material and the pressurized gases exit through the discharging port. The choke assembly has a choke body with a first and second cavity. Furthermore, choke body has passageways and apertures for directing the flow of both the fire retardant material and the pressurized gases.

Abstract: A knee airbag system has a bolster panel that is disposed between an inflatable airbag and a cover. The bolster panel is secured to the cover through the use of one or more fasteners. The bolster panel is configured with one or more trenches or wells that provide recess spaces. The fasteners extend from the cover and pass through the bolster panel and into a recess space provided by the trench or well. The recess space has a depth that is greater than the protruding portion of the fastener to prevent the fastener from contacting the airbag. In order to prevent a portion of the airbag from entering a recess space, the airbag is secured to the bolster panel so as to limit slack.

Abstract: An initiator assembly for use with a propellant-actuated device located in a vehicle is provided. In one embodiment, the initiator assembly includes circuitry and an integral, one-piece insert member that are injection molded with insulating material to an initiator. The insert member suitably engages an initiator adapter for holding the initiator assembly in place relative to the inflator housing both before and after the initiator assembly is ignited. The circuitry is capable of receiving and processing a signal to determine whether to send an ignition signal to ignite the propellant within the inflator.

Abstract: A buckle system and mechanism for use in a seat belt vehicle restraint system which provides an interlock for ensuring that the occupant has the correct web position for the lap and shoulder belt portions of a three-point seat belt system. This buckle system permits only one tongue to be inserted in the interlock at a time. Moreover, the insertion of one tongue causes the ejection of the other tongue. Once placed into use, this invention ensures that one of the tongues is latched.