Abstract: A gas generating apparatus for outputting a gas is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus is an inflator having a propellant for supplying inflation gas(es) to an inflatable located in a vehicle. A confining member is located adjacent to the propellant. A number of spaced holes are provided in the confining member, either before or after activation of the propellant. Inflation gas is received through the spaced holes for subsequent passage to the inflatable. In that regard, the inflation gas first passes through a chamber defined in a timing member that has metering orifices. Such orifices regulate the flow of the inflation gas to the inflatable. The confining member is able to withstand significant pressures without rupturing. Each of the confining member and the timing member is preferably made of a non-metallic material. The propellant includes a fuel-rich material and an oxidizer material, preferably ammonium nitrate.

Abstract: An inflator apparatus for inflating an inflatable device and a method are provided wherein a combination of a dissociative gas source material and at least one unreactive dissociation reaction modifier is stored at least partially in liquefied form with the reaction modifier effective to moderate at least one of the temperature and concentration of the at least one gas source material upon the dissociation of at least a portion of the at least one gas source material.

Abstract: A system for alerting a vehicle occupant that an anti-whiplash system has been activated includes a wire disposed within an anti-whiplash system integrated into a vehicle seat. The wire is partially encased in a plastic plug which is easily inserted into a hole in the anti-whiplash system. At one end of the wire, a current generator is attached to provide a current therethrough. Also attached to the wire, at a location downstream of the anti-whiplash system, is a sensor that is configured to detect a change in the current flow through the wire. When the anti-whiplash system is activated, the moving parts shear the plastic plug and the wire contained inside, thus breaking the electrical circuit. The current sensor detects this change in current and then activates a warning signal indicator which provides notice to a vehicle occupant that the anti-whiplash system has been activated.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for attaching a cover to a housing member of an airbag module assembly, wherein an inflatable airbag cushion is stored. The housing member includes a plurality of mounting projections, each of the mounting projections having an inward directed free end. The cover includes a plurality of mounting openings each receiving an associated one of the mounting projections with the free end of each of the mounting projections extending in a direction away from the stored inflatable airbag cushion.

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: An inflator device and control assembly combination is provided wherein the inflator device includes a first chamber wherein a supply of a combustible gas generant material having a burn rate which is pressure dependent is burned to produce gas. The inflator device also includes an exit of adjustable cross sectional area in fluid communication with the first chamber and wherethrough at least a portion of the product gas can exit the inflator device. The control assembly is in operational control communication with the inflator device and provides a control signal to the inflator device to effect adjustment of the cross sectional area of the exit dependent on at least one chosen product gas output performance factor. Also provided are associated or related methods for adjusting inflation gas output from an inflator device.

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.