Abstract: An airbag inflator which can supply airbag inflation gas in an adaptive output is provided. The subject inflator includes two discrete isolated chambers of gas generant materials and 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: A gas charged high pressure accumulator includes a hollow housing and a composite flexible diaphragm dividing the interior volume into two leak tight chambers, one of these chambers being adapted to receive hydraulic fluid under pressure and the other chamber containing compressed nitrogen gas. The composite diaphragm is made of only two layers including a first elastic rubber layer facing the fluid chamber and a thin metal layer vapor deposited on the side of the rubber layer facing the gas chamber. The metal deposited film forms a gas impermeable barrier to prevent leakage of the charged gas through the diaphragm into the hydraulic fluid chamber. The surface of the metal film is formed with adjacent scales or plates to enhance the flexibility of the diaphragm, while a continuous metal film is attached underneath to the rubber substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for igniting a pyrotechnic gas generator, or inflator, such as those used in automotive airbag systems is disclosed. The ignition system uses a flammable gas to ignite the pyrotechnic gas generant. The flammable gas can be stored either throughout interior free space in the inflator or it can be maintained in a separate sealed container either separately or jointly with the pyrotechnic gas generant. The method and apparatus offer both cost savings and a reduction in delay time over conventional pyrotechnic ignition systems.

Abstract: A simplified airbag inflator providing a convoluted pathway for passage of inflation gases from the combustion chamber of the inflator to exhaust ports leading to an inflatable airbag is provided. The inflator has a U-shaped filter element and U-shaped diffuser attached to an inflator housing defining the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber is closed off with an end plate having generally axially aligned exit holes therein. Inflation gases would flow axially from the combustion chamber through the exit holes in the end plate, radially then axially through the filter element, and then radially out exhaust ports in the diffuser.

Abstract: An inflatable cushion for a vehicle occupant restraint system includes a bag formed of flexible material and defining an internal cavity, and inflatable to a predetermined three-dimensional configuration. The bag is constructed of a plurality of panels of a durable, flexible material which are joined together to define a predetermined three-dimensional configuration such that at least a part of the bag will overlie an A pillar of a vehicle when the bag is in an inflated condition.

Abstract: A fire extinguisher comprises a pressure bottle containing the fire extinguishing material and having mounted therein a diffuser-actuation housing. A source of pressurized gas is in at least one of the pressure bottle or the housing or may be in both. The housing has internal exhaust ports for permitting flow of the fire extinguishing material from the interior of the pressure bottle to the interior of the housing and external diffuser ports for delivering the fire extinguishing material from the interior of the housing to the area of a fire. Intermediate the internal exhaust ports and the external diffuser ports there is positioned a burst element, for interrupting the flow path between the internal exhaust ports and the external diffuser ports until the burst element is ruptured.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an actuation system that is contained within a divided pressure vessel which has two chambers under pressure, separated by a common partition and piston. The system is operated by causing an opening in the first chamber, creating a pressure differential between the two chambers which causes the piston to move and fluid to flow between the two chambers. Movement of the piston may or may not expose flow orifices between the two chambers. Pyrotechnic material is enclosed within the piston to generate combustion products for augmenting performance. The two chambers can be used to contain inert working gases or reacting fluids that are isolated from one another until the system is actuated.

Abstract: An inflator apparatus and method for inflating an inflatable device wherein a solid fuel material and nitrous oxide are stored in intimate contact and, when properly actuated, react to produce inflation gas for use in inflating the inflatable device.

Abstract: A new and improved fastenerless spring clip is provided for mounting an airbag module assembly in a fixed position behind a breakaway cover formed in the instrument panel of the vehicle. One end of the spring clip includes a slip-on connector which is adapted to slip-engage and self-lock onto a wall surface of the airbag module without requiring special tools or additional fasteners such as rivets. The opposite end of the clip includes a snap-on connector which is adapted to snap-engage and self-lock onto a vehicle mounting bracket that is eventually secured to the vehicle behind the instrument panel.

Abstract: An airbag cushion which forms a linear arrangement of a plurality of compartements having a rectangular cross sectional shape with opposed longitudinal and lateral surfaces is provided. Each of the compartments is formed by the joinder of at least first and second panel members to form an interior chamber adapted to be filled with an inflation fluid upon deployment of the airbag cushion and a planar partition wall separating the interior chambers of adjacent compartments. The joinder of the at least first and second panel members for each of the compartments is effected from the outside of the compartment interior chambers. A method of fabricating an airbag cushion in the form of a linear arrangement of a plurality of compartments having a rectangular cross sectional shape with opposed longitudinal and lateral surfaces is also provided.

Abstract: An air bag assembly includes an inflatable device having a deflated condition; an inflator in fluid communication with the inflatable device and actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable device from the deflated condition; a cover for housing the inflatable device and the inflator, the cover including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion being pivotable to a closed condition and an open condition; and a strap for releasably retaining the first portion and the second portion in the closed condition, the strap having a rupturable portion, wherein the force of inflation of the inflatable device causes the rupturable portion to rupture and release the first portion and the second portion from the closed condition, thereby enabling the first portion and the second portion to pivot to the open condition and enabling inflation of the inflation device from the cover.

Abstract: An improvement in inflatable restraint air bag module assemblies with non-symmetric gas output inflators wherein a diffuser of specific design and in cooperation with the reaction canister results in reduced air bag deployment skewness.

Abstract: An inflator apparatus and method for inflating an inflatable device which rely on the formation and subsequent reaction of acetylene are provided.

Abstract: A check valve for an airbag cushion assembly permitting inflation gas to be rapidly received into an airbag cushion chamber from an inflation gas source through an inflation gas inlet opening in the fabric of the airbag cushion chamber and preventing flow of inflation gas back through the inflation gas inlet opening comprises a main fabric panel with a plurality of pleatable or foldable fabric tabs extending from a portion of the main fabric panel of the check valve and being non-rupturably secured to the fabric of the airbag cushion chamber.

Abstract: A snap-on mounting attachment is provided for securing an airbag inflator module having a base plate to the steering wheel of a motor vehicle. The mounting attachment includes two fastener studs extending rearwardly from the base plate, each fastener stud having a yieldable holding barb. Two capture brackets are mounted to the spokes of the steering wheel, and each capture bracket holds a snap receptor in floating encapturement therein, i.e., with a limited range of lateral and vertical movement. The snap receptors each have a metal ring embedded in a polymer shell and define a stud receiving opening therethrough with the metal ring defining a lip engaged by the holding barb of the fastener stud. Bias stops between the base plate and the steering wheel take up slack in the mounting attachment and eliminate rattles, and the polymer shell of the snap receptors also minimizes rattles.

Abstract: An improved adaptive output inflator is provided wherein inflator performance, such as measured by inflator gas output, can be appropriately varied and selected by appropriately varying and selecting the operational oxidant composition of the inflator.

Abstract: A simplified, low cost, passenger airbag module that is particularly suited for stamped steel construction and is easy to assemble, uses the inflator as a structural member, specifically, as an axial tension member, requires only one fastener member, and reduces the number of module parts to six (6) (excluding a decorative cover).

Abstract: An improved ignition system for inflators such as those used in airbag passive restraint systems is disclosed. A breakable seal is provided in a storage chamber for a combustible fluid. Upon activation of an initiator the breakable seal is opened and the combustible fluid flows from the storage chamber into a combustion chamber where it is ignited to provide an enhanced volume of heated gas. The heated gas may be used either to directly inflate an associated inflatable apparatus or it may be used to first heat a further compressed gas and the combined gases used to inflate an inflatable apparatus. The breakable seal may be opened by a piston driven plunger. The design of the components of the ignition system provides control over the inflation characteristics.

Abstract: An integrated steering wheel and airbag module. The steering wheel includes a base having a mounting hole sized to receive an inflator. Received within the mounting hole is a resilient support block. The inflator is placed in the mounting hole over the support block, and a mounting plate clamps the inflator against the support block. The cushion may include tabs which extend through the mounting plate and are secured to fasteners. The inflator and cushion are thus secured using only the base of the steering wheel, the support block, and the mounting plate. A decorative cover completes the module, with a skirt of the cover being secured to the outer periphery of the steering wheel base.

Abstract: A resistant initiator for an automobile passenger restraint system which includes a shell casing having an upper chamber and a lower chamber. Contact pins connect the initiator to a mating electrical connector of a vehicle. A metal oxide varistor disposed in the shell casing provides electrostatic discharge and EMI/RFI rotection for the initiator. A glass to metal seal header is formed in the shell casing and includes an integrated circuit for igniting the pyrotechnic material disposed in a charge holder attached to the shell casing.