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: 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 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.

Abstract: The use of unitary liquid fuel storage chambers provides advantages in the manufacturing and assembly of inflators for use in airbag passive restraint systems. A unique process of injecting liquid fuel through a conduit which is controlled to discharge the liquid fuel beneath the rising surface of the liquid fuel in the container and then sealing the storage chamber with a unique stopper provides consistently accurately filled unitary fuel containing storage chambers. The filled and sealed unitary storage chambers can then be either stored or assembled into an inflator. The assembly of the inflator can be at a location separate from that at which the storage container is loaded with fuel, whereby the relatively hazardous loading and handling of liquid fuels can be separated from the inflator assembly area.

Abstract: A simplified airbag module assembly includes three unique features. These comprise a retainer tube with an anchor tab, a module housing with an attachment flange, and an airbag with a button hole for the anchor tab. Only two fasteners are required to complete the module assembly.

Abstract: The process comprises the steps of gripping top and bottom boundaries of the face portion of the main panel of the cushion and pulling it so that the front face portion is generally planar and the side panels extend generally outward from the canister. First and second folding combs move inward from the opposite sides of the cushion. From the front a third folding comb moves rearward. Plates of the combs interdigitate with portions of the cushion inbetween, thus creating accordion folds. Fourth and fifth folding combs move in from the sides and their plates interdigitate with the plates of the other three combs, tucking excess portions of the cushion inbetween the accordion folds already formed. The package thus formed is compressed and then moved into the canister. A dust cover is slid over the front of the canister.

Abstract: A trough-shaped airbag canister and module assembly has an integral diffuser and diverter for permitting simultaneous deployment of a head/torso airbag and a knee airbag. The integral diffuser and diverter in the canister diffuses a first portion of inflation gases from an inflator to a mouth of a head/torso airbag and diffuses and diverts a second portion of the inflation gases through a kneebag inflation port in a sidewall of the canister and into a mouth of a knee airbag.

Abstract: A regenerative liquid propellant rocket motor including a body having an integrally formed central tube. A primary combustion chamber is disposed in the body. A secondary combustion chamber is formed by the central tube of the body. A reservoir of liquid propellant is disposed in the body. A regenerative piston is slidably disposed in the body for delivering the liquid propellant to the primary and secondary combustion chambers. The piston includes a plurality of injection ports for injecting the liquid propellant. An ignitor is disposed in the body for initiating combustion of the liquid propellant. A nozzle is formed at a free end of the central tube for producing thrust, wherein upon ignition of the ignitor combustion occurs in the primary combustion chamber driving the piston into the liquid propellant reservoir and the liquid propellant is injected into the primary combustion chamber to produce combustion products which are channeled into the secondary combustion chamber and expanded through the nozzle.

Abstract: A vehicle air bag installation including an inflatable air bag assembly mounted in a rectangular opening in the vehicle instrument panel for deployment of the air bag through the opening. A rectangular door engages a recessed abutment around the opening when closed. A plurality of spaced apertures are provided in spaced brackets supported by the instrument panel in a recessed region for receiving fasteners for attaching the door to the instrument panel. The fasteners comprise thermoplastic resin bodies having a cylindrical bulbous head, flared wings or shoulders extending from the bulbous head for providing height alignment, a lower portion for centering the fastener in the aperture comprising a plurality of gripping teeth formed as an angled flute for securing the door to the instrument panel. Integral channels molded into the underside of the cover substrate releasably engage the heads of the fasteners.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting a housing for an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint module to a vehicle steering wheel armature includes at least two snap-in fasteners for holding the housing in assembled relation with the armature. A resiliently compressible member is interposed intermediate the steering wheel armature and the housing to permit overtravel of the snap-in fasteners relative to the armature during assembly with the housing and to thereafter exert a force upon the housing to maintain a firm engagement of the snap-in fasteners with the housing and with the armature, and thereby maintain engagement between the housing and the armature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety system for a motor vehicle having first and second sensor means, by means of which sensor parameters representing the vehicle movement dynamics of the vehicle are detected. Furthermore, vehicle movement means and restraining means are provided, actuators which influence the vehicle movement dynamics of the vehicle being actuated by means of the vehicle movement means on the basis of the detected sensor parameters of the at least first sensor means, and a restraining system being activated by means on the restraining means on the basis of the detected sensor parameters of the second sensor means. The essential feature of the invention consists in the fact that a signal representing the condition of the road pavement is formed on the basis of sensor parameters of the second sensor means, and this signal is used in the vehicle movement means to actuate the actuators.

Abstract: A MOS field-effect transistor (T2) is provided in conjunction with transistors (T1 and T3) as polarity reversal protection in an electrical circuit arrangement (1). Polarity reversal protection of this type is realized by the drain-source path of the transistor (T2). Transistors (T1 and T3) form a comparator. If the drain-source voltage of the transistor (T2) becomes negative then the transistor (T3) switches on. This, in turn has the effect of switching off the transistor (T2) thereby providing polarity reversal protection. The electronic circuit arrangement (1) configured according to the invention can advantageously be used in an airbag system (10).

Abstract: A regenerative liquid propellant engine system includes a body having opposed ends. A combustion chamber is disposed in the body. A reservoir of liquid propellant is also disposed in the body. A regenerative piston is slidably disposed in the body for delivering the liquid propellant to the combustion chamber. When combustion occurs in the combustion chamber the piston is driven into the liquid propellant reservoir and the liquid propellant is injected into the combustion chamber to produce combustion products. A storage tank stores a quantity of liquid propellant and a pump delivers the liquid propellant from the storage tank to the liquid propellant reservoir. The regenerative piston produces the necessary pumping pressure to operate the pump, thus, the mechanical complexity and inefficiencies of other pumping techniques is avoided.

Abstract: An improved method for the fabrication of filter assemblies for use in automotive air bag inflators by spirally winding a hollow cylindrical combustion screen comprised of layers of filter material. The spirally wound filter is then cut into individual units of desired length by the use of a conventional cutting device and additional filtering layers can optionally be added to form an inflator filter assembly.