Abstract: A predictive collision radar system in a vehicle incorporates a first antenna and a guard antenna, the associated radiation patterns of which overlap with one another, but the radiation pattern of the guard antenna is broader than that of the first antenna. A comparison of signals from the first and guard antennas provides for rejecting targets that are not likely a threat to the vehicle. In one embodiment the first antenna is a multi-beam antenna with an electromagnetic lens, for example, either dielectric or planar, and a signal from a forward looking element thereof is compared with the signal from the guard antenna aligned therewith. In another embodiment, an electromagnetic lens is adapted to cooperate with the guard antenna so as to provide for forming the associated radiation pattern.

Abstract: A micro gas generator 10 is provided primarily for supplying and directing gas from the combustion of pyrotechnic materials into a seatbelt pretensioner 26, for example. A perforated housing 12 of gas generator 10 provides a body for containment of the other gas generant constituents, and forms a propellant chamber 14. A propellant or gas generant 16 is contained within chamber 14 and provides combustion thereof. An annular bore 20 is centrally oriented within the bore seal 18 thereby providing a seat for an associated initiator 22. An initiator blast shield 36 is encased about the initiator 22 thereby attenuating or mitigating the force and progression of the combustion of an ignition compound (not shown) within the initiator 22.

Abstract: A processor operatively coupled to a speed sensor adapted to generate a measure of a longitudinal speed of a vehicle on a roadway, and to a source of a measure of yaw rate of the vehicle, provides for selecting a most likely roadway model of a plurality of different roadway models and for outputting a corresponding associated at least one curvature parameter as an estimate of curvature of the roadway, wherein the processor incorporates a plurality of curvature estimators associated with the corresponding plurality of different roadway models.

Abstract: A camera (32) captures successive images of light stripes (22) projected onto an object by a light curtain (18) positioned by a light source positioner (28). A background image is subtracted (616) therefrom, and the resulting image is boosted by binning (618), binarized with a thresholding algorithm (620), skeletonized (622), interpolated (624) and stored (626). Interpolated images are acquired for a plurality of light stripes (22). A processor (30) generates (1604) a 3-D surface model from Cartesian coordinates computed for non-zero camera pixels. A volumetric representation is determined (1610) from the offset of the object surface model relative to a model of a proximate surface, e.g. a seating surface (24). The object is classified (1614), e.g. by a trainable pattern recognitions system, responsive to 3-D shape descriptors (1606) of the 3-D surface model and to the volumetric representation (1610) or portions (1612) thereof.

Abstract: An inflator (10) for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system. In one aspect, the inflator (10) includes a longitudinal enclosure (22) having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along at least a portion of the enclosure, and a gas generant composition (24) positioned along the portion of the enclosure (22). The gas generant composition (24) is distributed substantially uniformly along the portion of the enclosure (22). A plurality of gas exit apertures (40) is formed along the portion of the enclosure (22) to enable fluid communication between the enclosure (22) and an exterior of the enclosure. The apertures (40) are spaced apart a distance proportional to a desired rate of propagation of a combustion reaction of gas generant positioned between the apertures (40).

Abstract: A stored gas inflator (10) comprising a pressure vessel (12) for storing a pressurized medium therein. The pressure vessel (12) has a wall (14) defining an interior of the vessel. A gas flow conduit (26) extends through the interior of the pressure vessel (12). The conduit (26) has a first portion extending from the interior of the vessel (12) through a first portion of the wall (14) to an exterior of the vessel, and a second portion extending from the interior of the vessel through a second portion of the wall (14) to the exterior of the vessel. Rupturable barriers (40) are formed along a portion of the conduit (26) that extends through the interior of the vessel, for separating an interior of the conduit (26) from the interior of the pressure vessel (12) prior to activation of the inflator (10). The barriers (40) are rupturable upon activation of the inflator (10) to enable fluid communication between the interior of the conduit (26) and the interior of the pressure vessel (12).

Abstract: A gas generator (10) is provided, comprising an initiator (48) including an initiator charge, a gas generant insert (52) spaced apart from the initiator (48), and a fluid-impermeable blast director (42) interposed between the initiator (48) and the gas generant insert (52). The blast director (42) provides a barrier between the gas generant insert (52) and a blast resulting from ignition of the initiator charge when the initiator charge is ignited. The blast director (42), when used with particular gas generant configurations, reduces the effects of the initiator blast and reduces the amount of gas generant exposed to the blast, enabling the structural integrity of the gas generant (52) to be maintained.

Abstract: A gas generator (10) includes an igniter (27) and first and second inflation gas generant compositions (52, 52?) positioned to enable fluid communication with the igniter (27) upon activation of the igniter. Flow regulators (54, 54?) are provided to regulate a flow of combustion products from the igniter (27) to the first and second inflation gas generant compositions (52, 52?), to correspondingly regulate a time period between activation of the igniter (27) and initiation of combustion of the first and second inflation gas generant compositions (52, 52?). In another aspect, the gas generator (10) includes a modular baffle system (70) including a first baffle chamber (71) in fluid communication with an inflation gas generant combustion chamber (50) for receiving therein combustion products from combustion of an inflation gas generant (52) positioned in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A plurality of antenna end-fire antenna feed elements disposed along a contour on a dielectric substrate cooperate with a discrete lens array. An electromagnetic wave launched by an antenna feed element is received by a first set of patch antennas on a first side of the discrete lens array, and the associated received signals are propagated through associated delay elements to a corresponding second set of patch antennas on the opposite side of the discrete lens array from which the associated received signals are reradiated, wherein the corresponding delays of the associated delay elements are location dependent so as to emulate a dielectric electromagnetic lens and thereby provide for forming an associated beam of electromagnetic energy. A signal applied to a corporate feed port is switched to the antenna feed elements by a switching network, whereby different antenna feed elements generate different beams of electromagnetic energy in different directions.

Abstract: A gas generating system (24) is provided including a gas generant container (34) and an initiator (28). The initiator (28) is positioned exterior of the gas generant container (34) so as to enable fluid communication with the container (34) upon activation of the initiator (28). A gas generant composition (32) is placed within the container (34). In one embodiment, the gas generant container (34) has sufficient rigidity to maintain a predetermined shape prior to positioning of the gas generant (32) therein, and is penetrable by combustion products resulting from activation of the initiator (28). A flame retardant (33) is positioned within the housing 17 exterior of the gas generant container (34) but in reactive proximity thereto. A seatbelt device (150) and a vehicle occupant restraint system (180) incorporating a gas generating system as described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: An in-line seat belt pretensioner is provided that includes a frame containing a first guide member and a second guide member for tensioning of seat belt webbing upon pretensioner activation. As the pretensioner is activated, the seat belt is tensioned by activation of an actuator operably coupled to the second guide. The second guide is then routed over a vertically stationary first guide that is slidably engaged within a slot within the frame, thereby contributing to reducing the load on the occupant. A low-friction material employed in the manufacture of the guide member(s), contributes to a smoother and less abrupt tensioning of the seat belt upon activation of the pretensioner.

Abstract: A gas generating system (10) including a baffle system for cooling a gas generated by the gas generating system. The baffle system (40) includes a first enclosure and a second enclosure (80) spaced apart from a wall (14) of the first enclosure to define a first fluid flow passage (86) extending between the second enclosure (80) and the wall (14). The second enclosure (80) defines a baffle chamber (92) therein. The second enclosure (80) also includes at least one opening (94) for enabling fluid communication between a gas source and the second enclosure baffle chamber (92), and at least one opening (96) for enabling fluid communication between the second enclosure baffle chamber (92) and the first fluid flow passage (86). A third enclosure (32) is also provided spaced apart from the wall (14) of the first enclosure to define a second fluid flow passage (98) extending between the third enclosure (32) and the wall (14).

Abstract: A filter (10) and an inflator assembly (15) for use in an inflatable vehicle passenger restraint system. The inflator assembly (15) includes an inflator housing (70) having a wall (71), a combustion chamber (72) formed in an interior of the housing (70), and a gas generant composition positioned in the combustion chamber (72) and ignitable to provide inflation gas to the inflatable occupant restraint system. The filter (10) is positioned intermediate apertures (73) in the combustion chamber (72) and apertures (19) in the inflator housing wall (71). The filter (10) includes a filter body (11) spaced apart from the housing wall (71) and at least one continuous lip (12) extending from the filter body (11). The lip (12) has a peripheral edge (75) that abuts the housing wall (71) over substantially the entire perimeter of the peripheral edge (75).

Abstract: A gas generating system (10) includes a housing (12) having a longitudinal axis (A) and a pair of baffle tubes (22, 24) positioned within the housing (12). The baffle tubes each have a pair of opposed ends. At least a pair of opposed longitudinally aligned surfaces (62, 64) is formed within the housing (12) proximate the ends of the housing. Each of the surfaces (62, 64) is sloped with respect to the housing longitudinal axis (A) and abuts a corresponding end of one of the baffle tubes (22, 24) to position the baffle tubes within the housing (12) such that longitudinal axes of the first baffle tube (22) and the second baffle tube (24) are both substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis (A) of the housing (12). Abutment between the sloped surfaces (62, 64) and the baffle tubes (22, 24) during assembly of the gas generating system provides an efficient means of automatically centering the baffle tubes (22, 24) within the housing (12), thereby easing assembly of the gas generating system.

Abstract: An inflator (10) for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system. The inflator (10) includes a longitudinal enclosure (22) and a first gas generant (24) positioned along the enclosure (22). Enclosure gas exit apertures (40) are arranged along the enclosure (22) to enable fluid communication between the enclosure (22) and an exterior of the enclosure. And to provide controlled venting of combustion gases from the enclosure (22) as the first gas generant composition (24) burns, thereby controlling the speed and direction of combustion propagation of the first gas generant. Combustion of the first gas generant (24) results in an inflator housing internal pressure of at least a first predetermined minimum internal pressure.

Abstract: A multi-chamber gas generating system (10) has a housing (12) with openings (24) formed in a wall thereof. A gas-tight internal divider (42) separates the housing into two chambers (80, 80?). A first gas generating sub-assembly (100) incorporating a baffle system is positioned in the first chamber (100). The sub-assembly (100) includes a first tubular member (44) and a second tubular member (52) positioned within the first member. The first and second members have openings (49, 54) formed therein to enable fluid communication between a combustion chamber of the sub-assembly and the housing openings (24). The first sub-assembly openings (49, 54) are axially displaced from the housing openings (24) such that combustion products flow in opposing first and second axial directions between the first sub-assembly combustion chamber and the housing openings. A second sub-assembly (100?) of substantially identical construction is positioned in the housing second chamber (80?).

Abstract: An inflator for a vehicle occupant restraint system. The inflator includes a cylindrical outer wall having a longitudinal axis and a first opening formed therealong for enabling fluid communication between an interior of the inflator and an exterior of the inflator. A first inflation fluid source is positioned within the outer wall. A baffle system is fluidly interposed between the first inflation fluid source and the outer wall for conveying inflation fluid between the first inflation fluid source and the outer wall, and for cooling the inflation fluid. A second opening enables fluid communication between the first inflation fluid source and the baffle system, and a third opening enables fluid communication between the baffle system and the outer wall. The first opening is substantially radially aligned with the second opening. An expanded metal mesh buffer may be positioned between within the baffle system.

Abstract: A safety belt construction (10) for use in a vehicle occupant protection system. The safety belt construction (10) includes a first panel (12), a second panel (14) affixed to the first panel (12) to form a pocket (16) therebetween, and an amount of an energy-absorbing material (18) secured in the pocket (16) to provide an energy-absorption capability to the safety-belt structure. A safety-belt system including a safety-belt incorporating an energy-absorbing material and a method for manufacturing the safety-belt are also disclosed.

Abstract: An inflator includes a housing and a gas source material enclosed in a rupturable container in the housing. The gas source material is adapted to undergo decomposition to form an inflation gas. A reactant material is adapted to react with the gas source material to produce decomposition thereof, and is positioned in a cavity extending between a housing outer wall and an enclosure positioned within the housing. The container and an expandable bladder are positioned in the enclosure. Ignition of a propellant within the bladder generates combustion gases, thereby expanding the bladder. Bladder expansion forces portions of the container into openings formed along the enclosure, thereby stressing and rupturing the portions of the container in the openings and releasing gas source material to flow through the openings into the cavity, where it reacts with the catalyst to produce inflation gas.

Abstract: A gas generating system (10) includes a tubular outer housing (12) having a longitudinal axis (L) and one or more apertures (12d) formed therealong to enable fluid communication between an interior of the outer housing and an exterior of the outer housing. A tubular inner housing (70) is positioned within the interior of the outer housing (12). The inner housing (70) includes one or more apertures (70d) formed therealong to enable fluid communication between an interior of the inner housing and an exterior of the inner housing. A first tubular baffle (80) is provided for cooling and regulating a flow of gas produced by the gas generating system (10). The first baffle (80) has a plurality of corrugations (80c) formed therealong and is positioned between the inner housing (70) and the outer housing (12) to define a gas flow channel (82) extending between the first baffle (80) and the inner housing (70).