Abstract: The invention concerns a tubular gas generator for the filling of an airbag in a retention system for occupants of motor vehicles, whereby two separate combustion chamber units have a common connector and each combustion chamber unit has an ignitor unit with respective filters.

Abstract: A gas generator (10) which generates propellant gas for inflating a gas bag in an air bag system comprises a housing (11) having a combustion chamber (21) which is formed by an upper part (12) of the housing and a lower part (13) of the housing in the interior of the housing (11), discharge openings (32) in the housing (11) for the exit of the propellant gas from the housing (11) into the gas bag, a filter device (30) upstream of the discharge openings (32) and an ignition device (23) for igniting a solid propellant (22) contained in the combustion chamber (21), the propellant gas escaping from the combustion chamber (21) being directed out of the housing (11) via flow chambers (29).

Abstract: A gas generator for passive restraint systems in motor vehicles. The generator includes a lower shell part having a cylindrical inner wall and a cylindrical outer wall coaxial with the cylindrical inner wall, the lower shell part further including first mechanical latch elements disposed on each of its inner wall and outer wall. An upper shell part of the gas generator has a cylindrical inner wall and a cylindrical outer wall coaxial with the cylindrical inner wall, the upper shell part further including second mechanical latch elements disposed on each of its inner wall and outer wall. The upper shell part is assembled with the lower shell part such that the first mechanical latch elements and the second mechanical latch elements are latched to one another.

Abstract: A method for non-invasively monitoring a pressure of a compressed gas inside a closed container includes: forming a magnetic circuit through a portion of the outside wall of the container; detecting magnetic flux amplitude changes in the magnetic circuit created by a transient stress in the outside wall of the container; producing data representing the magnetic flux amplitude changes; and monitoring pressure changes from a nominal pressure by evaluating the data representing the magnetic flux amplitude changes.

Abstract: Gas generators for passive restraint systems in motor vehicles, particularly for airbag systems or belt pre-tensioner systems, contain a gas generating compound which is ignited by an electrical ignition unit. The present ignition unit makes do with a small number of individual components and does not employ a plug. The connecting devices carrying the electrical ignition pulse are connected directly to the ignition charge without the intermediate circuitry of a plug, and the ignition carrier is formed as an enclosure for the connecting devices.

Abstract: A device for disconnecting the flow of current in the positive or impregnated battery cable of a motor vehicle has an electrically conductive plug-in connection that can be placed in the positive or impregnated battery cable in the form of a housing and a plug connector. The housing contains a gas generator of the kind used, for example, for belt tighteners. The gas generator is arranged in the housing in such a way that the propellant gas produced when the gas generator is ignited electrically separates the connector from the housing and this in turn interrupts the flow of current in the positive or impregnated battery cable. Consequently, a short circuit that might occur in the event of an accident and which could otherwise lead to damage of the cable tree and then set the vehicle on fire, is avoided in good time.

Abstract: Gas generator for a safety system for the protection of occupants of motor vehicles, with a tubular or cylindrical housing, wherein the gas-generating solid propellant is contained in a combustion chamber within which volume-equalizing structure is arranged, surrounding the propellant, both in the direction of flow--along the principal axis--and peripherally over the entire circumference.

Abstract: A hybrid gas generator for vehicle safety, systems, in particular airbag inflating and seat belt tensioning systems or pyrotechnical isolating switches for disconnecting the vehicle electrical system from the vehicle battery in the event of an impact accident, is described, whereby a moving piston is provided to destroy the bursting diaphragm which closes off the compressed gas container. This piston is moved towards the bursting diaphragm by igniting an ignition system whereby according to this invention the piston has a flange-shaped projection which is located against a shoulder on the internal surface of a sleeve facing the piston and is designed such that when the ignition system is ignited the flange-shaped projection shears off. Advantageously, the operating pressure in the combustion chamber of the hybrid gas generator according to this invention can thus be determined by the area of the shearing surface on the flange-shaped projection.

Abstract: A hybrid gas generator includes a pyrotechnic gas generator joined to a high-pressure vessel which is sealed with a sealing disk composed of a substance which chemically reacts with propellant gas produced in use so that the sealing disk is opened with an advantageously reduced acoustic pressure. The propellant gas is chemically reactive and is produced from a propellant composition which is present in a surplus amount and which is composed of a propellant which is oxidizable and at least one oxidant for oxidizing the propellant. The propellant gas attacks the sealing disk chemically and thermally, and continuously burns through it to release the gas from the high-pressure vessel into a mixing chamber in the pyrotechnic gas generator.

Abstract: Gas generator for an airbag that provides protection against side impact in a vehicle. The gas generator has a housing with a flange for attaching the gas generator to a part of the vehicle, in particular to the backrest of a vehicle seat, and for fixing the airbag. The gas generator also has a sealed fluid-tight propellant tank that acts as combustion chamber. The propellant tank is arranged concentrically in the housing such that an annular chamber is formed between the housing and the propellant tank to allow afterburning. The annular chamber can be connected on the one hand to the inside of the propellant tank through the passage that opens as a result of the burning process and on the other hand to the inside of the airbag through the outlet apertures provided in the housing wall, but otherwise it is sealed fluid-tight. The construction of the generator is therefore very simple and it is of very small size.

Abstract: A gas-generating mixture for an air bag, which has a rate of burnoff exceeding 40 mm/sec and good ignitability, but leads to a relatively low combustion temperature. The mixture is formed of an alkali or alkaline earth azide as the principal component, a metal oxide as the oxidizing agent and slag-forming agent, and 5 to 23 wt. % of an accelerator consisting of a metal nitrate and silicon dioxide, wherein the ratio of the metal nitrate to the silicon dioxide ranges from 4:1 to 1:4, and the silicon dioxide content is at least 4 wt. % of the mixture.

Abstract: Gas generator system of lightweight design, especially of an impact protection system for occupants of vehicles, containing a central area with an igniter for a combustion chamber enclosing the igniter for solid propellant, which combustion chamber in turn is enclosed by a filter chamber with discharge openings for inflating a downstream receiver, containing, in combination: a housing, consisting of an upper part and a lower part, which are screwed together, and which accommodate and hold between them the igniter, the propellant, and the filter, so that they are sealed tightly and in a pressure-proof manner from the outside, and that one of the two housing parts that can be connected to one another has an approximately mushroom-shaped cross section, as well as special filter designs and brackets for holding same during screwing together, and the selected ducting for the flow of the gas generated.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a propellant mixture for producing propellant gas for passenger protection systems in motor vehicles, in particular airbag systems. According to this invention, this propellant mixture comprises fumaric acid, with a share of 20 to 45% by weight, as well as an inorganic oxidant with a share of 55 to 80% by weight. These revealed propellant components are non-toxic and characterized by a high thermal stability as well as low hygroscopicity. In addition, this propellant contains only minor traces of pollutant gases, with even combustion residues being non-toxic.

Abstract: An essentially cylindrical gas generator for generating combustion gases. The gas generator includes a housing having gas outlet openings; a combustion chamber surrounded by the housing; gas-generating fuel disposed in the combustion chamber; an igniting device disposed in the combustion chamber for igniting the fuel; a first filter disposed between the fuel and the gas outlet openings for prefiltering generated gases upon passage thereof from the combustion chamber through the first filter toward the outlet openings; a second filter disposed between the first filter and the outlet openings for filtering the gases upon passage thereof from the first filter through the second filter; and a generally tubular body surrounding the second filter. The tubular body is surrounded by the housing, and is composed of a plurality of third filters and a plurality of guide plates circumferentially alternating with the third filters.

Abstract: Gas generator of lightweight construction, especially of an impact protection system for occupants of a vehicle, wherein a housing shell and a cover are made in one piece, formed of light metal such as aluminum, and have internally located screw-threaded parts which are screwed against each other, so that they are connected to one another tightly in a press fit positive lock manner and in a compression-proof manner, and also accommodate and hold between them the igniter, the propellant, and the filter. This leads to considerably reduced production costs for series production. Despite the weight reduction achieved, the gas generator is resistant to high temperatures, and the propellant gases discharged are sufficiently cool and muffled.

Abstract: A gas generator, which can be used to inflate an airbag, that has a perforated outer housing wall, a fuel chamber, an expansion chamber which adjoins the fuel chamber and is connected to the fuel chamber via openings, includes a surrounding filter resting against the outer housing wall. A filter tube holds and supports the filter. To provide a secure and uniform sealing of the edge of the filter along the entire circumference of the outer housing wall, a ring-shaped clamping device is provided between the filter tube and the edge of the filter. The clamping device presses the edge of the filter against the outer housing wall.