Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of hybrid gas generators intended to inflate an airbag to protect the occupants of a motor vehicle. The generator (1) according to the invention consists of a metal tube (2) containing an internal partition (26) having a central orifice (27) closed by a diaphragm (28). This partition divides the generator into a reservoir chamber (29) containing the pressurized gases and a combustion and mixing chamber (46) containing a pyrotechnic device (4) extended by a support piece (30) containing a piston-pillar (31) which rests against the diaphragm (28). The stroke of the piston is limited by fins and the base of the piston acts as a deflector, preventing hot gases from entering the reservoir chamber (29) during operation, so that this chamber can contain a greater amount of gas.

Abstract: The electro-pyrotechnic initiation system preferably comprises an electro-pyrotechnic initiator (1) consisting especially of an insulating support (14) over which a flat resistive heating element (3) and two separate conductive metal areas (15, 16) are extended, the said resistive heating element and the said conductive metal areas being electrically connected to a current source (2) by means of two electrodes (9, 10). A conductive filter device (5), connected in parallel with the said resistive heating element (3), is divided into a varistor (6) and into a capacitor (7) which are connected to the electrodes (9, 10). This conductive filter device (5) has an equivalent resistance which varies depending on the measured electric potential difference between the two electrodes (9, 10) and ensures that the initiator (1) is not operated when the latter is subjected to a high-voltage electrostatic discharge.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of protecting the occupants of a motor vehicle by an inflatable airbag.The invention relates to a process consisting in inflating an airbag (1) by a pyrotechnic generator (2) containing a double-composition charge (9) formed around a main charge having a linear burning rate V.sub.1 and at least part of the ignition faces of which are covered with a skin of moderate pyrotechnic composition having a linear burning rate V.sub.2 satisfying the relationship:0.05 V.sub.1 .ltoreq.V.sub.2 .ltoreq.0.5 V.sub.1.The invention thus makes it possible to inflate the airbag gradually during the first milliseconds of deployment of the latter.

Abstract: The generator (1) comprises a hollow cylindrical body (2) comprising a side wall (3) in which is crimped an impervious transverse partition (4) which separates an upstream combustion chamber (5) from a downstream combustion chamber (6), each combustion chamber (5, 6) having a pyrotechnic charge (7, 8). A neutralizing device consists, on the one hand, of a delay tube (21) fixed into the impervious transverse partition (4) and, on the other hand, of a pyrotechnic mixture (24) contained in the said delay tube (21). A safety assembly (31) is fitted around the necked region (28) and has pre-cut regions covering the combustion gases ejection nozzles.This adaptive pyrotechnic gas generator is intended to inflate an airbag and guarantees that any pyrotechnic substance is eliminated after operation.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic gas generator (1) for airbags comprising housing (2) which has a side wall (3) closed at its two ends. A traverse plate (6) divides the housing (2) into an upstream part (9) and a downstream part (10). The upstream part (9) contains a tube (16) which seperates, in a gas-tight manner, two combustion chambers (17, 18), each one provided with a pyrotechnic charge (19, 20). An electrical ignition device (5) consists of an initiator with two heads (21, 22) may be incorporated in a switching bridge having four switches linked to a circuit with diodes. Thus, it is possible either to initiate only a single head (21, 22) as required, or to initiate both heads in a programmed time-staggered manner.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic gas generator for motor-vehicle safety in the form of a one-piece cylindrical body (1) which comprises a side wall (2) and a transverse wall (3) which divides the body (1) into an upstream compartment (4) and a downstream compartment (5). These compartments (4, 5) each contain a pyrotechnic charge (6, 7) and an ignition system (15, 16). A lid (30) and a can (31) are fixed to the external side wall (2) and constitute a diffusion chamber. A safety unit (26) grips part of the side wall (2) and makes it possible, depending on the electrical signals received by the generator (100), either to inflate the airbag partially or to inflate the airbag completely with the possibility of modulating the rate of inflation.